Astrological Magic
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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Astrological magic encompasses a variety of practices that developed across world cultures as ancient people turned to the heavens and engaged in astral devotion and ritual to address their concerns here on earth. Western astrological magic derives from a unique history where subsequent cultures over the centuries added layers of practice. These historical currents shape contemporary astrological magic as occultists and spirit-workers continue to invoke and appeal to the celestial bodies in altar work, candle magic, talismans, planetary magic, and other methods that seek to draw down the influence of the heavens.
In ancient Mesopotamia and India, the sighting of astral omens eventually evolved into complex ritual practices designed to either cultivate or ward off the influence of specific celestial configurations. Ancient ritualists reasoned that if an eclipse could predict the downfall of a king, then a ritual which invoked similar astral forces could ward off the prophesied danger. These early astrological rituals emerged alongside electional astrology, a major branch of traditional astrology dedicated to determining auspicious and inauspicious timing.
The initial astrological rituals of the Mesopotamians and Indians eventually were incorporated in Late Antique Hellenistic theurgic practice where the appeal to the Planets was expanded to include various daimons and spirits through a system of correspondences linking the natural world to the celestial bodies. The most significant layer would come in the Medieval period where Jewish and Muslim astrologers would collaborate to bring together the various cultural currents of astrological magic within a Greco-Egyptian and Syriac system that would provide the basis for astrological magic for the next one thousand years as Arabic grimoires were translated into Latin.
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Astrological Magic Empowers the Work
From its ancient historical foundations, astrological magic evolved around two major components: timing and correspondences.
Timing is determined by observing the movement of specific astrological bodies, such as the seven classical planets and the fixed stars, through sectors of space, which include the zodiac, with its 12 signs and 36 decans. Chosen timings are called "elections" and by using them, magicians seek to correlate the magical work to be undertaken with the positions of celestial bodies, with the objective of employing the characters of the celestial objects and the sectors of the heavens through which they move, as well as the geometry of the angles between them. Determining when the time is right can greatly enhance the efficacy of a love spell, a protection spell, or a a prosperity spell; or give additional force to the creation of an empowered astrological talisman.
Correspondences enter the picture because the astrological bodies represent cosmic forces which in turn are associated with intelligences, spirits, and divinities who have certain forms, interests, and personalities. These correspondences may include specific colours, elements, minerals, plants, and foods that resonate with the larger celestial bodies and cosmic areas of space. Over time a wide range of interconnected correspondences have been made between the celestial bodies and diverse natural and social phenomena on Earth. For example, mental agility, the hands, diseases of the lungs, a career in literature, Parrots, and the Linnaea or Twin Flower are said to correspond to the sign of Gemini and its ruler, the planet Mercury. Likewise, the planet Mars is associated with war, blood, and anger, while the planet Jupiter is associated with expansion, generosity, and charity.
By knowing and working with timings and correspondences, the astrological magician can invoke, direct, and shape celestial forces, designing spells that best correlate to cosmic forces and their attending spirits. In practice this interplay between timing and correspondences has coalesced into several magical methods of work: theurgic rituals, altar work, and prayers; spell casting; the deployment of materia magica such as herbs and flowers, perfumed oils, potions, powders, and incenses); and the creation of astrological talismans and amulets.
Today’s contemporary practitioners are the inheritors of the ancient traditions born of collaboration across cultures and centuries. To these older methods and concepts, contemporary magicians add the recently discovered outer planets as well as new astrological magical methods.
Hoodoo root doctors have long used aspects of astrology and astrological magic to aid clients. It is common to align the type of outcome desired to astrological markers like planetary days and planetary hours, Sun and Moon signs, Moon phases, the zodiac, and the fixed stars. Some selected according to the correspondences found in colour magic, and enhance the work by adding astrological correspondences between planets and herbs, crystals, and colours in their candle magic or in making mojo bags and magical talismans.
For example, rootwork intended to enhance love may be performed on a Friday, the day associated with the romantic planet Venus, during a waxing Moon cycle to cause love to grow. The practitioner may light green or pink coloured candles according to precepts of colour magic, dress them with astrological oils and Venus-associated conjure herbs, and craft a talisman for the client to wear or a mojo bag to carry that contains the Venus herbs, as well as a mineral such as a lodestone or rose quartz for attraction, and a planetary sigil which functions as a petition paper for Venus, such as one of those found in The Seals of Solomon or The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses. While lighting the candles, the root doctor may speak a free-form prayer or incorporate a theurgic hymn, such as the Orphic Hymn to the goddess Venus.
Electional Astrology Sets the Date
Electional Astrology deals with determining the most beneficial or auspicious timing for events which can be planned in advance. For instance, electional astrology may be used to select the date a business is founded or incorporated, or the safest date for elective surgery. Wedding dates, which must take into consideration both the bride and the groom's natal charts, are chosen with particular care. Such work may take an astrologer many hours, as convenient or timely dates are compared against the transiting astrological weather and the natal charts of those involved.
If you seek the services of a qualified electional astrologer, you will know that everything about the day that has been selected -- from the zodiac sign of the Sun and the aspects between the planets to the waxing or the waning of the moon -- supports your plans, and that the entire cosmos is in sympathy or harmony with your intended outcome.
Electional astrology can also be helpful in setting the best times to perform rootwork for love and reconciliation spells, money drawing and gambling luck spells, career promotion or job-getting spells, cleansing and healing spells, jinx-breaking spells, revenge spells, or the making of protective talismans or good luck charms. For instance, a spell to repel evil or a safe travel amulet can be set into motion on a day when the planets align with your own natal chart to produce the strongest protection possible.
If your astrologer is also a conjure doctor, you will get practical spell-casting advice specific to the chosen day. This may include prescriptions for specific conjure supplies such as zodiacal, Planetary, or traditional Southern-Style roots and herbs, dressing oils, prepared candles and lamps, spiritual incenses, bath products, perfumes, floor washes, and magical powders.
Relocational Astrology Assists the Move
Relocational Astrology, also known as Astro-Mapping or Astro-Cartography, is a computation by means of which your astrologer begins with your natal horoscope and then constructs a chart for geographic areas to which you are considering moving or traveling. Relocational astrology presumes that each planet's influence is stronger or weaker along lines which traverse the globe, but these astrological patterns vary from client to client, as they are based upon each person's individual and unique birth chart. Astro-mapping can help you choose between two locations, or decide upon a travel itinerary,
If you are not satisfied in your present location but have no place to move in mind, an astro-cartographer can assist you by selecting specific towns or areas with planetary configurations which augur well for your success in career, love, family life, fame, or spiritual development. Some areas will provide you with a greater probability of romance and marriage, for instance, while other areas will be better suited for your business success. Similarly, some areas may be less comfortable or even have potential for danger.
Astrological Remediation Fixes the Problem
Astrological Remediation proceeds from an examination of the most negative aspects on your birth-chart and devises ways in which to overcome those influences by taking advantage of better aspects or more positive times in your life, as predicted by the stars. If you were born with an unlucky star or bad aspect in your natal chart, an astrological reading may indicate that you have less than expected chances of career success, romantic love, wealth, or physical health. Do not despair, for as is often said, "The Stars impel, they do not compel." The impact of negative zodiacal aspects on you or your relationships can be greatly lessened and even reversed by an astrological spell-caster who has the knowledge and experience to balance and blend your planetary energies, usingmagical astrological remediation.
When you seek astrological remediation from a specialist in this work, you may be given prescriptions to wear certain colours or make use of certain fragrances that are symbolic of the hidden harmony in your horoscope, and your astrologer may work at his or her altar to craft a custom-made astrological or zodiacal talisman for you on a specific day and charge it with cosmic energies that will radiate vibrations symbolic of success in those areas of life that previously gave you difficulty.
Credits
This page is brought to you by the AIRR Tech Team:
- Authors: ConjureMan, catherine yronwode
- Contributors: nagasiva yronwode, Papa Newt
- Images: DigitalStorm, Vetre, unknown photographers; sourced and photo-edited by catherine yronwode and nagasiva yronwode
See Also
Learn Astrology from AIRR
 "Introduction To Astrology" with Evan Lionhart. Uncover the meaning behind your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant Signs. |
 "Astrology for Rootworkers: Spell-Casting with the Zodiac in Hoodoo and Conjure" with catherine yronwode. No math astrology for use in spell work. |
