The best of the Leo decan cards, the doubly solar Leo decan 2, the Six of Wands, Victory. It hits the sweet spot between the Five, Strife, and the Seven, Valour, each of which has its own Mars-flavored challenges. But here we have Sun-ruled Leo in Sun-ruled sephira Tiphareth, with the decan itself ruled by the greater benefic Jupiter in both the Chaldean AND triplicity systems.
Succedent Decan of Leo: A man crowned with a white myrtle wreath, holding a bow.
The planets dignified here are rulers and leaders. The Sun, center of the entire planetary system, largest body, source of light and life and our star, is and has always been associated with sovereigns and commanders. Jupiter is the largest orbiting body, and is associated with Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. This is a straightforward image, of a triumphant leader on horseback, dressed in imperial purple, crowned with myrtle, raising his bow triumphantly. He is at the top of a hill, and rising towards the Sun. He looks back at his followers, who raise their staffs and banners to him, honoring him by throwing roses in the air. There is no ambiguity at all: this is victory being celebrated, and a time to shine.
The rider raises his bow in a victorious salute, as he pauses at the top of hill on his way towards a throne crested by the Sun. He is given a bow as described in the Picatrix description, which is apt for Jupiter’s association with Sagittarius the Archer.
The deity per the 36 Airs of the Zodiac fragment is Isis: “Mighty one, foremost of the goddesses, Ruler in heaven, Queen on earth…all the gods are under her command.” Isis is the Greek version of her name, which was Iset in Egyptian. Iset means “throne,” or seat, and was used in the sense of seat as the “seat of power,” the place of command.
The deity per 777 is Perseus, son of Zeus (Jupiter) and Danaë, conceived in a shower of gold (Sun). Perseus is one of the most celebrated heroes of the Greek myths who performed many great feats. He was the rescuer of Andromeda, the slayer of Medusa, and the founder of vast dynasties.
This is a winning combination of Fortune and Strength, at the very center of the Tree of Life, in the highest world of Atziluth.
But there is always something. The Picatrix: “A man who wears a crown of white myrtle on his head, and he has a bow in his hand. Beauty, riding, the ascension of a man who is ignorant and base, war and naked swords.” Per Agrippa: “An image with hands lifted up, and a man on whose head is a crown; he hath the appearance of an angry man, and one that threateneth, having in his right hand a sword drawn out of the scabbard, and in his left a buckler. Hidden contentions, and unknown victories, and upon base men, and upon the occasions of quarrels and battles.” The “ascension of a man who is ignorant and base” and suggestions of war and contention is unpleasant and all too apt for our times. Not all who are crowned with high positions are worthy of them. There is always the danger of hubris, which can be a fault of Leo.
Talismanically, the Picatrix applications use the Leo 2 decan image for chasing away predators and keeping wild beasts away. In more modern times, this could be used metaphorically. One might choose to use this face for great feats, excelling, and creative pursuits. It can lead to victorious outcomes – the joy of battle followed by triumph and acclaim. As I’m sure this will be a popular decan for talismanic and decan-based magic, in the upcoming book I list ways to make special solar-based talismanic materia, spells for Victory from the PGM, Egyptian recitations to Isis, and a way to make a talismanic object charged with the corresponding powers of the Leo 2 decan.
I’m really looking forward to this one! Stay tuned for Part II of Leo decan 2.