Succedent decan of Libra: A man, dark, yet delicious of countenance.
The Three of Swords, Sorrow, middle decan of Libra. Libra is ruled by Venus. The decan is ruled by Saturn, exalted in Libra. Saturn is also the ruler of the decan in the triplicity system.
Egyptian God per 777: Omphta. Hellenistic god per the 36 Airs of the Zodiac fragment: Kairos
Color of Binah in Yetzirah: Dark Brown
Lord of Sorrow. Second face of Libra: A man, dark. yet delicious of countenance
This is the only card with a truly close up portrait, due to the decan description focused on the man’s countenance.
Brief excerpt from the upcoming book, from the chapter on Libra 2 decan, about some of the symbolism of the Telos Tarot of 777 image:
“Yes, he looks very much like those depictions of Jesus opening his chest to reveal a flaming heart, serene face and all. That was of course intentional. Jesus and Buddha are avatars, with many parallels and similarities. The Picatrix image description says “a black man, a bridegroom having a joyous journey.” In the Bible, God uses the metaphor of the bridegroom for Jesus.
The Sacred Heart images of Jesus represent his suffering and love for mankind. Sometimes the heart is shown encircled by piercing thorns, or penetrated by the holy lance, and flaming or emitting light. Here it is surrounded by the three swords of the suit, run through by the central one.
In Egypt, the heart was the ib, a part of the soul essential to the afterlife. It was weighed in the Hall of Judgement, where if it weighed more that Maat’s feather, it was devoured by the monstrous goddess Ammit. The pure heart was lighter than the feather.
The heart is winged, lightening it, for via this piercing there is the possibility of ascending, transcending the physical and the traumas of life to achieve true spiritual growth. When you see the Egyptian winged scarab, you are seeing their amulet of the winged heart. The purpose of the heart scarab was to bind the heart to silence while it was being weighed in the underworld to ensure that the heart did not bear false witness.
The central sword is marked with the hourglass symbol of time, corresponding to Saturn. The two outer swords have hilts marked with the glyph of Libra, which is said to represent the bar of the scales, or the uppercase letter Omega. Omega as the last letter of the Greek alphabet is often used to denote endings and limits, like Saturn. For we encounter the sorrow of endings all the time.
The three swords are bound together with a chain. It is an obvious reference to the bindings of Saturn. But not all bonds need to be sorrowful. Marriage is a contract, a promise and a binding. It is an ending of one state of being, but also a joyous union. There are the chains with which we bind ourselves, which can be restrictions or promises. The chain can be a union through matrimony, or a link of blood relations. Austin Coppock uses “two links of a chain” as the symbol for this decan in 36 Faces.
The chain can also symbolize the bonds that link heaven and earth. This is interesting as Binah (Saturn) is the first sephira above the Abyss on the Tree of Life, and part of the heavenly unknowable trinity. Binah is considered the divine mother, whose daughter is Malkuth, representing life here on earth. Chains also have a connection with prayers, chains of communication with the divine. The ancient philosophers used “iron and adamantine chains” as a metaphor, linking human happiness to the practice of Justice – a concept of the scales of Libra.
Behind the figure is the “dark sea” associated with Binah, the cosmic womb of the Great Mother. The clouds in the sky are parting to reveal three bright stars, symbolic of the triune nature of deity, divine guidance, and liberation of spirit.” [end of excerpt]
Rosetta Tarot
This is a very interesting decan. Though it is called Sorrow, the clouds have a silver lining, in that Saturn is exalted here. Yet Saturn is still difficult, and this card is Saturn times three: rules the decan in both Chaldean and triplicity system, and the card is a Three, associated with Binah, the sephira of Saturn.
RWS, Thoth, Tabula Mundi Tarot
It seems to indicate karmic bindings [Saturn] between people in some sort of relationship [Libra/Venus], whether marriage, contractual/business, or familial. The heart is pierced, the rose of nature torn asunder in order to reveal its secrets. It also is associated with painful truths, the sorrows that nonetheless are steering us towards enlightenment.
Just a quick update now that we are nearly at the end of the first decan of Libra.
The card, Two of Swords, is called Peace, or more formally, Peace Restored. It seems applicable to the recent days of the decan, at least personally. It has definitely been a time where the theme of balance has been noticeable. And a bit of restoration, combined with a very productive flow state. I think this is from both Libra, and the decan ruler the Moon. The Moon is always in flux, flowing constantly from one phase to another.
There has been a lot going on, yet I seem to be able to flow from one thing to the next in quite a productive and even relaxed way. There is the sense of many impending things to do, at work, at home, regarding family and friends, obligations, tasks. And if any of you reading lives in an area with true winter, you will understand the sense that by the end of this decan there are many little tasks that need to be done before it arrives, in order to prepare the house, yard, and garden for frosts and freezes and cold weather. Lots of things to button up. This decan normally contains the first frost here, but we escaped it so far…
And lots of things in general…computer systems needing updates, communications to respond to, paperwork, bills…things that are normally kind of irritating, to me anyway. Yet I’ve found it easy to just keep flowing from one thing to the next, getting them done, moving to another, yet also taking time to rest, enjoy nature, and think. With some ease and balance as well as productivity, which isn’t always the case.
The book is now in the final edit stage after formatting. Getting quotes from printers and re-reading everything, making small tweaks in preparation for wrapping it up. Already I find myself thinking about what is next…but one thing at a time.
Soon we will be in Libra decan 2. Crowleymas approaches…
Two of Swords, Lord of Peace Restored. Ascendant decan of Libra: A dark man, in his right hand a spear and laurel branch and in his left a book.
This year the Equinox, start of Libra, falls on Monday the 22nd, though the entry to each decan varies by a day or so each year. With the start of the first decan of Libra comes the Autumnal Equinox, here in the Northern hemisphere. It is a time of balance, where for a moment the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. It is considered the beginning of the second harvest season. The pagan holiday known as Mabon thus is a time that celebrates balance, and gratitude as we gather the fruits of our labors in preparation for winter.
This theme of balance of light and darkness is why the day of the Equinox is for stringing the traditional necklace of witches, made with beads of jet (darkness) and amber (light).
September 21st, which is right around this time, is also sometimes known as Devil’s Nutting Day. While this is a great time of year for gathering nuts (also mushrooms, and grapes) this was a day to avoid gathering nuts, as it was said to be the day when Old Nick gathered up his share. There is an old saying “as black as the Devil’s nutting bag.” It is related to this superstition, that it is considered unwise to gather nuts in autumn on a Sunday because that is when the devil himself is out nutting. If you go nutting on any Sunday in autumn you might meet the devil gathering nuts; but this year Devil’s Nutting Day also happens to fall on a Sunday, so maybe doubly likely! I’ve started the writing for this decan a day ahead of the Equinox, on Sunday, which is also the day of the solar eclipse at the very end of Virgo. I might have gone to gather some nuts anyway. But instead spent it canning some salsa from all the late season tomatoes and peppers. And picking grapes, and cleaning onions for storage. It was done with friends, so was fun, and many hands make for lighter work.
Libra is ruled by Venus, who brings things together. The sign is associated with balance, thus symbolized with the scales, symbolic of legal justice and mediation. Libra decan 1 is ruled by the Moon, whose fluctuations are stabilized, at least here in the Two. The Twos all demonstrate the initial emergence of the element, where it is in its most pure state. Here the element is Air, the suit of Swords, the mind, which is inherently conflicted generally, but at emergence is in a balanced state.
The deity (or in this case, deities) per the 36 Airs of the Zodiac fragment: the Erinyes, otherwise known as the Furies. At first this may seem strange for the card known as “Peace” or “Peace Restored.” But it does fit the card’s association with themes of justice. The Furies were particularly concerned with murder, offenses against the gods or elders, and perjury. A victim seeking justice could call down the curse of the Erinyes upon the criminal.
RWS, Thoth, Tabula Mundi
Tabula Mundi illustrates how the Two of Swords, Libra decan 1, combines the scales of Adjustment (Libra) with the pillars and scroll of the Priestess (Moon, ruler of the decan).
Tabula Mundi tarot copyright 2011-2014 Adjustment – M.M. MeleenTabula Mundi tarot copyright 2011-2014 The Priestess – M.M. Meleen
Equinox blessings – enjoy the changing seasons! Libra is also about relating to others, so we are kicking off the season with a small gathering of friends for a cookout with all the late season harvest.
This is the Part II update for the third decan of Virgo, just a recollection of observances during the decan. For the introduction to the correspondences, see Virgo decan 3 Part I for the Ten of Disks, known as the Lord of Wealth.
But first – a check-in and info about the Decan Walk process.
I’d like to point out that with the completion of this decan, and the approaching September equinox and Libra decan 1, we are now at the exact halfway point of this Decan Walk process, that began on the March equinox in Aries decan 1. It is a good time to check in, and reflect on the process itself. How is it going for you?
Are you still committed, enjoying the process? If not, it is not too late to switch things up. The next decan is after all about balance.
Crop from the center of the decan wheel diagram from Tarot Deciphered
A decan walk is simply a conscious observance of the 36 astrological decans over the period of a continuous year. But it is a commitment to make an agreement with yourself that you will show up somehow for each and every decan, to observe it consciously. You decide how. It could be just reading these posts, but ideally, it also involves some reflection and thought, noticing how it applies to you in your world, or to your understanding of the astrology factors of the decan, or to your understanding of the meanings of the related tarot card. It is meant to, and will, deepen your comprehension of these things. It can provide a Wealth of information.
I have also heard, somewhere, though I cannot remember the source, that doing the decan walk provides a layer of protection from planetary influences, somewhat inuring the decan-walker to their harmful effects. It seems to be so, after having done this in one form or another for many years. I do wonder if the sort of “sunscreen” it provides also blunts the benefic effects, much like actual sunscreen blocks the harmful rays but also the good vitamin D production. Just an observation. Obviously no way to know.
As the Sun moves through each decan, one notes the flavors of the decan and how it changes their experience of time and space.
The possible activities one might perform during the period to deepen the connection are innumerable and personal to the aspirant.
They can include (but certainly are not limited to):
invocations and evocations, or other acts of related magic
the creation of art
writing poetry, or journaling
meditations on the card of the decan, doing pathworking and interacting with the figures
creation of an altar displaying the decan card and related cards, with appropriate offerings to planetary or other deities
lectio divina, or devotional reading
educational reading: the astrology, the deities, and their stories
It is also a serious commitment, to show up for something continuously over an entire year. It can be done as a discipline, or as a devotion, or ideally, it can be both. It is a way of placing yourself on a continuum, orienting yourself as a soul in the fabric of space-time, here as a human being between heaven and earth.
Princess of Disks, Telos Tarot of 777
I’ve done this year-long process many times now, in different ways. This particular time around , it means showing up to write the post for each decan Part I, and then observing in my own world what relates to it, and then showing up again to write about that for each decan in Part II. So that involves writing 6 posts per month. That is a lot! For me anyway, who is not a wordsmith type of person. Also while writing a book! Which actually it has turned into several books! About the decans, and the other cards, making it all a sort of holistic writers retreat of sorts. Though it is by no means a retreat, because I do have self-employment and other work to do every day, seven days a week. Life goes on, stuff happens. But the commitment to the decan walk means still showing up.
For the last few years (2020 through 2024 and up until vernal equinox 2025) my decan walk process was mostly taken up by the making of Telos Tarot of 777. One decan walk year it involved making the drawings for the 36 minors during their related decan, and then inking them in a sort of ritual process. Another year it involved painting those inked drawings in color during their respective decan. The other years referenced were about doing the Majors, Aces, and Courts, also tied to the timing of the decans. All that was a huge multi-year, year after year, continuous commitment. I was determined that every single drawing and inking would get done in that 10 day decan period. That every single one would get painted in that subsequeent 10 day decan period. Etc.
10 days is NOT a lot of time to conceive of, and execute a piece of art. Making art, especially art with deeply embedded meanings and correct to a description and correspondences, is a challenge. To do so on such a short timeline is HARD. Life happens! And sometimes life is in the way because it is good, or because it is bad. The fact that I did this for four continuous years, without even once failing to get the art for the related card done in the specific astrologically correct timeline, in spite of life, is to me nothing short of miraculous.
So it can be done. Just commit to showing up for one year, in whatever way you choose, and then stick to it for at least ONE entire CONTINUOUS year. You don’t have to start at the March equinox. You can start anytime, perhaps your solar return, perhaps at this next decan for the September equinox. It is like committing to doing a 40 day mantra practice. With that, the idea is that by doing the mantra daily, without missing a day, for a committed amount of time, the benefits are accrued and then deposited.
If life gets in the way, just begin again until you get that unbroken chain.
THE BOOK! An update
I’d also like to update you on the progress of my new book, or in this case, books. Just some final decisions to make and final tweaking to the formatting! Because of the length, I’m deciding whether to make it one volume or two. Leaning towards one, for convenience and cost issues. Plus an optional workbook…more to say about that below.
At 6×9, the text of the two combined is around 700 pages, which might be unwieldy as one volume, and I don’t want to make it larger than 6×9 for shipping reasons. It is NOT because of a large font or large spacing either. I tried to balance a readable nicely sized font and readable but not excessive spacing for all text. The voluminous tables though, if included, would be a smaller font.
Anyway, still deciding if the two volumes (part 1 and part 2) should be printed together as one fat book or two separate books. It may come down to printing costs as doing two separately would likely cost more. Maybe I can cut some of the text, and do one big book that combines the two volumes.
About the workbook: The tables I made for the decans, will be offered in a separate workbook, that can lay flat, and would be useful that way. It would have the line drawings of the art in a large format, and other useful things for the making of talismans, and for any decan walk experience. The tables contain:
general correspondences:
Approximate dates
Astrology
Modality and Element
Decan degrees Decan ruler
Triplicity ruler
Nakshatras/Manazil(lunar mansions) per 777
Sephira/world
Associated majors
Associated minors
Color(s)
Colors of the associated Majors
Sacred Book of Hermes to Asclepius (SBHA) stone
SBHA plant
SBHA dietary taboo
Body correspondences
Perfume suffumigation
Some materia suggestions
Deity names:
Liber Hermetis name
Egyptian name 777 [Scaliger]
Ancient Egyptian name (Budge)
Greco-Egyptian name (Brugsch, per Gundel)
Aristobulos name (per Gundel)
Testament of Solomon name [Gundel]
Apotelesmatics Greek name (Hephaistio)
Mathêsis Latin name (Firmicus)
Sacred Book of Hermes to Asclepius (Ruelle) name [Gundel]
Angel of the decanate per 777
Goetic demons Day/Night
“36 Airs of the Zodiac” fragment; Kosmas
Ptolemaic Egyptian deity (Kircher; 777)
Decan image descriptions from various traditions, plus some significations and applications:
Magical image of the decan in 777
Picatrix image and significations
Henry Cornelius Agrippa image and significations (Three Books of Occult Philosophy)
Giordano Bruno image (DeUmbris Idearum)
Varahamihira Vedic image (Brihat Jataka)
Raphael image and significations
Ibn Ezra image (The Beginning of Wisdom)
Liber Hermetis image
Sacred Book of Hermes to Asclepius (Ruelle) image
36 Faces (Coppock) image
Talismanic applications Arabic Picatrix
Talismanic applications Latin Picatrix
In addition to the pages of tables, the workbook would have things useful for a decan walk process, and for the making of talismans. And it will include the black and white ink drawings from Telos Tarot in a large size, to study, to color, or to use for your own talisman making process.
The workbook, if it happens, will be optional, so if that does not interest you, no need to get it as the book purchase will be separate. Still trying to factor options about the book as in, one two-part book with all tables, or separate volumes, or excluding the tables, and it may come down to what people are interested in, as well as practicalities.
As far as the book goes, Volume 1 is all about the 36 decans, and the 36 related minor cards. It goes into image magic, magical viewing, the making of talismans, invocations, materia, and obscure or original magical practices that I relate to the decans. It has a lot of introductory material introducing the topics, and explains the process of making Telos and the “secrets” embedded in the card back design of Telos. It gives some info on tarot magic, deck consecration, loading a talisman, astrology, decan walks, some unique tarot spreads, proactive magic, etc. For each decan and tarot card, there is a section about the decan image, the correspondences and an explanation of the symbolism in the decan image description, and in the card. It more than likely covers things you may not have even noticed were in the card, or did and did not realize.
That is followed by a section called “Artist Notes” which explains the inspirations and technicalities for each image. Then there is an introduction to several deities related to each decan and how they relate to the decan, and some are definitely obscure ones you probably have never heard of! It also includes unique ancient “predictions” for the life of natives born under the auspices of each decan, from two different sources. That is followed by talismanic applications for each, what they were once used for and might be used for in modern times. There is a section for each on the making of “permanent” or astrologically elected talismans made in permanent materials like metal or stone. Then suggestions for temporary talismans on paper, with ideas. Then a section for eclectic magical practices that I relate to the correspondences of the decan. That is a very diverse and interesting wide-ranging selection of magical, creative/artistic, meditative, or other practices that somehow relate to the energies of the decan. Then if course, how the card shows up in a divination during card readings. The Appendices follow with a bunch of random related stuff, from info on the important fixed stars, divination by the rising decans of the horoscope, an ancient divinatory lottery, and a PGM rite.
Volume 2 is about the Majors, Aces, and Courts, with an additional focus on how they relate and are used in magic, and the timings of their creation. It describes the images themselves, and delineates the reasons for the long and involved Golden Dawn descriptions behind each card that they are based on, and WHY I think the GD included every element of those descriptions. It offers my own unique method for elementally consecrating a deck, separate and more powerful than the one in Volume 1. It introduces the cards as planets, as elements, and as signs, and the differences. It describes the differences between how the elemental majors, zodiacal majors, and planetary majors are used magically.
For each it covers all sorts of correspondences and includes my own Alchemical assignments, beyond the more commonly known ones. It includes magical weapons, planetary epithets known and obscure, the Seven Hermetic Principles, Hermetic titles, zodiacal mottos and purviews of the planet or sign, planetary magical effects, “Artist Notes” on each as described above, and meanings in a reading.
It offers some of my own unique spreads, including one using just the Majors and some very interesting ones with the whole deck. Also how the Aces are used magically, and in a reading. It has a huge and extensive introduction to the court cards, everything from their faces and shadows, rank, elemental considerations, modalities, gunas, etc.
For each court it explains the symbolism of the image, includes the Artist Notes and inspirations, talks about their face decans and shadow decans, and provides an explanation of how they appear “as a person” versus how they appear “as a situation” in a reading. It also has two large chapters on Princesses in esoteric tarot, and their uniqueness and power.
This is followed by a chapter on the various ways of how to choose a significator. Last is a very unique spread of my own containing, well, just about everything in life. Actually, last is the 8 page bibliography, of all the sources referenced, and suggested related reading.
Whew. You can see why it is going to be either one fat two-part book, or two separate volumes, plus a workbook. It is a Wealth of information, on all sorts of things.
Speaking of Wealth, back to the Part II update for the Virgo 3 decan.
Virgo 3 decan Part II update
This decan has been very full, but in a good way. The only hard part is keeping up! With both work and commitments, and keeping up in terms of energy expenditure overall. Out of town friends are visiting, so there has been lots more socializing than usual, fun day trips, good meals, good conversations, time spent together in work and play, etc. Plus a few family members with birthdays approaching, so plans being made for Libra 1 decan. The Virgo 3 decan into is culminating on the actual Equinox as the decan transits to Libra 1, with a party for an extended group of good friends. All in all, I feel great gratitude for having great friends and good health, for self and loved ones. Friends, family, and health for all, plus good times. True Wealth!
Thank you for being here through the decan walk, here at the half-way mark.
That there above is the original line drawing for the Ten of Disks, decan Virgo 3. The Ten of Disks, Wealth, from Telos Tarot of 777. It feels so long ago, even though it was done during this decan in 2021, at least just the drawing and inking. The decan, and the sign, is ruled by Mercury. It is the last of the numeric disk cards, and last minor card of the numeric cards if you are going in order Ace thru Ten of each suit, in elemental or YHVH order of Wands-Cups-Swords-Disks. And it is the exact opposite to the actual last card of the zodiac, Pisces decan 3. So the card has a definite hint of endings and legacies.
Here are some of the decan images. Virgo decan 3 is one of the few that Crowley based on Agrippa’s image (a white woman and deaf OR an old man leaning on a staff) rather than the Picatrix image, as you can see he used the Picatrix image here for Virgo decan 2. I rather like his switch; the old age theme makes sense for the final minor. It aligns with the Bruno and Raphael images too.
Per 777: Cadent decan of Virgo: An old man leaning on a staff and wrapped in a mantle.
Here it is in color, done during this decan in 2023. (2022 I think was spent on the Majors) striking colors on this one. The main color for Virgo decan 3 is Black, rayed with Yellow; plus the colors of the associated Majors.
Colors of the associated Majors
The Hermit: Yellowish Green – Slate Grey – Greenish Grey – Plum The Magus: Yellow – Purple – Grey – Indigo, rayed Violet
The statue above was the inspiration for this old man leaning on a staff and wrapped in a mantle, as per the description. I think this is a figurine of a Chinese myth, the Divine Fisherman. He is holding a round basket rather than a cornucopia as shown in my image, and the basket is full of fish rather than the ten coins I’ve added. But the figurine almost looks like he is standing on a pile of coins, though that might just be the stylistic effect of the carving. The Chinese character for fish, yu, is a homophone for words meaning “plenty” and “affluence;” thus, fish are symbols of wealth.
The Divine Fisherman casts his line into chaos and darkness to bring forth the creations of the material world. The myth is seen as a metaphor, where the act of fishing represents the cyclical process of the continuous renewal of life. Within the story lies the theme and moral of contentment. The Immortal Fisherman learns that true happiness does not stem from wealth, but from appreciation of more simple blessings in life. His journey reflects the universal truth: that fulfillment comes from within.
A sad truth about this figurine is that I inherited it when I had to clean out a loved one’s house after they died, someone I loved very much, who was still very young but had an old soul. For me it thus echoes the card’s themes of inheritance, legacies, and inevitable mortality. So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Here are other takes on the cards:
RWS, Thoth, Tabula Mundi. RWS has the old man, perhaps at his estate with family. Thoth has the ten coins all marked with symbols of Mercury – except for one solar one, symbolizing renewal of a cycle.
Tabula Mundi has the ten coins as a sort of Adam Kadmon figure, based on the cards of the Hermit and the Magus. Here is the black and white version of Tabula Mundi, that I started in 2011 and released in 2015. Yes, I’ve been working with the decans for a long time! Before they became popular.
It shows how I combined the Hermit (Virgo) with the Magus (Mercury ruling the sign and decan) to make the Adam Kadmon figure. The supernal triad at the top of the tree has the Mercurial winged helm, and its two profiles – the three faces of deity. The pentacle the Magus touches with his right hand forms the Geburah disk/sphere, the galaxy he holds in his left hand is on the Chesed disk. The sun and the serpent on each side of his turntable are combined in Hod and Netzach, the Mercury lever on the turntable forms Yesod, and the four trees of life on the front of the turntable are on the Malkuth disk. The yod-flame is at the heart in Tiphareth. The coins are either rising from the earth-vault (crust of earth=Virgo), or sinking into it.
The black and white Nox et Lux version of Tabula Mundi (2011-2015)
The Rosetta, started in 2008 and released in 2011, has the ten coins similarly marked with various but different Mercury symbols, and one solar, like the Thoth version. But all except the Malkuth coin are tied together, as the Chinese coins as a feng shui symbol of wealth. The Malkuth dangles free, ready to drop to the next world.
The deities are Cronus, associated with Saturn, age and endings, and Hestia, goddess of the hearth and home, where true happiness comes from.
The is the Part II update for Virgo decan II – find Part I with the correspondences and other info here.
This has been a pleasant, decan, though quite busy. None of Venus’ languishing about eating bonbons here in Virgo. But there was a very fun wedding (Venus) of some good friends that we went to. I gave them a giant lidded handwoven Amish basket – with a 23.1 pound cabbage hidden inside it, as a joke. And a poem about all the metaphysical virtues and superstitions about cabbage. Venus-Mercury is a poet, that seems right.
That thing was huge! Bigger than a beach ball, that’s for sure. Babied it all season. They got a kick out it, as farmers themselves. I’ll have to find the picture and update this post.
There has been lots of harvesting. Tomato picking and canning, and various seeds are ripe, like this beautiful amaranth – a gold variety and a red.
Look at that fall color palette! It is a hint of what is to come.
We had the full moon eclipse, in Pisces on the Pisces/Virgo axis at 15 degrees. I harvested the giant poppy heads and poppy seeds on the day before, while the Moon was waxing full in Pisces, as I associate poppies with Pisces and the Moon, and seeds with Virgo. The variety is called Giant Rattle, and you could tell for sure the seeds were ready to harvest as when you shake the pods, it indeed rattles.
It is also time for the first fruits of the season. The earliest apples (Venus) are out, though only the early varieties. The red raspberries are really putting out now. They have been at it for weeks but still going strong. But what I’m super excited about is the grape season. I thought they might not be good after a long rainless period. But I just went out and checked and they are loaded, and perfectly ripe right now. Makes sense – the star Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis) in Virgo, called the “grape-harvestress” is associated with the Virgo II decan.
There is lady Venus, surrounded by grapes!
Perhaps these two harvested Virgo’s grapes and grape seed oil after all – though it could be Venusian olives and olive oil. I left it purposely ambiguous.
It is a beautiful day, so after finishing this post and starting the one for the next decan, I just may have to go pick some. I had several clusters for breakfast, and they are at perfect ripeness.
Virgo decan 2: Nine of Disks, Gain. Telos Tarot of 777 original
Welcome to the second decan of Virgo.
Magical image of the decan per 777: Tall, fair, large man, with him a woman holding a large black oil jar.
The disks are all decorated with the emblems and colors of the nine spheres below Kether, all in the Empress Scale colors of Assiah, the material world. The male figure holds the disk of Mercury, ruler of Virgo, and the Moon, ruler of the Nines. The female figure holds the disk for Venus, Chaldean ruler of the decan.
Crowley seems to have mostly used a simplified version of the Latin Picatrix images for the magical images of the decans in 777. However, here for Virgo II he seems to have based his image more like the Picatrix Virgo III image, and for Virgo III he based his on Agrippa’s Virgo III image.
Picatrix Virgo II: A man of beautiful color, dressed in leather, and over his garment of leather is another garment of iron.
Picatrix Virgo III: A white man, with a great body, wrapped in white linen, and with him is a woman holding in her hand black oil.
Agrippa Virgo II: A black man clothed with a skin, and a man having a bush of hair, holding a bag.
Agrippa Virgo III: A white woman and deaf, or an old man leaning on a staff.
I actually think it was intentional, but of course there is no way to know. Raphael’s image is: Two men, one having a purse in his hand. What the images have in common is that one of the two figures is holding something, perhaps even something of value. The tarot card, the Nine of Disks, is associated with affluence, and is called the Lord of Gain.
The Hellenistic deity, or in this case deities: The Moirai, also known as the Fates, who apportioned out the length of life. Moirai comes from a Greek word meaning an apportionment or share of the whole.
The Ptolemaic deity given in 777 is Pi-Osiris. Literally translated this would mean “House of Osiris,” but in this context could also just refer to the “domain of Osiris,” or Osiris in his function there. In Pert-M-Hru, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Pi-Osiris is associated with the Judgement Hall of Osiris, where the deceased faces judgement.
Both the Fates and Pi-Osiris as judge share an overall flavor of something being doled out, or not; a destiny assigned according to some standard of virtuous behavior, accrued over time.
The sign is ruled by Mercury, who has an affiliation with merchants. The decan is ruled by Venus, who grants bounty. Together, the combination brings material Gain. But the triplicity ruler is Saturn, whose austerity may complicate things a bit. It may be why the RWS figure seems affluent but alone in a walled garden. I don’t get much flavor of Saturn here though, except for perhaps the rewards for hard work, and the specific mention of a black oil jar.
Virgo decan 2: RWS, Thoth, Tabula MundiRosetta Tarot
We are about 85% through this decan, so I wanted to do this Part II update today, Sunday, as the Sun, giver of life and health rules this decan. This is the day, and the hour, of our life-giving Sun. And Virgo itself has a lot to do with health, and the maintenance of such via our prudent daily practices.
This decan, Virgo decan 1, started out in a way that was both traumatic and miraculous. All I want to say about it is that on the day of the new moon in Virgo, a person I love more than life itself was injured in a serious workplace accident, and it was a very traumatic experience. I’m still in shock about it, but the good news is, it is rather a miracle, because it could have been so, so, much worse. It definitely could have resulted in death or permanent crippling, and by some miracle it did not.
I’m giving this one to the deities of the decan, Isis and Themis. The Great Mother Isis gave protection, and hopefully Titaness Themis ensures that order is restored and practices changed so that this can never happen there again.
The following is a hymn given to Isis in gratitude. It is somewhat based on the Ancient Egyptian Offering Formula in which the titles and epithets of the deity are listed first, followed by a list of offerings.
an artwork I made years ago honoring Isis – collage, paint, and found objects on canvas
Hail Isis! Queen of Heaven! Sothis gleams upon your brow! Universal Mother of All! Lady of the Stars, who shelters the weak and seeks justice for the poor. Goddess of 10,000 appellations! Lady of 10,000 names! Isis the Great and Golden, whose perfect face rests in the barque of Eternity, the Boat of Millions of Years. Auset em Renu Nebu! Aset, divine mother who heals! Who knows the hidden name of Re! Isis, the giver of joy, who saved my heart and hope, returned joy to me. Years ago I offered you my hands – they are still yours to command. Everything I have or will create with them is ever dedicated to you. Now I offer you my heart, for you saved it from breaking, kept it whole. I lay all before your throne, am yours for eternity. I offer milk and honey, sacred scent and flame. I offer all I am and ever will be. You who knows the spells of healing. You who knows the secret name. You who hears the laments of mothers and turns them to song. Most powerful goddess of magic, every blessing upon you. Blessed forever is Isis – O look towards me, Everwhite!
Words alone are not enough. All praises to Isis. I have always felt close to her.
The last line is from this, a recitation I use to praise Isis, though it is Tolkein’s hymn to Elbereth, Queen of the Stars.
There is not much else to note after events like this in life, except that they crack open the heart. I do also notice that as far as natural cycles go, this decan begins the time for harvesting seeds here. The sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, and amaranth seeds are all almost ready for harvest, and definitely will be harvested in Virgo season, even if not in this decan. Interesting in that an occult name for Virgo is “the secret seed.”
Ascendant decan of Virgo: A virgin clad in linen, with an apple or pomegranate
Sephira/world
Hod in Assiah
Associated majors
The Hermit and the Sun
Associated minors
Knight-King of Disks
Color(s)
Yellowish Brown, flecked white; plus the colors of the associated Majors
Colors of the associated Majors
The Hermit: Yellowish Green – Slate Grey – Greenish Grey – Plum The Sun: Orange – Gold Yellow – Rich Amber – Amber, rayed Red
Welcome to the first decan of Virgo, corresponding to the Eight of Disks. This won’t be the longest post, as there are a lot of other things to patiently tend to here. But it should prudently cover and illuminate what you need to know.
Looking at the magical description of the decan image, the virgin obviously equals Virgo, the Virgin. Linen is associated with purity and humility. The apple or pomegranate suggests Pomona, or maybe Eve. Some of the other decan images specify that her clothing is old, worn out, or dirty, which makes me think of Cinderella, who seems like a very Virgo-like archetype.
The pomegranate she holds, unlike those on the tree, is actually a detailed jeweled construction, a box of exquisite craftsmanship, like a Faberge egg. In the foreground, an enlarged diagram reveals that it contains a miniature golden Sun.
Virgo the sign is ruled by Mercury, the first decan is ruled by the Sun, but ruled by Mercury in the triplicity system, and the Eights are ruled by Mercury. That’s a lot of Mercury, lit by the Sun. Mercury and the Sun are natural companions in the solar system, with little Mercury the planet who most closely orbits our solar center.
Virgo is Mutable Earth, the last sign of summer here in the Northern hemisphere. Still a whole month of calendar summer, but we sense a shift and start to consider preparing for Autumn.
The card is called the Lord of Prudence.
The card combines the humility of the Hermit, with the very much non-humble Sun. The Hermit quietly pays attention, and the Sun shines its light in the lantern he carries, illuminating details so that nothing is missed.
The major deities are:
Hellenistic: Themis, the female Titan of law and order
Ptolemaic: Isis, the mighty Queen of Heaven
The decan has associations and significations with sowing and germination, plowing and peopling, and good harvests. Talismanically, the Picatrix suggests using it for skill in writing and business promotion. I’m not in the mood for business promotion (ever, really) but as I’m in the home stretch of this book project (two books, actually) it bodes well.
The card is about attention to detail, and the patient cultivation of things over time yielding dividends.
This will be a shorter Part II update than usual for Leo decan 3. The original Leo decan 3 post is here.
Leo ruled by Sun, decan ruled by Mars, 7s ruled by Venus.
The reason the update is short is just way more activity than usual happening, which may be an expression of the decan ruler Mars. During this decan there was a family reunion event on my Dad‘s side (Mars-Sun = males in the family, Venus via the 7s, Netzach) is relating to others). As a result, I had relatives flying in, and lots of related social events to see everyone while they were here. No battles at all, the only struggles for me have been fitting everything in that I need to keep going on. All in all, it was fun (Leo) partying and talking with everyone, especially all the cousins. There was also some discussion about inheritance related stuff with the elders, which called to mind the underworld deities mentioned for Leo decan 3 in the Part I post.
But there was a lot to do, over and above socializing, which could be that Leo is a social sign, but also that Leo falls in my 7th house of “other people.” There has been a lot of going places to meet up, having people over (cooking! cleaning!) on top of regular life like working, keeping up with the garden tasks and the endless harvesting. Plus watering, so much watering. As another manifestation of Sun-ruled Leo and decan ruler Mars was that we had the longest hot and dry stretch without a drop of rain in a long time. It was for most of the decan, and most of Leo season actually. But it was really hot and really dry and very noticeable for most of Leo decan 3.
It is only now that it cooled off a bit, and a little rain happened yesterday, finally.
So between family stuff, household stuff, work related stuff, watering stuff, and gardening, I’ve also had to make time to keep going on the book, and now stop that to write this post and the one for Virgo decan 1, which is just around the corner.
Friends are coming to stay with us in mid Virgo season too, so more of the same to follow soon. Trying to pace myself! There is a short respite between now and then, which I’m using to keep working on the book in between more harvesting tasks. Volume 1 is done, edited, formatted, and designed. Volume 2 is coming along, writing is almost done, editing is partially done, formatting and design to follow.
It has just been busy, and social, which I guess can be attributed to the Leo-Mars-Netzach combination.
Right on schedule, the sunflowers are almost fully mature here at the almost end of Leo season. This picture does not do this sunflower justice. It is the biggest one I’ve ever grown, almost 14 feet tall, and with a stalk like a small tree!
Party on, see you in Virgo decan 1, which starts tomorrow, Friday afternoon at 4:34 PM EDT.
