On Superstition and the Bonds of Demons

...they were (11). Regarding Theurgy From the Greek theourgia, meaning "god-working." It refers to rituals intended to invoke the presence of divine beings or spirits. in the book On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, we learn from Iamblichus A Neoplatonist philosopher (c. 245–325 AD) who defended the use of ritual to achieve union with the divine. of a certain magical rite involving ointments for the eyes and throat. Those who practiced this claimed that a mist resided in the eyes and that they could prepare their spirit for conversation with the divine. Furthermore, Iamblichus distinguishes more accurately than anyone else among the Theurgists between different types of deities, who appear and act in various ways; indeed, in all the writings of the ancient mages, nothing more precise than this entire chapter can be found. More than enough has been said regarding these sacrileges. Now, let us speak briefly of rings, or rather, images (12).

(12) It is not for us to judge wonders that lie beyond the measure of our intellectual power.

Countless impostors have brought to light innumerable writings of no importance regarding these superstitions; for our purposes, it will suffice to discuss the Planetary traditions.

From the works of Saturn, they used to engrave (13) (13) Hermes' opinion on seals in the Quadripartitus, Book XIV, is false.—at the moment Saturn was ascending Ascending: The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon, considered the most powerful point in an astrological chart.—onto the stone called a magnet, the likeness of a man having a stag’s face and camel’s feet, sitting upon a throne or a dragon, holding a sickle in his right hand and an arrow in his left. They hoped this image would grant them a long life. Albumazar Abu Ma'shar (787–886 AD), a famous Persian astrologer whose works were highly influential in Medieval Europe. mentions this in his Book of Veils, where he also relates that certain regions of India, being subject to Saturn, have men who are truly long-lived, not dying until they reach extreme old age.

They also made another image for longevity when Saturn was ascending or fortunately positioned: its form was an old man sitting upon a high throne, having his hands raised above his head and holding a fish in them, or a sickle, and beneath his feet a cluster of grapes. His head was covered with a black or dark cloth, and all his garments were black or dark. They used this same image against kidney stones and diseases of the kidneys, specifically during the hour of Saturn while he was ascending in the "third face" of Aquarius.

They also fashioned an image from the works of Saturn for the power of growth, with Saturn ascending in Capricorn; its figure was an old man leaning on a staff, holding a curved sickle in his hand, and dressed in black garments. They crafted yet another, cast from bronze, when Saturn was ascending at his rising—specifically at the first degree of Capricorn—and they claim this image could speak with a human voice.

From the combined works of Saturn and Mercury, they formed an image cast from metal in the shape of a beautiful man, which they promised could predict the future. On the day of Mercury, during the third hour (that of Saturn), they would make another while the constellation of Gemini was ascending—Gemini being the home of Mercury and signifying prophets—with Saturn and Mercury joined together in Aquarius in the ninth region of the sky, which is called "God." Furthermore, they required that Saturn should look upon it from a trine An astrological aspect where two planets are 120 degrees apart, considered a harmonious and powerful influence. position; that Venus should be powerful and in the west, occupying one of the "angles" of the chart; and that Mars should be combust original: "comburetur" - An astrological term for a planet being so close to the Sun that its power is "burned up" or hidden. by the Sun, but not looking toward Saturn or Mercury. For they said that the splendor of the stars' powers was poured into this image, and it would speak with men and announce useful things to them.

(11) LUCAN A Roman poet whose epic Pharsalia contains a famous scene of necromancy. writes that ERICHTHO, the Witch of Thessaly, stirred up the poisons and charms of the dead.