On Superstition and the Bonds of Demons

From the works of Venus, they used to craft an image suitable for the love of women upon a Lapis Lazuli stone A deep blue metamorphic rock prized since antiquity for its intense color. during the hour of Venus, while she was ascending in Taurus One of the zodiac signs ruled by Venus, where her influence is considered strong.. Its figure was a naked girl with flowing hair, holding a mirror in her hand and having a chain tied around her neck; next to her was a handsome youth holding her by the chain with his left hand, while with his right hand he adjusted her hair, both looking at each other kindly. Near them was a small winged boy holding a sword or an arrow.

They made another image for grace and benevolence during the hour of Venus, while she was ascending in Pisces The sign of Venus's exaltation, where her powers are most harmonious.; its form was the image of a woman having the head of a bird and the feet of an eagle, holding an arrow in her hand.

They also outlined another in the first face Face: Also known as a decan, a ten-degree segment of a zodiac sign. of Taurus, Libra, or Pisces, with Venus ascending. Its figure was a girl with flowing hair, dressed in long white robes, holding a laurel branch, an apple, or flowers in her right hand and a comb in her left. It is said to make a person peaceful, pleasant, strong, and cheerful, and to bestow beauty.

They used to mark an image from the works of Mercury while he was ascending in Gemini. Its form was a handsome bearded youth holding a caduceus Caduceus: A herald's staff, here described as a wand entwined by a serpent, the traditional symbol of Mercury. in his left hand—that is, a rod in which a serpent is entwined—carrying an arrow in his right, and having winged feet. This image is said to bestow knowledge, fertility, and skill in trade, as well as profit; furthermore, it reconciles peace and concord and cures fevers.

They constructed another image while Mercury was ascending in Virgo for benevolence, genius, and memory. Its form was a man sitting upon a chair or riding a peacock, having eagle’s feet and a crest upon his head, holding a cock or fire in his left hand.

They created (15) original: "Occult. Philosoph. Auctore de lapidibus his duobus Planetis addictis nulla fit mentio; at Paracelsum, et quamplurimos, Mercurio Achates, Lunae crystallum, absque fundamento assignasse legimus." — Referring to Agrippa’s "Three Books of Occult Philosophy," the note observes that while Agrippa doesn't mention specific stones for these two planets, Paracelsus and others assigned Agate to Mercury and Crystal to the Moon without firm reasoning. an image from the works of the Moon against fatigue during the hour of the Moon, while she was ascending in her exaltation The Moon is exalted in Taurus.. Its figure was a man leaning on a staff, having a bird on his head and a flowering tree before him.

They also made another for the increase of things growing from the earth and against poisons and the illnesses of children, during the hour of the Moon while she was ascending in the first face of Cancer. Its figure was a horned woman riding upon a bull, a seven-headed dragon, or a crab, holding an arrow in her right hand and a mirror in her left, dressed in white or green robes, and having two serpents entwined around her horns, one around each arm, and similarly around her feet.

They formed an image of the Head and Tail of the Dragon These represent the Lunar Nodes, the points where the Moon's path crosses the ecliptic; the Head (Caput) is considered lucky, the Tail (Cauda) unlucky.—specifically of the Moon—between a circle of bronze and fire, with the likeness of a serpent and the head of a hawk, encircling itself in the fashion of the Greek letter Theta The letter $Θ$, which resembles a circle with a line through the middle, often used in ancient times as a symbol for a serpent or even death.. They made this when Jupiter, together with the "Head," held the Midheaven Midheaven: The highest point in the sky at the moment of calculation, representing success and public life.. They affirmed that this image bestows much success in petitions, and through it, they intended a good and happy Spir— The text cuts off mid-word, likely "Spirit" or "Daemon" (Spirit/Guardian).

(15) In the Occult Philosophy [by Henry Cornelius Agrippa], the author makes no mention of the stones assigned to these two planets; yet we read that Paracelsus and many others assigned Agates to Mercury and Crystal to the Moon without foundation.