Understanding the Terminology of Hellenistic Astrological Magic
The writings of Julianus of Laodicea reveal a system of theurgy (divine workings) where sacred images, planetary spirits, and correspondences are interwoven. This glossary serves as a reference to understanding arcane words that illustrate the process of crafting the “animated statues” which still fascinates many people thousands of years later. Astrology is key to invoking the correct planetary forces and aligning it with the world of matter. Whether you are studying ancestors of the better known Picatrix, reconstructing Greek magical practices, or simply tracing how words like agalma and katakhthonioi reflect ancient metaphysical thought, this glossary provides a helpful foundation.
| Greek | Meaning | Context |
| γινέσθωσαν ἱδρύσεις | Genesis “foundings, setting up” | Come into being (divinely ordered) ensoulment/enshrining of statue or image |
| θηλειῶν | “female” | feminine deities/signs |
| Σελήνης | “Semele” | Goddess representing the Moon, secondary significator in all matters |
| θῆλυκον ζῴδιον | “female sign” | water & earth signs |
| στερεόν ζῴδιον | “fixed sign” | Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius |
| ἀγαθοτυχοῦσα | “being well‑fortuned” | Highly dignified, well-placed (good house), harmonious aspects |
| Σκορπίῳ | “Scorpion” | Sign of Scorpio |
| ὁμοίαι ἀνατολαί | “similar risings” | Stars on eastern horizon |
| ἀγάλμα (τοῦ ἀγάλματος) | “Agalma” | Sacred image, statue, the object to be ensouled |
| αἰνιγµατώδης | “enigmatic, riddles” | Mystery teachings older than Hellenistic world |
| κριό‑πρόσωπος | “ram‑faced” | syncretic image of Zeus–Ammon or Jupiter-Ammon |
| βου‑κέφαλος | “bull‑headed” | Isis‑Hathor images |
| λεοντο‑μόρφος | “lion‑shaped” | lion form (another form of Ammon) |
| ἀπλάστος | “unmodelled, crude” | Sacred stones from more ancient times |
| σοφίσματα | “devices” | cryptic Egyptian images |
| κρυπτόμενοι / ἐπισκιαζόμενοι | “hidden / overshadowed” | occulted stars, under beams |
| ἀπόστροφος | “turned away, averse” | Hermes in aversion or retrograde |
| καθιδρύσεις | “they will be established” | ensouled |
| καταχθόνιοι | “subterranean” | chthonic deities |
| μαρτυρεῖσθων | “let them bear witness mutually” | planets in harmonious aspect |
| συμφώνως | “in accord” | aspects agreeing in nature (i.e. reception) |
| ἀρρένων | “male” | masculine gods/signs |
| καθιδρύσωμεν | “let us establish” | Inception/election for enshrinement |
Notes
- Fixed & signs of long ascension were desirable for crafting sacred images because they implied endurance. This is also echoed in Picatrix for talismans and ritual petitions.
- Spear‑bearers can typically protect and strengthen the deity, hence the statement that the statue can bring a different god if its influence is especially strong
- Hermes rules divination; when he is retrograde, averse, in separating aspect, or placed in a mute sign, the oracle “falls silent,” so the text recommends avoiding this for obtaining oracles. This is likely in the context of a Sun/Mercury election but can also mean any time that Mercury is retrograde it will hinder oracular effects.
- Opposition of Mars and Mercury combinations predict violent loss (fire, theft). The maxim κατὰ τὸ ὅμοιον (“like produces like”) makes the danger spill over from the image to the owner.
- Lot of Fortune is treated as the final arbiter. If it is severely afflicted, the whole operation can be affected.
Each inception or election requires an interpretation of many different portions of the chart, often called delineation. The delineation process can be summarized as:
- Consider the natural ruler and the activities of the house the planet (god or goddess) is in.
- Consider the condition of the planets in that house and what they indicate.
- Look at the signs/houses that rule them and consider the activities they indicate.
- Do the same for any Lot associated with that subject: the house, ruler and how they interact.
Julianus provides his most important factors, but is probably not his entire process for choosing elections. Other sources should be considered as well.
Click here to learn the keywords, context, and interpretive approaches in Julianus’s Work