APOLLO - GREEK GOD OF THE SUN

"If you wish a king or kings to overcome and conquer everyone make an image of the Sun in the form of a king sitting on a throne with a crown on his head and a crow before him and under his feet these figures in ruby or oriental ruby, when the Sun is exalted. The king who carries this stone will conquer all other kings and his opponents." Picatrix, Book 2, Chapter 10 (Warnock & Greer)

Picatrix was compiled around 1,000 years ago from over 200 sources, many of them older works written in Greek. The Image of the Sun is a Greek depiction of Apollo with his pet, Corvus the Raven.

The practice of ensouling sacred images (collectively referred to as talismans) using astrological timing dates back to at least the Roman period. The best-known instructional texts on the subject were written in the medieval and Renaissance era, but some older sources have survived the passage of almost 2,000 years. This Neoplatonic practice is detailed in older sources, which contain instructions for enshrining the agalma, meaning temple statue or idol, of certain gods and goddesses under carefully chosen astrological conditions.

Julianus of Laodicea was an astrologer and Neoplatonist who penned a short treatise on using inceptions (elections) for temple statues and sacred images, part of a larger practice called theurgy. He lived in the Eastern Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. Julianus was likely a student while the famous Proclus headed the Neoplatonic school. The Neoplatonists include Plotinus, Porphyry, and Iamblichus.

Let the ensoulment of chthonic and nocturnal gods take place with Selene (Moon), Aphrodite (Venus) and Zeus (Jupiter) in harmonious aspects and Kronos (Saturn) in harmony with them. For male and diurnal gods, place Helios (Sun) in the midheaven or ninth house. If the image is Ares (Mars) then use suitable considerations for Ares. For Kronos (Saturn) then consider Saturn, because the same rules apply to all.

For celestial gods or gods of the air, consider the spring quarter; for the heavenly and fiery gods the summer quarter, for those of the earth the autumn, and gods of the water element the winter. The divine works come into being in this way. Choose a time with a fixed zodiac sign of long ascension, and the planets are making strong supporting aspects, and the Moon’s aspects are numerous and favorable." Julianus of Laodicea (480 AD)

 

Astrological Conditions

The sun rises in the second face of Aries in its hour. The moon is increasing in light and applying to trine the sun, it’s sign ruler, with reception from Leo in a succedent house. The first house, representing the owner of the talisman, contains both Jupiter and Venus, which is the ideal configuration according to Picatrix. The North Node is present as well, a rare instance of all the benefics together in the first house. “If you find both the moon and lord of her house favorably placed the working will be good in all things and well completed, and you will obtain what you desire, and the end will be good. This will be even more so if the lord of the ascendant is a fortune and is in the ascendant or another of the angles, of if it is an infortune and favorably placed. Even better than this is to have Jupiter or Venus rising or in aspect with the ascendant, for then the business at hand will proceed easily and obtain a good result and accomplish its goal easily and swiftly.” (Picatrix, Book 2, Chapter 3, page 70)

The Chart

Friday, March 31, 2023 Hour of the Sun

0706-0740

Election Chart

3 August, 2025   06:40 AM