Sun in the Second Face of Leo: For Expelling Sickness and Kidney Afflictions (Small, Gold-Filled Brass)

“An image to heal illnesses involving stones (kidney or bladder stones). Make the image of a lion on a sheet of the purest gold, holding a stone in its paw as if dancing with it, and make it in the hour of the Sun with the first degree of the second face of Leo rising. Whoever carries this image will be free from their illness immediately. This has been proven many times. Hermes adds that in making this image, the Moon should not be applying to Saturn by sextile, and the Sun should not be in aspect to Saturn, or should be receding from such an aspect.”  (Picatrix, Book 1 Chapter 5, page 47)

“For curing diseases they fashioned they fashioned an image of the Sun in gold, in his hour, when the first face of Leo was ascending with him: a king on a throne in a yellow garment and a raven and the form of the Sun.” (Book 3, Chapter 18, page 337)

“Likewise they would imprint a lion in gold, rolling under his feet a stone in the form of the Sun, in the hour of the Sun, when the first degree of the second face of Leo was rising. They thought that this was good for expelling disease.” (Book 3, Chapter 18, page 337)

For Expelling Sickness and Kidney Afflictions

“Hermes Trismegistus explains in his book On Images how to calculate images for each and every part of the human body and under which face of the signs to make them.”

Picatrix Book 2 contains three sets of instructions for crafting Face or Decan talismans for various purposes. The first set of instructions contain a diverse array of talisman images, ranging from highly desirable, such as the second Face of Aries, to images of misery, sickness and poverty.  These talismans, when created properly, are intended to attract influences into the life of the talisman’s owner that match the image.  These talismans require a specific planet from the Chaldean Order of Planets to be in the Face.

The second set of instructions are said to have originated from India and use a different set of planets than the first.  These instructions are simply lists of effects and do not contain specific images to create.

The third, and lesser-known set of instructions, is for healing specific parts of the body. The astrological factors are among the most complex in Picatrix and are based on melosthesia or the Zodiac Man. They’re also unusual because they heavily emphasize using only the Sun as the activating planet and most require the sun to be in the first five degrees of the Face, unlike the others which allow the activating planet a range of ten degrees.

These instructions are notable in that they’re slightly different from all other known schematics of the Zodiac Man, from Greco-Egyptian sources to the more widely known medieval and Renaissance texts which physicians utilized for treating patients. Most Zodiac Man diagrams can be traced back to their original sources, but this system’s original source remains a mystery. The only hint is that the instructions were passed down from Hermes Trismegistus.  The anonymous author, compiling this material over a thousand years ago, stated that he compiled instructions from over 200 older sources from across the region.

Picatrix states many times that the Sun in Leo is especially useful for expelling sicknesses and fevers, as well as healing kidney ailments such as stones, epilepsy and for the bladder.  Marsilio Ficino, the famous Renaissance scholar and personal physician to the Medici family, also stated in his Three Books on Life that these talismans were exceptionally good for health. Ficino’s writings are uniquely valuable because he was paid royalty to deliver consistent results and, unlike Picatrix whose author(s) is anonymous, Ficino staked his career and reputation on the efficacy of these talismans.

Election Standard

Picatrix and Ficino both instruct to craft these talismans “in the hour of the Sun, when the first degree of the seccond face of Leo is rising.”  In the distant past, the number zero was not used in the zodiac. Modern charts begin with 0 degrees in each sign and end at 29 degrees, the older sources begin with 1 degree and end with 30.  In this election, the sun should be at 10 Leo but the day and hour of the sun was only available at 11 Leo, a difference of one degree.  I made some of these talismans under similar circumstances several years ago, also with 11 Leo, and the effects were remarkable and gave the desired results.  A friend contacted me whose sister was suffering from a severe infection that had so far proven untreatable, and within a day the infection was healed.  I personally have experienced excellent results wearing mine; upon contracting various viruses the symptoms were mostly gone within hours. What normally would have made me unable to get out of bed for days became only as severe as a mild cold.  I’ve concluded from both sets of talismans that the single degree is not a “make or break” factor, as its strength is sufficient if it is in the earliest degrees of the Face.

Like the Moon in Cancer, the Sun in Leo, its domicile, will make up for many election factors that normally apply to other planets through its sheer strength. The Sun is the strongest of all, "the King of the Planets" and I have seen consistently that its presence in its sign of rulership or exaltation is more than enough to outweigh many factors that affect the other planets. This is a comparatively simple election as the Moon is not making any applying aspects to benefics or the Sun, but more than enough to accomplish its task. The sun is strong and unafflicted as well as the moon, which is fast at 14.83 degrees.

How the Talismans Were Crafted

Both Picatrix and Ficino recommend making these talismans in gold or silver.  I’ve found over the years that gold plated or gold-filled brass serves as an excellent and more affordable substitute and works perfectly well for Sun talismans. Elsewhere in this section of Picatrix, other solar healing talismans are instructed to be engraved on brass. These have been tested by eight people.  Six people wore their talisman immediately after contracting viral illnesses and within hours most of their symptoms drastically diminished or even totally vanished. One person had suffered from a bacterial infection for months in the form of a large abscess, and within 24 hours of applying the talisman the abscess was almost fully healed. Within 3 days it had completely vanished. These talismans are made of small gold-fill brass pieces. In this section of Picatrix, it often recommends using metal pieces that are "in the weight of seven grains of wheat" which is an ancient measurement approximately 0.5 grams, which is the weight of these talismans. I mention this because there is some debate in the source books on size and weight for talismans, but in this particular section a small piece worn on the body was deemed optimal.  In practice, I've found that different sizes and weight generally yields similar results if the astrological configuration is chosen well.

The Chart

4 August 2023, 0630-0645

Disclaimer: Our religious talismans are sold as spiritual aids and complimentary healing therapy. While many individuals find comfort and benefit from their use, they are not substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We make no guarantees regarding their efficacy in treating medical conditions. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or conditions. By purchasing these products, you acknowledge and agree with these terms and conditions.