Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Frater Barrabbas, author of several books, including the new Talismanic Magic for Witches.

Frater BarrabbasA talisman is a magical artifact that is believed to have power of its own accord after having been charged and consecrated through the auspices of a planetary and astrological configuration deemed to be portentous and of great benefit and assistance to the maker or owner. That is the classical definition of a talisman, yet the methodology of its manufacture has varied over time, especially in modern times.

Essentially, the combination of an astrological configuration, such as a planet in a sign, or the beginning of the celestial event of a lunar mansion or decan represents the matrix that delivers the animating principle to the talismanic artifact. What I have defined as the talismanic equation is the combination of a planetary intelligence and a base element, fused together to provide the combination of energy and intelligence that is self-determined and perpetually active once it is brought together within a talismanic artifact. The base element can be that which is associated with a zodiacal sign, or it can be artificially employed through magical means. The planetary attribute represents the aspect of the godhead active in the intelligence, and when charged and fused with an element, it is continually activated because it can draw on the element charge that gives it a manifested expression.

Ancients performed their talismanic magic using specific celestial auspices and timing and exposed a talismanic artifact only during that auspicious moment. That is the passive method of generating a talisman. However, since the advent of the 20th century, the Golden Dawn devised the use of the greater hexagram and superior pentagram to actively generate a planetary and element field. This is the active method of generating a talisman. The passive method required the casting of an elective astrological chart to determine the auspices of the event for talismanic creation. The active method could be used at any time to generate the combination of the planet and element needed to define a talismanic field. Still, I have found that using some of the regimen of the passive method, determined by planetary day, hour and transit auspices in combination with the active method produces the best results, especially for talismans that are to produce strategic changes in the life of wielder.

In my book Talismanic Magic for Witches I show how to apply the methodology of both active and passive to generate an array of different kinds of talismans, based on the simple planetary elementals, to the more advanced lunar mansions, decans and a four-part zodiacal sign division that I call the septans. I believe that talismanic magic is superior because it creates a magical artifact that works all day and every day, perpetually. Gathering a group of talismans to work on several areas simultaneously of one’s life represents the steps towards creating a charmed life. It is for this reason that I call talismanic magic the crown jewel of magic. This magic is now made available to modern Witches and Pagans through my book.


Our thanks to Frater Barrabbas for his guest post! For more from Frater Barrabbas, read his article “The Moment of Magic: The Importance of Magical Timing.”

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Written by Anna
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