Ceremonial magic, a precise art in which the magician follows exact procedures to effect a spell or command spirits or the forces of nature, takes into account planetary influences and the positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets. Magic is the control of these influences, which in turn is the control of the basic forces which underlie all things.
The influence of a planet can be captured by a direct petition or by commanding the angel or spirit associated with the planet. In ceremonial magic the provinces of heaven are governed by seven ANGELS. The province of the Moon and everything pertaining to it is ruled by Phul, who has the power to transmute anything into silver, the Moon’s metal, to cure dropsy, and to destroy the evil spirits of the water.
Another way to capture planetary magic is through the use of things connected to the PLANET—such as silver or moonstones in the case of the Moon—or by performing a ritual on the day or at the hour governed by the planet. Each day and each hour in the day are ruled by different planets. Each planet offers advantages for certain kinds of magical spells.
Monday, ruled by the Moon, is a day of peace and happiness. Medieval astrologers proclaimed it one of the week’s luckiest days, along with Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Monday is auspicious for raising the spirits of the dead, communion with spirits, SPELLS concerning love, emotions and reconciliation, CLAIRVOYANCE, becoming invisible, discovery of theft, learning the truth, attaining grace, and all activities concerning water, travel, the sea, and shipping, the home and family, agriculture, medicine, cooking, and dreams.
See Planetary Magic
Hourly influences follow a certain order. The ruling planet of the day commands the first hour after sunrise, and each following hour is ruled by planets in the follow- ing order: the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. A new progression begins at sunset.
See Planetary Hours for Spell casting
In addition to observing planetary influences, a magician always pays additional attention to the phases of the Moon.
A magician fashions his or her magical TOOLS under the proper lunar influences. Magical tools are most effective if handmade by the magician. This is done according to RITUAL, and the tools are purified and consecrated— imbued with the will of the magician—during rituals done under a waxing or full moon, as well as other planetary influences.
The wand is the primary magical tool and has an illustrious history: Moses and Aaron use wands to bring the plague to Egypt, and the Greek god, HERMES, wielded a wand entwined with snakes as his tool of power, wisdom, and healing.
Hazel is best all-round wood for wands. Ash and rowan also are excellent choices. For spells falling under the influence of the Moon, willow is best. Magical GRIMOIRES—textbooks of rituals, most of which were written in the 17th through 19th centuries—offer differing instructions for the making of a magical wand. According to one ritual, the wood is best cut at night, when the Moon is waxing or full, by either an “innocent child” or by a man who walks backward and reaches for the branch between his legs. The wand must be exactly 22 inches long.
The magical tools help the magician tap into the appropriate magical power. In addition, symbols, SIGILS, and SEALS are used. Fumigation—the producing of smoke or vapor—is used to harmonize with the planet that rules the spell being performed. The fumes are used to permeate the atmosphere and to bathe ceremonial objects and magical tools.
Moon fumes can be produced by burning the leaves of all vegetables, leaf indum, leaf of myrtle, and bay leaf. One 19th-century recipe calls for mixing together the dried head of a frog, eyes of a bull, seed of white poppies, frank- incense, camphor, and either menstrual blood or the blood of a goose.
For spellcasting:
Spells involving increase, luck, prosperity, and gains of any sort should be done only when the Moon is waxing, and preferably when the Moon is full.
Spells of vengeance, discord, hatred, unhappiness, and undoing should be done when the Moon is on the wane. The darkest of spells, involving death and destruction, should be done during the dark of the Moon. This period also is favorable for spells for invisibility.
And no spells at all should be attempted when the Moon is new, for failure is guaranteed, according to love.
At the new moon, the Moon and the Sun are in conjunction. A conjunction occurs whenever two planetary bodies are in the same sign of the zodiac or very close—within 12 degrees concerning the Sun and the Moon. This proximity causes the influences of the two bodies to combine and produce unpredictable side effects.
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