Characters of the Zodiac of Albertus Magnus

The second chapter in Pseudo-Albertus Magnus features the 12 characters of the signs of the zodiac. 

Most follow the same construct: within a rectangular shape we find a central complex seal (often with circle ends), a superior section with corrupted Hebrew letters and star configurations. Libra, Scorpio, Aquarius and Pisces feature the regular symbols of the signs. 

The attributions vary on the three pages that are occupied by the seals: on f.8v, the first four signs are indicated by astrological glyphs, on fol.9r, the middle four signs are indicated by labels in italic Latin and on fol.9v, the last four  use cursive German.

f.8v

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1. Aries                                                 2.Taurus

  3. Gemini                                                 4.Cancer

5. Leo                                                 6.Virgo

7. Libra                                                 8.Scorpio

9. Sagittarius                                                10.Capricorn

11. Aquarius                                                12.Pisces

Planetary Characters of Albertus Magnus

Leipzig University Library Manuscript Cod.Mag.72 is another treasure for the astral magic researcher, with abundant examples of seals, diagrams and characters, which will be reproduced here in a few articles. 

Alberti Magni Tractatus von den 12 himmlischen Zeichen und ihren Sigillis, von den 12 himmlischen Zeichen und ihren Characteribus und denn von den 7 Planeten ihren magischen Ringen, samt ihren großen Heimlichkeiten, Kräften und Nutzen, letzlich von denen speculis magicis mit zugehörigen Instrumenten und Sigillen nebst dessen hohen Gebrauch, omnia ad laudem Dei. 

Or: Albert the Great`s Treatise of the 12 heavenly signs and their seals, of the 12 heavenly signs and their characters and of the seven planets and their magical rings together with their secrets, virtues and uses and lastly of the Speculis Magicis (Magical Mirror) and its  associated instruments and seals most high use, all to the glory of God. 

The Third Chapter (fols.10r-16r) is concerned with the seven planetary rings. 

Unfortunately I have no skill in transcribing or translating the cursive 18th century German, but let`s hope that someone will shed some light on the text in the hopefully-not-so-distant future.  

Ring of Saturn

Character of Saturn

Characters Saturn

ARCHIATROS

Spirit of Saturn

Ring of Jupiter

Character of Jupiter

Characters Jupiter

NABOR

Spirit of Jupiter

Ring of Mars

Character of Mars

Characters  Mars

AMON

Spirit of Mars

Ring of the Sun

Character of the Sun

Characters of the Sun

AFFORES

Spirit of the Sun

Ring of Venus

Character of Venus

Characters Venus

ALLON

Spirit of  Venus

Ring of Mercury

Character of  Mercury

Characters Mercury missing. 

ZEDIETNE

Spirit of  Mercury

Ring of the Moon

Character of the Moon

Characters the Moon

ZETELAY ZELEY

Spirit of  the Moon

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Faustian Cycle: The Black Raven. A manuscript

Upon researching the Faustian cycle of magical writings for a current project, I came to discover that there seem to be a plethora of manuscripts scanned and hosted online the likes of which I could not find a few years ago, in different locations. 

I will be taking upon myself the delicate task of finding them and bringing them to public attention.

Many of them find their published content in Scheible s Kloster, but we will dwell on that more when time permits. 

The following manuscripts are from the Darmstadt Digital Collections. The first one is called Der Schwarze Rabe, namely, the Black Raven, one of the most common names of the Faustian grimoires, albeit with a different content each time. 

Shelfmark: Hs-2543

Der schwarze Rabe / The Black Raven

Internal date: Passau, 1519- 30 July 

                                    15 April 1515

Pages: 34

Material: Paper, most likely. Black ink throughout. 

Binding: Quarter binding with blue paste-paper and brown marbled leather (?).

Digital Collectios Darmstadt - Manuscripts (Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt)

Link: http://tudigit.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/show/Hs-2543 

URN: urn:nbn:de:tuda-tudigit-50299  

Metadaten: METS

The seals are coded as follows: F(aust)S(chwarze)R(rabe).(page)1.(figure)1.=FSR.1.1  

FSR.1

The Black Raven. I ve yet to determine if this black raven with a ring in it s beak has any connection to the coat of arms of the Korwin/Corvin nobiliary line, from Poland to Transylvania. 

FSR.6.1-59

Typical cryptogram for a conjuration, seen throughout such texts of the Faustian Cycle, to be studied at a later date.

FSR.10.1-32

Cryptogram

FSR.15.1-15

Cryptogram

FSR.15.16-61

Cryptogram

FSR.15.62

Complex Seal

FSR.19

Circular Seal

FSR.20.1-31

Cryptogram

FSR.21

Cryptogram

FSR.22

Cryptogram

FSR.23

Diagramgram

FSR.24.1

Circular seal.

FSR.24.2

Circular seal

FSR.25

Small seal. 

FSR.30

Circular seal

FSR.31

Cryptogram

This last set seems to be a key for the cryptogram used, at least in part, detailing the symbols used to name the seven Olympic spirits of the Arbatel, with seven angelic overseers, presumably.

FSR.31.1. Aratron - Derdiel

FSR.31.2. Bethor - Miseriel

FSR.31.3. Phaleg - Seraphiel

FSR.31.4.Och - Asfariel

FSR.31.5. Hagith - Salomiel

FSR.31.6. Ophiel - Saleriel (?)

FSR.31.7. Pfuel (?) - Iachiel