Hi! Im currently getting into saturn gnosis and im reading the book the cult of the black cube. it refers to the picatrix which says basically dont preform planetary magick when saturn is adversely placed and when it is in retrograde. What counts as planetary magick? is it all prayer, rituals, etc to to the planet-esque deities (in my case to saturn)

I mean, how does one choose between the lord of the relevant house in the nativity and the planet traditionally governing the relevant effect desired? If I wanted to win the lottery and Saturn were the lord of my fifth house, when would I invoke Saturn and when would I invoke Venus? Is it just a matter of convenience? Like if Saturn had greater essential dignity, would one go that route? Can’t seem to locate guiding principles on this matter.

I want to work with a planet to help clarify and boost career matters for me. Cancer is my 10th house and I have three planets there, including the Moon. So Moon is the obvious planet to work with, but there's a problem, she's out-of-sect and fully waned (Balsamic phase). So I'm not sure if working with the Moon with give me the best results, unless I want to do secretive things which the Balsmaic Moon is good for. So I was thinking I could work with Jupiter because it's the other planet with dignity over Cancer and I have it conjunct my Ascendant. It's my sect benefic and it has triplicity in an Air sign. I wasn't sure though if Jupiter would actually impact my Cancer house at all because it doesn't technically rule Cancer, so that's why I'm asking this question. Any clarity on this topic is appreciated 🙏

Astrolatry is the worship & veneration of the celestial bodies & the stars. I’ve noticed that this belief is rarely discussed/mentioned. I have gathered some books & historical references, but I’m looking for more books which are about practicing this.

I’m curious if anyone knows how Solomonic pentacles like the 2nd of Mars would compare against a Saturn astrological talisman for longevity.

Wondering if anyone has tested talismans from other grimoires or traditions that provided longevity and/or health?

Thanks !

Hi. I'm sorry, this is another post by a lost beginner.

Essentially, I've read that working with your chart ruler could be interesting to begin with, but my chart ruler is Jupiter and in gemini in my chart. AND I'm pretty sure it was in retrograde at the time, for that matters.

(Also my Moon is in the 6th house and squares Mars?)

Do you often work with chart rulers? Should I keep Jupiter out of my business for now and focus on more favorable planets? How do I even begin to work with an afflicted chart ruler?

I'm slowly working through the renaissance astrology website, as I've heard the picatrix is not exactly beginner friendly. I apologize for the lack of nuance in my interpretations, I'm open to learning.

Hi everyone,

I am writing this post to sincerely understand the underlying philosophy and mechanics behind certain astrological concepts, particularly within Vedic astrology, as I find myself struggling to reconcile them with modern astronomy and physics.I want to pose a few specific questions regarding how celestial bodies and remedies are believed to influence our daily lives:

1. The Influence of Shadow Planets (Rahu and Ketu): Scientifically, Rahu and Ketu are not physical planets or celestial bodies with mass; they are the lunar nodes—purely mathematical points in space where the Moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic. Since these points have no physical matter, gravity, or radiation, what is the mechanism through which they are believed to affect a person’s life or cause a dosha?

2. The Distance of Physical Planets (e.g., Saturn): A planet like Saturn (Shani) is billions of kilometers away. From a physics standpoint, its gravitational and electromagnetic pull on an individual at birth is statistically negligible compared to the immediate physical environment around us. How do astrologers explain a distant gas giant influencing specific human micro-events, careers, or emotional states?

3. The Logic of Gemstone Remedies (Gomed and Neelam): Gemstones like hessonite garnet (Gomed) or blue sapphire (Neelam) are Earth-born minerals composed of chemical elements like aluminum, silicon, and iron. What is the traditional explanation for how wearing a specific mineral on a finger alters, filters, or corrects the "energy" of a mathematical point in space or a planet billions of miles away?

I am genuinely curious about how the community views these contradictions. Is astrology meant to be understood through a physical framework that science hasn't discovered yet, or is it purely symbolic, psychological, and metaphysical?

Looking forward to your insights and perspectives!

TL;DR: How can non-physical mathematical points (Rahu/Ketu) or distant planets like Saturn physically influence human lives? Furthermore, how do physical Earth minerals like Gomed or Neelam fix or alter these distant cosmic energies? Seeking an astrological perspective on these scientific contradictions.

Hey all, so I’ve been doing some research and digging around on here out of curiosity, and I’m having a bit of a hard time I won’t lie. If you had to start from the ground up, I’m talking like BASICS to get a core understanding before trying to read something like the picatrix, what books/resources would you start with first? As a tiny bit of background I’ve worked with sigil magick before, and have done a lot of meditation and used things like the gateway tapes (im pretty sure that info is not necessary, but just to give an idea of where I’ve been) but yeah. I’m very interested, I just don’t know exactly where to begin. Any recommendations?

Any solar eclipse magic for the 12th? I cant decide on what to do?

Despite my strong desire for a Moon in Taurus talisman, I accept as a beginner that this is not the best first talisman for someone with a fallen moon. Especially if I were the one to create it, I might expect it to bring difficulties. So despite positive divination about a moon talisman, and a craving for greater emotional stability, I continue to avoid that… the last thing I need is talisman-induced ‘lunacy’ or more lunar health problems.

With an exalted natal Jupiter, I easily take jovial things for granted, but probably it would be quite powerful to work with that planet first.

Anyways, as I research, I’ve been wondering if my astrological magic, in general, would be negatively affected by the fact that my moon is in a tough spot (as she is the “mediatrix” of the entire situation). Does an afflicted moon make for a worse magician, or is this irrelevant? I want to start practicing magic, and eventually hoped to create talismans, but something always holds me back from starting.