Make two images, the first in the hour of the Sun, with Leo rising and the Moon cadent from the ascendant, and the other make in the hour of the Mars with Cancer rising and Mars cadent from the Moon, and make them in the form of one striking another, Bury them in the hour of Mars with the first face of Aries rising. When you have done this, you will be able to act against your enemy as you wish. – The Picatrix, tranl. John Michael Greer & Christopher Warnock
To continue with our examination, during the season of the malefics, of some of the more malicious uses for electional astrology in the Picatrix, today we’ll look at another one of the enemy destruction elections from Book 1, Chapter 5.
Electional conditions
For the first image we require:
1) it to be the hour of the Sun, 2) Leo rising, and 3) the Moon cadent from the Ascendant. During this election we would create the first part of the image to represent our enemy, and name it for our enemy:
For the second image we require: 1) it to be the hour of Mars, 2) Cancer rising, and 3) Mars cadent from the Moon. During this election we would create the second part of the image to represent a suitably powerful and martial image striking down our enemy, and name it for the terrible afflictions we expect to strike down our enemy:
For the third part of this work, we bury the image during the hour of Mars with the first face of Aries rising. Although the Picatrix does not mention it it is best to bury the image on the property of our enemy or where he or she spends alot of time:
A rationale for the election
The hour of Mars and Aries rising bit is pretty self explanatory since Mars is one of the malefics often invoked in this sort of revenge work, but Leo and Cancer rising for the first two parts might require a little more thought.
In a symbolic visual sense, the Sun and Moon, rulers of these two signs respectively, are perpetually at war. When one is at is strongest, the other is invisible, and just as night overcomes night, we hope to overcome our enemy.
More specifically, Cancer is the 12th house from the Ascendant of the 1st image representing witchcraft, curses, imprisonment and secret enemies.
So many chances for aggressive mars rituals during these past few months. More interested in workings of venus, jupiter and sun.
I wonder if we can use the mars elections for strength, health and drive. Ambition is always a good thing to have.
There should be some nice elections for the benefics very soon!
Generally talismans tend to be made for physical things, e.g., a Mars talisman might be created to overcome enemies, but carrying a properly constructed Mars talisman should certainly increase one’s own Martial qualities. Of course, if Mars in your nativity is debilitated and its effects manifest as angry outbursts and vengeful thoughts whenever it is activated, there is a chance that these Mars traits will be magnified too. As long as you are careful, and as long as you make some effort to cultivate and exercise your ambition, drive and strength (and work to avoid anger and vengeful thoughts), there’s no reason why you shouldn’t petition Mars for those things.
CS