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Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi) · 88 of 123 · tr. A.E. Waite

17. The Writing Of The Starse

Birth of Benjamin. Day of preference and tenderness. 24. Influence of Jupiter. Birth of Japhet. 25. Influence of Mercury. Tenth plague of Egypt. 26. Influence of Mars. Deliverance of the Israelites and passage of the Red Sea. 27. Influence of Diana, or Hecate. Splendid victory achieved by Judas Maccabeus. 28. Influence of the Sun. Samson carries off the gates of Gaza. Day of strength and deliverance. 29. The Fool of the Tarot. Day of failure and miscarriage in all things. We see from this rabbinical table, which John Belot and others borrowed from the Hebrew Kabalists, that these ancient masters concluded a posteriori from facts to presumable influences, which is completely within the logic of the occult sciences. We see also what diverse significations are included in the twenty-two Keys which form the universal alphabet of the Tarot, together with the truth of our affirmation, that all secrets of the Kabalah and Magic, all mysteries of the elder world, all science of the patriarchs, all historical traditions of primeval times, are enclosed in this hieroglyphic book of Thoth, Enoch or Cadmus. An exceedingly simple method of finding celestial horoscopes by onomancy is that which we are about to describe: it harmonizes Gaffarel with our own views, and its results are most astounding in their exactitude and depth. Take a black card; cut therein the name of the person for whom you wish to make the consultation; place this card at the end of a tube which must diminish towards the eye of the observer; then look through it alternately towards the four cardinal points, beginning at the east and finishing at the north. Take note of all the stars which you see through the letters; convert these letters into numbers, and, with the sum of the addition written down in the same manner, renew the operation; then compute the number of stars you have next, adding this number to that of the name; cast up again and write the sum of the two numbers in Hebrew characters. Renew the operation; inscribe separately the stars which you have noticed; find the names of all the stars in the planisphere; classify them according to their size and brightness, choosing the most brilliant of all as the pole-star of your astrological operation; find lastly, in the Egyptian planisphere, the names and figures of the genii to which these stars belong. A good example of the planisphere will be found in the atlas to the great work of Dupuis. You will learn in this manner the fortunate and unfortunate signs enter into the name of the person, and what is their influence; whether in childhood, which is the name traced at the east; in youth, which is the name traced at the south; in mature age, which is the name at the west; in decline, which is the name at the north; or finally, during the whole life, obtained from the stars which enter into the entire number formed by the addition of letters and stars. This astrological operation is simple, easy and calls for few calculations; it connects with the highest antiquity and belongs evidently to primitive patriarchal Magic, as will be seen by studying the works of Gaffarel and his master Rabbi Chomer. Onomantic astrology was practised by the old Hebrew Kabalists, as is proved from their observations by Rabbi Chomer, Rabbi Kapol, Rabbi Abjudan and other masters in Kabalah. The menaces of the prophets uttered against various nations were based upon the characters of the stars found vertically over them in the permanent correspondence of the celestial and terrestrial spheres. Thus, by writing in the sky of Greece the Hebrew name of that country or , and translating in numbers, they obtained the word ChRB, which signifies destroyed, desolated.
Themes
Animismcosmology

The doctrine and worldview that natural phenomena, places, and objects possess inherent spirit, soul, or personality — and that the cosmos is populated by countless local, plural, embodied divine agents: kami in mountain and tree, sidhe in cairn and well, landwights in field and stone, nymphs in spring and grove, haltija in forest and lake, lares and penates in household and threshold, Iamblichean daemons in element and place. Distinct from monotheism (single transcendent God), pantheism (one underlying substance), and emanation_hierarchy (cascading single source); animism's signature is the plurality, locality, and embodied-in-landscape character of the divine.

The text mentions finding 'names and figures of the genii to which these stars belong,' implying spirits inhabit celestial bodies.

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Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

The passage explicitly states the 'permanent correspondence of the celestial and terrestrial spheres' as a foundational principle for the described astrological operations.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The text asserts that 'all secrets of the Kabalah and Magic... are enclosed in this hieroglyphic book,' indicating esoteric teachings reserved for initiates.

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Letters Of Creationcosmology

The twenty-two Hebrew letters as the building blocks through which God creates and sustains all existence.

The passage identifies the 'twenty-two Keys' as the 'universal alphabet of the Tarot' and Hebrew letters used to construct names and reveal secrets.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

The ritual involves converting letters into numbers, summing additions, and computing star counts to derive astrological meaning.

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Permutation Of Letterspraxis

Combining, transposing, or cycling through letters or names as a meditative or theurgical technique.

The operation requires converting letters to numbers, renewing the operation, and inscribing stars separately as a theurgical technique.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

The core method described is onomancy, which relies on the ontological power of names to determine fate and influence celestial genii.

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Related passages · 4 parallels
jewish_mysticism|The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha)|1f
[The letters of the Hebrew alphabet are divided into three classes, the three mothers as they are called, AMSh; the seven duplex letters, BGDKPRTh, so called because they are sometimes tenues and sometimes aspirates, according to whether th…”
Both passages discuss the mystical and symbolic significance of the Hebrew alphabet and names, particularly in relation to astrological and kabbalistic practices. They share a conceptual focus on the esoteric meanings and influences of letters and names, reflecting a deep connection to ancient mystical traditions.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter V
You say then, in your epistle, “ that the discovery of the lord or lords of the geniture, if there are more than one in a nativity, can scarcely be obtained, and by astrologers themselves is confessed to be unattainable; and yet they say th…”
Both passages discuss the concept of celestial influences on human life and the methods to determine these influences. Passage A focuses on the lord of the geniture and the dæmon imparted by it, while Passage B describes onomantic astrology and the influence of stars on a person's life. Both explore the intersection of divine or celestial forces with human destiny, showing a genuine conceptual parallel.
renaissance_hermeticism|Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXIII — Of the Seals and Characters of Natural Things|Chapter XXXIII, Section 1a
CHAPTER XXXIII. Of the Seals and Characters of Natural Things . All Stars have their peculiar natures, properties, and conditions, the Seals and Characters whereof they produce, through their rays, even in these inferior things, viz., in…”
Both passages discuss the mystical and astrological significance of names and stars, exploring how celestial influences are reflected in terrestrial and human experiences. They share a conceptual framework of onomancy and astrology, though expressed within different traditions.
renaissance_hermeticism|The Heroic Enthusiasts, Part II (Gli Eroici Furori)|First Dialoguea
. Interlocutors: Cesarino. Maricondo. 1. Ces. It is said that the best and most excellent things are in the world when the whole universe responds from every part, perfectly, to those things; and this it is said takes place as the plan…”
Both passages discuss the influence of celestial bodies and astrological operations on human life and events. Passage A describes a method of onomancy and astrology based on the Kabbalistic tradition, while Passage B discusses the influence of planetary positions and the concept of the great year of the world. Both explore the idea that celestial influences shape human experiences and destinies.