Episode 12: Vajra Regan on Engraved Magic and Astrological Images
May 30, 2023 in Manuscript Studies, Research Group Speaks (The Series), Uncategorized
The Research Group Speaks
Episode 12
Saturday 12 August 2023 online
1:00–2:30 pm EST (GMT-5) by Zoom
“The Sources of the Engraved Magic and Astrological Images
in the Book of Sigils (Liber Sigillorum)
and the Ghāyat al-Hakīm (The Goal of the Wise)”
Vajra Regan
[Posted on 30 May 2023, with updates]
We invite you to attend Episode 12 in our series.
Our Associate, Vajra Regan will speak about the subject of his new joint publication, which has now appeared in early August 2023, a few days before our event. Vajra’s presentation about this project and the process towards its publication explores explore the subject of visual imagery for astrological magic as transmitted across time, languages, and cultural settings.
Over the years, Vajra has presented papers and organized Sessions for the RGME and our co-sponsor, the Societas Magica, since 2019.
These activities allow us to continue to learn about Vajra’s research as it continues to expand, to deepen, and to unfold. We are glad for his offer to talk with us for the Episode.
Vajra’s Plan for the Episode, in his Own Words
The Title
“The Sources of the Engraved Magic and Astrological Images
in the Book of Sigils (Liber Sigillorum)
and the Ghāyat al-Hakīm (The Goal of the Wise)”
The Abstract
The twelfth century saw the translation into Latin of a group of Arabic texts on astrological image magic with titles such as The Book of Planets (Liber Planetarum), The Stations of the Cult of Venus (De stationibus ad cultum Veneris), and The Book of Venus (Liber Veneris). These texts, usually attributed to Hermes or one of his retinue, provided detailed instructions relating to the liturgy of the planets and the fabrication of engraved astrological images or talismans. Unfortunately, in the following centuries, they were systematically suppressed to such an extent that today many survive in only one or two late manuscripts.
Although long recognized as important to the history of learned magic in the West, these texts have so far received little scholarly attention. Consequently, the precise nature and extent of their influence have remained largely a matter of conjecture.