Deneb Algedi, Cauda Capricorni, The Tail of Capricorn is one of the 15 fixed Behenian stars, a star that we currently find at the Zodiacal Longitude of 23 ° 47 ' of Aquarius. It is a star of the nature of Saturn and Mercury, according to Ptolemy. Its stone is Chalcedony (brown) and its grass is Marjoram.
Agrippa writes: "Under the Tail of Capricorn, they made the image of a Hart, or a Goate, or an angry man, it bestoweth prosperity and increaseth wrath".1
In Hermes on the 15 fixed stars we read: "Marjoram juice, put under a Chalcedony with its proper character, the Moon conjunct the Tail of Capricorn rising, gives favor in lawsuits, improves the home in which it is kept, keeps it (the home) secure and increase all manner of riches ".2
The benevolent and authoritative nature of this star, which inspires integrity and justice, makes it a great choice for safety, wealth and protection of one’s home. It is also an excellent choice for all those who want a Talisman capable of instilling authority and protection. Although not its primary use, sometime it is possible to use this type of talisman for those who are born with an afflicted Saturn and therefore cannot directly access this type of planetary energy, in its capacity as benevolent authority.
In the tradition where I came from, the afflicted planets, that is, in fall or in exile, are not suitable for personal Talismans. This does not mean that it is not possible to resort to other celestial elements that make it possible to overcome these limitations. In particular, the fixed stars, being a hierarchy higher than the Planets, allow us to work in this sense.
The Election reported here has the Moon in conjunction with the Star which in this case is culminating. According to the traditional texts the star can in fact be either rising or culminating and neither the moon nor the Star must be afflicted. The rules of the Election are those that distinguish one school of Astrological Magic from another, in the sense that each approach will contextualize what are the essential elements of the Election itself. In my case: the Moon and the Star must not be afflicted, with all the specific requirements that decline that affliction. Although traditional sources and medieval lapidaries recommend brown chalcedony, a stone not easy to find in our days, to overcome this problem, I prefer the approach of Marsilio Ficino, who suggests that gold and silver are always suitable materials for the creation of Talismans, as they are noble and resistant materials. Then in the window indicated in the Election I proceed to engrave the talisman with its image and its seal. Then it followed a suitable suffumigation and invocation. After that I gave it to the person who asked for it.
After a month I receive this testimony:
"Hello, I wanted to let you know the effects I'm experiencing from using the Talisman. The day following the one in which I received it, I found myself involved in an unpleasant situation. I went to the local health service to take a blood sample, I found myself in a context of abuse and denial of service. Abuses and bullying in that place have been the rule for years, as in any public service where there is no good management from above. At my request to speak to a superior, I saw myself being blocked with arrogance and of course no superior was available. Resolute and at the same time disheartened, I went to the police station to report the incident. I have never had a great relationship with the authorities in charge, I simply never felt protected by them. This time something went in a very different way. Given the seriousness of the situation, they sent me to the Chief Officer, who with particular expertise collected my complaint and agreed with me about the seriousness of the events and my discouraged question, typical of those who like me have no faith in justice , of the fact that that complaint had some effect, he replied: "certainly no one will go to jail, but I can assure you that some manager will have to answer for such serious events". The thing that struck me most was that no one questioned what I said and this was the first thing I noticed, after which I found understanding and solidarity, absolutely new elements in my relationship with authorities. After this event, things at the ASL have improved a lot. But this is not the only fact, in the following days a similar event occurred and it founds a firm resolution. Finally the building where I live sow a series of thefts, my flat is on the ground floor, without any specific protection but at my house everything has remained quiet. Definitely I feel more protected since I wear this Talisman and something has slowly changed inside me, after these experiences, bringing me the necessary confidence in my own authority that I now see reflected in these external figures, hence my thanks for suggesting and providing me with this precious help. " Anita.
(1) Cornelius Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, BK II, Ch.47.
(2) John Michael Greer from Bodleian MS.52,ff.44-47, in Christopher Warnock, Fixed Star, Appendix One pag.108.