-
Six Graces
In this Practical Occult article guest author Stefanos Chelydoreus, devotional polytheist, witch, mystic, and theologian from Athens, Greece, shares his insights on the personification and deification of concepts in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. For more of his writing on witchcraft, folk magic, sorcery, polytheistic theology, and mysticism, please see his blog The Greek Witch. One of…
-
Daily Carry: Christa from Kthonia Ritual Apothecary
A daily carry is a current trend that I have found useful on countless levels. This wide and sorcerous world is full of many mysteries, miracles, and lessons. As small children, we are all taught to “Look both ways” before we cross the street. The reason seems pretty obvious once it’s pointed out as a…
-
The Cairo Zodiac: A Peer Review
Each zodiac has been consecrated using PGM IV. 1596-1715: The Consecration of All Things. “Give glory and honor and favor and fortune and power to this phylactery!” Guest author Sfinga writes about her experiences with Practical Occult’s Cairo Zodiac in this newsletter. When Alison first contacted me to tell me about her plans for her…
-
Pentacles for Psychic and Divinatory Work
In this newsletter, guest author “Auntie” Eden discusses her use of pentacles in psychic and divinatory work. My use of the Solomonic Pentacles in my psychic and divinatory work began earlier in the year. I had worked as both a psychic and a medium in the past, but I had let most of those skills…
-
First Pentacle of the Moon
From the Key of Solomon: “This and the following serve to call forth and invoke the Spirits of the Moon; and it further serveth to open doors, in whatever way they may be fastened.” In this Practical Occult newsletter guest author Sara Mastros, author of “The Big Book of Magical Incense” and the “Orphic Hymns…
-
Channeling the Music of the Spheres Using the Diatonic Modes
Guest author Cory C.Childs of The Shining Lyre discusses the music of the spheres. In 1496, the Italian music theorist and composer Franchinus Gaffurius released a monumental musical treatise titled “Practica Musicae,” which includes the following image: Here, we’re presented with a brilliant blend of Ancient Greek and Middle Age music theory with esoteric and…
-
Ouroboros Phylactery
In this Practical Occult newsletter, guest author Sfinga of With Cunning and Command discusses the Ouroboros Phylactery of the Greek Magical Papyri. Even when I first began exploring the magic of the PGM, the Ouroboros Phylactery (PGM VII. 579-90) immediately caught my eye. Perhaps it’s because I, as I often joke with my closest friends, am easily…
-
Planetary Incense
In this Practical Occult newsletter guest author Sara Mastros, author of Big Book of Magical Incense, discusses using incense with planetary pentacles. Using Incense with the Planetary Pentacles of Solomon, Magician King Incense can serve any combination of four basic functions in the consecration of the planetary pentacles. I’ll discuss each of these functions, and some…
-
The Role of Magical Timing
In this Practical Occult newsletter guest author and respected practitioner Adley Nichols addresses the topic of magical timing. There is a constant debate about the importance of timing in magical operations. How does one consecrate a pentacle or candarii? How does one make a wand or consecrate a sword? How does one consider the best time for spirit evocation?…
-
Mojo Bag with the Seventh of Jupiter
From the Key of Solomon: “It hath great power against poverty, if thou considerest it with devotion repeating the versicle. It serveth furthermore to drive away the spirits who guard treasures and to discover the same.” This pentacle being the last of the seven pentacles of Jupiter, is one of the less worked. But little…