Magia and the Mansions

 In my studies of the Mansions of the Moon I have come across instances in which they appear in unexpected places, in a variety of contexts. For better or worse these sources become part of the lore and the mythology of the Mansions of the Moon and examining them adds to the full picture of what the Mansions are as they continue to evolve and develop. I will elaborate on some of these as we go along. For this post I want to talk about the Faustian grimoire, Magia Naturalis et Innaturalis. 

Magia Naturalis et Innaturalis is a book of magic focused on spirit summoning based on a Solomonic model; spirits characterized as demons, the formation of written pacts with spirits, sigils representing spirit signatures, magic circles empowered by names of God, and strict spiritual purity of the magician. The copy of Magia that I am working with is published by Enodia Press.

As in other literary works about the magician Johannes Faust, one of the principal spirits is Mephistopheles, a name somewhat culturally familiar to many people. What is facsinating for our study is that 18 of the 28 spirits of the Mansions of the Moon appear with the same names in the spirit list of Magia as in Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Of the 10 others I have 7 names penciled in as likely contenders and three that I am as yet unsure about. I suspect all 28 are in there but some are in a form I don't recognize. All in all, there is a rather convoluted hierarchy that consists of more than sixty names and more recognizable names appear in the conjurations throughout the book. 

Here is some of what I have found so far. 

Barbiel figures prominently in Magia as one of the first spirits to have a detailed conjuration. He is described as a Grand Price of Hell and has many spirits under his command. The name Barbiel shows up in Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy as the spirit of the ninth Mansion, Atarfa, the Glance of the Lion. In the Latin Picatrix this spirit is named Raubel.

Aciel is another central spirit to the Magia scheme. Aciel is the same name given in both Agrippa and the Latin Picatrix as the spirit of the twenty fifth Mansion, Zaadelahbia.

Dirachiel is a spirit under Aciel with the rank of Count in the Infernal Army and has a lengthy conjuration. This is the name given in Agrippa for the spirit of the 6th Mansion, Alhana. In the Latin Picatrix this spirit is named Nederayhe.  

Jazariel is another Count in the Infernal Army under Aciel. In Agrippa this spirit is listed as Iazerial. In the Picatrix, Azerut. 

Kiriel comes next in Magia and is phonetically the same as Kyriel, spirit of the twentieth Mansion, Alnaym, the Beam. In the Latin Picatrix this spirit is listed as Queyhuc. In Magia Kiriel is a Noble Spirit and a "strong igneous spirit".  

Similarly, Amudiel is described as a Noble Spirit and a strong igneous spirit. In Agrippa this is Amutiel, the spirit of the 19th Mansion, Axaula. In the Latin Picatrix this is Annucel. 

Under Amudiel and Kiriel are five fire spirits all of which are Mansion spirits.

Bethanael is Bethnael in Agrippa and Bectue in the Picatrix, spirit of the 21st Mansion, Albelda.

Geliel, spirit of the twenty second Mansion, Sadahaca, is the same in all three books. 

Requiel is the same in Magia and in Agrippa but is Zequebin in the Picatrix. This is the spirit of the twenty third Mansion, Zaadebola. 

Apringiel is Abrinael in Agrippa and Abrine in the Picatrix and is the spirit of the twenty fourth Mansion, Al S'ad al Su'ud.

Tagriel is the same in all three books and is the name of the spirit of the 26th Mansion, Al Fargh al Awwal.

The next seven are "under the infernal army, 7 commoner spirits". 

Alhemiel is Alheniel in Agrippa and Abliemel in the Picatrix. This is the spirit of the twenty seventh Mansion, Al Fargh al Thani. 

Amnixiel is the same in Agrippa and is Anoxia in the Picatrix, spirit of Arrexhe, the twenty eighth Mansion. 

Egibiel is the spirit of the eighteenth Mansion, Alcalb, in Agrippa. This is the name that appears in Magia. The corresponding name in the Picatrix is Egribel.

Adriel is the same as in Agrippa, and Adrieb in the Picatrix, and is the spirit of the seventeenth Mansion, Aliklil. 

Azeruel is the same as in Agrippa. In the Picatrix this is Azeruch, spirit of the sixteenth Mansion, Azubene. 

Ergediel is the same as in Agrippa but shows up as Erdegal, spirit of the fourteenth Mansion, Azimech, in the Picatrix.

Abdicuel is Ahbdizuel in Agrippa and Abdizu in the Picatix. This is the spirit of the twelfth Mansion, Asarfa. 

And these are the spirit names that show up in Magia that I have suspicion strong enough to pair them with the Mansion spirits from Agrippa and the Picatrix, but not so strong that I am sure it is correct. 

Mephistophiel (Mephistopheles) does not have a one to one connection to the Mansion spirits. This is one of the "penciled in" correspondences for Annuncia, spirit of the third Mansion. In Agrippa this spirit is named Amixiel. In Magia part of Mephistophiel's conjuration says, "...and through your star, which is called Penothot..." which the footnote suggests is a corruption of Succoth Benoth or Benathot, the Hebrew name for the Pleiades. The Pleiades is the traditional indicator stars for the third Mansion. 

Germiciel is phonetically close enough to Geniel, spirit of the first Mansion according to Agrippa, and Geriz, the same spirit in the Latin Picatrix, that I suspect these are equivalent. 

Adiel could equate to the spirit of the second Mansion, Albotayn, which is Enediel in Agrippa and Enedil in the Picatrix.  

Could Assardiel be the same as Azariel, the spirit of the fourth Mansion, Aldebaran, in Agrippa, which is Assarez in the Picatrix?

Perhaps Cafphiel is the name of the spirit of the fifth Mansion, Almices, which is given as Gabiel in Agrippa and Cabil in the Latin Picatrix. 

Kniedadiel has a passing phonetic resemblance to Amnediel, Agrippa's spirit of the eighth Mansion, Annathra. In the Picatrix this spirit is named Annediex. 

Apachtiel could potentially equate to Ataliel, the spirit of the fifteenth Mansion, Algafra, according to Agrippa. This is Achalich in the Latin Picatrix. 

I have yet to identify the corresponding names in Magia for the last three Mansions; Seheliel in the seventh Mansion, Aldira; Ardefiel in the tenth Mansion, Algebha; and Neciel in the eleventh Mansion. 

So, why does this matter? 

The biggest reason for me is that it is a curious occurrence to have strikingly similar lists of spirit names. How did this happen? Could the Mansion spirits and the spirits of Magia have been connected the whole time? I think the possibility that the spirits of Magia are somehow an echo of ancient Mansion spirit magic to be exceedingly remote. It is much more likely that the names of the spirits of the Mansions of the Moon, as a known spirit list, were attached to the spirits of Magia at a much more recent date. 

But, really, it doesn't matter much. The names in Magia Naturalis et Innatualis have come down to us as variations on the names of the spirits of the Mansions of the Moon and for that reason they are linked. Working Magia as a grimoire can be a way to learn about the Mansions of the Moon. The attributes of the spirits of Magia add complexity and depth to the spirits of the Mansions and are part of what a full portrait would be. 

But, also, maybe more importantly, it gives us another way to interact with and approach the spirits of the Mansions. Just as Jake Stratton-Kent attributes the spirits of the Grimorium Verum to the Mansions of the Moon, the spirits of Magia suggest that a Solomonic framework is appropriate for working with these spirits. I think this is an area ripe for exploration. 

Lunar Mansion Report, July 14, 2025 to July 20, 2025

 This is an entry in a continuing series of posts looking at the Moon's position and condition in the week ahead with an eye to the Mansions of the Moon. This is an exercise to help me track the speed of the Moon, organize my thoughts on the Mansions, and think about the practical applications. 

All times are for me locally, United States Pacific Time. I will be making note of the Moon's phase, speed, and Mansion position in my assessment. Currently, I'm not considering aspects with other planets.

Lunar Mansion Report, July 14, 2025 to July 20, 2025

Monday, July 14th, 2025. The Moon is briefly in Al Fargh al Awwal, the Upper Waterspout, when July 14th begins. At 12:22am the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Al Fargh al Thani, the Lower Waterspout, and continues there until 11:04pm at which point the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Arrexhe, the Rope, the third Mansion of July 14th. The phase is Waning Gibbous which is wrathful and supports works of diminishment and decline. 

It will take the Moon only 22 hours and 42 minutes to get through Al Fargh al Thani. This is fast and it is 19 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is accelerating. A fast Moon may make magic happen quickly but it may also make the effects dissipate more quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Al Fargh al Awwal include damaging the relationships between partners, restraining a captive and torturing him (Gayat al Hakim), and destroyeth prisons and buildings (Agrippa). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a woman washing her hair in a basin. This is an image of spiritual cleansing as Al Fargh al Awwal controls the subtle and lustral waters, the holy and blessed waters.

The wrathful powers of Al Fargh al Thani include damaging the assets of a person you are concerned with, damaging the relationship between spouses, hurting someone riding on a ship, prolonging the captivity of a prisoner (Gayat al Hakim), to impede the building of buildings, and for the destruction of springs and wells (Latin Picatrix).  

The image in the Latin Picatrix is a man with wings holding a vessel. Al Fargh al Thani is the Lower Waterspout and represents the waters of physical healing. These are the vivifying waters of life. In Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic, he suggests Al Fargh al Thani is powerful for operations of prophecy and foreknowledge. 

The wrathful powers of Arrexhe are destroying trusts, restraining and harming prisoners, hurting someone riding on a ship (Gayat al Hakim), besiege cities, get rid of things, cdetroy an area, make treasures be lost, to make the incarceration of captives firm, and inflict evil on sailors at sea (Latin Picatrix)

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Arrexhe is a fish with a colored spine, a bit of sympathetic magic for attracting more fish to a particular spot. In my own mind there is a connection to the stories of a person being eaten by a fish or a whale and later being expelled.  

The Moon is in Arrexhe when July 14th ends. 

Tuesday, July 15th, 2025. The Moon is in Arrexhe, the Rope, when July 15th begins. The Moon moves into the next Mansion, Alnath, the Butting One, at 9:32pm. The phase is Waning Gibbous which is good for works of contraction and loss.

The Moon will move across Arrexhe for 22 hours and 28 minutes. Not only is this fast but it is 14 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon continues to speed up. A fast Moon can make magic happen more quickly but may also make it pass more quickly.

The wrathful powers of Arrexhe are destroying trusts, restraining and harming prisoners, hurting someone riding on a ship (Gayat al Hakim), besiege cities, get rid of things, cdetroy an area, make treasures be lost, to make the incarceration of captives firm, and inflict evil on sailors at sea (Latin Picatrix)

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Arrexhe is a fish with a colored spine, a bit of sympathetic magic for attracting more fish to a particular spot. In my own mind there is a connection to the stories of a person being eaten by a fish or a whale and later being expelled. 

The wrathful powers of Alnath include to kill enemies, guards for demolition and crushing (Ibn Hatim), create discord and enmity between spouses or friends, to sabotage a partnership with fiery evil (Ghayat al Hakim), for destruction and depopulation, and to kill (Latin Picatrix).

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Alnath is a a black man with his hair wrapped and encircled, standing on his feet, having a spear in his right hand in the manner of a warrior. Alnath is a rather grim Mansion in which works of destruction are empowered.

The Moon is in Alnath when July 15th ends. 

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025. The Moon is in Alnath, the Butting One, when July 16th begins. At 7:43pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Albotayn, the Little Belly. The phase is Waning Gibbous which is best for works of hinderance and delay. 

The Moon will travel across Alnath for 22 hours and 11 minutes. This is 17 minutes less than the previous Mansion. This means the Moon is fast and getting faster. A fast Moon can make the effects of magic pass quickly but may make those effects manifest quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Alnath include to kill enemies, guards for demolition and crushing (Ibn Hatim), create discord and enmity between spouses or friends, to sabotage a partnership with fiery evil (Ghayat al Hakim), for destruction and depopulation, and to kill (Latin Picatrix).

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Alnath is a a black man with his hair wrapped and encircled, standing on his feet, having a spear in his right hand in the manner of a warrior. Alnath is a rather grim Mansion in which works of destruction are empowered.

The wrathful powers of Albotayn include to sabotage a marriage before it can be consummated, to worsen the conditions of a captive to harm them (Ghayat al Hakim), destruction of buildings before they can be completed, and to enrage one man against another (Latin Picatrix). 

 The image in the Latin Picatrix for Albotayn is a king on a throne. The approximate Chinese Seiu that corresponds to Albotayn is The Storeroom. Combined with the talismanic purposes of digging wells and finding hidden treasure, in my mind, the king is an underworld figure, a king in his sepulcher, surrounded by his riches. 

The Moon is in Albotayn when July 16th comes to a close.

Thursday, July 17, 2025. The Moon is in Albotayn, the Little Belly, when July 17th begins and then moves into the next Mansion, Azoraye, the Many Little Ones, at 5:40pm. The phase at the beginning of the day is Waning Gibbous, which is good for works of destabilization and confusion. At 5:37pm the Moon makes a square aspect with the Sun and then the phase changes to Waning Crescent which is best for abrupt endings and obfuscation. 

The Moon will travel across Albotayn for 21 hours and 57 minutes. This is fast. The Moon is also accelerating, traveling through Albotatyn 14 minutes faster than the previous Mansion. A fast Moon may make magic happen quickly but may also make the effects of magic dissipate quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Albotayn include to sabotage a marriage before it can be consummated, to worsen the conditions of a captive to harm them (Ghayat al Hakim), destruction of buildings before they can be completed, and to enrage one man against another (Latin Picatrix). 

 The image in the Latin Picatrix for Albotayn is a king on a throne. The approximate Chinese Seiu that corresponds to Albotayn is The Storeroom. Combined with the talismanic purposes of digging wells and finding hidden treasure, in my mind, the king is an underworld figure, a king in his sepulcher, surrounded by his riches. 

The wrathful powers of Azoraye include sabotaging a partnership, torturing a prisoner, destroying sheep, goats, and cows (Ghayat al Hakim), to firmly incarcerate captives (Latin Picatrix). Overall, Azoraye is considered very beneficial so wrathful qualities are very few. One could use the wrathful time to interrupt or take away the good things and luck that this Mansion usually represents. 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Azoraye is a seated woman with her right hand above her head. Given the overwhelming positivity associated with this Mansion this is most likely a gesture of blessing. The traditional indicator stars for this Mansion are the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, a grouping of stars with a long and legendary past. The Pleiades are one of the 15 Behenian stars whose powers include, according to Agrippa, "brings an increase to light of the eyes, collects daemons, promotes winds, and reveals secrets and hidden things." And the image is "a virgin girl or the figure of a torch".

The Moon is in Azoraye when July 17th ends.

Friday, July 18th, 2025. The Moon is in Azoraye, the Many Little Ones, when July 18th begins. At 3:27pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Aldebaran, the Bull's Eye. The phase is Waning Crescent which is best for works of cutting and death. 

It will take the Moon 21 hours and 47 minutes to transit Azoraye. That is fast and 13 minutes faster than the previous Mansion, so she is accelerating. A fast Moon may make magic happen more quickly but may also make those effect pass more quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Azoraye include sabotaging a partnership, torturing a prisoner, destroying sheep, goats, and cows (Ghayat al Hakim), to firmly incarcerate captives (Latin Picatrix). Overall, Azoraye is considered very beneficial so wrathful qualities are very few. One could use the wrathful time to interrupt or take away the good things and luck that this Mansion usually represents. 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Azoraye is a seated woman with her right hand above her head. Given the overwhelming positivity associated with this Mansion this is most likely a gesture of blessing. The traditional indicator stars for this Mansion are the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters, a grouping of stars with a long and legendary past. The Pleiades are one of the 15 Behenian stars whose powers include, according to Agrippa, "brings an increase to light of the eyes, collects daemons, promotes winds, and reveals secrets and hidden things." And the image is "a virgin girl or the figure of a torch".

The wrathful powers of Aldebaran include to corrupt a city, to build a building not expected to last or stay in good condition, destroying crops, ruining a relationship between spouses, to bring bad luck to one digging buried goods, attract scorpions and snakes (Ghayat al Hakim), for enmity and hatred (Ibn Hatim), to make a lord despise his servant, destroy fountains and streams (Latin Picatrix), and to cause fear, submission, and uncertainty (Celestial Magic).

The image of Aldebaran in the Latin Picatrix is a knight on horseback holding a viper in his hand. This image is very similar to more than a few goetic spirits from the Lemegeton. A wrathful Aldebaran is the king killer. 

The Moon is in Aldebaran when July 18th comes to a close. 

Saturday, July 19th, 2025. The Moon is in Aldebaran when July 19th begins. At 1:01pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Almices, the Brilliant One. The phase is Waning Crescent which supports works of obscuring and destroying. 

The Moon will travel across Aldebaran for 21 hours and 34 minutes. This is fast and it is 13 minutes faster than the previous Mansion. A fast Moon may make magic manifest quickly but may also make those effects dissipate quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Aldebaran include to corrupt a city, to build a building not expected to last or stay in good condition, destroying crops, ruining a relationship between spouses, to bring bad luck to one digging buried goods, attract scorpions and snakes (Ghayat al Hakim), for enmity and hatred (Ibn Hatim), to make a lord despise his servant, destroy fountains and streams (Latin Picatrix), and to cause fear, submission, and uncertainty (Celestial Magic).

The image of Aldebaran in the Latin Picatrix is a knight on horseback holding a viper in his hand. This image is very similar to more than a few goetic spirits from the Lemegeton. A wrathful Aldebaran is the king killer. 

Almices is such a favorable Mansion that the only wrathful power listed in the Ghayat al Hakim, the Latin Picatrix, Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy, and Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic is the sabotage and ruining of partnerships or relationships. Alternately, the beneficial powers of increased intellect and favor can be turned on their heads. 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a disembodied head, the seat of sight, hearing, and understanding.

The Moon is in Almices when July 19th ends.

Sunday, July 20th, 2025. The Moon is in Almices, the Brilliant One, when July 20th begins. At 10:30am the Moon then moves into the next Mansion, Alhana, the Mark. The phase is Waning Crescent which is best for works of severance and abandonment. 

It will take the Moon 21 hours and 29 minutes to travel across Almices. This is fast and is 6 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is speeding up. A fast Moon may make magic happen quickly but may also make the effects pass quickly. 

Almices is such a favorable Mansion that the only wrathful power listed in the Ghayat al Hakim, the Latin Picatrix, Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy, and Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic is the sabotage and ruining of partnerships or relationships. Alternately, the beneficial powers of increased intellect and favor can be turned on their heads. 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a disembodied head, the seat of sight, hearing, and understanding.

The wrathful powers of Alhana include corrupting cities and confining them, retaliating from kings, inflicting harm and damage on enemies, ruining crops and trusts causing adverse effects of medication (Ghayat al Hakim), to break resistance (Celestial Magic), and to impede the work of physicians (Agrippa). 

The image for Alhana in the Latin Picatrix is a white man embracing a white woman. The title The Mark refers to a mark signifying ownership, like a brand on livestock. This is a Mansion of declaring commitments. Another symbol for it might be a wedding ring. The white man and the white woman are twin halves of a whole and Alhana weds them together. 

The Moon is in Alhana when July 20th ends.

Lunar Mansion Report, July 7, 2025 to July 13, 2025

 This is an entry in a continuing series of posts looking at the Moon's position and condition in the week ahead with an eye to the Mansions of the Moon. This is an exercise to help me track the speed of the Moon, organize my thoughts on the Mansions, and think about the practical applications. 

All times are for me locally, United States Pacific Time. I will be making note of the Moon's phase, speed, and Mansion position in my assessment. Currently, I'm not considering aspects with other planets.

Lunar Mansion Report, July 7, 2025 to July 13, 2025

Monday, July 7th, 2025. When July 7th begins the Moon is in Alnaym, the Beam or the Ostriches. In fact, the Moon remains in Alnaym for the entirety of July 7th. The phase is Waxing Gibbous, which is best for works of growth and expansion. 

The Moon will travel through Alnaym for 25 hours and 20 minutes between 11:38pm on July 6th and 12:58am on July 8th. This is slow but it is 45 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is speeding up. A slow Moon may delay the effects of magic but may also make those effects more enduring.

The beneficial powers of Alnaym include the discipline of riding animals that are hard to tame, speedy travel and making the distance shorter, bring a concerned person home, promoting friendship (Ghayat al Hakim), to tame wild and disobedient beasts, to bring those traveling in wagons swiftly back again, for men to come wherever you wish, for good people to be joined together, fortune in hunting (Latin Picatrix), and the arousal of peace, love, and friendship (Liber Lunae).

The image of Alnaym in the Latin Picatrix is a centaur shooting a bow. The power ascribed to it is for finding and taking whatever you hunt. It is also for taming wild beasts. 

The Moon is in Alnaym when July 7th ends.

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025. The Moon is in Alnaym, the Beam or the Ostriches, when July 8th begins. At 12:58am the Moon then moves into the next Mansion, Albelda, the Wasteland. The phase is Waxing Gibbous which supports works of building and elaboration. 

The Moon will travel through Albelda for 24 hours and 46 minutes, which is 24 minutes faster than the previous Mansion. This means the Moon is slow but accelerating. A slow Moon can make magic take longer to manifest but may make the effects last longer.

The beneficial powers of Alnaym include the discipline of riding animals that are hard to tame, speedy travel and making the distance shorter, bring a concerned person home, promoting friendship (Ghayat al Hakim), to tame wild and disobedient beasts, to bring those traveling in wagons swiftly back again, for men to come wherever you wish, for good people to be joined together, fortune in hunting (Latin Picatrix), and the arousal of peace, love, and friendship (Liber Lunae).

The image of Alnaym in the Latin Picatrix is a centaur shooting a bow. The power ascribed to it is for finding and taking whatever you hunt. It is also for taming wild beasts. 

The beneficial powers of Albelda are stabilizing buildings, increasing crops, retaining assets and live stock, ensuring the safety of travelers (Ghayat al Hakim), to increase harvests, make a profit and firmly keep money, to go safely through the countryside (Latin Picatrix), safeguard travelers, and house-protection (Celestial Magic), and works of cooperation and silence (Liber Lunae). 

The image for Albelda in the Latin Picatrix is a man with a head like Janus, with one face on the front and another face on the back of the head. Janus was the Roman god of the threshold, the place in between, and marked passages. In my experience Albelda is a Mansion of waiting, holding, and immobility.

The Moon is in Albelda as July 8th comes to a close.

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025. When July 9th begins the Moon is in Albelda, the Wasteland, and then moves into the next Mansion, Sadahaca, the Lucky Star of the Slaughterers, at 1:54am. The phase is Waxing Gibbous which is good for works of addition and multiplication. 

It will take the Moon 24 hours and 28 minutes to traverse Sadahaca. This is slow and it is 28 minutes faster than the previous Mansion so she is speeding up. A slow Moon may slow the effects of magic but may also make those effects last longer. 

The beneficial powers of Albelda are stabilizing buildings, increasing crops, retaining assets and live stock, ensuring the safety of travelers (Ghayat al Hakim), to increase harvests, make a profit and firmly keep money, to go safely through the countryside (Latin Picatrix), safeguard travelers, and house-protection (Celestial Magic), and works of cooperation and silence (Liber Lunae). 

The image for Albelda in the Latin Picatrix is a man with a head like Janus, with one face on the front and another face on the back of the head. Janus was the Roman god of the threshold, the place in between, and marked passages. In my experience Albelda is a Mansion of waiting, holding, and immobility.

The beneficial powers of Sadahaca include the treatment and recovery from disease, the release of captives (Ghayat al Hakim), cure illness, to cause goodwill between allies, to escape safely from enemies, secure against slander (Latin Picatrix), and liberation from restrictions or limits. (Celestial Magic).

The image for this Mansion in the Latin Picatrix is "the figure of a man with winged feet wearing a helmet", a very Mercurial image. Considered together with the title of this Mansion, The Lucky Star of the Slaughterers, this Mansion has connotations of spiritual communication. The slaughterers are those who make the animal sacrifice to the gods. During this Mansion making entreaties to heaven and making offerings to seek favors and boons are greatly enhanced as are devotional acts of giving.

The Moon is in Sadahaca at the end of July 9th. 

Thursday, July 10th, 2025. The Moon is in Sadahaca, the Lucky Star of the Slaughterers, when July 10th begins. At 2:22am the Moon moves into Zaadebola, the Lucky Star of the Devourers, the next Mansion. The Moon's phase is Waxing Gibbous, and is beneficial and supports works of building and joining, until 1:36pm when the Moon makes an opposition aspect with the Sun, the Full Moon. From then the phase becomes Waning Gibbous, which is wrathful and supports works of breaking and separation. 

The Moon will take 24 hours and 2 minutes to travel across Zaadebola. This is slow but it is 22 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is slowing down. A slow Moon can make magic take longer to happen but may make those effects last longer. 

The beneficial powers of Sadahaca include the treatment and recovery from disease, the release of captives (Ghayat al Hakim), cure illness, to cause goodwill between allies, to escape safely from enemies, secure against slander (Latin Picatrix), and liberation from restrictions or limits. (Celestial Magic).

The image for this Mansion in the Latin Picatrix is "the figure of a man with winged feet wearing a helmet", a very Mercurial image. Considered together with the title of this Mansion, The Lucky Star of the Slaughterers, this Mansion has connotations of spiritual communication. The slaughterers are those who make the animal sacrifice to the gods. During this Mansion making entreaties to heaven and making offerings to seek favors and boons are greatly enhanced as are devotional acts of giving.

The beneficial qualities of the Zaadebola include recovery from disease (Gayat al Hakim), join friends together (Latin Picatrix), liberty of captives (Agrippa), and evil's antidote (Shams al Marif).

A wrathful Zaadebola has the strength to impose ruin and disease on whomever you wish (Ibn Hatim), damaging assets, causing estrangement between spouses (Gayat al Hakim), divide husbands from their wives, destruction and devastation (Latin Picatrix), and to inflict destruction and wasting (Celestial Magic).

The image for Zaadebola in the Latin Picatrix is a cat with a dog’s head. The head and the body are at odds, each wanting to do violence to the other. Ultimately, neither is left the winner. Pitting a group against its leaders for the purpose of destroying the entire group would be a wrathful work that is strengthened in this Mansion.

The Moon is in Zaadebola when July 10th ends.

Friday, July 11th, 2025. The Moon is in Zaadebola, the Lucky Star of the Devourers, when July 11th begins. At 2:24am the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Caadezod, the Lucky Star of the Lucky. The phase is waning Gibbous, which is wrathful and supports works of wasting and diminishment. 

The moon will transit Caadezod for 23 hours and 40 minutes. This is on the slow side of average but it is 38 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is speeding up. A slow Moon may make magic take longer to happen But may also make the effects last longer.

A wrathful Zaadebola has the strength to impose ruin and disease on whomever you wish (Ibn Hatim), damaging assets, causing estrangement between spouses (Gayat al Hakim), divide husbands from their wives, destruction and devastation (Latin Picatrix), and to inflict destruction and wasting (Celestial Magic).

The image for Zaadebola in the Latin Picatrix is a cat with a dog’s head. The head and the body are at odds, each wanting to do violence to the other. Ultimately, neither is left the winner. Pitting a group against its leaders for the purpose of destroying the entire group would be a wrathful work that is strengthened in this Mansion.

The wrathful powers of Caadezod are driving away reptiles (Ibn Hatim), destroy the money of allies, prevent officials from completing their duties (Latin Picatrix), and hindereth the execution of government (Agrippa). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix is a woman breastfeeding a child. In most sources this Mansion is very beneficial. I associate this Mansion image with Amalthea, the nymph who hid and nursed baby Zeus until he was grown and strong enough to confront Saturn. This would suggest to me that keeping plans, projects, or conspiracies hidden from their intended target is accentuated when the Moon is in this Mansion.

The Moon is in Caadezod when July 11th ends

Saturday, July 12th, 2025. When midnight strikes and July 12th begins the Moon is in Caadezod, the Lucky Star of the Lucky. At 2:04am the Moon then moves into the next Mansion, Zaadelahbia, the Lucky Star of Hidden Things. The phase is Waning Gibbous, which is best for works of evaporation and fading away.

The Moon will travel through Zaadelahbia for 23 hours and 17 minutes. This is less than the average speed of 23 hours and 36 minutes, so she is now fast. This is also 23 minutes less then the previous Mansion so the Moon is speeding up. A fast Moon may make the effects of magic happen quickly but may also make those effect pass quickly. 

The wrathful powers of Caadezod are driving away reptiles (Ibn Hatim), destroy the money of allies, prevent officials from completing their duties (Latin Picatrix), and hindereth the execution of government (Agrippa). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix is a woman breastfeeding a child. In most sources this Mansion is very beneficial. I associate this Mansion image with Amalthea, the nymph who hid and nursed baby Zeus until he was grown and strong enough to confront Saturn. This would suggest to me that keeping plans, projects, or conspiracies hidden from their intended target is accentuated when the Moon is in this Mansion.

The wrathful qualities of Zaadalahbia are to besiege cities, take enemies captive and do evil to them, separate wives from husbands, destroy harvests, to bind any part of the human body so it will not function, and strengthen the prisons of captives (Latin Picatrix). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a man planting a tree and spreading seeds. Things developing under the surface are empowered in Zaadalahbia. In its wrathful form keeping things from growing or developing is strengthened.

The Moon is in Zaadelahbia when July 12th ends.

Sunday, July 13th, 2025. The Moon is in Zaadelahbia, the Lucky Star of Hidden Things, when July 13th begins. At 1:21am the Moon moves into Al Fargh al Awwal, the Upper Waterspout. The phase is Waning Gibbous which strengthens works of contraction and loss. 

The Moon will travel across Al Fargh al Awwal for 23 hours and 1 minute. This is fast and it is 16 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is accelerating. A fast Moon may make the effects of magic dissipate quickly but may also make those effects manifest quickly. 

The wrathful qualities of Zaadalahbia are to besiege cities, take enemies captive and do evil to them, separate wives from husbands, destroy harvests, to bind any part of the human body so it will not function, and strengthen the prisons of captives (Latin Picatrix). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a man planting a tree and spreading seeds. Things developing under the surface are empowered in Zaadalahbia. In its wrathful form keeping things from growing or developing is strengthened.

The wrathful powers of Al Fargh al Awwal include damaging the relationships between partners, restraining a captive and torturing him (Gayat al Hakim), and destroyeth prisons and buildings (Agrippa). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a woman washing her hair in a basin. This is an image of spiritual cleansing as Al Fargh al Awwal controls the subtle and lustral waters, the holy and blessed waters.), and destroyeth prisons and buildings (Agrippa). 

The Moon is in Al Fargh al Awwal at the end of July 13th.

Thoughts on a Wrathful Moon

 In the Lunar Mansion reports I talk frequently about the beneficial powers or the wrathful powers of the various Mansions but I haven’t really talked about what I think that means. 

First let's examine what I mean by wrathful. When I speak about the Moon I describe its nature as either wrathful or beneficial, which is to say harmful or helpful. This is tied directly to the various factors that determine the Moon’s condition; the phase, the aspects with the other planets, and the Moon’s position along the ecliptic. 

Put most simply, when the Moon is waxing, making trine aspects, or at the moment of cazimi, the most beneficial powers are strengthened. These beneficial powers are things like protection, luck, healing, and prosperity. Conversely, when the Moon is waning, making square aspects, or combust, the powers that are intended to hinder, afflict, damage, or destroy are accentuated. 

This idea is supported by the Latin Picatrix, Book I, Chapter 4 (Warnock & Greer translation):

"I say to you that you should not do anything in this work unless the Moon stands in a degree convenient and appropriate for the work you intend to do, because the Moon has powers and manifest works in all things that are beneath her, and none of them are hidden from her."

And then a little later. 

"I  will reveal to you also the roots and foundations that ought to be observed in all good acts and works, that is, you should see that the Moon is well dignified and that it is safe from Saturn and Mars and from the combustion of the Sun. Do the contrary in every evil work, that is, see that the Moon is combust or conjunction Saturn and Mars, or that she applies to an aspect with one of the latter."

The terms "good" and "evil" can have shifting meanings depending on the person interpreting them and are certainly different in some parts for us now than they were when the Picatrix was being written. As judgements, I find the terms less than helpful. A knife can be a tool of pain, death, and destruction but it is not evil in itself. This is why I have chosen to describe these aspects of the Mansions as "wrathful" as opposed to "evil".  I want to downplay the connotations of opposition that the word evil may imply. Just as medicine is full of material and treatments that, used irresponsibly, can be very destructive and deadly, but, when used skillfully, can be healing, so too the energy of the Mansions can be honed and utilized with skill.  

I want to stress something about my thinking. The Mansion spirits can do anything in their power regardless of the condition of the Moon. In my philosophy, the spirits of the Mansions of the Moon can be called upon to do helpful or good things when the Moon is afflicted, and the spirits can do harmful or bad things when the Moon is dignified. The strength of such workings, however, may be stronger when the intent aligns with the condition of the Moon. 

Another useful aspect of using beneficial and wrathful is that is relieves the Mansions themselves, and their attendant spirits, from being labeled good or evil in themselves. Even in a predominantly positive Mansion, like Azoraye, wrathful works can be done. It also absolves the magician from avoiding any performance of a working for half of every month. I feel like I have heard anecdotal evidence of the Moon's phase not being considered and works of all kinds turning out successfully.  

In my Lunar Mansion Reports, when the beneficial or wrathful aspects of a Mansion are mentioned, these are the effects the Mansion may enact most readily, depending on the condition of the Moon, but they are not the only effects the Mansion may have. The listed wrathful and beneficial powers are used to find the "degree convenient and appropriate for the work you intend to do." 

Lunar Mansion Report, June 30, 2025 to July 6, 2025

This is an entry in a continuing series of posts looking at the Moon's position and condition in the week ahead with an eye to the Mansions of the Moon. This is an exercise to help me track the speed of the Moon, organize my thoughts on the Mansions, and think about the practical applications. 

All times are for me locally, United States Pacific Time. I will be making note of the Moon's phase, speed, and Mansion position in my assessment. Currently, I'm not considering aspects with other planets.

Lunar Mansion Report, June 30, 2025 to July 6, 2025.

Monday, June 30th, 2025. The Moon is in Alawway, the Barker, when June 30th begins. At 1:08pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Azimech, the Spike of Virgo. The phase is Waxing Crescent which is beneficial and supports works of commencement and renewal. 

The Moon will travel through Alawway for 24 hours and 26 minutes. This is 42 minutes longer than the previous Mansion so the Moon is slow and slowing down. A slow Moon may delay the effects of magic but may make the effects last longer. 

The beneficial powers of Alawway include promoting trade and farms, enhancing the welfare of a traveler, the consumption of marriage between spouses, for releasing captives, to contact kings and dignitaries (Gayat al Hakim), for the excitation of sexual intercourse (Ibn Hatim), increase of trade and profit, increase of harvests, completion of buildings, for the liberation of men who are not able to come to women, to put love between a man and a woman, to dissolve binding that a man will be able to perform with a woman (Latin Picatrix), for benevolence, gain, voyages, harvests, and freedom of captives (Agrippa), for learning every kind of thing (Shams al Marif). 

The image in the Latin Picatrix for this Mansion is a red man embracing a white woman. This is an image of oppisites joining into a harmonious whole. The sexual overtones of this image suggest that each of the opposites desires unity with the other and the power dynamic is more or less equitable. 

The beneficial powers of Azimech include reconciling differences between spouses, recovery from illness (Gayat al Hakim), for the love of man and wife, heal the sick, for the benefit of kings thatchy might ascend to their reign, the safety of sailors, the friendship of allies (Latin Picatrix), attract friendship, improve personal fortune, empowers bowl divination and scrying operations (Celestial Magic). 

The image of Azimech in the Latin Picatrix is a dog biting its own tail. This may be a symbol of futility but it may also be some kind of ouroboros. Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic includes an ear of wheat in the image of this Mansion. Its connotations of fertility, growth, and bounty cannot be overstated. The dog turns in its cycle, ever striving to its goal.

The Moon is in Azimech at the end of June 30th. 

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025. The Moon is in Azimech at the beginning of July 1st. At 2:16pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Algafra, the Covering. The phase is Waxing Crescent which is good for works of awareness and revelation. 

The Moon will travel through Azimech for 25 hours and 8 minutes. This is 42 minutes longer than the previous Mansion so the Moon is slow and decelerating. A slow Moon may delay the effects of magic but may also make those effects more enduring. 

The beneficial powers of Azimech include reconciling differences between spouses, recovery from illness (Gayat al Hakim), for the love of man and wife, heal the sick, for the benefit of kings thatchy might ascend to their reign, the safety of sailors, the friendship of allies (Latin Picatrix), attract friendship, improve personal fortune, empowers bowl divination and scrying operations (Celestial Magic). 

The image of Azimech in the Latin Picatrix is a dog biting its own tail. This may be a symbol of futility but it may also be some kind of ouroboros. Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic includes an ear of wheat in the image of this Mansion. Its connotations of fertility, growth, and bounty cannot be overstated. The dog turns in its cycle, ever striving to its goal.

The beneficial powers of Algafra include digging wells, retrieving buried treasure (Ghayat al Hakim), ending of enmity and hatred (Ibn Hatim), acquisition of friendship and goodwill, the joining of friends and lovers (Latin Picatrix), helpful for all activities in this world or the next, antidote to poison (Shams al Marif). 

The image for this Mansion in the Latin Picatrix is a man writing a letter. The specialty of this Mansion is agreements, pacts, and contracts.

The Moon is in Algafra at the end of July 1st.

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025. The Moon is in Algafra, the Covering, when July 2nd begins. At 3:53pm the Moon makes ingress into the next Mansion, Azubene, the Horns of the Scorpion. The phase is Waxing Crescent at the beginning of the day, which is good for works of launching and casting forth, but at 12:30pm the Moon make a square aspect with the Sun and the phase changes to Waxing Gibbous which is best for works of growth and empowerment. 

The Moon will travel through Algafra for 25 hours and 37 minutes. This is 29 minutes longer than the previous Mansion so the Moon is slow and continues to slow down. 

The beneficial powers of Algafra include digging wells, retrieving buried treasure (Ghayat al Hakim), ending of enmity and hatred (Ibn Hatim), acquisition of friendship and goodwill, the joining of friends and lovers (Latin Picatrix), helpful for all activities in this world or the next, antidote to poison (Shams al Marif). 

The image for this Mansion in the Latin Picatrix is a man writing a letter. The specialty of this Mansion is agreements, pacts, and contracts.

The beneficial powers of Azubene include releasing captives (Ghayat al Hakim), making money [through commerce] (Latin Picatrix), to gain much merchandise (Agrippa), liberate bound energies (Celestial Magic). 

The image for Azubene in the Latin Picatrix is a man holding scales and weighing. The Horns of the Scorpion became the claws of the scorpion which became the cups of a scale. Discernment, judgement, and valuation are the keywords for Azubene. In its wrathful forms, it can obscure the value of things like relationships and ruin business deals. In Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic this Mansion is given the power of enhancing sciomancy and necromantic operations to communicate with the shades of the dead. 

Azubene is the first half of the Via Combusta, the Fiery Way, which is detrimental to the Moon and tempers the beneficial aspects.

The Moon is in Azubene at the end of July 2nd.

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. The Moon is in Azubene, the Horns of the Scorpion, when July 3rd begins. At 5:49pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Aliklil, the Crown of the Scorpion. The phase is Waxing Gibbous, which supports works of ripening and building.

It will take the Moon 25 hours and 56 minutes to get through Azubene. This is slow for the Moon. It is also 19 minutes longer than the previous Mansion so she is slowing down. A slow Moon may make magic take longer to materialize but may also make the results longer lasting. 

The beneficial powers of Azubene include releasing captives (Ghayat al Hakim), making money [through commerce] (Latin Picatrix), to gain much merchandise (Agrippa), liberate bound energies (Celestial Magic). 

The image for Azubene in the Latin Picatrix is a man holding scales and weighing. The Horns of the Scorpion became the claws of the scorpion which became the cups of a scale. Discernment, judgement, and valuation are the keywords for Azubene. In its wrathful forms, it can obscure the value of things like relationships and ruin business deals. In Nigel Jackson's Celestial Magic this Mansion is given the power of enhancing sciomancy and necromantic operations to communicate with the shades of the dead. 

Azubene is the first half of the Via Combusta, the Fiery Way, which is detrimental to the Moon and tempers the beneficial aspects.

The beneficial powers of Alichlil include expelling thieves (Ibn Hatim), improvement and increased of livestock, the safety of a traveler at sea, to make unbreakable friendships (GHayat al Hakim), to improve deception, to make buildings more firm and stable, for lasting love, so that thieves may not enter a house (Latin Picatirx), for the improvement of unjust fortune, useful for sailing (Agrippa), to help those laboring under delusions and aid those who have been deceived (Celestial Magic). 

The image of Aliklil in the Latin Picatrix is a monkey holding its hands up above its shoulders. I imagine this gesture to resemble a criminal putting their hands up at being apprehended. The monkey and its ability to imitate is a symbol for deception. 

Aliklil is the second half of the Via Combustua which is difficult for the Moon and tempers the beneficial powers of this Mansion. 

The Moon ends July 3rd in Aliklil. 

Friday, July 4th, 2025. The Moon is in Aliklil, the Crown of the Scorpion, when July 4th begins. At 7:55pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Alcalb, the Heart of the Scorpion. The phase is Waxing Gibbous which supports works of Abundance and augmentation. 

The Moon will travel across Aliklil for 26 hours and 6 minutes, which is very slow and the slowest the Moon will travel through a Mansion for this cycle. It is 19 minutes longer than the previous Mansion which the Moon is slowing down. 

The beneficial powers of Alichlil include expelling thieves (Ibn Hatim), improvement and increased of livestock, the safety of a traveler at sea, to make unbreakable friendships (GHayat al Hakim), to improve deception, to make buildings more firm and stable, for lasting love, so that thieves may not enter a house (Latin Picatirx), for the improvement of unjust fortune, useful for sailing (Agrippa), to help those laboring under delusions and aid those who have been deceived (Celestial Magic). 

The image of Aliklil in the Latin Picatrix is a monkey holding its hands up above its shoulders. I imagine this gesture to resemble a criminal putting their hands up at being apprehended. The monkey and its ability to imitate is a symbol for deception. 

Aliklil is the second half of the Via Combustua which is difficult for the Moon and tempers the beneficial powers of this Mansion. 

The beneficial powers of Alcalb include for pledging loyalty to kings to help them overcome their enemies, for stabilizing buildings, for marrying a widow, for the growth of newly planted trees, for the safety of a voyager (Ghayat al Hakim), taking away fevers and infirmities of the belly, and that no serpent or hurtful beast may enter a house (Latin Picatrix).

The image for Alcalb in the Latin Picatrix is an adder with its tail above its head. A venomous snake is dangerous enough but with its tail above its head it takes on the defensive qualities of a scorpion and so cannot be attacked from in front or in the rear.

The Moon is in Alcalb when July 4th ends.

Saturday, July, 5th, 2025. The Moon is in Alcalb, the Heart of the Scorpion, at the beginning of July 5th. The Moon moves in the next Mansion, Axaula, the Sting of the Scorpion at 9:53pm. The phase is Waxing Gibbous and supports works of addition and multiplication. 

The Moon will traverse Alcalb for 25 hours and 58 minutes. This is very slow for the Moon but it is 8 minutes less than the previous Mansion so the Moon is finally beginning to speed up. A slow Moon can make magic take longer to manifest but it may also make the effects of magic last longer. 

The beneficial powers of Alcalb include for pledging loyalty to kings to help them overcome their enemies, for stabilizing buildings, for marrying a widow, for the growth of newly planted trees, for the safety of a voyager (Ghayat al Hakim), taking away fevers and infirmities of the belly, and that no serpent or hurtful beast may enter a house (Latin Picatrix).

The image for Alcalb in the Latin Picatrix is an adder with its tail above its head. A venomous snake is dangerous enough but with its tail above its head it takes on the defensive qualities of a scorpion and so cannot be attacked from in front or in the rear.

The beneficial powers of Axaula are fullfilling wishes, for the welfare of a traveler, for the growth of crops, for releasing a slave and enabling him to escape his master (Ghayat al Hakim), and to improve the lot of men traveling by wagon through the countryside (Latin Picatrix).

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Axaula is a woman with her hands covering her face. The special power of Axaula is as a purgative, especially to bring on menstrual bleeding. Repulsion, expulsion, and forceful pushing are all under the influence of Axaula. 

The Moon is in Axaula at the end of July 5th.  

Sunday, July 6th, 2025. The Moon is in Axaula, the Sting of the Scorpion, at the beginning of July 6th. At 11:38pm the Moon moves into the next Mansion, Alnaym, the Beam or the Ostriches. The phase is Waxing Gibbous which supports works of gathering and accumulation. 

It will take the Moon 26 hours and 5 minutes to get through Axaula which is 7 minutes longer than the previous Mansion so the Moon is slowing down and moving slow. A slow Moon may make magic last longer but may also delay the effects of magic from taking shape. 

The beneficial powers of Axaula are fullfilling wishes, for the welfare of a traveler, for the growth of crops, for releasing a slave and enabling him to escape his master (Ghayat al Hakim), and to improve the lot of men traveling by wagon through the countryside (Latin Picatrix).

The image in the Latin Picatrix for Axaula is a woman with her hands covering her face. The special power of Axaula is as a purgative, especially to bring on menstrual bleeding. Repulsion, expulsion, and forceful pushing are all under the influence of Axaula. 

The beneficial powers of Alnaym include the discipline of riding animals that are hard to tame, speedy travel and making the distance shorter, bring a concerned person home, promoting friendship (Ghayat al Hakim), to tame wild and disobedient beasts, to bring those traveling in wagons swiftly back again, for men to come wherever you wish, for good people to be joined together, fortune in hunting (Latin Picatrix), and the arousal of peace, love, and friendship (Liber Lunae).

The image of Alnaym in the Latin Picatrix is a centaur shooting a bow. The power ascribed to it is for finding and taking whatever you hunt. It is also for taming wild beasts. 

The Moon is in Alnaym at the end of July 6th.