Engraving the Table of Jupiter on Silver

Jupiter's table is a square of four containing the numbers one to sixteen, each line summing to thirty-four and the whole to one hundred and thirty-six. Agrippa gives its divine names (including Aba and El Ab), its intelligence Iophiel and its spirit Hismael, with sigils derived from the square. Unusually, he directs that it be engraved on a plate of silver rather than tin, Jupiter's usual metal elsewhere in his scheme, "Jupiter being powerful and ruling". The talisman is said to bring prosperity, favour and concord and to confirm honours, and when engraved on coral to break enchantments. He gives no malefic use for Jupiter, consistent with its standing as the greater benefic. The square was widely copied in Renaissance amulets.

Purpose

Agrippa states that Jupiter's square on silver, made when Jupiter is powerful, brings gain, riches, favour and love, peace and the appeasing of enemies; on coral it dissolves enchantments.

Timing

Day

Thursday — the day of Jupiter

Planetary hour

An hour of Jupiter, reckoned from local sunrise and sunset

Moon

Waxing (increasing in light)

Agrippa requires the planet to be "fortunate" (well placed and dignified) for the beneficial use; the planet's own day and hour are the conventional choice in the Agrippan and later talismanic tradition. An increasing Moon is customary.

Materials

• silver plate
• or a piece of coral (for dissolving enchantments)

Tools

• burin or graver