Engraving the Table of the Sun on Gold

The Sun's table is a square of six holding the numbers one to thirty-six; each line sums to one hundred and eleven and the whole to six hundred and sixty-six. Agrippa assigns it the divine name Eloh, the intelligence Nachiel and the spirit Sorath, with sigils traced across the square. He directs that it be engraved on a plate of gold while the Sun is fortunate, when it brings fame, favour and power. Made under an unfortunate Sun, he warns, it produces a proud and ambitious tyrant with an ill ending. The chapter thus treats the same figure as morally double-edged, dependent on the condition of the heavens at the moment of making. Later talismanic literature reproduces it endlessly.

Purpose

The solar square on gold, made under a fortunate Sun, is said to make the bearer renowned, well-liked, potent in all works and equal to kings and princes.

Timing

Day

Sunday — the day of Sun

Planetary hour

An hour of Sun, 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

• gold plate

Tools

• burin or graver