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Rituals · Liber XIII · High Magick
Calling the Olympic Spirit Phaleg
Arbatel de magia veterum (Basel 1575), Third Septenary, Aphorisms 16–17 and 21 (trans. Robert Turner 1655)
The Arbatel names seven "Olympic" spirits who govern the world under God through the seven planets, and Phaleg is the spirit of Mars. The method is markedly devotional: the operator, who must be pious and keep God's commandments, rises on the planet's day, observes the sunrise, and prays to God naming the spirit and the office desired, asking that it be sent. The spirit is then called by its name and office in its own day and hour, and is not to be detained longer than an hour unless already familiar. Its character, printed in the book or given by the spirit itself, serves as its seal. Phaleg governs matters of war, though the text also styles him a prince of peace. The operator ends by thanking God and dismissing the spirit.
Purpose
The Arbatel presents Phaleg, governor of 35 of the 196 Olympic provinces under Mars, as able to confer honour in military affairs.
Timing
- Day
- Tuesday — the day of Mars
- Planetary hour
- An hour of Mars, reckoned from local sunrise and sunset
- Season / time
- At sunrise
Called in the day and hour of Mars; the Arbatel says Aratron appears in the first hour of Saturday and the others likewise in their own days and hours. The first planetary hour of Tuesday begins at sunrise, and Aphorism 21 opens the calling by observing the sunrise. A character given by the spirit is to be used in the same day and hour it was received.
Materials
- character (seal) of Phaleg