Seven Angels: According to the revered medieval magical work, The Arbatel of Magic, the heavens were divided into provinces that were ruled by seven planetary angels. Each angel possessed a magical seal, which alchemists and magicians used extensively in the making of amulets and spells. The angels each had attributed to them, power over the planet, day of the week and metal, corresponding to their planet.
These are as follows:
Angel's Name | Planet | Day of the Week | Metal |
Phul
|
Moon
|
Monday
|
Silver
|
Phaleg
|
Mars
|
Tuesday
|
Iron
|
Ophiel
|
Mercury
|
Wednesday
|
Quicksilver
|
Bethor
|
Jupiter
|
Thursday
|
Tin
|
Hagith
|
Venus
|
Friday
|
Copper
|
Aratron
|
Saturn
|
Saturday
|
Lead
|
Och
|
Sun
|
Sunday
|
Gold
|
Single Decade Rosary: A single string of prayer beads. The sequence of The Lord’s Prayer, followed by ten recitals of Hail Mary and one prayer of Glory Be to the Father, is known as a ‘decade’.
Soligram: from Latin solus (solo), and Greek gramma (that that is written or drawn), as in a solitary magical pentagram.
Spadillo/Ace of Spades: Usually the highest position in a deck of playing cards, the Ace of Spades, Spadillo or Spadille is also, more ominously known as the ‘death card’ – for reasons that are inextricably intertwined with folklore and mystery and the darkest depths of superstition. First interpreted as a symbol of a person’s potential demise as far back as the ancient Tarot decks and readings of Medieval Italy, media and literature soon caught on to the Ace’s morbid connotations. From functioning as a calling card for impending suicide in books such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Suicide Club, to finding a place in the Vietnam war as a psychological weapon – playing on the Vietnamese tradition of the spade bringing death and bad luck, scattering hundreds of the cards over the graves of the newly deceased – the Spadillo carries a nuance of the gruesome with it even into the present day.
St. Lorenz: One of the most important medieval churches, situated in Nuremburg, Bavaria. While building began in 1270, the structure took more than 200 years to complete; its intricate design and Gothic traceries over the arched doorway depict heavenly, biblical themes of redemption – from the sins of Adam and Eve, to the ultimate atonement of God’s Final Judgement.
While bombings during the Second World War left St. Lorenz badly damaged, much of its interior remains in its original resplendence; decorated with intricate carvings and stained glass dated from the 14th century.
Taranis: Celtic god of thunder and ruler of the sky; also associated with the symbol of the wheel, and thought to be the recipient of human sacrifices. Strongly associated with the Roman god, Jupiter.
'Tempus Mori': (Latin); 'Time for death'.
The Dark Fool was more commonly recognised as a court jester; the idiot and the entertainer of the mediaeval, royal or baronial halls and castles.
In the Middle Ages, the fool was, paradoxically, the most privileged and most clever of all the members of the Royal court. His entitlement to go anywhere unchallenged and unheeded, and behave however he wished without question, gave him enormous insight, power and influence. Contrary to his half-witted appearance, there was nothing about which the fool did not know or understand.
The Dark Fool is the observer and the conclusion of everything. He is, as the Major Arcana of the Tarot observes, fate itself.
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