Mansões lunares, seus usos, e os talismãs derivados, de acordo com os três livros de Agrippa.
Na seção Bebendo na Fonte destrinchamos partes dos textos clássicos com maior profundidade, fazendo análises e comentários.
Agrippa em seus 3 Livros de Filosofia Oculta fala em duas seções sobre as Mansões Lunares. No capítulo 33 do livro 2 fala sobre as Mansões em geral, no contexto celeste. No capítulo 49 dá uma segunda lista, aparentemente sem nenhuma relação com a primeira, de “imagens” das mansões.
As mansões lunares são a divisão do zodíaco em 28 partes iguais, começando em 0 áries e cada parte com 12 graus e 51 minutos. Do mesmo jeito que os signos têm uma relação com o movimento do sol durante o ano, demorando 12 meses, as mansões têm uma relação com a lua, que transita o zodíaco em aproximadamente 28 dias. Há várias fontes para as mansões, inclusive al Biruni e Dorotheus (escondido nas eletivas sobre casamento) , mas na prática elas são uma inclusão posterior na astrologia ocidental, tendo vindo da China, Índia ou Babilônia e depois se fundindo com o sistema estelar das mansil árabes. Há pouquíssimas referências (apenas uma que eu lembre) ligando à astrologia natal e seu uso é apenas em eletiva. astrologia mundana e em magia. Bonatti é um dos únicos dos mais conhecidos astrólogos europeus que usa as mansões, na parte de chuvas. O próprio Agrippa copiou boa parte de suas referências do Picatrix.
A primeira parte fala sobre as propriedades eletivas das mansões:
And seeing the Moon measureth the whole Zodiack in the space of twenty eight dayes; hence is it, that the wise-men of the Indians and ancientest Astrologians have granted twenty eight Mansions to the Moon, which being fixed in the eight sphere, do enjoy (as Alpharus saith) diverse names and proprieties from the diverse Signs and Stars which are contained in them, through which while the Moon wandreth, it obtaineth other and other powers and vertues; (…) and in these twenty eight Mansions do lye hid many secrets of the wisdom of the Ancients, by the which they wrought wonders on all things which are under the circle of the Moon; and they attributed to every Mansion his resemblances, Images, and seals, and his president intelligences, and they did work by the vertue of them after diverse manners.
Chap. xxxiii. Of the twenty eight Mansions of the Moon, and their vertues
“A lua anda pelo zodíaco inteiro em 28 dias, e por isso os sábios da Índia e os astrólogos antigos deram à Lua vinte e oito mansões, que estando fixas na oitava esfera [das estrelas fixas] possuem diversos nomes e propriedades decorrentes dos Signos e Estrelas nelas contidos; e quando a lua passa por estas mansões, obtém seus poderes e virtudes (…) e nestas vinte e oito mansões se escondem muitos segredos da sabedorias dos ancestrais, e através das quais se elaboram maravilhas em todas as coisas sobre o círculo da Lua [sublunar/o mundo material/terrestre]; e eles atribuíram à cada mansão suas representações, Imagens, Selos e Inteligências e elas realizam coisas por diversas maneiras.”
Primeiro note que Agrippa dá às mansões a oitava esfera, que é além das esferas dos 7 planetas. Aqui não há conotações sobre zodíacos tropicais ou siderais, mesmo porque Agrippa dá o zodíaco tropical e está preocupado apenas com magia e não astrologia. Em filosofia hermética, o mundo é dividido em “esferas”, que podem ser pensados como “planos” ou camadas da realidade, indo do material para o sutil. O mundo material é descrito como sendo “sublunar”, depois temos o plano “celestial” descrito pelas 7 esferas dos planetas, e por fim a oitava esfera é das estrelas fixas, mostrando poderes que são eternos ou “além do além”. Curiosamente, há um consenso de que os espíritos das Mansões são sub-lunares, mostrando que a classificação aqui não é das mais rígidas.
Na última parte da citação, diz que os antigos deram às mansões representações (símbolos, nomes, atribuições, correspondências), Imagens (talismãs, discutimos abaixo) e Inteligências (espíritos). Na categorização de Agrippa, cada força planetária têm 3 representações pelo mínimo. O arcanjo dirige o campo mais alto e espiritual da esfera planetária (exemplo, Cassiel para Saturno) e serve para dar acesso à sua esfera e sabedoria geral. A inteligência dirige a esfera celestial, e é invocado para “dirigir os trabalhos”, dar ordem, estratégia e longo prazo. E por último o “espírito” é sublunar e tem atribuições diretas e de curto prazo, e deve ser chamado sob direção da Inteligência para evitar que crie problemas.
Essas descrições estão na Coluna da esquerda na tabela abaixo. A da direita serão discutidas depois.
| Livro 2 xxxiii | Livro 2 xlvi |
|---|---|
| Alnath, that is the horns of Aries;it causeth discords, and journies; | the first for the destruction of some one, they made in an Iron ring, the Image of a black man in a garment made of haire, and girdled round, casting a small lance with his right hand; they sealed this in black wax, and perfumed it with liquid Storax, and wished some evil to come. |
| the second is called Allothaim or Albochan, that is the belly of Aries, finding of treasures, and to the retaining of captives; | In the second, against the wrath of the Prince, and for reconciliation with him, they sealed in white wac and mastick, the Image of a king crowned, and perfumed it with Lignum Aloes; |
| The third is called Achaomazon or Athoray, that is, showring or Pleiades; it is profitable to Saylors [sailors], Huntsmen, and Alchymists; | In the third, they made an Image in a silver ring, whose table was square, the figure of which was a woman well clothed, sitting in a chair, her right hand being lifted up on her head; they sealed it and perfumed it with muske, Camphire and Calamus Aromaticus. They affirmed that this giveth happy fortune and every good thing. |
| The fourth Mansion is called Aldebaram or Aldelamen that is the eye or head of Taurus; it causeth the destruction and hindrances of buildings, fountains, wels, of gold-mines, the flight of creeping things, and begetteth discord. | In the fourth, for revenge, separation, enmity and ill will, they sealed in red wax the Image of a soldier sitting on an horse, holding a Serpent in his right hand; they perfumed it with red myrrhe, and Storax; |
| The fift is called Alchatay or Albachay; it helpeth to the return from a journey, to the instruction of scholars, it confirmeth edifices, it giveth health and good will; | in the fifth, for the favor of Kings and officers, and good entertainment, they sealed in Silver the head of a man, and perfumed it with Sanders; |
| the sixth is called Alhanna or Alchaya, that is the little Star of great light; it conduceth to Hunting, and besieging of Towns, and revenge of princes, it destroyeth Harvests and fruits and hindreth the operation of the Physitian [physician]. | in the sixth, for to procure love betwixt two, they sealed in white wax two Images imbracing [embracing] one another, and perfumed them with Lignum Aloes and Amber; |
| The seventh is called Aldimiach or Alarzach, that is the Arm of Gemini it conferreth gain and friendship, its profitable to Lovers, it scareth flyes, destroyeth Magisteries. | in the seventh, for to obtain every good thing, they sealed in Silom the Image of a man well clothed, holding up his hands to heaven as it were praying and supplicating, and perfumed it with good odors; |
| Alnaza or Anatrachya that is misty or cloudy, viz. the eighth Mansion; it causeth love, friendship, and society of fellow travellers, it driveth away mice ands afflicteth Captives, confirming their imprisonment. | In the eight, for victory in war, they made a seal of Tin, being an Image of an Eagle, having the face of a man, and perfumed it with Brimstone. |
| After this is the ninth called Archaam or Arcaph, that is the eye of the Lyon; it hindreth Harvests and travellers, and putteth discord between men. | In the ninth, to cause infirmities, they made a seal of Lead, being the image of a man wanting his privy parts, shutting his eyes with his hands; and they perfumed it with Rosin of the Pine. |
| The tenth is called Algelioche or Albgebh, that is the neck or forehead of Leo; it strengtheneth buildings, yeeldeth love, benevolence and help against enemies; | In the tenth, to facilitate child-bearing, and to cure the sick, they made a seal of gold, being the head of a Lyon [lion], and perfumed it with Amber: |
| the eleventh is called Azobra or Ardaf, that is, the hair of the Lyons [lion's] head; it is good for voyages, and gain by merchandize, and for redemption of Captives; | In the eleventh, for fear, reverence and worship, they made a seal of a plate of gold, being the image of a man riding on a Lion, holding the ear thereof in his left hand, and in his right, holding forth a bracelet of gold, and they perfumed it with good odours and Saffron. |
| the twelfth is called Alzarpha or Azarpha, that is the tayle of Leo; it giveth prosperity to Harvests, and Plantations, but hindreth Seamen, but it is good for the bettering of servants, Captives and companions. | In the twelth, for the separation of Lovers, they made a seal of black lead, being the image of a Dragon fighting with a man, and they perfumed it with the hairs of a Lion, and Assa fetida [asafoetida]. |
| The thirteenth is named Alhaire, that is Dogstars, or the wings of Virgo; it is pravalent for Benevolence, gain, voyages, Harvests, and freedom of captives; | In the thirteenth, for the agreement of married couples, and for the dissolving of charms against copulation, they made a feal of the images of both, of the man in red Wax, of the woman in white, and caused them to imbrace one another, perfuming it with Lignum Aloes and Amber. |
| the fourteenth is called Achureth or Arimet, by others Azimeth or Alhumech or Alcheymech, that is the spike of Virgo, or flying spike; it causeth the love of martyred folk, it cureth the sick, its profitable to Saylors [sailors], but it hindreth journies by land; and in these the second quarter of Heaven is compleated. | In the fourteenth, for divorce and separation of the man from the woman, they made a seal of red Coppcr, being the image of a Dog biting his tail, and they perfumed it with the hair of a black Dog, and black Cat. |
| the fifteenth Mansion, and his name is Agrapha or Algarpha, that is, covered, or covered flying; its profitable for the extracting of treasures, for digging of pits [*wells],1 it helpeth forward divorce, discord, and the destruction of houses and enemies, and hindreth travellers. | In the fifteenth, for to obtain friendship and good will, they made the image of a man sitting, and inditing of letterss, and perfumed it with Frankincense and Nutmegs. |
| The sixteenth is called Azubene or Ahubene, that is, the horns of Scorpio, it hindereth journyes and Wedlock, Harvests and Merchandize, it pervaileth for redemption of captives. | In the sixteenth, for to gain much Merchandizing they made a seal of Silver, being the image of a man sitting upon a Chair, holding a ballance [balance] in his hand, and they perfumed it with well smelling spices. |
| The seventeenth is called Alchil, that is the Crown of Scorpio, it bettereth a bad fortune, maketh love durable, strengtheneth buildings, & helpeth Seamen; | In the seventeenth, against Theeves [thieves] and Robbers, they sealed with an Iron seal the Image of an Ape: and perfumed it with the hair of an Ape. |
| The eighteenth is called Alchas or Altob, that is the Heart of Scorpio; it causeth discord, sedition, conspiracy against princes and mighty ones, and revenge from enemies, but it freeth captives and helpeth edifices; | In the eighteenth, against Feavors [fevers] and pains of the belly, they made a seal of Copper, being the image of a Snake, holding his tail above his bead, and they perfumed it with Harts-horn, and reported the same seal to put to flight Serpents, and all venemous creatures from the place where it is buried. |
| the ninteenth is called Allatha or Achala, by others Hycula or Axala, that is the tayle of Scorpio; it helpeth in the besieging of Cities and taking of Towns, and in the driving of men from their places, and for the destruction of Sea-men, and perdition of captives. | In the nineteenth for facilitating birth, & provoking the menstrues [menstruation], they made a seal of copper, being the image of a woman, holding her hands upon her face; and they perfumed it with Liquid Storax. |
| The twentieth is called Abnahaya, that is a beam; it helpeth for the taming of wild beasts, for the strengthening of prisons, it destroyeth the wealth of societies, it compelleth a man to come to a certain place. | n the twentieth, for hunting, they made a seal of Tin, being the image of Sagittary [Sagittarius], half a Man, and half an Horse, and they perfumed it with the head of a Wolf. |
| The one & twentieeth is called Abeda or Albeldach which is a desert; it is good for Harvests, gain buildings and travellers, and causeth divorce; & in this is the third quarter of Heaven is compleated. | In the twentie one for the destruction of some body, they made the image of a man with a double countenance, before and behinde, and they perfumed it with Brimstone and Jet, and did put it in a box of brass, and with it Brimstone and Jet, and the hair of him whom they would hurt. |
| he two and twentyeth, called Sadahacha or Zodeboluch, or Zandeldena, that is a pastour; it promoteth the flight of servants and captives, that they may escape, and helpeth the curing of diseases; | In the two and twentieth, for the security of Runaways, they made a seal of Iron, being the image of a man with wings on his feet, bearing an helmet on his head, and they perfumed it with Argent vive. |
| the three and twentieth is called Zabadola or Zobrach that is swallowing; it maketh for divorce, liberty of captives and the health of the sick; | In the three and twentieth, for destruction and wasting, they made a seal of Iron, being the image of a Cat, having a Dogs head, and they perfumed it with the hairs of a Dogs head, and buried it in the place where they did pretend to hurt. |
| the twenty fourth is called Sadabath or Chadezoad, that is the Star of fortune; it is prevalent for the Benevolence of marryed folk, for the victory of souldiers, it hurteth the execution of Government, and hindreth that it may not be exercised; | In the four and twentieth, for the multiplying of Heards of Cattle, they took the horn of a Ram, Bull, or Goat, or of that sort of cattle which they would increase, and sealed in it burning with an Iron seal, the image of a woman giving suck [breast feeding] her son, and they hanged it on the neck of that cattle who was the leader of the flock, or they sealed it in his horn. |
| The twenty fifth is called Sadalabra or Sadalachia, that is a Butterfly or a spreading forth; it helpeth besieging and revenge, it destroyeth enemies, maketh divorse [divorce], confirmeth prisons and buildings, hasteneth messengers, it conduceth to spels [spells] against copulation, and so bindeth every member of man, that it cannot perform his duty; | In the five and twentieth, for the preservation of Trees and Harvests, they sealed in the wood of a Fig-tree, the image of a man planting, and they perfumed it with the flowers of the Fig-tree, and did hang it on the tree. |
| the twenty sixth is called Alpharg or Phragal Mocaden, that is the first drawing; it maketh for the Union and love of men, for the health of captives, it destroyeth prisons and buildings; | In the six and twentieth for love and favor, they sealed in white Wax and Mastick the image of a woman washing and combing her haires, and they perfumed it with things smelling very well. |
| The twenty seventh is called Alcharya or Alhalgalmoad that is the second drawing; it encreaseth Harvests, Revenues, Gain, it healeth infirmities, but hindreth buildings, prolongeth prisons, causeth danger to Seamen, and helpeth to infer mischiefs on whom you shall please; | in the seven and twentieth for to destroy Fountains, Pits, Medicinal Waters and Baths, they made of red Earth the image of a man winged, holding in his hand an empty vessel, and perforated, and the image being burnt, they did put in the vessel Assafetida, and liquid Storax, and they did overwhelm and bury it in the Pond or Fountain which they would destroy. |
| the twenty eight and last is called Albotham or Alchalcy, that is Pisces: it encreaseth Harvests and Merchandize, it secureth travellers through dangerous places; it maketh for the joy of marryed couples, but it strengthenth prisons, and causeth loss of treasures; | In the eight and twentieth, for to gather Fishes together, they made a seal of Copper, being the image of a Fish, and they perfumed it with the skin of a sea fish, and did cast it into the water, wheresoever they would have the fish to gather together. |
Enquanto a tabela da Direita fala sobre Imagens e talismãs específicos, a parte da esquerda dá certas “funções” para as Mansões, funcionando como um Grimoire, com uma lista de atributos para o mago escolher de acordo com suas necessidades.
Por exemplo, o tão famoso Ars Goetia é uma lista de espírito e os temas que eles dominam (que são a razão para serem invocados). O primeiro dá o poder da invisibilidade (literal ou figurativamente não me pergunte). O segundo traz fugitivos de volta, causa terremotos. O terceiro traz informações sobre o passado e o futuro e descobre tesouros, e por aí vai.
Vamos comparar com a segunda mansão ” the second is called Allothaim or Albochan, that is the belly of Aries, finding of treasures, and to the retaining of captives” que tem quase que os mesmos atributos: encontrar tesouros e trazer fugitivos: note que para nós são objetivos estranhos, para a época eram tópicos importantes.
Ou vamos pegar a vigésima oitava mansão ” the twenty eight and last is called Albotham or Alchalcy, that is Pisces: it encreaseth Harvests and Merchandize, it secureth travellers through dangerous places; it maketh for the joy of marryed couples, but it strengthenth prisons, and causeth loss of treasures”. Acho que aqui fica ainda mais claro que Agrippa não está preocupado com astrologia eletiva – não é uma questão de plantar, casar, ou viajar em certos momentos, e sim a de fazer petições (“simpatias”/magias) com a lua nessa mansão E chamando os poderes dessa Mansão.
Por isso acho mais adequado pensar nessa sessão de Agrippa como um mini-grimoire, apesar limitado, sem sigilos e regentes.
Na próxima parte vamos discutir a coluna da Direita na tabela acima, que fala sobre Imagens.
