Some of the sigils look suspiciously similiar to letters on the alphabet of the magi, which was created by paracelsus 1493-1541. This would also fit with the alchemical theory possibly, as Paracelsus regarded himself more of an alchemist than magician.
Compare the sigils abdia and ballaton to the letters B and A meaning "will" (value 2) and"knowledge" (value 1) respectively.
And the sigil for bellony isn't dissimilair to the letter X (value 60), meaning "fate"
Sigil for Hally is close to the letter Th (value 9) meaning "prudence"
Additionally letter T (value 400) seems to have the same component parts as the sigil for Halliza. T means "reward"
Also the sigil for soluzen has a close resemblance to the letter H (value 8) meaning "equilibrium".
Therefore in order would read: Knowledge, Will, Fate, Prudence, Reward and Equilibrium.
When the respective value of the letters are added they equal 480. 4+8=12. 1+2= 3. The significance of this number I won't even bother to go in to. Although there's evidence to suggest that talismans were frequently written on with this alphabet. Ref:Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology Part 2.
Its conceivable to think that there may be distortions from the original alphabet and/or corruption in the rendering of the sigils since their inception. Compare the pentacle from MSS 3825 with the pentacle in the Crowley/Mathers version of the goetia. Admittedly much of the MS codices were very difficult to read, being handwritten, with quill and ink, on poor qualtiy parchment, and the words cramped together to save space as parchment was expensive, etc.
It also should be stated that some of the sigils on the pentacle bear some resemblence to seals and characters of the seven planets. Trithemius' Steganographia, Book 2, which has similiarities with Theurgia Goetia in itself. Though not as profoundly as the alphabet.
At present I'm doubtful if the names and neighbouring sigils have any connection other than their placement next to each other in the pentacle.
Understandably I'm aware that this is just a theory, and would welcome any comments.
Loki
(IMG:
http://wolf.mind.net/library/magic/talismans/magi.gif) (IMG:
http://www.esotericarchives.com/gifs/g76.gif)
This post has been edited by loki: Jan 18 2008, 02:00 AM