The Arbatel, simple planetary magic Options

I have begun working with a doc dated to the 16th century and recorded by Agrippa called the Arbatel--a way to evoke and commune with the Olypic daemons. Has anyone worked with this and would they be willing to share some insight or anecdotes?

I'll take that as a "No." Too bad. I'm into my second week. I'm getting some interesting content during this Working.




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The Arbatel Working

Spanning a New Moon Cycle from Monday March 22, 2010 to Sunday April 18, 2010

--Soror ZSD23


This material developed from working with a portion of the Arbatel de Magia Veterum, or the Arbatel: Magick of the Ancients. It is a simple book of magic dated to the late 16th century and probably attributed to an Italian mage. The introduction suggests that some of the content may be lost. It is a typically pious medieval document with references to Christian devotionalism and morals that, halfway through, interjects material about the 7 Olympic Spirits.

These are the planetary intelligences known to medieval occultists. They seem to correspond with the alchemical Hermetic planetary archons and are described as planetary rulerships, much like the Vedic manes (celestial patriarchs or cosmic overlords who preside over world cycles). The text also describes them as aspects of the Divine, as in panentheistic systems in which personal forms of deity are seen as so many different provisional forms or ways of thinking about the Divine Reality.

The spirits are given unique names but relate to the classical planets as we know them: Saturn (Aratron), Jupiter (Beshor), Mars (Phalec), Sol (Och), Venus (Hagith), Mercury (Ophiel), Luna (Phul). Other, more involved medieval and Early Modern period grimoires give different names and sigils for these intelligences and draw on Christian magical Cabala, Gematria, Angelology, and other magical “sciences.” Patent attributes and powers of the intelligences and empowerments and gifts bestowed by them are glossed on.

As planetary rulerships, they are said to each have a certain number of legions, with Aratron (Saturn) having the most and Phul (Luna) having the least. The numbers harken to concepts in Angelology in which massively populated militaristic hierarchies are supposed to exist within the angelic and demonic realms. The numbers also seem to relate to Gematria, which I am not particularly adept in and will not elaborate on.

I began the working on Monday March 22, 2010, which was the eve of that month’s new moon. I continued through to the Sunday (April 18) following the week in which the next new moon occurred. I concocted incenses for each spirit and performed this working every morning without giving attention to formalities related to planetary hours. I cast a circle either using the Kabalist Cross and the Lower Rite of the Banishing Pentagram and/or a personal circle-casting adaptation that involves addressing the 5 shaktis (“powers” or “energies”) of Shiva as guardians of the quarters (the quintessence of knowledge, the quintessence of action, the quintessence of bliss, the quintessence of will, and the quintessence of consciousness). Having cast the circle, I would face the appropriate quarter, gaze at the sigil, request communion with the Olympic Spirit of the day as detailed in the Arbatel, and record my impressions.

Core Messages
As a preface to the details of my Arbatel Working, the following is a brief summary of the core messages received from the characters I encountered.

Luna/Phul: “There is no contrivance in joy.” ~ Diana ~ the Fae
Joy is an ambient, hypostatic principle. A living thing is the ephemeral measurement and relationship through which joy can be experienced. Experience the bliss and potency of the moment.

Mars/Phalec: “Have a single focus and drive it through.” ~ Minerva-Heka-Brigit
An intention must be decisive and unmixed and then directed like a fiery spear or arrow into the heart of its target. In addition, one should cultivate the idea of expressing bright light with the aim of blinding and conquering with it.

Mercury/Ophiel: “What do you want to know?” ~ Thoth
Observation and careful listening are key to persuade and confound if necessary to accomplish an intention. Single-minded focus, poise, and integration.

Jupiter/Besher: “What do you want to happen?” ~ Logos-Tetractys
For manifestation to occur, the infinite potential must be funneled into a point of definition and function.

Venus/Hagith: “I am the Cosmos and Beauty of Being.” ~ The Divine Mother
That which is tender, loving, giving, and enveloping. A refreshing and purifying principle that should be meditated on and invoked for these purposes.

Saturn/Aratron: “He who is the Intelligible Principle in Whom All Things Rest.” ~ Kronos-Shiva-Tetragrammaton
That which is the protection and affection of a very large, mighty, thoughtful, possessive, and righteous being. The Monster of Time and Space, which is God. Manifestation, personhood, and personal power are predicated on concentrating time and space into boundaries and form.

Sol/Och: “There is no entity; there is only Self.” ~ Christos- Apollo-The Dying and Resurrecting God
Be open. See the illumination and the root of self-effacement.

How They Introduced Themselves
During the first week of the working, I was met with a great deal of imagery in which associations with godforms, narrative intellection, and dialoging, and also terms that I had to follow up on were experienced. The imagery and messages were mostly reinforced during the second week but were less dynamic. The godforms seemed reluctant in the 3rd week but yet there was as strong reiteration of their core messages. Messages became less narrative and the mind was ironically quiet and clear when I wanted it to be open to imagery. I realized by the end of the third week that something else was happening and that my interaction with the Spirits had a greater scope and affect on my psyche than a mere morning sit to dredge up archetypal images and stream of consciousness.


The posting of the extended notes of my Working on my Life Journal page garnered a great deal of interest. I was cited and linked to by at least 2 occult blogs and have been receiving about 50 visitors a day since then (up from about about 3 a day). I did not go about this in a highly ceremonial way; I did not think about it in the context of evoking and commanding. Unlike all of the other accounts of Arbatel workings that I've come across, I came away with satisfying discourse, real insight and information, and much information to explore and go forward with.

The Arbatel Working

Spanning a New Moon Cycle from Monday March 22, 2010 to Sunday April 18, 2010

--Soror ZSD23
This material developed from working with a portion of the Arbatel de Magia Veterum, or the Arbatel: Magick of the Ancients. It is a simple book of magic dated to the late 16th century and probably attributed to an Italian mage. The introduction suggests that some of the content may be lost. It is a typically pious medieval document with references to Christian devotionalism and morals that, halfway through, interjects material about the 7 Olympic Spirits.

These are the planetary intelligences known to medieval occultists. They seem to correspond with the alchemical Hermetic planetary archons and are described as planetary rulerships, much like the Vedic manes (celestial patriarchs or cosmic overlords who preside over world cycles). The text also describes them as aspects of the Divine, as in panentheistic systems in which personal forms of deity are seen as so many different provisional forms or ways of thinking about the Divine Reality.

The spirits are given unique names but relate to the classical planets as we know them: Saturn (Aratron), Jupiter (Beshor), Mars (Phalec), Sol (Och), Venus (Hagith), Mercury (Ophiel), Luna (Phul). Other, more involved medieval and Early Modern period grimoires give different names and sigils for these intelligences and draw on Christian magical Cabala, Gematria, Angelology, and other magical “sciences.” Patent attributes and powers of the intelligences and empowerments and gifts bestowed by them are glossed on.

As planetary rulerships, they are said to each have a certain number of legions, with Aratron (Saturn) having the most and Phul (Luna) having the least. The numbers harken to concepts in Angelology in which massively populated militaristic hierarchies are supposed to exist within the angelic and demonic realms. The numbers also seem to relate to Gematria, which I am not particularly adept in and will not elaborate on.

I began the working on Monday March 22, 2010, which was the eve of that month’s new moon. I continued through to the Sunday (April 18) following the week in which the next new moon occurred. I concocted incenses for each spirit and performed this working every morning without giving attention to formalities related to planetary hours. I cast a circle either using the Kabalist Cross and the Lower Rite of the Banishing Pentagram and/or a personal circle-casting adaptation that involves addressing the 5 shaktis (“powers” or “energies”) of Shiva as guardians of the quarters (the quintessence of knowledge, the quintessence of action, the quintessence of bliss, the quintessence of will, and the quintessence of consciousness). Having cast the circle, I would face the appropriate quarter, gaze at the sigil, request communion with the Olympic Spirit of the day as detailed in the Arbatel, and record my impressions.

Core Messages
As a preface to the details of my Arbatel Working, the following is a brief summary of the core messages received from the characters I encountered.

Luna/Phul: “There is no contrivance in joy.” ~ Diana ~ the Fae
Joy is an ambient, hypostatic principle. A living thing is the ephemeral measurement and relationship through which joy can be experienced. Experience the bliss and potency of the moment.

Mars/Phalec: “Have a single focus and drive it through.” ~ Minerva-Heka-Brigit
An intention must be decisive and unmixed and then directed like a fiery spear or arrow into the heart of its target. In addition, one should cultivate the idea of expressing bright light with the aim of blinding and conquering with it.

Mercury/Ophiel: “What do you want to know?” ~ Thoth
Observation and careful listening are key to persuade and confound if necessary to accomplish an intention. Single-minded focus, poise, and integration.

Jupiter/Besher: “What do you want to happen?” ~ Logos-Tetractys
For manifestation to occur, the infinite potential must be funneled into a point of definition and function.

Venus/Hagith: “I am the Cosmos and Beauty of Being.” ~ The Divine Mother
That which is tender, loving, giving, and enveloping. A refreshing and purifying principle that should be meditated on and invoked for these purposes.

Saturn/Aratron: “He who is the Intelligible Principle in Whom All Things Rest.” ~ Kronos-Shiva-Tetragrammaton
That which is the protection and affection of a very large, mighty, thoughtful, possessive, and righteous being. The Monster of Time and Space, which is God. Manifestation, personhood, and personal power are predicated on concentrating time and space into boundaries and form.

Sol/Och: “There is no entity; there is only Self.” ~ Christos- Apollo-The Dying and Resurrecting God
Be open. See the illumination and the root of self-effacement.

How They Introduced Themselves
During the first week of the working, I was met with a great deal of imagery in which associations with godforms, narrative intellection, and dialoging, and also terms that I had to follow up on were experienced. The imagery and messages were mostly reinforced during the second week but were less dynamic. The godforms seemed reluctant in the 3rd week but yet there was as strong reiteration of their core messages. Messages became less narrative and the mind was ironically quiet and clear when I wanted it to be open to imagery. I realized by the end of the third week that something else was happening and that my interaction with the Spirits had a greater scope and affect on my psyche than a mere morning sit to dredge up archetypal images and stream of consciousness.
The posting of the extended notes of my Working on my Life Journal page garnered a great deal of interest. I was cited and linked to by at least 2 occult blogs and have been receiving about 50 visitors a day since then (up from about about 3 a day). I did not go about this in a highly ceremonial way; I did not think about it in the context of evoking and commanding. Unlike all of the other accounts of Arbatel workings that I've come across, I came away with satisfying discourse, real insight and information, and much information to explore and go forward with.

Thanks SororZ for this nice window into that working. you were saying that you were a little surprised by the results because you didn't use a stringent CM aproach..I think if your will is focused with the INTENT the rest is almost trappings.myself .I would never do aways with circles and prepatory rituals.some do and stil get results.
did any of this give you an impression that the entities could indeed be independant of your own pysche?
especially these most ancient; the planetary spirits, if I remember the intellegences are good and the spirits bad..
I can't rember if the Arbetel make that distinction..any way thanks again for sharing this..

Brightest Blessings

very interesting - i never did and still don't get those vibrations from the lamps (planets/moon) - and why do humans always give stuff hierarchies and put things in little boxes? - there may be a fluidy loose pecking order, but that would change with the daily fluctuations in their visibility at your particular location (think astrology)

the entities behind the planetary lamps, the moon (her lamp), and even the ever-changing moons of the planets, and behind every star-lamp, ain't bad, or good, but 'just are' - silly humans judging everything against themselves instead of taking the center path where everything just IS

This post has been edited by esoterica: May 6 2010, 08:13 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience! It was a treat to read. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Lightning nailed it, IMO, when he mentioned intent. I think you had a successful working because you went in with the sincere desire to learn, so you kept your ears open and checked your preconceived notions at the door. Too many CMers don't and then they get unruly entities that don't want to work with basically self-righteous bastards. Not saying anyone here is, you understand, but we all know the 'I must have $thing or I'll scream!' type. They go over about as well there as here. :/ Being open to what they have to teach goes a long way.

If you have any further interesting happenings, or do this working again, please share! I love to hear about other people's experiences with entities.