Ursi's Eso Garden

In her monumental The Festival of Lughnasa, MŸire Mac Neill writes:

Fuller understanding of the old goddess's part in the harvest festival must wait on studies, still to be made, of the local legends of the myth of the mythological old woman known as the Cailleach BhÑara, and also of the cults of St Brigid and St Ann . . . Brigid must have been closely connected at least two important Lughnasa sites were dedicated to her, and she is named at several others. Still she hardly appears in the festival legends. She has only a passive part in the Lughnasa complex.

The Festival of Brigit the Holy Woman (Oiche Fhéile Bríde agus Lá Lúnasa) by The School of Celtic Studies. (PDF, 30 pages)

Talisman comes from the Greek telesma meaning consecrated or sacred object. Amulet comes from the Latin amuletum and refers more narrowly to objects with an apotropaic or protective function. The key to astrological talismans and amulets is the timing of their creation which is determined by electional astrology. Unless talismans are created at an astrologically auspicious time as well as being ritually consecrated they are nothing more than jewelry with astrological designs, lacking any magical or spiritual charge.
Talismans represent the logical extension of a spiritual world view and have been a part of Western culture for thousands of years. Renaissance Magi like Marsilio Ficino and Cornelius Agrippa saw the entire Cosmos as one great, interconnected Being, a system based on intricate harmony, sympathy and correspondence, both spiritual and material. Astrology, Alchemy and Magic were seen as the preparatory studies for Hermetic Gnosis, a practical way of experiencing the unity of the Cosmos.

Astrological Talismans & Amulets

For the Renaissance philosopher magic was a spiritual science which, like the Cosmos itself, was arranged in a triple hierarchy: material, celestial and divine.

Natural magic is reliant on the elements and occult properties of material things and required a knowledge of natural philosophy. Celestial magic relies on the spiritual connections and causality imposed by the Zodiacal powers and required a knowledge of mathematics (for calculation) and astrology.

Divine magic, says Agrippa, requires a knowledge of theology, for without this knowledge one, "...cannot understand the rationality of magic." Three Books of Occult Philosophy Bk.I, Chap. 2 (Tyson ed.) page 6. As the divine and ideal world was the basis of the existence and form of the Universe, so knowledge of the spiritual is the basis of magic.

Celestial magic or magical astrology thus concerns itself with the middle world, that of the Zodiacal powers, which are a universal archetype of Reality and control the generation and corruption of all things in the material realm.


The examples above and much more you find here:
Renaissance Astrology
by Christopher Warnock.

Celtic Art & Illumination
by Cari Buziak

Featuring the artistic works, over 850 FREE Celtic clip art designs, Celtic cross stitch patterns, learn Celtic art history and styles and learn how to create a basic celtic knot!

Very well done!

Archetype and myth are the human experience and universal truths of the collective subconscious. Like ancient tales, many of my paintings are inspired by actual events, personal experiences, or those of individuals I've known.

Others illustrate archetypal imagery and beings. I love that beauty exists for no reason at all, and so yes, some images I've created sheerly for this reason - joy and to delight the eye.

This Chaitanya means tremendous Energy which pervades the universe. We cannot see this force but can feel its existence. If by any technique we can tune up our mind force with this Cosmic Energy or the Chaitanya, we can absorb some of this Cosmic Energy and enjoy its existence around us. There are people who are gifted or have developed certain powers such as telepathy, clairvoyance, etc. because they have the capacity to absorb this Cosmic Energy to some extent.

Vodou is the Creole religion. Like the Haitian people, Vodou spirits came from Africa, and they have been profoundly affected by slavery and hard won freedom. To honor and serve these spirits, Haitians create ceremonial art based on African models and influenced by Catholic, Masonic and other spiritual traditions. The sacred arts of Vodou are the outstanding achievement of a great people and their incomparable gift to the world.

However, Vodou is more than a religion—it is a way of life which has inspired Haitian artists in many different media. After the Second World War, the work of Haitian artists came to the attention of foreign dealers and collectors who spoke of a "Haitian Renaissance".

Altars are arranged to honor and invoke the lwa. They may be located in temple sanctuaries or in private bedrooms. Wherever they are found, they mark a sacred space where the natural and supernatural worlds meet. On the altars, worshipers assemble images of the lwa, together with offerings-jewelry, mirrors, liquor, perfume, cigarettes, sunglasses-known to please divine tastes.