Ancient Rituals

“Magic is, in fact, everything that absolutely fascinates minds and attracts souls by means of words and deeds.”

– The Picatrix

Although The Mundane and the Arcane series belongs to the fantasy genre, its magic system—whether Astrology, Alchemy, or Awareness—has deep roots in human history, particularly in ancient Roman religion and belief. Ritual magic held a special place in Roman tradition and, accordingly, within TMatA, whose worldbuilding draws inspiration from a blend of ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy.

Astrological magic is the practice of using an auspicious planetary alignment in combination with ritual to amplify intention and desired outcomes. This practice is most often linked to the creation of talismans, which are objects charged with the energy of a specific planet or alignment.

Timing is the most critical element in crafting a talisman. Electional astrology, the branch devoted to selecting the most favorable moments for events, provides the method for choosing when a talisman should be created. Knowledge of planetary rulerships and positions is essential, since the goal is to work with planets in advantageous alignments.

If you’re charging a talisman with a planetary alignment, the window of effectiveness depends on how long the alignment remains strong (that is, how close the orb is). In the case of a planet, one could even wait for the precise minute it reaches its degree of exaltation. Still, other planetary associations can guide the timing of astrological magic, since both the days of the week and the hours of the day have their own planetary rulers, exactly as described in TMatA:

In English, these names come from Norse and Germanic gods, while in Romance languages such as Italian they remain closer to their Roman planetary origins (e.g., Mercoledì for Mercury’s day).

Each planet rules particular signs, but it is also exalted in others, meaning it functions at peak strength there. Conversely, planets in their signs of fall or detriment struggle to express their nature. Both astrology and magic rest on the ancient belief that the heavens are mirrored on earth. By this principle, earthly materials and events correspond to planetary influences and archetypal essences. Thus every plant, herb, crystal, metal, and material has a zodiacal designation.

When used in talismanic rituals, these materials are called sunthemata. A plant offering burned in ritual suffumigation is one such example, symbolizing a link between heaven and earth. The more sunthemata gathered, the more powerfully the talisman absorbs the planetary energy. For instance, mugwort, associated with Venus, would be included in a talisman for attracting love, along with other Venusian materials such as roses or gooseberries.

Talismans traditionally take the form of jewelry, considered the most potent medium. Metals and gems are also chosen for their planetary associations, though historical sources often disagree. For TMatA, I selected those whose colors and traditions best represent each planet.

It’s worth noting that the steps for talisman creation in TMatA are not inventions of mine but drawn from the grimoires of history. While many medieval sources are vague, the framework is rooted in genuine tradition. To me, ritual magic is deeply personal: its true power lies not in rigid adherence to rules but in the intention, feeling, and belief behind them.

Whether you seek simply to better understand Remo and his friends’ quest or to create a talisman for yourself, the ritual process follows these essential steps:

1. Light suffumigation material
Burn the chosen sunthemata offering. The smoke symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth.

2. Invocation
Call upon the planet, reciting a hymn or dedication.

3. Crafting stage
Set the chosen stone into its form—pendant, ring, or other jewelry. Engrave the planetary glyph.

4. Intention setting
Pass the talisman through the smoke, clearly stating its purpose.

5. Closing stage
Express gratitude, let the smoke burn out, and meditate to strengthen the connection.

My fascination with ritual magic will continue in future installments of TMatA series. Serafina’s prequel, the final book in the main series, will even feature a Lupercalia ceremony sure to captivate readers who enjoy romance as much as fantasy.

For those equally intrigued by astrological magic, the below resources inspired the talismanic rituals in The Mundane and the Arcane.

Magical Sources:

The Picatrix by Maslama ibn Ahmad al-Majriti

Introduction to Talisman Magic by Michael Olfek

Talisman Construction by Ryhan Butler

The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus by Liz Greene

Culpepper’s Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpepper, edited by Steven Foster