The Sorcery of Solomon by Sara L. Mastros

Author:Sara L. Mastros
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781633412750
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser

6: The Rain Maker

THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY eight-rayed pentacles. Every planet has at least one. They are harder to interpret than most of the other pentacles because they have fewer names/words on them. Of this one, Mathers says: “This is wonderfully good, and serveth excellently to excite and cause heavy rains, if it be engraved upon a plate of silver; and if it be placed under water, as long as it remaineth there, there will be rain.”

The circumferential versicle is excerpted from the story of Noah's flood in Bereshit 7:11–12 and says “Burst open all the fountains of the Great Below, and rain was upon the Earth.”

The eight-rayed star is a common symbol in Levant. It is the cuneiform for “god” or “planet” and is most often associated with the planet Venus. I believe it may be intended here as a four-dimensional compass rose. There's really no way to know, but we'll discuss it a little more later in the book.

What follows is entirely speculative. I present it largely as an example of a way to develop your own kavvanot to employ with the pentacles.

Examining the symbols, I am struck by their similarity to the three great magic wands of ancient Egypt, the ankh (), djed (), and waas (). Is this the meaning intended by the original author of the pentacle? Who can say?

The ankh is the wand of life. Some people say it is a mirror; others say it is a sandal. I find both explanations unconvincing because figures are routinely shown holding it through the loop. Some believe it to be related to the similar ring and rod symbol in Mesopotamian sacred iconography, which is generally understood as a sort of ruler and measuring tape. Some say it is a type of absorbent knotted cord used as a tampon, called a tyet, whose character is . Personally, I think it is a vertebra. It is associated with the goddess Isis, particularly in connection with her role as a healer. It generally conveys the meaning of “Long may you live!”

The djed represents a pillar; sometimes a column that holds up a building, and sometimes a human spine. Some say its original form was a sacred tree, and others a phallus. In all of these cases, it represents strength and stability. It was often used as an amulet for the dead, hung around the neck, and presumed to protect the spine. It is associated with Osiris, particularly in his role as lord of the dead. It often appears in combination with the tyet.

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