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The Medieval Grimoire "The Picatrix" on the Colors and Pigments of the Zodiacal Sign of Aries

The Medieval Grimoire "The Picatrix" on the Colors and Pigments of the Zodiacal Sign of Aries The Picatrix (or in Arabic Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm) is an early medieval book of magick, astrology, and alchemy (an early form of chemistry). In the study of esotericism and the magickal arts, this book has been used for centuries as a grimoire, as well as an important historical source text. One section of the book is dedicated to describing the colors associated with the Zodiac signs, and how to make inks, pigments, and paints corresponding to those colors. The instructions for the sign of Aries are as follows (some of these substances are toxic, so do not try this at home!): "§13 The color of the first face of Aries is red and is made thus: take one part each of oak gall, gum arabic, and orpiment. Grind them up separately, then mix them together. When you desire to write or paint anything with it, combine it with egg whites." [The word "Orpiment" is an elision of the L...

A Simple Yet Effective Grounding Meditation Exercise

A Simple Yet Effective Grounding Meditation Exercise 1. Sit or stand in a comfortable position, with your back straight but not rigid. 2. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. When you are ready, breathe out through your nose, and relax. 3. Proceed to let your breath flow slowly and naturally without pause - in and out. Breathe calmly and without restriction. 4. Gently focus your attention on your root chakra at the base of your spine. 5. Imagine a connection opening up between your root chakra and the Earth. This connection can take many forms and can be different each time you practice. Some like to visualize it as a tree trunk or roots, a hollow bamboo stalk, a silver tube, a beam of light, a flow of menstrual blood, and so on. 6. Visualize this energetic connection extending from your root chakra down into Mother Earth, passing through the crust and bedrock, deep into the planet's molten mantle or metallic core. 7. Once you have formed this connection, allow any overwh...