The Sorcerer's Blog

[Here’s a draft section of the unpublished booklet I had been preparing for my presentations this past year on Ancient Stellar Magic, covering the Ring of Fortune, a talisman of the fixed star Aldebaran.]

Aldebaran: The Ring of Fortune

Milky thistle seed put under a carbuncle [AKA red garnet, or a ruby –CL] with the character shown [engraved on it –JMG], with the Moon conjunct [Aldebaran and –JMG] the Ascendant or Midheaven, increases riches and brings great honors. (Hermes)

Under Aldebora, they made an image after the likeness of God, or of a flying man. (Agrippa)

Currently located at 9 Gemini 56.

Simply put, Aldebaran is the ring for fame and fortune. Not everybody wants to be rich and famous; but if you do, this might just be the ring for you.

Aldebaran is a Royal Star, granting leadership and prominence to those born under its influence, and is associated with the Archangel Michael. Like Michael, Aldebaran is generally understood to be a valiant foe of darkness and evil.

This star is the eye of the constellation Taurus, quite possibly even the origin of the phrase Bull’s Eye; signifying precise success, hitting a target, and martial prowess. The star itself is of a pinkish-red hue, commonly signifying an aggressive quality. It is from this coloration that most probably the stones used for the Ring of Aldebaran are of strong reddish color.

It is unusual that a star with a somewhat pugnacious reputation would be used in a magic ring for success. My own opinion is that this is an acknowledgement that for one person to rise to fame and prosperity, sometimes this occurs at the expense of others.

Nevertheless, this is a positive star, even perhaps a holy star, and I am of the opinion that those others in this context are the pretenders, the unsuitable, the corrupt, or those who acquired their prominence through deceit or other profound injustice, who must first be toppled for the noble and wise to rise and take their rightful places.

The problem in making this ring is that the stones listed each have downsides. Garnet is the less expensive, but it tends to be brittle. A chipped talisman will eventually cease to function. Rubies of course are expensive, and nearly as hard as diamonds.

My own feeling is that ruby is the best option. One factor in the expense of rubies is the color, and the farther rubies stray from deep red the less expensive they are. Rubies with maroon, pink, or flame-orange color can be much less expensive.