The efficacy of magical operations is deeply intertwined with the sacred art of celestial timing. Thus, when we engage in our craft on Wednesday, we are graced by the influence of the magnificent planet Mercury. This vibrant day is charged with unique virtues and potent energies, inviting us to harness its extraordinary powers with fervor and intention.
Based on the nature of Mercury, Wednesday is ideal for operations related to the intellect, communication, and acquisition of knowledge.
Rulership and Corresponding Powers
The Archangel presiding over Wednesday and the sphere of Mercury is Raphael, often invoked alongside Miel and Seraphiel.
The general nature of operations suited for Wednesday, as described in the sources, falls into three main categories:
1. Acquisition of Knowledge and Science
Wednesday is the most favorable time for spells related to learning, intellect, and occult knowledge.
- Teaching and Sciences: Spirits of the air ruling on Wednesday have the power to re-edifie and teach experiments and all decayed Sciences.
- Scholarly Arts: If the operator intends to work in Grammar or Logick, it should be done under the signs of Gemini or Virgo, both associated with Mercury.
- Communication and Intellect: The day is suited for intellectual pursuits, artistic expression, meetings, and signing contracts. The planet Mercury is associated with communication, writing, education, and intelligence.
- Prophecy and Revelation: The spirits can reveal all earthly things past, present, and to come.
- Specific Angelic Assistance (Uriel and Samael):
- URIEL, a spirit who teaches natural Sciences, Physic, and Medicine, is invoked on a Wednesday, before daybreak. This operation purifies the faculties of the Mind and Understanding.
- SAMAEL (described here as a spirit of Counsel, not the Martial spirit) teaches Magic, Necromancy, Jurisprudence, and all the Occult Sciences. He should be invoked on a Wednesday, in the morning.
2. Practical and Physical Operations
Wednesday’s planetary influence can be directed toward practical changes, often involving material transformation or influence over others:
- Metals and Commerce: The spirits’ nature is to give all Metals and aid in business. The planetary metal is Mercury (quicksilver or an amalgam of silver and gold).
- Legal and Conflict Resolution: Wednesday operations can pacify judges and give victories in war.
- Transformation and Change: These spirits can change bodies mixt of elements conditionally out of one into another. They can also bind or loose Spirits and open locks or bolts.
- Wealth and Status: They can raise the poor, and cast down the high ones.
- Health: The spirits can give infirmities or health.
3. Demonic Operations
In traditions focused on infernal invocation, Wednesday is assigned to a specific demon:
- Astaroth: The demon associated with Wednesday is Astaroth.
- Purpose: The operation with Astaroth is designed to obtain the good graces of the King and others.
- Timing: Astaroth is conjured at night, from ten to eleven o’clock.
Auspicious Times and Materials
To maximize success, operations must be conducted during the proper time slots, which are governed by the planetary hours.
Planetary Hours on Wednesday
The first hour of Wednesday (beginning at sunrise) is ruled by the planet Mercury and the angel Raphael. Following the Chaldean order, the hours ruled by Mercury repeat roughly every seven hours.
| Hour of Day | Ruling Angel and Planet |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (Sunrise) | Raphael (Mercury) |
| Day 8 | Raphael (Mercury) |
| Night 3 | Raphael (Mercury) |
| Night 10 | Raphael (Mercury) |
Requisite Materials (Fumigation)
The appropriate fumigation for Wednesday operations is Mastic (or Mastich). Other materials include frankincense, cloves, and the herb cinquefoil. Some sources suggest using nutmeg, cloves, and citrus rind, dry powdered, as incense for Wednesday.
Preparing the Pentacle
A Pentacle designed to capture the virtue of Mercury (such as for eloquence, writing, or penetrating hidden thoughts) should be made in the day and hour of Mercury. The Moon should be increasing (waxing).
Appearance of Wednesday Spirits
The spirits of Mercury often appear with a body of middle stature, cold, liquid and moist, fair and of an affable speech. Their motion is described as being like “silver coloured’ clouds“. Their sign of appearance is notable for causing horror and fear, or causing the operator to shiver and be cold. Familiar shapes include a king riding upon a bear, a fair youth, a woman holding a distaff, a dog, a she-bear, or a magpie.
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