The Archidoxis magica (The Archidoxes of Magic) is a 16th century grimoire first printed in the year 1591 by a Swiss physician, alchemist, and astrologer whose full name was “Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim” but he later called himself “Paracelsus” a reference to being “greater than Celcus” (a 1st century Roman known for his medical encyclopedia)
(images taken from The Archidoxes of Magic, The zodiac section containing the seals)
The Archidoxes of Magic written in 1521 but not printed until 50 years after paracelsus’s death in 1541 covered the creation and use of many different talismans for healing uses. These zodiac seals first came to my attention during research of the 72 demons of the Goetia as the seals are included along with the demons in a 17th century manuscript.
(The Aries seal and properties, image taken from The Archidoxes of Magic)
This Kickstarter project seeks to create the 12 zodiac seals outlined in his book.
The seals will be cast in a very durable zinc alloy and are about 1 and 1/8 inches diameter and about 1/16th inches thick (about 28mm x 2mm) almost the size of a US half dollar coin.
Being printed over 400 years ago this grimoire is in the Public Domain and can be downloaded from archive.org at the links below.
The Archidoxis of Magic at archive.org
Direct link to the Zodiac section
(The book has the healing properties of most of the zodiac talismans however the properties of the Gemini and the Sagittarius seals are not included.)
They Seals are as follows
(Since the properties are taken directly from a 16th century grimoire the spelling of some words are a bit different than today)
Aries: This Seal is a most certain Experiment to Cure all Fluxes and Catharres descending from the Head upon the Brain, etc. For it purgeth the Brain, and drieth up all Flegm of the Head, and all Diseases which appertain to the Head; it amendeth all Maladies thereof, being worn night and day, the Signe of Aries being turned next the Brain.
Taurus: The Nature and Property of this Sigil, giveth a most excellent Remedy to them who have lost their Generative Virtue: if it be so hanged that it may touch the Navel, the Sign Taurus being turned next the flesh and the body, it giveth the best help to men or women
Gemini: Healing properties not listed in the grimoire
Cancer: This Seal must be applied in the day and hour of the Moon, she decreasing; and is to be kept and worn very Clean. The Virtue thereof causetth happy Journeys: It is very profitable to be worn against the Dropsie, and all Defects of the Body proceeding from moisture, or superfluous Flegm.
Leo: Let it be applied in the day and hour of the Sun. It hath a most excellent virtue: it causeth great Favours to men and women that wear it: It is a very good Remedy against Quartain Feavers.
Virgo: Let it be applied when Mercury is in the forst House of Heaven, the air being clear and serene, (for then it is much better) and in the hour of Mercury, for then he ruleth the first House of Heaven; but if it cannot be, refer it to an hour of like nature, although the hour of Mercury is best.
Libra: It is an admirable Remedy against all Bewitchings of Women, which hinder the act of generation, and especially in those whom they hate: In brief, this Sigil is most profitable and excellent against all Maladies whatsoever; especially all griefs of the Secret Members.
Scorpio: It is a most excellent Remedy against all Poyson and Diseases thereby infected. It is excellent and admirable for Souldiers, Captains, and such as are in daily Controversies:
Sagittarius: Healing properties unknown, however. There must be a silver Ring to hang it in, and it must be made of pure Tyrne [Tin], without addition of any other Metal; and to be worn and kept clean: But it must be left off in the time of Copulation, or else it loseth its virtue.
Capricorn: It must be applied when the Moon is decreasing or diminished in light: but the hour of the Aspect, whether it be of the Moon or any other Planet, matters not. This Seal may vulgarly be called the Sigil of Favor. This Seal throughly heals the Itch or Scurff in the Thighes: Our Predecessors could not by Art finde out the Cure of this Disease, accounting it uncureable; when as this is the best way to Cure it, without any other means.
Aquarius: You shall not apply it till the Sun is under the Earth, and in the hour of Saturn; and then it is good, being hanged about the Neck, against Contractures, cold Diseases, and Sinewes shrunk: it is very profitable to preserve the Memory, to get Favors amongst men, and very good against all Poyson, as may be proved by putting any venemous Spider upon the Sigil; it forthwith flieth away, and cannot possibly remain upon it.
Pisces: This is an admirable instrument to loose and expel Choler, of which do grow many grievous Diseases, as Contractures, the Palsie, shrinking of the Joynts, Burnings, &c. against which it giveth wonderful help to men or women: it mitigateth the pain of the Gout, takes away the Cramp, and all Griefs proceeding from Fluxes. This Seal ought to hang down low upon the Navel.
Each coin has a corresponding poker sized(3.5 X 2.5 inches) reference card with the front and back seal on one side and the Zodiac name and properties on the other
12 Zodiac talisman info cards
Taurus card front and back
Since this project will not have multiple choice rewards I am able to have much better packaging, each set will be in its own box.
US shipping is $5.00 for one set, $6.00 for 2 sets and then $10.00 for 5 sets.
The EU/UK backers will be shipped from the UK by my shipping partner Devil Inside Productions and will be EU friendly.
UK shipping for 1 set is $11, 2 sets is $14, and 5 sets will be $30.
EU shipping for 1 set is $13, 2 sets is $19, and 5 sets will be $38.
The shipping cost for 1 set international is about $19 for most countries since the US post office price for up to 8oz will cover the coin set weight of 5oz then a charge of about $30 for up to 2 pounds means 5 sets can ship to most countries for the shipping fee of $30
I have learned several lessons from my past Kickstarter projects and have used them when creating this project.
I will have a manageable number of coins, a 12 coin set is much easier to manage than an 80 coin set. Managing and making complete sets of 80 coins took up a lot of time.
I will have the molding finished with a set design on starting the project so there will be no delay for starting production.
With a standard package of 12 coins in a pouch, 12 info cards all in a rigid box it will make shipping much faster and easier, and make UK/EU fulfillment much safer and smoother.
With the size and weight of the coin set already known shipping can be done cheaper and more effective.
After all the lessons I have learned with my previous goetia coins Kickstarter I have designed this project to avoid any of the delays that I had with my previous project.