Known
as the Seal of Cagliostro, this unusual symbol depicts a serpent,
an apple in its mouth, impaled with an arrow. This was found amongst the personal
effects of Count Cagliostro upon his
death in 195. While the symbol has obvious
alchemical elements, its precise meaning is unknown. The well known nineteenth
century occult writer Eliphas Levi has this to say regarding this emblem:
As explained
by the cabalistic letters of the names Acharat and Althotas, it expresses
the chief characteristics of the Great Arcanum and the Great Work. It is a
serpent pierced by an arrow, thus representing the letter Aleph, an image
of the union between active and passive, spirit and life, will and light.
The arrow is that of the antique Apollo, while the serpent is the python of
fable, the green dragon of Hermetic philosophy. The letter Aleph represents
equilibrated unity. This pantacle is reproduced under various forms in the
talismans of old magic. . . . The arrow signifies the active principle, will,
magical action, the coagulation of the dissolvent, the fixation of the volatile
by projection and the penetration of earth by fire. The union of the two is
the universal balance, the Great Arcanum, the Great Work, the equilibrium
of Jachin and Boaz. The initials L.P.D., which accompany this figure, signify
Liberty, Power, Duty, and also Light, Proportion, Density; Law, Principle
and Right. The Freemasons have changed the order of these initials, and in
the form of L.'.D.'.P.: . they render them as Liberte de Penser, Liberty of
Thought, inscribing these on a symbolical bridge, but for those who are not
initiated they substitute Liberte de Passer, Liberty of Passage. In the records
of the prosecution of Cagliostro it is said that his examination elicited
another meaning as follows: Lilia destrue pedibus: Trample the lilies under
foot; and in support of this version may be cited a Masonic medal of the sixteenth
or seventeenth century, depicting a branch of lilies severed by sword, having
these words on the exergue: Talem dabit ultio messem - Revenge shall give
this harvest.
The image was later
incorporated into the emblem of the Hermetic Brotherhod of Luxor, an early occult
fraternity.
The
original Bronze Talisman
Related
images:
Related
Resources:
Hermetic
Tradition
Named after Hermes Trismigestus (Hermes the three times great), the Greek
moniker of the Egyptian God Tehuti (Thoth), alleged author of hundreds of
mystical tractates, the Hermetic tradition is an eclectic spiritual tradition
that encompasses elements from from many religions.
Hellenismos/Greek
Revival
The Hellenistic revival...modern attempts to reconstruct the rich religious
traditions of Ancient Greece.
Religio
Romana
Religio Romana is the main name under which various Neopagan groups attempt
to accurately reconstruct ancient Roman Pagan worship.
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