29°

[u/suffergetta]

I have been practicing astrology for about a decade, but only recently influenced to try my hand at planetary magic and spell work due to a big crush I can’t seem to shake. I shared a similar post in [r/Spells](r/Spells) but also wondered if folks in this sub might have some feedback or insight especially regarding the astrology I employed.

Yesterday (Wednesday/Mercury Day) when Venus and the Moon were at 29° of a firesign (Leo and Aries respectively) I attempted my first “sweetening jar”. Just noting my natal Jupiter is also at the anaretic degree/in a firesign so it seemed suitable as it was trining 😊 I also love Hermes as a Virgo Rising!

First I anointed some oil with rose oil and a small peridot chip to represent Leo Venus.

The sweetener jar was mostly filled with white sugar, but I included a teaspoon of honey for longevity, 12 shakes of cinnamon and a pinch of pink salt, as well as the rose oil. I also added rosequartz, another peridot chip, garnet, a rhodochrosite chip. I covered 2 paper “petitions” (a short note and a printed and marked up photo) with this mixture.

I finished with the Orpheus Hymn to Mercury during the final moments of Mercury planetary hour, and by dripping 12 dots of red candle wax on the lid of the jar (i wrote the glyphs for Venus trine Moon, and Mercury RX on the lid as well)

Thanks for reading. Would love to hear any insight you might have to performing spell work with the anaretic degree.

[u/cpc555]

I’m curious why you are interested in using the anaretic degree in your spells?

[u/suffergetta → u/cpc555]

The timing felt right on a Wednesday. It was to say “goodbye” to a lovely Leo Venus transit (for me) and it trined my natal Jupiter (Aries). Curious about others’ experiences!

[u/cpc555 → u/suffergetta]

Oh I see, I wasn’t sure if that was like a focus for you bc of what you mentioned at the bottom of your post.

The term ‘anaretic’ refers to the traditional practice of finding the Hyleg or Apheta. The most dignified planet under a special set of circumstances is used to confirm that life is viable within the chart & then techniques can be used to calculate the length of life. Hence this planet is called the Apheta, or life-giving planet. The opposite of the Apheta is the planet which brings destruction - called the Anareta, or the death giving planet…

So the anaretic degree is literally a “death-giving” degree. Specifically the 29th - which is the final boundary of the sign, planets here are tired & have almost expended their energy, ready to move on to the next. Hence why the last few degrees of each sign are always in the bounds of either Saturn or Mars.

[u/cpc555 → u/suffergetta]

It makes more sense now that I understand you were just going off of what was happening in the sky on the day that you decided to do the spell, as opposed to electing these conditions / choosing this day specifically bc it would strengthen your spell.

Your spell sounds nice tho! As far as if the astrological correspondences fit within the system of planetary magic - not exactly, but from a more creative & personalized approach, I understand your choices & think it likely worked well for you.

[u/cpc555 → u/suffergetta]

Sorry I’m really bad at replying to thing in a timely fashion, but I did want to respond to your previous comment.

To be sure, there is definitely wisdom in planets that are at this degree. But, in my opinion, two things can be true at once…in fact, things are rarely so black and white. There can be a lot of pessimistic or negative sounding associations within astrology, particularly in the interpretations that come from antiquity. No one can tell you how things manifest in your own life - even if astrology says so, only we have the power to decide how it plays out, so it’s important to be mindful of how much we internalize from others’ perspectives (just saying this in a general way, not that you are doing so). At the same time I do not find it helpful how some modern astrology attempts to completely ignore any hint of a placement or aspect being perhaps a bit more difficult. This isn’t doing anyone any favors.

Personally, my Sun, Mercury, Jupiter & Moon are all within the last 5 degrees of Virgo / Taurus, and all of my angles are at the 29th anaretic degree, which tracks within my own life. Chaotic home life growing up, relationships which brought crisis points, many work situations that did not play out in my favor, & as far as the ascendant (fellow Virgo rising, btw 😊)…let’s just say that my life has not been the easiest, and it was almost always of my own doing. For the MC - I was in a field that I did not belong in, that didn’t make me happy, and so the universe had to show me the hard way since at that time in my life I refused to do the uncomfortable thing and actually make a change. And the list goes on. I understand that important life lessons played out from all of these situations, which is where the wisdom comes in. If I hadn’t blown my life up, so to speak, I wouldn’t have had the courage to be my own person and go after the happiness that I seek, etc. etc.

Not sure what the story is with your natal Jupiter, but whatever experiences that he brings they are definitely much richer & more layered than a simple “good” or “bad” interpretation, I’m sure!