Aldebaran is the red eye of Taurus, blazing in the heavens with a ruddy flame like a ruby. In Arabic it is called al Dabaran, “the Follower,” for its unending pursuit of the Pleiades across the night sky. It has long been known across cultures as the Bull’s Eye: Ain al-Thawr in Arabic, Omma Boos in Greek, and Oculus Tauri in Latin. According to Ptolemy in the Tetrabiblos, Aldebaran is of the nature of Mars, and its crimson hue bears witness to that judgment. It was enthroned as one of the four Persian Royal Stars, the Watchers of Heaven, who guard the hinges of the firmament. Aldebaran’s station in the East joined it to the spring equinox and to sunrise itself, emblems of illumination and emergence.
Bernadette Brady writes:
“The four Royal Stars of Persia are all very powerful stars and each one offers the possibility of glory, success, or happiness, but only if a particular nemesis can be overcome. In the case of Aldebaran, this challenge is one of integrity and honor. Greatness can be achieved but the individual will be challenged on issues of integrity and purity of their thoughts and dealings. If they fail this test they lose everything.”
Aldebaran’s boon is eminence and renown, but only for those who keep their oaths. For those who walk without integrity, its gifts fall away.
Cornelius Agrippa preserves the image of this star in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy:
“Under Aldebora [Aldebaran] they made an image after the likeness of God, or of a flying man; it giveth riches and honor.”
Here the star is not figured as beast or monster, but as Imago Dei, its flame taken for divine likeness, a fiery reflection of the Creator.
Hermes on the Fifteen Fixed Stars confirms its materia and rite:
“Milky thistle seed put under a carbuncle with the character shown [engraved on it], with the Moon conjunct [Aldebaran and] the Ascendant or Midheaven, increases riches and brings great honors.”
Milk thistle’s thorned leaves are sharp with Mars, fierce in defense and refusing intrusion. Its milky veins speak of preservation and protection, a plant that heals the liver and restores the blood. Its seeds carry a hidden sweetness, a virtue that shields life against corruption. It is therefore both harsh and beneficent, a herb that wounds and mends together. In this it is well suited to Aldebaran, whose flame is martial yet exalted, conferring greatness but demanding integrity. As Michael stands watch with his sword of fire, so milk thistle stands as the star’s living emblem on earth, a guardian plant whose virtue defends and preserves.
In Christian esoteric tradition Aldebaran was joined to Archangel Michael, prince of the heavenly host. Michael’s name, “Who is like God,” mirrors its talismanic image as Imago Dei. He is the fiery commander, clad in armor of flame, sword raised against the powers of darkness. Aldebaran burning red in the eastern sky reflects Michael’s vigilant eye. In Christian devotion he is warrior and protector, patron of soldiers and guardian of the faithful. In Kabbalistic writings the constellation Taurus was joined to the letter Aleph, the first letter of the divine Name and symbol of God’s unity, the silent breath of creation. Aldebaran, shining as the Bull’s Eye, partakes in that symbolism: both the ferocity of the Bull and the sanctity of divine fire.
This is my second Aldebaran release, the first being Aldebaran – Bullseye. The star has been closely tied to my own practice, as it was also the first fixed star for which I crafted a paper talisman more than seven years ago. That early work marked the beginning of my study and practice of stellar image magic, and the star has remained a steady presence since.
The design of these talismans was hand-sculpted in the form of a pillar of fire, recalling the form in which God appeared to his people by night in Exodus to light their way. Aldebaran shines in that likeness as Watcher of the East. By shaping the talisman as a pillar of fire, the work channels the idea that Aldebaran itself is a flame of God in the sky, the Imago Dei in luminous form. The pillar is a celestial axis, a ray descending from Aldebaran to the bearer. Astrological tradition holds that when Aldebaran is prominent it confers a sense of mission or charisma, as though one were led by divine fire. Its energy is noble ambition, courage, and a refusal to yield to darkness, reminiscent of Michael’s flaming sword.
The creation of these talismans took place on April 29, 2025 while Aldebaran rose on the Ascendant with the Moon applying to conjoin. The Moon was waxing, fast, and free of hard aspects to the malefics. The election was further fortunated by the presence of Jupiter and the Part of Fortune in the first house. The chart is available to view in the product gallery.
During the electional window, garnets were engraved with the sigil of Aldebaran, ritually suffumigated and enspirited with the intention of granting riches and honors. The garnets were later above milk thistle seed, the traditional herb, along with genuine powdered cow’s eye, joined as sympathetic materia, the earthly eye mirroring the heavenly Eye.
Each piece was hand-sculpted in wax and cast into solid sterling silver. The talisman measures approximately 1.7 inches tall and comes on your choice of black satin cord or oxidized sterling silver chain, along with a copy of the devotional artwork above printed on card stock. Only 9 are available.
May the daimon of these talismans grant you riches and honors, and may the pillar of fire guard your way under Michael’s watch.
References
- Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos
- Cornelius Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy
- Hermes on the Fifteen Fixed Stars
- Picatrix
- al-Sufi, Book of Fixed Stars
- Richard Hinckley Allen, Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning
- Bernadette Brady, Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars
- Vivian Robson, The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology
- Exodus 13