Algorab is a fixed star on the wing of Corvus the Crow, a constellation in the southern spring sky perched on the back of Hydra the Water-Snake. It is one of the fifteen Behenian fixed stars, known in the talismanic tradition as Ala Corvi, the Wing of the Crow.
According to the Book of Hermes on the Fifteen Fixed Stars: “Greater Burdock seed, leaves, and root, placed beneath an onyx with the tongue of a frog, when the Moon is in conjunction with Ala Corvi, profits much against men and daemons and evil winds.” Of the star’s nature, Hermes writes: “unless it should be that the fortunes, namely, the Sun, Jupiter and Venus, go to meet it, thou wilt place this star in a work of destruction.” Agrippa gives the talismanic image: “Under the Wing of the Raven they made images of a raven, serpent, or a black man dressed in black garments: these make men angry, bold, courageous, thoughtful, a slanderer, and give evil dreams. They also give the ability to make daemons flee and gather. They are useful against wicked men, daemons, and winds.” In the Tetrabiblos, Ptolemy assigns Corvus the nature of Mars and Saturn, the two malefics. Read more about Algorab in The Library.
This is a deeply personal release for me. When I first moved to upstate New York 5 years ago, the crows on the land here were some of the first friends I made (they just began cawing as I am writing this.) I initially began feeding them peanuts near a large “crater” in my driveway where they would hang out and drink water after it rained. The first gift they left for me was there—a snakeskin, deliberately placed right in the center of the hole when it was dry. I was struck by the similarity between the story of Corvus, Crater, and Hydra (the myth is recounted in full in the above linked article.) It was also during this time that my natal connections with Hydra were heavily activated, and this inciting gift triggered a months-long initiatory process culminating in a pact to begin teaching myself to make jewelry and offering talismans to the public. The attribution of Corvus to the nature of Mars and Saturn by Ptolemy contributed in part to the choice of name and patronage for the shop. Each ring has a small piece of that snakeskin gift under the stone, along with another gift from the land—exactly one week before the election, I discovered directly in front of my home a freshly dead frog with its tongue hanging from its mouth, the last of the 3 components of the traditional behenian materia.
The election for these talismans took place on October 19, 2025, when Algorab culminated on the midheaven with the Moon and Venus both applying to conjoin. The Moon was slightly slow in motion, but still above 12 degrees, per the Picatrix, and waning, which is appropriate in this case for the function of exorcism. Additionally, the presence of Venus on the MC overcomes all issues with the Moon. The Moon was otherwise unafflicted, free of aspects to malefics, and dignified by face. Venus was dignified by rulership and term, and the ruler of the ascendant, Jupiter, was dignified by exaltation. I chose to incorporate Venus into the election to soften some of the more malefic aspects of this star’s expression while preserving its power and efficacy. This also aligns with the hermetic prescription stating that the star is used in works of destruction unless the fortunes go to meet it. It is my personal contention that the qualities of boldness, courage, and yes, anger, are qualities often required of one who would command and compel spirits, as well as exorcise them, and the star’s dark reputation stems in part from these qualities taken out of context. That said, this is a star that requires care and is best engaged with from a place of stability.
During the electional window onyx stones were engraved with the sigil of Algorab, ritually suffumigated, and enspirited to grant their bearers boldness and courage, the power to conjure and exorcise spirits, and to turn away the malice of men, devils, and winds. The stones were later set into the rings above burdock, snakeskin, frog’s tongue, and crow feather. I chose to make these talismans as rings so that they can be easily worn on the hands during spirit conjuration. Each talisman comes with a copy of the altar card pictured above. Only 9 were made.
May the daimon of these talismans grant you command of spirits, exorcism, and defense.