Vega is the brightest star within the constellation Lyra. In Hellenistic tradition, it was associated with the lyre of Orpheus, a symbol of the music that subdues chaos. Its Arabic name, an-Nasr al-Wāqiʿ, “The Falling Vulture or Eagle,” catalyzed a reimagining during the Islamic transmission of astrological knowledge. The resultant Latin epithet, Vultur Cadens, entered Western European star lore through texts such as the Liber Hermetis, the Liber de Stellis Behenii, and ultimately through Agrippa and the Picatrix. In medieval celestial atlases, Bayer’s Uranometria chief among them, Lyra is no longer simply an instrument but is borne in the beak or talons of a raptor. The vulture, sacred to the goddess Ma’at and the psychopompic rituals of Egyptian theology, merges with Orphic symbolism. Vega becomes a star of divinatory intelligence—music that not only charms but binds, pacifies, and exorcises. The metaphor is apt. Just as Orpheus journeyed to the underworld, the vulture descends from zenith to nadir, a mediator between worlds.
Speaking of Vega in Secrets of the Ancient Skies, Diana K. Rosenberg writes: “The Vulture, an ambivalent symbol, is feminine and maternal, standing for solicitude, protection, shelter and love, but also destruction and voracity. As a scavenger it represents cleansing, purification, a worker for good, Mother Nature. In Graeco-Roman mythology the vulture is sacred to Apollo and is the steed of Cronus/Saturn.”
In the Bodleian manuscript of the Liber de Stellis Behenii (Bodleian MS Ashmole 363), Vega is associated with the gemstone chrysolite (also known as peridot) and the herb savory. It also describes the composition and virtues of a talisman made under Vega’s influence: “Savory juice with an equal amount of the herb called fumitory and with a little of the stone called turonso, etc. grants favor with beasts, protects from scabies, that is, against demons, nocturnal phantoms, and fears.” This is supported by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy (Book II, Chapter 47), wherein he names Vega among the Behenian stars and aligns her with similar magical correspondences: “Amongst stones is the Chrysolite; amongst Plants, Succory, and Fumitary.” Agrippa further records the appropriate images and effects of talismans fashioned under Vega’s auspices: “They made the image of a Vulture or Hen, or of a traveller; it maketh a man magnanimous and proud, it giveth power over devils and beasts.” This aligns with both the martial and psychopompic symbolism often attributed to Vega in her guise as the Falling Vulture, and her reputed capacity to confer spiritual authority and courage.
For the design of these talismans, I chose an image of a diving vulture. Its shape was inspired by ancient artifacts depicting birds of prey and was hand sculpted in jeweler’s wax. The vulture holds a peridot stone in its wing, which is set into the piece above a load of powdered savory and fumitory herb, bird’s nest, and vulture feather. During the electional window, the peridot stones were engraved with the sigil of Vega and suffumigated with savory and fumitory herb. They were enspirited with the intention of granting protection from demons, nocturnal phantoms, fear, and other forms of spiritual attack. Because of Vega’s ability to “help with rest” according to the Picatrix, these talismans are also intended to grant serenity and calm, as well as protection for the body during spirit flight, which bird stars are often associated with.
The talismans were created on January 27, 2025. At the time of the election, Vega rose on the ascendant with the Moon applying to conjoin. The Moon was waning, which is appropriate for the removal of negative influence. Although the Moon was in the sign of its detriment in Capricorn, this was necessary due to the location of Vega there, and it is dignified by triplicity. Additionally, the chart is fortunated by the presence of the Part of Fortune in the first house.
Each piece measures approximately 1.75″ tall and comes on your choice of black satin cord or oxidized sterling silver chain, along with the devotional artwork pictured above printed on cardstock. 9 total are available.
May the daimon of these talismans grant you rest, protection from spiritual attack, and protection during spirit flight.