for use in Astral Talismans after being ritually prepared as "bhasma" or sanctified ashes
Information and herb samples are courtesy of the Nepal Ayurveda Association
A Kavacha or "talisman" is not only the gem, which represents the earth element. A real Astral Talisman is composed of all 5 elements, i.e., gem for earth, herb for water, metal for fire, symbol for air, and cosmic number for space. This process of "Pancha-amrita" astral talisman making is the most bona fide. Even the Western alchemists are known to use herbs as the "water" ingredient in an Astral Talismans. These herbs have been ritually turned into "bhasma" or sanctified ashes. Therefore, one may understand that the gem alone is not the complete kavacha or talisman, the gems are only for one of five elements, viz., earth
The philosopher Agrippa has nicely described in Three Books of Occult Philosophy the basic preparation of astrological rings as follows:
"When any star ascends fortunately we must take a stone and HERB that is under that star, and make a ring of the metal that is suitable to this star, and in it fasten the stone, putting the herb or root under it, not omitting the inscriptions of images, names and characters, as also the proper suffumigations."
In 1974 Dr. Mana Vajracharya, Chairman of the Nepal Ayurveda Association, informed us which are the ancient bona fide "bhasma" herbs for each planet. He prepared nine different herbal bhasmas which should be sealed into tubes that are part of a jewelry talisman. It took one week for the Dr. to prepare the 9 herbs and transform them into ashes or Bhasma. At that time he also provided rare samples of the actual herbs. We witnessed part of the process which involves indirect fire to heat the herb until is stops smoking and has transformed entirely into ash. Planetary mantras are recited during this heating process.
All nine herbs are available in Nepal (Himalaya) and some are quite rare even in India where they sometimes substitute because of lack of the actual herb). ---Respectfully submitted by the Richard Shaw Brown.
Herb of the Sun Influence of Milk Weed or Arka-bhasma If Sun is well placed in the horoscope: If Sun is ill placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of the Moon Influence of Butia Frandosa or Palasa-bhasma If Moon is well placed in the horoscope: If Moon is ill placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Mars Influence of Couch Plant or Khadira-bhasma If Mars is well placed in the horoscope: If Mars is ill-placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Mercury Influence of Achyranthes or Apamarga-bhasma If Mercury is well placed in the horoscope: If Mercury is ill placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Jupiter Influence of Ficus Religiosa or Pippala-bhasma If Jupiter is well placed in the horoscope: If Jupiter is ill-placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Venus Influence of Ficus Glomerata or Audumbara-bhasma If Venus is well placed in the horoscope: If Venus is ill-placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Saturn Influence of Prosopis or Shami-bhasma If Saturn is well placed in the horoscope: If Saturn is ill placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Rahu Influence of Cynodon Dactylon or Durva-bhasma If Rahu is well placed in the horoscope: If Rahu is ill placed in the horoscope: | |
Herb of Ketu Influence of Sacrificial Grass or Kusa-bhasma If Ketu is well placed in the horoscope: If Ketu is ill placed in the horoscope: |
The Tamil names of these herbs:-
Sun - erukku
Moon - murunghu
Mars - karungaali
Mercury - naayuruvi
Jupiter - arasau
Venus - atthi
Saturn - vanni
Rahu - arugam pul
Ketu - darbhai