Dictionary of Occult – Hermetic and Alchemical Sigils
SABNAC « demon of poisons »
Demon – SABNAC « demon of poisons »
SACHIEL
Mag. Sigils given by BARRETT 1801 , derived from those given by TRITHEMIUS 1503 for the spirit Zachariel :
SCHEIBLE 1848
SACRED – Sacré
Occ. BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SACRIFICE
Occ. A common sigil for the zodiacal sign Libra is given by SUCHER 1975 in his highly personal graphic symbolism, as representative of the ‘sacrifice of Divine cosmic forces’ :
The same source gives as a parallel to this the sigil :
Within the cosmo-conccption of SUCKER 1975 the cosmic Sacrifice is a necessary continuation to ‘provide a fundamental impulse of evolution’, and he gives as sigil for this the forms for CREATION
combined with those for sacrifice, in two new and personal sigils
the latter of which is the ancient ANKH.
SAFFRON (SAFRAN) See CROCUS
SAFFRON FLOWER – FLEUR DE SAFRAN
Alc. POISSON 1891 gives for safran de Venus the sigils
GESSMANN 1906
SCHNEIDER 1962
See also CROCUS and CROCUS VENERIS
SAGITTARIUS – SAGITTAIRE
Ast. Zodiacal sign tor the ‘Archer’, the printed sigil for which is derived from the common mediaeval form, as for exanple in SCOT 15C, given in HYGINUS 1482 :
AGRIPPA 1510 says that the sigil is based or. the shape of an arrow, though the division between the arrow end and the material cross is more significant of the dual nature of the sign :
Ancient Egyptian :
BERLIN 42AD
STOBART 2C
SPIEGELBERG 1911
Graeco-Byzantine :
NEUGEBAUER 1959
Mediaeval :
DIGBY 12C
ASTRONOMICAL 1400
CONJURATION 14C
JANUA 14C
LEUPOLDI 14C
MANSIONIBUS 1482
FIRMICUS 1489
ASTROLOGICAL 15C
BONATTI 15C
QUANDRANTIS 15C
RAWLINSON 15C
SCOT 15C
LAMBECIUS 1500
SCHYNAGEL 1500
AGRIPPA 1510
GAURICUS 1539
ALCHEMICAL 1555
DARIOT 1557
THURNEYSSER 1570
PORTA 1593
BLUNDEVILLE 1594
HERMETIS 16C
TRITHEMIUS 1650
VILLEFRANCHE 1661
BELOT 1667
COLEY 17C
FOOTE 17C
MAGICI 17C
GEHEIME 1795
SIDLY 1798
CARRICHTERUS 18C
PYTHAGORAS 18C
GESSMANN 1906
MODERN ASTROLOGY 1906
LUEDY 1928
NEROMAN 1937
NEUGEBAUER 1959
MANSIONES 14C gives the sigil
For the constellation Sagittarius, whilst LEUPOLDI 14C gives the form
And AGRIPPA 1510
See also ADNACHIEL and SPIRIT OF AQUARIUS
SAL (SALT) – SEL
Alc. In general, see SALT and the following five entries. SCHEFFERS 1775 gives the following specialist alchemical list :
Sal medius terrestris cum acido
Sal medius terrestris cum alcali
Sal medius matallicus cum acido
Sal medius metallicus cum alcali
Sal sedativus
SAKATH
Demon – SAKATH « second under Veguaniel »
SAL ALKALI
Alc. VALENTINE 1671
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
SIGNA 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 17C
POISSON 1891
LUEDY 1928
CARPONELLI 1925
SCHNEIDER 1962
See ALKALI and POTASH
SAL ALKALI FIXUM See LIXIVIUM
SAL AMMONIAC – SEL AMMONIAC
Alc. THESAURUS 14C
WORLIEGE 1651
ALCHEMY 1650
CROLLIUS 1670
VALENTINE 1671
SHELTON 17C
SIGNA 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
SCHEFFERS 1775
GESSMANN 1906
CARBONELLI 1925
SCHNEIDER 1962
SAL GEMMA – SEL DE GEMME
Alc. ALCHYMIA 1563
ALCHEMY 1650
WORLIDGE 1651
FRESNE 1688
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
LUEDY 1928
SCHNEIDER 1962
SAL HARINUM See SEA SALT
SALNITER
Occ. Sigil given by BOBHMEN 1635 to represent the salniter of his occult system :
The upper cross is the ‘kingdom of glory’, arising out of the fire of the ETERNAL DARK, which combines with the salniter to give the ETERNAL LIGHT.
SAL SEDATIVUS
Alc. SCHEFFERS 1775
SALSITER
Alc. SIGNA 17C
SALT – SEL
Alc. A large number of sigils have been preserved for common salt, though confusion reigns because these are frequently used for specific mineral salts. a sigil given by BEATUS 1613 is for alchemic salt :
but within the same text is a diagram presenting a cube as a symbol of the body in Lho trinity of Spirit, Soul and Body. Salt in its alchemical sense is therefore much more than our ordinary common salt : in the tria philosophorum, salt is commonly give the sigil as for example in GEHEIME 1783 :
In WELLING 1735 the sigil
is said to represent alchemical salt because it shows Fire and Water working as one. The following sigils, however, are given in alchemical texts, and probably are intended to refer to common salt.
WORLIDGE 1651
ALCHEMY 1650
VALENTINE 1671
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
SIGNA 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
GEHEIME 1785
LUEDY 1928
BERTHELOT 1885 records a slgil from the Greek alchemical tradition :
See also MINERAL SALT, OCCULT SALT and SEA SALT
SAL TARTARI
Alc. Potash, potassium carbonate, sal tartari
W0RLIDGE 1651
ALCHEMY 1650
DIDEROT 1763
ALBERTUS 1974
SCHNEIDER 1962 gives the sigils
for Sal Tartar fixum which are identical to those given for Sal Tartari by SOMMERHOFF 1701.
SALEOS
Demon – SALEOS of hell’s electorate: « panderer »
SALT OF DEATH’S HEAD
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SALT OF IRON
Alc. SHELTON 17C
SALT OF KALI
Alc. CROLLIUS 1670
SALT OF LEAD
Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
SALTPETRE
Alc. ONOMASTICUM 1574
ALCHEMY 1650
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SCHNEIDER 1962
SALT WATER
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
See SEA SALT
SAL URINAE
Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701
SAMAEL
Mag. Mediaeval sigil for the spirit, sometimes said to be the planetary angel of Mars, and according to TRITHEMIUS 1522 the Secundadeian of Mars, for which TRITHEMIUS 1503 gives the sigillic form :
BARRETT 1801 gives a similar form for his CAMAEL.
SCHEIBLE 1848 gives two sigils :
SHEPHERD 1971 records the common form for MARS :
See also SPHERE OF MARS
SAMARITAN SCRIPT
Occ. A group of loosely related scripts used as secret alphabets and almost certainly derived from the historic Semitic Samaritan book script. BARTOLOZZI 1675 records one such alphabet which is reproduced here alongside the equivalent forms from the historic Samaritan given (for non-occult purposes) by JENSEN 1970 :
A related alphabet recorded by POSTEL 1538 makes an interesting comparison with these, for many of the letter forms are the same (below). A ‘Samaritan’ script more obviously developed for the secret script tradition is that given (below) by VIGNERE 1586, which, whilst to some extent still related to the historic forms, is imaginative and more in line with the letter-forms of the popular HEBRAIC SCRIPT used in secret cypher :
SAMEK
Occ. The 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet (see HEBRAIC SCRIPT) for which many derivative forms are given within the tradition of secret alphabets, notably chose culled by BARTOLOZZI 1675
WIRTH 1927 equates Samek With the DEVIL ARCANUM of the Tarot pack, and in the letter-forms which he traces as the development for Samek
he claims a vestigial pictorial form of a ‘pot’ or ‘container’. It is certainly more significant, however, that the letter-form might be traced back to the Egyptian hieroglyphic with the pictorial value for ‘fish’ – see JENSEN 1970.
SAND
Alc. WORLIDGE 16C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
SCHNEIDER 1962
SANDARAC
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 gives a number of sigils derived from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SAND CUPEL
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SANGUINE See AIR and TEMPERAMENTS
Sanskrit Alphabet
SAP – SEVE
Alc. BERTHELOT 1865 records a sigil fron Greek alchemical texts which refers specifically to the ‘juice of plants’ :
SAPPHIRE – SAPHIR
Mag. SIGNA 17C
SAVIOUR
Occ. Sigil given in SCHEIBLE 1848, probably as an alternative for the Salvator, CHRIST :
SATURN – SATURNE
Ast. Modern sigil derived ultimately from the Graeco-Byzantine tradition, as preserved for example in BERTHELOT 1885 (below), through the mediaeval, as for example in SCOT 15C
to the printed form in HYGINUS 1482 :
AGRIPPA 1531 traces its form to the scythe, but this graphic etymology is suspect, as the various early forms of the sigil indicate. LEO 1914 says of the sigil
that it was originally ‘the cross over the semi-circle’ and is ‘the symbol o£ the soul bound by the form’.
Ancient Egyptian : BERLIN 42AD
Graeco-Bijzantinc : OMONT 1894
BERTHELOT 1885
NEUGEBAUER 1959
Mediaeval : ALCHYMICAL 14C
CONJURATION 14C
THESAURUS 14C
RAGOR 1474
SCHEMA 15C
D’AILLY 1490
BERNARD 15C
BONATTI 15C
CAMPANUS 15C
CANONES 15C
DOMORUM 15C
LIBELLUS 15C
SCOT 15C
SIGNIFICATIONES 15C
TRACTATULUS 1500
SCHYNAGEL 1500
AGRIPPA 1510
FIRMICUS 1510
ALCHYMIA 1563
DARIOT 1557
TAISNIER 1559
BLUNDEVILLE 1594
BLUNDEVILLE 1602
HOROSCOPE 1614
LILLY 1647
HEYDON 1650
KIRCHER 1655
MONTE-SNYDERS 1663
TABLE 1676
MAGICI 17C
SHELTON 17C
WELLING 1735
GEHEIME 1785
PYTHAGORAS 18C
STRAGGLING 1824
ZADKIEL 1835
LUEDY 1928
RUDHYAR 1970
CAPPELLI 1949 gives a mediaeval short ‘form :
CARBONELLI 1925 records a mediaeval sigil :
LUEDY 1928 records a sigil from the Syrian astrological tradition :
Since the alchemical term LEAD is synonymous with Saturn, any of the sigils recorded under this name may be used to denote the planet.
See also CARCER, SPHERE and SPIRIT OP SATURN
SCHETHALIM
Demon – SCHETALIM « the polygod »
Mag. Sigil and name given by HEYDON 1664 to represent the letter S in secret writing called ‘Alphabet of Angels and Genii’ :
In spite of the plural form, the name is intended to apply to one spirit, and may in fact be confused with Shetel.
SCHIN
Occ. The 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet (see HEBRAIC SCRIPT) for which many derivatives and alternative forms are given within the tradition of secret alphabets, notably those collected by BARTOLOZZI 1675
WIRTH 1927 equates Schin with the WORLD ARCANUM of the Tarot pack, and records the forms by which the letter developed in the sequence
the origin of which he sees in the idea of ‘tooth’, though it is more likely that the letter was derived from the Egyptian hieroglyph with the pictorial value of ‘wood’ or ‘twig’ – see JENSEN 1970.
SCORPIO
Ast. Sigil for the zodiacal sign of the ‘Scorpion’. The printed version is derived ultimately from the mediaeval tradition, as for example in SCOT 15C
but this form may have been taken from the Graeco-Byzantine tradition (see NEUGEBAUER 1959 below).
The modern manuscript form frequently differs from printed forms, as in FOOTE 17C :
AGRIPPA 1531 tells us that the sigil was based on the shape of the Scorpion’s sting, though both the Egyptian demotic forms, and the occult tradition (see for example BLAVATSKY 1888) would suggest a derivative from a pictograph of a serpent.
Ancient Egyptian :
STOBART 2C
SPIEGELBERG 1911
Graeco-Byzantine :
NEUGEBAUER 1959
Mediaeval :
DIGBY 12C
GRAMMATICA 13C
ALCHYMICAL 14C
ASTRONOMICAL 1400
CONJURATION 14C
JANUA 14C
LEUPOLDI 14C
MANSIONIBUS 1482
ASTROLOGICAL 15C
BONATTI 15C
QUADRANTIS 15C
TABLES 15C
LAMBECIUS 1500
SCHYNAGEL 1500
AGRIPPA 1510
GAURICUS 1539
DARIOT 1557
BLUNDEVILLE 1594
MARY 16C
SMITH 16C
HEYDON 1650
HIBNER 1651
COLEY 17C
FOOTE 17C
LUCCA 17C
MAGICI 17C
WELLING 1735
MAGIE 18C
PYTHAGORAS 18C
SIBLY 1790
STRAGGLING 1824
RAPHAEL 1903
WIRTH 1927
NEROMANN 1937
PERRY 1971
LUEDY 1928 records a slgil from the Syrian astrological tradition :
LEUPOLDI 14C gives the sigil
for the constellation Scorpio, while AGRIPPA 1510 records the variant form :
See also SPIRIT OF SCORPIO
SCRUPULUS
Alc. A measure of 20 grains.
VALENTINE 1671
SIGNA 17C
GESSMANN 1906
CAPPELLI 1949 records mediaeval sigils for five scrupuli :
And for half scmpulus :
for which GESSMANN 1906 records :
SEA – MER
Occ. BERTHELOT 1885 records two sigils from Greek alchemical texts, one of which refers to ordinary sea
the other referring to the idea of an (unspecified) ‘sacred sea’ :
SEAL See LUTATION and PLANETARY SYMBOLS.
SEAL OF SOLOMON
Occ. One of the most common devices of occult symbolism, for which a wide number of different explanatory accounts has been given. A form is recorded in SCHRIRE 1966 :
An exoteric explanation for this form is related to the theory of the four elements and the corresponding fifth element (quintessence) which according to the esoteric tradition underlie the sensible world of appearance : thus the four ‘visible’ elements commingle around the invisible ‘centre’ of the fifth element :
Ascending elements
Descending elements
However, see also SENARY, and the remarks on the derived sigil and its esoteric connexion with the Chain of Being, which relates to the ancient order of the planetary spheres, in the introduction to this DICTIONARY. See also HEXAGON.
SEALIAH
Génie 45
SEALIAH vocale: sealÿah
évocation du 10° au 14°59′ du scorpion,
domine les 14° taureau / 26° cancer / 8° balance / 20° sagittaire / 2° poissons
chaque jour durant 20′, 14h40′ aprés le lever du soleil.
Il règne sur le physique et les actes de ceux qui sont né du 3 au 7 novembre.
SEALS OF PLANETS
Occ. A large number of sigils traditionally called seals have been preserved, though under a wide variety of names – see for example the forms given under MYSTERIOUS SIGILS and PLANETARY SYMBOLS. The following variants are derived from the mediaeval tradition, as recorded by AGRIPPA 1531, but it is to be noted that they are sometimes confused with the Intelligencies and Planetary Spirits given in the same source and in derivatives.
Jupiter :
Mars :
Moon :
Sun :
Venus :
SEASALT
Alc. SOMMERHOPF 1701
GESSMANN 1906
But see also SALT WATER
SEAWATER
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition
which has nothing to do with the astrological sigil for AQUARIUS.
SECRET SCRIPTS
Occ. An enormous number of secret alphabets have been recorded In the occult and hermetic tradition, very many of them of a somewhat dubious value, but a few of them used in the occult literature and in various artforms. Some of these alphabets are merely bowdlerised versions of genuine historic alphabets (see for example SAMARITAN SCRIPT). The fifty or so scripts recorded in this Dictionary have all been collected from occult texts (with the exception of most of the scripts in RUNES) / and a great many of them have been derived from cabbalistic and Hebraic sources (see HEBRAIC SCRIPT), The most well known of the Hebraic alphabets are those recorded by AGR1PPA 1531 , the so-called TRANSITUS FLUVII, the MALACHIM and the CELESTIAL SCRIPT. The following three are (1) the TRANSITUS FLUVII script, given by WINKLER 1930, (2) a manuscript variant of the THEBAN SCRIPT, from ALCHEMICAL 1579, and (3) from BARTOLOZZI 1675 :
Many non-hebraic secret scripts – some of them entirely personal and fanciful – have been preserved, a few of thero in manuscripts relating to the occult field, as for example the following from MAGICI 17C, in which the nature of the writing pen is itself used as the stylistic base for the script :
LAMBECIUS 1500 preserves a page of manuscript aiphabets relating to the secret or cryptographic tradition, one of which is clearly derived from the Greek alphabets
and another which may give the appearance of being Greek-derived, but which in fact contains sigiis from various sources and historic alphabets :
In addition to the fact that the alphabet just recorded is probably derived from different sources, it may well be that it is set out in a sequence which does not reflect the standard alphabetic order in either Greek or Roman, for an adjacent alphabet in the same manuscript (LAMBECIUS 1500) is obviously intended to transpose letters in the standard cryptographic manner :
Thus, reading in reverse order one obtains alpha
BERTHELOT 1885 records two alphabets which are called the Hellenic and Greek Astrologic. These are representative of the types, designed for the Greek alphabet but, as tradition shows, adaptable to any other alphabet : the second is properly termed astrologic because it incorporates several siglls from the Greek horoscopic art – for example, the first sigil is the common form for the ‘sun’.
Three further alphabets, all culled from SELENUS 1624, will indicate something of the variety of these cyphers : each of them is taken (in the sequence over) from the occultist writings of della Porta, Trithemius and Maurus :
Each of the preceding eleven alphabets has been given mainly as representative of the types of secret scripts – the Hebraic, the Greek and Roman, the personal and the random cyphers (sometimes based on a single alphabet with a volvelle to provide a number of potential alphabets equal to the number of letters in a particular sequence).
The main ‘traditional’ scripts – open secrets, so to speak – recorded within this Dictionary are listed as follows : ADAMIC SCRIPT, ALCHEMIST SCRIPT, APOLLONIAN SCRIPT, BABYLONIAN SCRIPT, CANANEAN SCRIPT, CELESTIAL SCRIPT, CHALDEAN SCRIPT, ETRUSCAN SCRIPT, HEBRAIC SCRIPT, INQUISITORIAL SCRIPT, MALACHIM SCRIPT, NOACHITE SCRIPT, ROSICRUCIAN SCRIPT, ROYAL ARCH CYPHER, RUNES, SAMARITAN SCRIPT, SOLOMONIAN SCRIPT, SUPERCELESTIAL SCRIPT, TEMPLAR SCRIPT, THEBAN SCRIPT and TRANSITUS PLUVII.
SECRET WISDOM
Occ. A sigil given in HERMES 1613 is called the Quadrangle of the secret wisdom
given as one or a series or graphic structures related to occult ideas. The sigil has a multi-layer significance, but is virtually illustrative of the text attributed to Aristotle by the alchemists : Divide the alchemical stone into the four elements, rectify these, then conjoin them as one : in the whole you will have the Magisterium.
SECUNDADEIS See PLANETARY SPIRITS
SEHEIAH
Génie 28
vocale : séhayah
évocation du 15° au 19°59′ du lion,
domine les 27° bélier / 9° cancer / 21° vierge / 3° sagittaire / 15° verseau
chaque jour durant 20′, 9h aprés le lever du soleil.
Il règne sur le physique et les actes de ceux qui sont né du 8 au 13 aout.
SELENITE
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records two sigils from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SEMI-SEXTILE
Ast. Moat of the sigils for this aspect of 30 degrees are truncated forms of the SEXTILE.
PEARCE 1879
SIMMONITE 1890
DE GIVRY 1931
DE VORE 1947
HADES 1967
SEMI-SQUARE
Ast. This aspect of 45 degrees is sometimes called the semi-quartilo, and all the most commonly used sigils are derived from that used for the SQUARE.
ZADKIEL 1849
PEARCE 1879
SIMMONITE 1890
DE GIVRY 1931
DE VORE 1947
HONE 1951
SENARY
Occ. Sigil given by BLAVATSKY 1888
intended to show the commingling of the three (philosophical) fires with the three (philosophical) waters, ‘whence results the procreation of the elements of all things’. BLAVATSKY 18B8 claims that it is wrongly called the Seal of Solomon, and adduces argument as to why the sigili with a central dot, is a decad :
See SEAL OF SOLOMON.
SENSORY
Occ, A modern sigil given by CIRLOT 1962 as ‘sensory anthropomorphic principle’ :
This view of the sigil does in fact find some support in the occult tradition, as for example in AGRIPPA 1531, STEINER 1904 and SUCHER 1970.
SEPARATE
Alc. The sigil is intended to denote the verbal sense of the word in ALCHEMICAL 17C :
SEPARATION
Alc. MICHAELSPACHER 1616 gives the sigil
next to the sign or constellation Scorpio, either to symbolise the alchemical process of Separation, or (less likely) the alchemical Sulphur.
SEPTENARY MAN
Occ. Sigil given by BLAVATSKY 1888 to represent the image of the seven principles within man, the assumption being that the senary is symbol of physical man (the six dimensions of all bodies) plus the immortal soul, which is symbolised in the seven points of the sigil :
The triangle is symbolic of the three ‘higher spiritual beings of man – those human principles still capable of development, called in thoosophical parlance Atma, Buddhi and Manas. The square represents those spiritual bodies which have been developed, if not yet controlled; the ‘principle of animal desire 1 the Kama-nipa , the ‘vehicle of life’ the Linga-sarira, the pcwcr productive of vital phenomena, which is the Prana? and the physical body itself, which is built up from substances formed and moulded over the Linga-sarira by the action of Prana BLAVATSKY 1888 develops many parallelisms between the triad and the quaternary of this sigil, but broadly speaking the triad represents the cosmic or spiritual element (the upper Sephirothal) whilst the Quaternary, which emanates from the triad, symbolises the ‘Heavenly Man’ , the sexless Adara-Kadmon, who may become a septenate ‘by emanating from itself the additional three principles’. But see also HEXAGON.
DEE 1564 makes of the simple cross a septenary from the addition of three
(two lines and an intersection) and four
(the four arms of the cross) , which is clearly intended to link with the occult septenary of man’s spiritual nature, seen either as the combination of the body (four elements} with the three spiritual principles of what would in modern occultism be termed the etheric, astral and ego, or as the image of man related to the planets in his present state, along with his future spiritual development- DEE 1564 argues in a special graphic logic that the cross is at once the numerates :
ONE : 
The cross alone.
TWO : 
Two lines.
THREE : 
Two lines plus the point of intersection.
FOUR : 
The four arms of the cross.
The addition of 1, 2, 3 and 4 gives 10. The multiplication of the first triad with the second senary gives 21 (3 x 7) – this argument is related to the alphabet of the Elizabethan because the cross (X) is the 21st letter.
See also DEITY
SEPTILE
Ast. Sigil for the aspect of 51 degrees, 25 minutes, given by MEYER 1974 :
SERAPHIM
Ast. SUCKER 1975 appears to link the sigil for CAPRICORN
with the Sphere of the Seraphim, which are traditionally associated with the spheres beyond that of Saturn, most frequently with the stellatura, or with the zodiac.
See SPHERE OF SATURN
SESQUIQUADRATE
Ast. The pure sigils for this aspect of 135 degrees are formed from the union of a ‘square plus half a square’ , since the aspect relates to the addition of a pure SQUARE with a SEMI-SQUARE.
ZADKIEL 1849
PEARCE 1879
DE GIVRY 1931
DE VORE 1947
HADES 1967
HONE 1951
SESQUIQUINTILE
Ast. SIMMONITE 1890
SETON See SPHERE
SETTING
Ast. CROSLAND 1962 records the Greek sigil
SEVEN FORMS OP SPIRIT See CLAVIS and SEVEN METALS
SEVEN METALS
Alc. GESSMANN 1906 gives a single sigil
for which LUEDY 1928 gives the variant
but the seven metals of alchemy are COPPER (see also VENUS), GOLD (see also SUN), IRON (see also MARS), LEAD (see also SATURN) , QUICKSILVER (called also MERCURY) , SILVER (see also MOON) and TIN (see also JUPITER). The most frequently used forms of the modern sigil. a for these metals (planets) are :
COPPER
GOLD
IRON
LEAD
QUICKSILVER
SILVER
TIN
See also CLAVIS
SEXES See ORIGIN
SEXTARIUS
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SEXTILE
Ast. OMONT 1894 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition for this astrological aspect of 60 degrees :
KALENDAR 15C
SCALIGER 15C
SIGILLIS 17C
GESSMANN 1906
DE VORE 1947
SEXUAL ENERGY
Occ. A sigil which is in fact a variant form for MARS is linked in an alchemical figure of the microcosm with the sexual parts, presumably to signify the earth-bound, or demonic, nature of the sexual energies, in VALENTINE 1645 :
In a similar manner, the sigil for the MOON is placed over the sexual parts in FLUDD 1617, the purpose being to link the sexual energies with the sublunar demonic forces :
SHEET
Alc. a sigil which appears to be used to designate sheet or leaf metals, given by GESSMANN 1906 :
SIDUS FORTUNAE
Ast. sigil for the 24th of the mediaeval lunar mansions, which is called Al Sa’d al Su’ud in the Arabian system, giver, in MANSIONES 14C :
SIDUS PARVUM
Ast. The Sidus Purvum Lucis Magnae, sixth of the mediaeval lunar mansions, called Al Han’ ah in the Arabian system, given by MANSIONES 14C :
SIGIL
Occ. CONJURATION 14C
But see also CHARACTER.
DIDEROT 1763
For the sigil Hernteticum see HERMETIC SIGIL.
See also PLANETARY SYMBOLS and SEALS OF PLANETS
SIGNATURE OF THE GENIUS – Signature du génie
1er Génie:
VEHUIAH
2è Génie
YELIEL
3è Génie
SITAEL
ELEMIAH
5è Génie
MAHASIAH
Signature du génie
VEHUIAH
YELIEL
SITAEL
ELEMIAH
MAHASIAH
LELAHEL
ACHAIAH
CACHETHEL
HAZIEL
ALADIAH
LAUVIAH
HAHAIAH
YEZALEL
MEBAHEL
HARIEL
HEKAMIAH
LAUVIAH
CALIEL
LAUVIAH
PAHALIAH
NELCHAEL
YEIAYEL
MELAHEL
HAHEUIAH
NITH HAIAH
HAAIAH
YERATHEL
SEHEIAH
REYIEL
OMAEL
LEKABEL
VASARIAH
YEHUYAH
LEHAHIAH
KHAVAKIAH
MEDADEL
ANIEL
HAAMIAH
REHAEL
YEIAZEL
HAHAHEL
MIKHAEL
VEULIAH
YELAHIAH
SEALIAH
ARIEL
ASALIAH
MIHAEL
VEHUEL
DANIEL
HAHASIAH
IMAMIAH
NANAEL
NITHAEL
MEBAHIAH
POYEL
NEMAMIAH
YEYALEL
HARAHEL
MITZRAEL
UMABEL
IAH HEL
ANAUEL
MEHIEL
DAMABIAH
MANAKEL
AYAEL
HABUHIAH
RAHAEL
YABAMIAH
HAIIAEL
MUMIAH
SILEX
Alc. SHELTON 17C gives
whilst SCHEFFERS 1775 records the sigil
for Terra Silicea , and SHELTON 17c gives
for Silices usti – but see BURNED PEBBLE and STONE
SILVER
Alc. Since within the alchemical tradition the term ‘silver’ is synonymous with the astrological MOON, all the sigils for the planet may be used also to signify the metal. SOMMERHOFF 1701 records several sigils under Argentum, all of which may he used to denote the many hermetic names, such as corpus album, fermentum album, lumen minus, Mater, Diana, uxor odoriters and so on :
The following sigils appear to have bu&n intended specifically for the metal.
BERTHELOT 1885 records sigils from the Graeco-Byzantine astrological tradition :
THESAURUS 14C
ALCHYMIA 1563
WOKLIDGE 1651
SHELTON 17C
ALCHEMICAL 17C
DIDEROT 1763
DALTON 1808
GESSMANN 1906
LUEDY 1929
SCHNEIDER 1962
SHEPHERD 1971
SILVER FILINGS
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SILVER LEAF
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition
GESSMANN 1906
SILVER MERCURY
Alc. ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
SILVER OIL
Alc. SHELTON 17C
GESSMANN 1906
SILVER ORE
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition
SILVER PAINT
Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701 gives several siglLs for argentum musicum or argentum pictorium :
GESSMANN 1906
SCHNEIDER 1962 gives for argentum musicum
SILVER SOLDER
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records a siqil from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SILVER SPIRIT
Alc. SHELTON 17C
SILVER SPLINT
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
See also SILVER FILINGS
SIRIUS
SITAEL
SKILLET
Alc. A name given to a form of TIGILLUM, for which GESSMANN 1906 records several mediaeval sigils :
SKULL
Alc. DIDEROT 1763 gives the following specifically for ‘human skull’ :
Sometimes CAPUT MORTUUM is confused with skull, though properly this is the undifferentiated residual powder at the end of an alchemical process, much as the skull is itself the undifferentiated remnant at the end of the alchemical process of life.
SKY
Occ. BERTHELOT 1885 records two sigils from Greek alchemical texts which refer both to the physical sky as well as to the ‘Heaven as home of the Gods, the incorruptible domain in the Aristotelian sense :
SLOW HEAT
Alc. SIGNA 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
LUEDY 1928
SCHNEIDER 1962
See GRADES OF FIRE
SMOKE
Alc. SHELTON 17C
SIGNA 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
GESSMANN 1906
LUEDY 1958
BERTHELOT 1885 gives a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition for smoke
in addition to one for aetherial smoke wheh may be related to the etheric phenomena of modern occultism :
See CELESTIAL VAPOUR
SOAP
Alc. WORLIDGE 1651
VALENTINE 1671
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SOAPSTONE – STEATITE
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SODA
Alc. DIDEROT 1763
DALTON 1808
GESSMANN 1906
BERTHELOT 1885 records a few sigiis from the Greek tradition :
SOL See SUN
SOLAR
Ast. OMONT 1894 records a sigil from the Greek astrological tradition :
But see also SUN.
SOLAR SYSTEM
Ast. LEO 1914 gives the sigil
which is said to symbolize ‘both the centre and the circumference of the solar system’.
From this sigil he derives the form
for light and dark (see LIGHT), which is unfortunately like the occult sigil for DEATH, from the Greek thanatos. But see also DEITY for a sigil derived from the theosophic tradition within which LEO 1914 worked.
SOL MERCURII
Alc. ALCHEMICAL 17C
SOLOMONIAN SCRIPT
Alc. A number of secret scripts have been preserved in the occult tradition under this general name, of which the two be lew are given by VIGNERE 1586 :
SOLSTICES
Occ. BLAVATSKY 1888 gives the sigil
as representing the ‘cross of the two equinoxes and the two solstices placed within the figure of the earth’s path’.
See also EQUINOX
SOLUTIO
Alc. The original connotation of resolving or sotting free or dissolving appears to have stayed within certain alchemical contexts, but in a few cases the term is used of the power to release subjects from tualignant magical influences. The following sigils are, however, almost certainly restricted to the earier alchemical meaning.
ALCHEMY 1650
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
SOLVERE
Alc. LUEDY 1928
SCHNEIDER 1962
See SOLUTIO.
A sigil recorded by GEHEIME 1738 is intended to designate the first part of the alchemical process of solve et coagulo :
The second process is accorded the sigil :
SOOT – SUIE
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SORATH
Geo. Sigil supposed by HEYDON 1664 to be that for the ‘geomantic spirit’, the ruler of FOPTUNA MINOR and FORTUNA MAJOR, but in fact a poor (reversed) copy of that given by AGRIPPA 1531 as ruling spirit of the Sun :
SORCERY See KALI YUGA.
SOUL – AME
Occ. LEO 1914 follows the hermetic tradition and links the sigil for the Moon
with the soul, as syobol of ‘that which is neither wholly spiritual nor wholly material, but partakes of the nature of both, and is the connecting link between the spirit and the physical body’.
HONE 1951 follows in the same theosophic tradition, and gives the sigils :
relating to the astrological context.
Sometimes the use of a sigil suggests that the denotation is in fact confused with the word SPIRIT, as for example in AUREUS 1613, who qives the form
for sulphur or soul.
Within a strictly religious context, CHASSANT 1884 gives a short-form for the Latin anima, of mediaeval derivation :
See also ANIMALIA and SPIRIT-SOUL.
SPANISH WINE
Alc. DIDEROT 1763
SPHERE
Occ. A mediaeval short-form is recorded by CHASSANT 1884 for the Latin sphera, which doos not refer to the body of the planet but to the spiritual area within its orbit :
BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek astrological tradition, intended to refer to the celestial spheres in general :
As the entries under specific planets below indicate, it was usual for astrologers to use the sigils which we would now designate to the planetary bodies themselves to denote the spheres- However, ISIDORUS 12C gives the following forms which, since they stand outside the familiar planetary sigillic tradition, may be taken as symbolising the spheres which were in later cosmoloqies confused with the planets :
LUNA (MOON)
MERCURIUS
LUCIFER (‘MORNTNG STAR’ VENUS)
VESPER (‘EVENING STAR’)
SOL (SUN)
SETON (JUPITER)
SATURNUS
CROSLAND 1962 records a general form, said to be mediaeval :
SPHERE OF JUPITER
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological system, this sphere is associated with the Dominions or Kyriotetes, linked with the idea of Virtue or Justice – but see the entry on SPHERE, above.
Working from the mediaeval forms, BRAHE 1582 gives the planetary sigil :
but dn y of the forms for JUPITER could theoretically be used to denote the sphere, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named ruler ZACHARIEL. But see also SPIRIT OF JUPITER.
SPHERE OF MARS
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological systems, this sphere is associated with the Virtues or Virtutes, the Dynamis of the Dionysian system. BRAHE 1582 gives a standard planetary sigil for the sphere
but any of the forms for MARS could be used in theory to denote the sphere, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named ruler SAMAEL. But see also SPIRIT OF MARS.
SPHERE OF MERCURY
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological system, this sphere is associated with the Archangels, the tutelary spirits of Nations. BRAHE 1582 gives the standard planetary sigil
but any of the forms for MERCURY could theoretically be used to denote the sphere, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the sphere, or the named rulers RAPHAEL, OPHIEL or Zadkiel. But sec also SPIRIT OF MERCURY.
SPHERE OF THE MOON
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological system, this sphere is associated with the angels, the guardian spirits of individual human beings (though the word ANGEL is frequently used in a generic sense for all the different Orders of spiritual beings). BRAHE 1582 gives the standard lunar sigil
but any of the forms for the MOON could in theory be used to denote the sphere, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named ruler GABRIEL. In modern western occultism this sphere Is called karmaloca, in esoteric Christianity, Purgatory. See also SPIRIT OF THE MOON.
SPHERE OF SATURN
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological system, this sphere is associated with the Thrones, the spiritual beings who mark the end of time. BRAHE 1582 gives the standard planetary sigil
but any of the forms for SATURN could theoretically be used to denote the sphere, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named rulers CASSIEL or ORIPHIEL. But see also SPIRIT OF SATURN.
SPHERE OF THE SUN
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological system, this sphere is associated with the Powers or Exusiai , whose virtue is that of Prudence. BRAHE 1582 gives the standard modern solar sigil
but any of the forms used fox SUN could theoretically be used, as could the sigils used for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named ruler MICHAEL. But see also SPIRIT OF THE SUN.
SPHERE OF VENUS
Ast. In the mediaeval astrological systems, this sphere is associated with the Archai, those spiritual beings who rule over the Ages, and sometimes (as in the celestial system outlined by Dante) with the Principalities. BRAHE 1582 gives the standard planetary sigil
but any of the forms for VENUS could theoretically be used, as could the sigils for the INTELLIGENCIES who move the spheres, or the named ruler ANAEL. But see also the two different sigils given under SPHERE, and see also SPIRIT OF VENUS,
SPICA
Ast. a late-mediaeval sigil for the binary alpha Virginis is given by AGRIPPA 1510, which is in fact a variant on the sigil given for the identical fixed star under the name ACHIMER :
For a study of the graphic nature of this later sigil, see MERCURY 1978. The fourteenth of the mediaeval lunar mansions is sometimes also called Spica, being the Al Sitmak of the Arabian astrological system, for which a sigil is given in MANSIONES 14C :
SPIRIT
Occ. WORLIDGE 1651
CROLLIUS 1612
VALENTINE 1671
SHELTON 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
POISSON 1891
LUEDY 1928
CHASSANT 1884 records a mediaeval short^form for spiritus :
AUREUS 1613 gives the sigil
for ‘Mercury or Spirit’ in the triad of SOUL (Sulphur)
BODY (Salt)
and SPIRIT. In the series of sigils on the descending scale of the Golden chain, HOMER 1723 gives the following sigils :
Incorporeal spirit of the vital world :
Acidic and corporeal spirit of the world :
Alkaline and corporeal spirit of the world :
See HOMER’S GOLDEN CHAIN and SPIRITUS MUNDI.
SCHEIBLE 1848 gives the sigil
for ‘He conquers iy way of the spirit’.
BLAVATSKY 1877 gives
as the true monad – but see also CROSS.
See CLAVIS and SPIRIT-SOUL.
SPIRIT OF AQUARIUS
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of rather dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives two sigils for Gabriel, ‘the angel of Aquarius’, both forms being mediaeval :
SPIRIT OF ARIES
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives two sigils for Malchidiel, ‘the angel of Aries’, both forms being mediaeval :
SPIRIT OF CANCER
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of rather dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives two sigils for Muriel, ‘the Angel of Cancer’, both forms being mediaeval :
SPIRIT OF CAPRICORN
Mag, Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
SPIRIT OF COPPER
Alc. SHELTON 17C
GESSMANN 1906
See also SPIRIT OF VENUS
SPIRIT OF GEMINI
Ast. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of somewhat dubious importance. The following mediaeval forme are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives three sigils for Ambziel , ‘the angel of zodiacal Gemini’:
SPIRIT OF GOLD
Alc. SHELTON 17C
GESSMANN 1906
See also SPIRIT OF THE SUN
SPIRIT OF IRON
Alc. SHELTON 17C
SPIRIT OF JUPITER
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives a mediaeval gigil which has entered the mainstream of occult symbolism
See also ZACHARIEL
SPIRIT OF LEAD
Alc. SHELTON 17C
SPIRIT OF LEO
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forma are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives three sigils for Verchiel, the angel of zodiacal Leo :
SPIRIT OF LIBRA
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source givas two sigils for Zuriel, the angel of zodiacal Libra :
SPIRIT OF MARS
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives a mediaeval sigll which has entered the mainstream of occult symbolism :
See also SAMAEL and SPIRIT OF IRON
SPIRIT OF MERCURY
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 records a mediaeval sigil which is not alchemical, but related to the magical form. Due to frequent copying, this has now become one of the main sigillic forms :
GESSMANN 1906
See OPHIEL and RAPHAEL
SPIRIT OF THE MOON
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives two mediaeval sigils which have entered the mainstream of occult symbolism :
These have at times been wrongly copied, as for example in the forms given by RAPHAEL 1879 :
and such copies have become ‘standard’ forms. See also GABRIEL
SPIRIT OF PISCES
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503
The same source gives two sigils for Babchiel, the angel of zodiacal Pisces :
See also AMNIXIEL
SPIRIT OF SAGITTARIUS
Mag, Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives two sigils for Adnachiel f the angel of zodiacal Sagittarius :
SPIRIT OF SALT
Mag. CARRICHTERUS 18C
SPIRIT OF SATURN
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives a mediaeval sigil which has entered the mainstream of occult symbolism :
See also AGIEL, ARATRON, CASSIEL, ORIPHIEL and SPIRIT OF LEAD
SPIRIT OF SCORPIO
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503
The same source gives three sigils for Barbiel , ‘the angel of zodiacal Scorpio’ :
SPIRIT OF SILVER
Alc. SIIELTON 17C
See also SPIRIT OP THE MOON
SPIRIT OF SULPHUR
Alc. CARRICHTERUS 18C
SPIRIT OF THE SUN
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives a mediaeval sigil which has entered the mainstream of occult symbolism :
See also MICHAEL, OCH and SPIRIT OP GOLD
SPIRIT OF TARTAR
Alc. CARRICHTERUS 18C
SPIRIT OF TAURUS
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives three sigils for Asmodol, in the guise of the spirit of Taurus :
SPIRIT OF TIN
Mag. SHELTON 17C
GESSMANN 1906
See also SPIRIT OF JUPITER.
SPIRIT OF VENUS
Mag. AGRIPPA 1531 gives a mediaeval sigil which has entered the mainstream of occult symbolism :
See also ANAEL and SPIRIT OP COPPER
SPIRIT OF VIRGO
Mag. Numerous sigils exist, most of them of somewhat dubious importance. The following mediaeval forms are derived from TRITHEMIUS 1503 :
The same source gives four sigils for Hamliel, the angel of zodiacal Virgo :
SPIRIT OF WINE
Alc. WORDLIDGE 1651
FRANCKLYN 1627
VALENTINE 1671
SHELTON 17C
DIDEROT 1763
SOMMERHOFF 1701
GESSMANN 1906
SPIRIT-SOUL
Occ. SUCHER 1975 links the sigil
wich Isis imagery, along with the graphic ideas expressed in his sigils for SACRIFICE, and With the zodiacal forms for the sign Taurus. ‘To the supreme spiritual « Sun » forces of Life are now added the Moon-like forces of cosmic-existence’. One takes from this the component sigil
as representative of the cosmic Soul, the sigil
as representative of the cosmic spirit. The combined sigil is undoubtedly Rosicrucian in origin, however, though rarely found divorced from a complex setting, and rarely given a specific meaning, though see for example STEINER 1910, where it is accorded a different meaning.
See also AKASHYA and PLUTO
SPIRITUS MUNDI
Occ. GESSMANN 1906
See HOMER’S GOLDEN CHAIN
SPIRITUS PER ASCENSUM
Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701
See SPIRIT
SPIRITUS PER DESCENSUM
Alc. SOHMERHOFF 1701
See SPIRIT
SPOONFUL
Aic. DIDEROT 1763
SPRING
Alc. The sigils given below are used for the Season only.
ALCHEMY 1650
SOMMERHOFF 1701
KOCH 1930
SQUARE
Ast. Sigils used for the square aspect of 90 degrees, as for example in the Graeco-Byzantine form preserved by OMONT 1894 :
KALANDAR 15C gives a mediaeval example :
See also QUADRATURE
STAGNATED
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
STAR – ETOILE
Ast. OMONT 1894 preserves an example from the Graeco-Byzantine tradition which is still widely used in modern times :
even though this form leads to confusion with the sigil for the SEXTILE aspect. KIRCHER 1655 gives a sigil intended for the plural :
LUEDY 1928 records a sigil from the Syrian alchemical tradition.
See also FIXED STAR.
The following fixed stars have been accorded individual sigils within the astrological tradition : ALDEBARAN, Algol (see CAPUT ALGOL), Algorab (ALA CORVI) , ALPHECCA, Antares (see COR SC0RPIONIS). Arcturus (ALTAMECH), CAPELLA, Deneb Algedi (CAUDA CAPRICORNI) , PLEIADES, Polari (see CAUDA URSAE), Procyon (see CANIS MINOR), REGULUS, Sirius (see CANIS MAJOR), SPICA and VULTUR CADENS.
STAR ARCANUM
Occ. WIRTH 1927 relates this 17th arcanum of the Tarot pack to the Hebraic PE, and accords it the sigil
which he claims is a Chaldean hierogram, che Star of Ishtar.
STEEL – ACIER
Alc. SHELTON 17C
DIDEROT 1763
SOMMERHOFF 1701 gives a number of sigils for chalybs, an early term for steel :
GESSMANN 1906
KOCH 1930
STEEL FILINGS – LIMAILLE
Alc. SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
STELLAR INFLUENCE
Ast. SCHEIBLE 1848
STIBIUM See ANTIMONY
STYGAL
Demon – STYGAL « brings death »
STONE
Alc. WORLIDGE 1651
VALENTINE 1671
SOMMERHOFF 1701
KIRCHER 1655
SCHEFFERS 1775
GESSMANN 1906
SHELTON 17C gives throe sigil s, though presumably each is related to a particular kind of stone :
BERTHELOT 1885 records a sigil from the Greek alchemical tradition relating to the plural ‘stones’
derived from the Greek Lithos.
See also LAPIS
STOPPING See LUTATION
STRATIFICATION
Alc. DIDEROT 1763
See also LAYER UPON LAYER
STRENGTH ARCANUM
Occ. WIRTH 1927 relates this 11th card of the Tarot pack to the Hebraic CAPH and accords it a sigil which he describes as the pentagram described in the hexagram’, for which he gives the version :
This is, of course, a hexagram within a hexagram, and the correct sigil should no doubt bo :
STRONTIAN
The strontian process is an obsolete chemical method to recover sugar from molasses, its use in Europe peaked in the middle of the 19th century. The name strontian comes from the Scottish village Strontian where the source mineral strontianite (strontium carbonate) was first found.
STRONTIUM
Alc. DALTON l808
SUBLIMATE
Alc. The following sigils are generally used for the nounal denotation :
ALCHYMIA 1563
FRESNE 1688
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
DIDEROT 1763
The following appear to be used for the verbal :
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED ARSENIC
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED CALAMINE
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED MERCURY
Alc. CROLLIUS 1670
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SHELTON 17C
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED SULPHUR
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED WINE
Alc. ALCHEMICAL 17C
GESSMANN 1906
SUBLIMATED ZINC OXIDE
Alc. DIDEROT 1763
SUBLIMATION
Alc. MICHAELSPACHER 1616 gives the sigil
next to the sign or constellation Libra, either to symbolise the alchemical process of sublimation, or (less likely) alchemical Roman vitriol.
SUBSTANCE
Occ. WELLING 1735 gives the sigil
to represent the tangible universe, the meeting of Fire and Water, the respective sigils for which are the opposing directions of the simple triangle, representing the upward striving of fire
and the downward striving of water :
SUCCEDENT
Ast. DE VORE 1947
SUFFICIENT
Alc. Short-form of Latin quantum sufficii, given by ALCHEMICAL 17C :
SUGAR – SUCRE
Alc. SIGNA 17C
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SUGAR OF LEAD ACETATE DE PLOMB
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SULPHUR
Alc. Very many sigils exist, of which those given below are merely the most common. CARBONELLI 1925 reproduces four of the most frequently used in post- mediaeval documents :
BERTHELOT 1885 gives a few sigils from the Greek alchemical tradition for ordinary sulphur
unburned sulphur
and natural sulphur :
THESAURUS 14C
ONOMASTICUM 1574
ALCHYMIA 1563
VALENTINE 1671
ALCHEMICAL 17C
ALCHEMY 1650
SHELTON 17C
SOHMERHOFF 1701
DALTON 1808
GESSMANN 1906
SHEPHERD 1971
SOMMERHOFF 1701 gives the sigils
For sulphur verum.
See also BRINSTONE.
SULPHUR NIGRUM
Alc. CROLLIUS 1612
ALCHEMICAL 17C
SOMMERHOFF 1701
DIDEROT 1763
GESSMANN 1906
SCHNEIDER 1962
See also BRIMSTONE
SULPHUROUS MATTER
Alc. BERTHELOT 1885 records two sigils from the Greek alchemical tradition :
SULPHUR PHILOSOPHORUM
Occ. CROLLIUS 1612
CROLLIUS 1670
SHELTON 17C
DIDEROT 1763 gives two variants for Sulphur of the Prophets :
SULPHUR TARTARI
Alc. GESSMANN 1906
SULPHUR VIVUM
Alc. VALENTINE 1671
SUMMER
Occ. ALCHEMY 1650
SHELTON 17C
KOCH 1930
GESSMANN 1906
SULUTH
Demon – SULUTH « the great robber »
SUN
Ast. The common sigil used in modern times, the encircled dot
was introduced during the Italian Renaissance (see SOLAR 1978) from the esoteric Christian tradition. Prior to that, in both alchemical and astrological texts the sun was symbolised by means of one or other of the Graeco-Byzantine sigils, most usually the
which is presumably a derivative of the short-form helios.
Graeco-Byzantine : NEUGEBAUER 1959
ALCHYMICAL 14C
CONJURATION 14C
THESAURUS 14C
RAGOR 1474
BERNARD 15C
BONATTI 15C
DOMORUM 15C
LIBELLUS 15C
SIGNIFICATIONES 15C
SCOT 15C
AGRIPPA 1531
FIRMICUS 1510
AGRIPPA 1531
ALCHEMICAL 1555
SCALIGER 15C
ALCHEMICAL 17C
ALCHEMICAL 1579
HOROSCOPE 1614
PLANETS 1617
RANDALL 1694
SHELTON 17C
SIGILLIS 17C
SIBLY 1790
CARBONELLI 1925 (mediaeval)
LUEDY 1928 gives
and also records a sigil from the Syrian astrological tradition :
See also GOLD, a term used synonymously with Sun in many alchemical texts. See also MICHAEL, SORATH and SPIRIT OF THE SUN
SUN ARCANUM
Occ. WIRTH 1927 relates this 19th arcanum of the Tarot pack to the Hebraic KOPH. Since the astrological associations of the card include the Sun and zodiacal Gemini, WIRTH 1927 gives the sigils
the latter of which corresponds more to the iconography of the card than to any zodiacal tradition.
SUPERCELESTIAL SCRIPT
Occ. One of the numerous alphabets from occult sources, given by RIVIERE 1938 alongside a Roman alphabet :
If this alphabet is translated liberally back into its original Hebraic equivalent, then it will be seen to closely resemble the CELESTIAL SCRIPT used by occultists :
See also HEBRAIC SCRIPT and SECRET SCRIPTS
SURGAT
Demon – SURGAT « who opens all locks »
SWASTIKA
Occ. In her study of the ancient symbolic language, BLAVATSKY 1888 says that ‘few world symbols are more pregnant with real occult meaning than the Swastika’ :
It represents the four cardinal points, the Zenith and the Nadir, and is thus a SENARY, and might reasonably be used as a sigll for the ZODIAC, if not tor the horoscope chart. The Initiated may trace its form according to
BLAVATSKY 1888 ‘the relation of the Seen and the Unseen’. In the Macrocosmic work it is called the ‘Hammer of Creation* and ‘refers to the continual motion &nd revolution of the invisible Kosmos of Forces’,
It points tc the cycles of Time of the world’s axes and their equatorial belts : ‘the two lines forming the Swastica meaning Spirit and Matter, the four hooks suggesting the motion in the revolving cycles’. Applied to the Microcosm it depicts man between heaven and earth, the right hand being raised at the end of the horizontal arm,
the left pointing to the Earth. It is, insists BLAVATSKY 1888, ‘at one and the same time an Alchemical, Cosntogonical , Anthropological and Magical sign, with seven keys to its inner meaning’.
See also ORIGIN, WHEEL OF FORTUNE and WORLD ARCANUM
SWELLING
Alc. Used in the sense of ‘ tumour’.
FRANCKLYN 1627
SHELTON 17C
SYTRI
Demon – SYTRI « lord of luxury »
SYZYGY
Ast. OMONT 1894 records a sigil from the Greek astrological tradition :
See Introduction, and also both FULL MOON and PREVIOUS SYZYGY.
Alchemical Iconography 