Exalted Mars in Capricorn
Victory, Protection, Courage, Strength & Strategy
Shop the Collection
⚔️
Shop the Collection
⚔️
Shop the Collection ⚔️ Shop the Collection ⚔️
About this Collection…
A little over a year ago today, I created some of my most powerful magical offerings to this day. Making a talisman is no ordinary process — let alone a Mars one. Today I want to tell you about the journey of this collection, how it’s changed my life for the better, and the (unexpected) results I found along the way.
If you’re reading this, you may be familiar with my first Mars in Scorpio collection, ‘Ignite’. Bright, fiery and terribly intense, this collection is very different in temperament to the Mars in Capricorn one. While Ignite featured a scorching Mars in the heart of the Sun, the collection created on February 11, 2024 sublimates Mars in his exaltation, in the sign of Capricorn, where he becomes pragmatic, focused and strategic. But why is that? And what difference does making a talisman of Mars in his exaltation make?
The Exaltation of Mars
In Hellenistic and medieval astrology, exaltation is one of the primary dignities that signify a planet’s potency and honour within the zodiac. Unlike domicile (a planet’s home), exaltation is akin to a position of prominence, prestige and elevated influence, similar to a respected guest receiving special honours and privileges in someone else’s home. In classical astrology, exaltation signifies the sign where a planet’s essential nature reaches its fullest potential. The planet is granted heightened strength, dignity, and ability to express its beneficial qualities. According to Ptolemy in the Tetrabiblos (Book I, ch. 19), exaltation represents an alignment of planetary nature and elemental harmony. Each planet and its “opposite”, safe for the Moon, exalt in opposing signs: the Moon in Taurus, Mercury in Virgo, Venus in Pisces, the Sun in Aries, Mars in Capricorn, Jupiter in Cancer, and Saturn in Libra. You could say that these planets deliver their peak performance when exalted.
According to medieval astrologer Al-Biruni, a planet at the degree of its exaltation is extremely powerful for “kingship and authority”. Citing 10th century astrologer Muhammad ibn Jabir Al-Battani, astrologer and astromage Mat Dragonstone also tells us that a planet is the sign of his exaltation is “as one in his castle or stronghold.” We get a sense that a planet that a planet is “raised up” when exalted, that it has unique and powerful qualities which make it distinct and particularly efficient.
Mars is no exception — a dry and excessively hot planet, he is “cooled down” when in Capricorn, and therefore able to deliver an optimal performance. Guido Bonatti says: “the nature of Mars is southern and burning, and the heat of Mars is strengthened when Mars is in Capricorn” (Liber Astronomiae, Chapter IX). When in the home of Saturn, in a cold and dry sign, Mars’s fire reaches its highest potential as its impulsivity is governed by reason and wisdom, qualities Saturn provides. In Capricorn, Mars exemplifies not brute force, but wise, calculated force. Instead of aggressive confrontation, Mars manifests as determined perseverance, strategic focus and long-term resilience. These qualities are perfect to ensoul a talismanic offering of Mars.
Creating the Collection
Why create a talismanic collection ensouled by Mars in Capricorn? In this sign, the warrior god is a lot more calm, focused an methodical. Like a dignified commander at the height of his power, Mars’s energy and combativeness is used in the most efficient of ways. At a fundamental level, Mars is the warrior planet of aggression, attack and anger: he represents the primal instinct of survival and protection. In Capricorn, Mars becomes a lot more reasoned and strategic — instead of being blinded by anger, he is able to calmly examine the best course of action for his plans — just like a general coming up with the best strategy before battle.
Feedback from my last collection included remarks pointing out that Mars in Scorpio is very fiery and intense: he gets shit done, but don’t expect him to be nice about it! I typically do not recommend wearing products of this collection around people, as he can make you more irritable and “in your face”. By contrast, Mars in Capricorn is a lot more easy to control and wear in social settings, as he is able to remain calm, collected and not explode in spontaneous bouts of anger. He helps channel courage and disciplined determination, ideal for aiding career growth, success in competition, or focused & strategic action.
I wanted to create a collection that would help those who need it channel their inner warrior, to calmly stand their ground, to not let shyness or fear overcome them in difficult, stressful or intimidating situations, but also to give the best of themselves. Representing the height of courage and methodical action, I want Mars in Capricorn to help you achieve your greatest potential by taking action by decisively pursuing what you want. In our day and age, we often feel like passengers in the train our own lives; like what we really want is out of reach, or like there’s too many obstacles or people along the way. This collection was intended to help you take back control and serenely plan ahead in a methodical, determined way.
Now, as any astromage will tell you, electing the perfect time to create a talismanic collection is an art in itself. I wanted to elect the perfect timing to harness the height of Mars’s exalted powers — as you can see in the chart below, I (almost) succeeded. Each planet not only has a sign of exaltation, but a degree of exaltation — in fact, the former comes from the latter. Mars’s degree of exaltation is 27° Capricorn, so I aimed for this but unfortunately could not find a suitable election — it wouldn’t have been Mars hour and the Moon would’ve been combust, two factors which make the election unsuitable.
Instead, I opted for a day where Mars was at 28° Capricorn (so close!), dignified by exaltation and term and rising on the Ascendant during Mars hour, while Venus was applying to conjoin him, thus bringing a cooling, beneficial and softening vibe to Mars. The Moon is auspiciously placed in this chart, just separating from a sextile to Jupiter in Taurus and applying to a wide sextile to Venus. Neither Mars nor the Moon make harsh aspects (squares or oppositions) to any of the traditional planets. In addition, the ruler of Mars (Saturn) isn’t afflicted, sextiles Jupiter and is dignified by decan. This makes the election ideal and fit for a more “yin” yet extremely potent Mars in Capricorn.
The Process: Ritual & Influences
In any magical process, the magician needs to decide what elements and influences will be used, combined and alchemised to create the ritual that will invoke the desired spirit and ensoul the offerings. This works through the notion of sympathy: by gathering things that are like Mars (colours, scents, objects, gems, metals, etc.), the call to his spirit is strengthened and makes it more appealing to him. Here’s how the process went for me:
First, the altar. The colour of Mars is red, and the number associated with him is 5. I thus selected a red cloth, reminiscent of the fiery nature of the warrior god, and got 5 red candles for the ritual. For incense (another prerequisite of magical ritual), I chose dragon’s blood — it seemed fitting for Mars! I also drew the symbol of Mars, and the planetary seal of the intelligence of Mars according to Renaissance mage Cornelius Agrippa. I also added a small statue of Mars as a warrior god. To complete the picture, I put a big knife on the altar - symbolic of Mars’s power to cut through and separate — a red chilli pepper (Mars likes spicy things!), and, the centre piece, an ethically sourced mountain goat (chamois) skull, symbolic of the perseverance and bravery of Capricorn.
Talismans: for talismans, I wanted to opt for traditional gemstones of Mars, such as garnet, red jasper or bloodstone, as well as ones belonging to Saturn (like onyx), since Mars in this election was ruled by Saturn. At the elected time, I engraved the symbol of Mars at the back of the talismans with a diamond point, which I then suffumigated with the dragon’s blood incense while reciting the Picatrix invocation to Mars. I asked the warrior god to fill the talisman and bless its wearer with strength, courage, victory and strategy, to protect them and keep them safe, as well as grant them supreme power and stamina.
The ritual felt extremely solemn, like I had just stepped into the tent of a war general before battle. The air was thick, and I felt filled with a resolve and calm certainty that I had rarely felt before — it reminded me of the Saturn in Aquarius ritual I’d performed a year prior! I will tell you more about the outcomes and omens I received in the days and weeks following the ritual later in this article, but for now suffice it to say that the ritual felt extremely “fated” and filled with the presence of Mars in Capricorn.
Oils, room sprays and herbal amulets: all three of these products were infused/made of the herbal blend of the collection, made of plants specifically selected for their martial nature (strengthening, protective and powerful). At the elected time, I immersed the blend in extra virgin olive oil (reminiscent of the nature of Saturn) for the oil, in distilled water, tequila (a Martial, fiery alcohol) and essential oils for the room spray, or simply assembled together for herbal amulets — before being transferred to individual black cotton pouches and inscribed with the symbol of Mars during Mars day and hour. All offerings were put together, consecrated and prayed over during the original ceremony on February 11, 2024.
Charging bases/candle holders: This charging base/candle holder talisman is the fruit of a reflection on how to use the powers of talismanic magic to bless not just our bodies, but also our spaces. The land we live on, the buildings we inhabit are just as magical and spiritually charged as we are. Creating talismans for our spaces is an effort to recognise them as alive, magical spaces that we do not just “own“ and impose our will on, but places we are the custodians of. Our well-being depends in large part on the relationship we have with the places we live, that we call home. I initially wanted to opt for small statuettes as these home talismans, in the image of the Romans, who honoured the lares, the protective spirits who were kept in the home to maintain peace and felicity. After a conversation with the wonderful Shuly Rose, I decided to opt for candle holders instead. Their presence is easier to integrate into a home for both beginners and confirmed practitioners alike, and you can combine their influence with that of a particular candle, depending on what you wish to bring. These iron talismans can be used to put anything you wish in it to be filled with the energy of Mars (talismans, candles, crystals, altar tools…).
Outcomes
In many ways, a Mars ritual is like walking through fire: you’re not the same person after. To test the effects of this consecration, I started wearing my Mars in Capricorn talismanic ring every day for over 3 months. The most noticeable effect was that I started feeling more confident, more self-assured and wouldn’t back from conflict as easily. I’m a Scorpio rising, so you know I’m going to be headstrong about certain things — but the resolve I felt was something else entirely.
At the time of the ritual, I was dealing with serious and intense family conflicts (as I’ve talked about elsewhere.) My parents were in the middle of a stormy divorce, and I was bearing the brunt of the emotional issues it caused — I felt incapable of distancing myself from them, even though I was getting completely treaded on. In a way, the Mars in Capricorn talisman made a miracle happen: I found the courage in me to cut contact with them and start a new life in a new country. This was by far the healthiest option as I would otherwise have remained in an unhealthy dynamic where I was stuck in a position of powerlessness. Later down the line, this allowed me to reconnect and build a strong, healthy bond with my mother, who understood my decision and apologised for all the years of hurt she had put me through — something I wouldn’t even have dreamed of witnessing one day.
In retrospect, I can say that my exalted Mars magic helped me deal with conflict in a healthy way. I am no longer afraid of standing my ground, or rightfully asking for what is mine. I used to frequently get into messy fights with my dysfunctional family — it left me feeling drained, insecure and afraid of disagreement and conflict. The Mars magic had a balancing effect in that respect. I don’t seek to avoid disagreements or fear openly voicing my needs now. Even in a competitive context, I don’t feel guilty anymore (or like an impostor) if I go after a coveted opportunity.
Now, you must know that Mars is a potent energy. You must feel ready to surf the wave, climb the mountain, or tame the wild horse! Even if Mars in Capricorn is a much cooler, controlled manifestation of the deity, he’s still Mars! When I wear my talisman, I feel unstoppable, determined and focused, like I’ll stop at nothing to get what is mine. This energy can be destabilising for some, so I suggest experimenting with something like the room spray or an oil first if that’s energy you’re not well-acquainted with already.
After making the collection, I also felt protected. Don’t mess with the children of Mars! Recently, I was dealing with someone who tried to scam me and ask for more money than we’d agreed to on a common project — the situation was stressful, so I put on my Mars talisman before our meeting. When I met with them, the person was much more amiable and respectful than via text, and I firmly said I would pay what was owed and nothing more. They immediately apologised and I left the interaction feeling reassured and calm. With an exalted Mars, I feel like things become clear, straightforward and I don’t need to bend over backwards.
I hope you come to love and enjoy the products of this divine collection, and that it brings you as much joy as I did creating it!