Aries I - decan talisman

Aries I • The Axe • Lord of Dominion

The first of the 36 Decans is one of severing. To be born into this world, to assert the self, to liberate and individuate can be brutal and painful, but above all is necessary. Austin Coppock calls this Decan “The Axe”, the primordial splitter. As a tool, the axe is used to carve ambitions into reality with sheer will and power, it is used to protect but also to destroy.

As a Mars ruled Decan in both rulership traditions - descending Ptolemaic and triplicity - this face is wholly martial in nature: it is restless, brave, shameless, fast, dominating, decisive and bold. Planets in this Decan are emboldened to go to battle for their desires and to will their visions to take root. 

The tarot card associated with this Decan is II of Wands, referred to as “Seeds of Dominion” by T. Susan Chang. A figure stands above the land, looking out over their domain, holding a globe in their hand under grey skies. If the suit of wands resembles the heroes journey, then Aries I acts as the place one embarks. 

Chang provides the image of a seed rupturing from the ground, life taking root in soil that has the power to fertilise. Coppock refers to this Face as the root of personal power. We find these roots reaching down toward the god of the underworld, Hades, the deity associated with this Decan. 

Here we wield power in the form of a double-edged tool, sharpened to sever, and from this axe extend roots eager to create new worlds.

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Sterling silver with brass roots, a red garnet set on the Moon’s day, Mars’ hour with the sun at 9 degrees of Aries I.

Strung on an 18 in. sterling silver chain.