This instruction is from the Book of Angels, Rings, Characters and Images of the Planets, attributed to Osbern Bokenham, J. G. Lidaka translation. It outlines a method of magic utilizing the well-known "magic squares" associated with the planets, where the square is constructed of some certain material and used after the manner of a talisman. Often as not, the device is constructed and used more offensively than defensively (as is typical with talismanic magic in general.) No specific consecration is mentioned. Of Mercury it is written:

The figure of Mercury is square and has a grid of 8. Mercury is extremely fast in motion and change; and it has the temperament and nature of all the planets and signs. To it are attributed soul, virtue, knowledge, wisdom, philosophy the quadrivium and painting. When you wish to do magic with this square, take 8 drams of pure silver and make a thin plate in the hour of Mercury on its day (Wednesday), when Mercury is powerful, direct, and fast on course, suffumigate it with aloe wood, cloves, and mastic, and carry it with you: you will then succeed in all you pursue. And if you cannot use silver, write on orange paper instead of silver and it will be good enough. If you put this figure in someone's seat, his rule will last. And if you carve this figure on a ring, or in glass, or in a basin, on the day of Mercury in the morning on the 1st 7 lunar days in the Moon's ascension and if you wash this figure with clean water from some spring and drink that water, then after three days you will remember all you have utterly forgotten, and, further, you will easily learn all that you wish. And if you put this figure on a steel mirror, and someone who is paralytic or spastic looks in it, he will be cured. And so also whoever has lost his sight due to sexual intercourse. And if you fast for 3 days running, eating nothing but bread with honey and raisins, and if after those 3 days you write this figure on orange silk and suffumigate it with aloe wood, and If you then say 'Oh, gods, by the virtue of this figure show me this N in my dreams', after all that put this cloth under your pillow when you go to sleep and you will see in your dreams what you wish. This is tried and true.

This page is part of The Companions of the Glyph Website.