The Hammer of Witches

The infamous medieval treatise of the 15th century, Malleus Maleficarum ("The Hammer of Witches"), authored by Heinrich Kramer, serves as a vivid reflection of one of the darkest chapters in the history of Western Europe and the Catholic Church. This work, detailing methods for identifying witches, as well as the persecutions, tortures, accusations, and sentences applied to them, stands as a grim testament to its time. Kramer, who, by his own claims, sent around 200 women to the pyres of the Inquisition, not only meticulously described how to extract confessions of guilt for consorting with the devil and practicing witchcraft but also outlined how to determine the specific type of transgression committed by those caught in the Inquisition’s grasp. Kramer’s work largely sparked the widespread persecution of those accused of witchcraft or magic — the so-called witch hunts in Europe. Over the subsequent three centuries, more than 50,000 people, predominantly women, were officially executed for witchcraft. This, of course, does not imply that all of them were practitioners of the dark arts. Often, inquisitors pursued entirely pragmatic goals, as seen in the cases of many aristocrats in Germany, whose lands were confiscated under the pretext of witchcraft and magic, only to be claimed by the Church. The Bishop of Würzburg alone consigned around 900 people to the flames, including women and children. Chronicles of these events are preserved in the annals of history. And this is to say nothing of certain deeply inconvenient discoveries within the very walls of the Catholic Church, which cast an even darker shadow upon it. As is often the case in life, those who persecute the most are themselves the most guilty of what they condemn.

Yet, the witch hunt is not confined to the past. It persists even today. There are still countries in the world where practicing witchcraft is punishable by death. There are documented cases of people taking justice into their own hands—not in some distant antiquity, but within arm’s reach of our own century. Does this mean that prejudice still lingers in human consciousness? Or does it suggest that genuine witchcraft and magic continue to exist in our lives, despite the assurances of most scholars? There is no definitive answer, for both prejudice and magic remain integral parts of our reality, as they do of our history.

But bone-chilling terror lurks not only in the dark corridors of the Catholic Church, nor solely in the hidden shadows over Innsmouth or the labyrinths of the Mountains of Madness, crafted by the genius of Lovecraft, through whose lines we hear the call of ancient horror—“Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!”. It is not confined to the pages of the Necronomicon, penned by the wandering madman Al-Hazred, nor to the tales of Stephen King, which captivate the imagination with shadows lurking in the waters of our psyche. This terror dwells in the very midst of life itself — in the underbelly of every day and on the surface of every night. In a life that has given birth not only to light but also to darkness. Its visage is grim and repulsive. And at times, it is indeed framed by magic and witchcraft. We prefer to turn away from them, in dismissal or fear, for these are the black pages of our existence. Frightening, incomprehensible, and inexplicable. We deem them the dead legacy of the past, but as Al-Hazred said:

“That is not dead which can eternal lie,

And with strange aeons even death may die…”

We never know what awaits us beyond the next turn of life’s path or in the practice of our craft. What question shall confront us, demanding resolution and answer? Will it be a hope for personal joy, a matter of work or commerce, or something that transcends the mundane, venturing into realms as uncharted as they are perilous? It is in these rare moments that horary astrology ceases to be merely horary and becomes true horrory—a terror that shakes the very imagination.

Is There Witchcraft Upon Me?

On one hand, we grow weary of the ceaseless queries about love, labour, or transactions that dominate an astrologer’s practice. Yet, when we touch the shadows that lurk beyond, we return with relief to the familiar shores of our craft, breathing deeply the known air of life’s ordinary questions. And yet… the imprint of the past lingers ever with us.

Over the years, we have encountered several questions concerning magic and witchcraft. Most often, these prove to be naught but the fancies of the querent’s imagination, lacking any real or substantiated basis in the chart of the question. Such is human nature, ever seeking external causes for misfortune in magic or the supernatural rather than within ourselves. It is easier to cast blame than to acknowledge truth. This tendency is abetted by so-called practitioners of the magical arts, who are, more often than not, mere charlatans. Yet, as in the realm of astrology, amidst this heap of mystical chaff, there are rare pearls — true masters of their craft, capable of substantiating their words and knowledge. These are not theatrical mediums, deceitful fortune-tellers, or pseudo-teachers of esoteric courses, nor are they credentialed gurus or coaches of consciousness and imagination.

We confess to long deliberation over whether to publish such article, which stirs conflicting sentiments even within ourselves. For we always track the fulfilment of our predictions, ensuring we can substantiate our words with evidence from practice, as published on our site. It is simple enough to demonstrate a prediction that someone will, within two months, receive a promotion or face dismissal. But what of questions concerning magic and witchcraft when such forces are truly at play? Magic leaves no physical trace, only consequences. We reached no firm conclusion on this matter, choosing instead to let each reader discern the truth for themselves. Nevertheless, two interrelated horary charts found confirmation in subsequent events—events preceded by dreams, accompanied by sorcery, and culminating in death.

“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here…”

The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri

In July 2024, a woman approached us with a most unusual question. A client of several years, she had never before posed queries of this nature, unlike some who see magic and mystery in all things, even where none exists, due to a lack of critical thought. Her questions were typically pragmatic, concerning health, work, children, or investments. Having repeatedly witnessed the efficacy of horary astrology, she sought our counsel only in moments of dire necessity, when a serious decision, clarification, or choice that would shape her future was required. We note this to clarify that the querent was no enthusiast of esotericism or magic but a rational and pragmatic individual. Thus, the question she sent us via email piqued both our curiosity and perplexity.

The querent recounted that, for the past few weeks, she had felt profoundly unwell. It began after a quarrel with her former husband, with whom she shared children. He resided in another country and was a reckless and dangerous man. According to her, he was prone to uncontrollable rage, capable of physically destroying anything that provoked such emotions. Following their dispute, she received daily threats directed at both herself and their children, whom he vowed to take from her by force—the sole reason she maintained contact with him over the years. Yet, being a cultured individual, she countered his threats with calm composure, which only enraged him further. Eventually, his messages ceased, and within days, she began to feel severely unwell, experiencing an inexplicable decline in energy and a pervasive malaise throughout her body. For two weeks, she sought recovery through medication and medical examinations, yet tests revealed no abnormalities, and the medicines failed to restore her strength.

The night before she contacted us, she experienced a vivid and peculiar dream. She noted that, since childhood, she had often dreamt prophetic dreams, though they were typically symbolic. This time, however, it was different. As she described, it felt as real as waking life, as though it affected her body as much as her mind. In the dream, she found herself in a dimly lit room, surrounded by figures in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods, forming a circle. At its centre stood a woman holding a candle, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, chanting words in an unfamiliar tongue—sounds akin to Vedic mantras, though not in Sanskrit, with which the querent was familiar. She instinctively understood this woman to be a witch, practising a dark art, and that the ritual was directed at her, though she observed it from a distance. Suddenly, the witch raised the candle and spoke in the querent’s native tongue: “Let’s begin the work!”. At that moment, the querent felt her body disintegrating, from the tips of her toes upward, with pain far more intense than the malaise she had endured for weeks. She realised that if she did not awaken, it would lead to her death. By sheer will, she forced herself to wake, though it felt less like waking and more like physically exiting the dark room back into her home—so real and tangible was the experience. Her first thought upon waking was of her former husband, suspecting he had done something dreadful or enlisted someone of great power, given the nearness of death she felt in her body. Yet, composing herself, she resolved not to rush to conclusions and sent us her question before deciding her next steps.

Having detailed her situation and dream, she asked: Is there witchcraft upon me? Has something been done to me? Or is this merely a vivid, albeit distressing, dream?

14.07.2024 07:38 (GMT +3). RIGA, LATVIA.

Context is paramount. In other words, what is the true essence of the question? Is it about the dream or the witchcraft? Questions about dreams occasionally arise, but we have concluded that they often reflect events to be examined within the chart. For instance, if someone dreams of falling ill and asks whether the dream is true, we do not analyse the planet ruling dreams (the ninth house) but treat the chart as an event-based query, as though the question were, Will I fall ill? We have found no evidence in practice that dreams should be treated like rumours, assessed via the third house ruler. The essence of the question must guide us, not textbook rules. If someone dreams of a plane crash before a journey, their concern is whether the event will occur, not the veracity of the dream itself. We must grasp these nuances to discern truth in the chart and the events that have or will unfold.

Clearly, the querent was little concerned with the dream itself in this context, as she confirmed. Her interest lay in what the dream revealed — witchcraft directed against her. As astrologers, we must determine whether this is true and whether she has cause for concern, or if it is merely a fleeting, albeit unsettling, episode with no lasting consequences.

Witchcraft pertains to the twelfth house, representing all that we cannot control in our lives. The querent, signified by the first house, cannot aspect the twelfth house, nor the second, sixth, or eighth, rendering them among the weakest houses in the chart, beyond their natural significations. In theory, no aspects are possible between these houses, akin to signs. Thus, they symbolise what lies beyond our control. In practice, however, we focus not on mundane aspects between houses or signs but on aspects between planets in signs, as mundane aspects are irrelevant in horary astrology.

The twelfth house, being the turned sixth house from the radical seventh, signifies adversities and misfortunes stemming from others. In this chart, it is ruled by the Moon, which we cannot take as a co-significator of the querent, as it governs the matter of the question — witchcraft itself.

The querent is represented by the Sun, ruler of the first house. Note its position: precisely on the cusp of the twelfth house, not only reflecting the question but revealing much about the situation. The querent’s planet is not merely on the cusp but within the twelfth house, as though it has crossed a threshold into forbidden territory, where, as scripture might say, even angels fear to tread. Yet this alone does not confirm witchcraft; we require an aspect to validate or refute our judgement.

The Sun’s last aspect was with… the Moon, two and a half degrees prior. This not only confirms that witchcraft has indeed occurred but indicates its timing — approximately two and a half weeks ago, aligning precisely with the querent’s recent experiences. Thus, the dream is validated: witchcraft was indeed performed. But how severe is it?

The Moon, as the significator of witchcraft, is in Libra, the place of the Sun’s fall, gravely harming the querent. In plain terms, the witchcraft is designed to injure her and her health, as the Sun represents both her person and her body. This explains the sensations she felt in her dream.

Yet sometimes, such harm is attempted but fails to affect the target for various reasons. Is this the case here? No. The querent’s planet has just entered the twelfth house, as though ensnared by its influence. Moreover, the Sun is under the Moon’s dominion — in its power, in its sign. The witchcraft holds sway over the querent, its effect masterfully executed by a true adept of the dark arts. This is a grave concern.

What lies ahead? If the querent takes no action, the Sun approaches an aspect with Mars, in exile in Taurus — a malefic in this context. While the Moon harms the Sun through its rulership of the twelfth house and receptions, Mars does so through its lack of dignity and detriment. In simple terms, the situation will worsen for the querent and her health if she does nothing.

We would wish to say this was merely a dream without consequence. Alas, it is not. It reflects a real act of malice against the querent, and she must act swiftly to save herself and her life.

We advised her to consult a specialist in medieval astrological magic, whose prowess we knew from the experiences of acquaintances, or to seek a priest’s aid. She followed our first recommendation, and we shall recount what transpired over the ensuing year, for both the querent and the one who cast the witchcraft.

Is the Witch Still Alive?

We asked the querent to keep us informed of developments and to reach out if further questions arose. The following events unfolded.

The querent consulted a specialist in a European country, a true master of his craft, one whom it is unwise to cross, for he wields his knowledge for both aid and defence. She explained her situation, referencing our confirmation of her fears. We reiterate that such cases are exceedingly rare in horary charts, with only a handful of the dozens of witchcraft-related questions we have examined showing genuine cause for concern. Most are mere imaginings, unlike this case.

The master practised medieval astrological magic, rooted in traditional astrology, elections, and communion with celestial spirits through talismans. These are crafted as vessels for a spirit’s energy, using specific metals, incenses, herbs, words, names, and colours at precise, auspicious times to attract the spirit’s power for a designated purpose. We later learned from the master, with whom we are acquainted, that he drew upon the works of Thābit ibn Qurra, a ninth-century Sabian star-worshipper. With his permission to publish these details, he noted that such knowledge is useless without a full understanding of the tradition and traditional astrology. Even studying all texts on medieval astrological magic requires a key to their veiled and deliberately distorted rituals, lest the ignorant suffer harm. He cited cases where practitioners, attempting these arts without proper understanding, fell ill or died, as the texts warn, notably in the Picatrix: the art chooses its disciples, not they the art.

But let us return to our tale, which feels almost like an Arabian fable, though it is wholly true. The specialist informed the querent that he could only partially help — what had taken effect could not be undone, and consequences would persist. However, he could neutralise the witchcraft, halting its further destruction and returning it to its source, thereby destroying the witch. For such is the consequence of magic aimed at death: death returns. The querent would live; the perpetrator would perish.

Using her natal chart, he began his work and informed her that the ritual for creating the talisman that will work to protect her, could only be performed in mid-August, at a precise day and hour suited to the purpose. Until then, she must wait. As he explained, this magic operates in harmony with time and the cosmos, akin to chemistry crafting either viruses or cures, not the sleight-of-hand of false seers. She would witness true magic in the events to follow.

After the ritual in August, the querent’s condition slowly improved. Though illness persisted, she regained strength. Remarkably, through her ex-husband’s acquaintances, she learned he had indeed hired a practitioner in June to harm her, seeking vengeance for perceived slights. This practitioner, a woman of 55–60 with long grey hair, was a renowned black magic adept with decades of experience and great authority in her circles. Shown a photograph, the querent recognised her as the figure from her dream.

A year later, the querent wrote to update us and pose a new question. After September 2024, she fell gravely ill, battling various ailments for nine months, which impaired her hearing and vision. Her children also suffered illnesses during this period. Yet more striking was news from her ex-husband’s acquaintances: from early September 2024, the witch ceased seeing clients, reportedly falling gravely ill herself and abandoning her practice.

By May 2025, the querent began to recover, though some effects lingered. By July, nearly a year after the events began, she returned to her prior state. Around this time, rumours reached her that the witch had died. She sought to confirm this with a new question in August 2025.

07.08.2025 20:59 (GMT +3). RIGA, LATVIA.

Consequences follow all actions, especially witchcraft, for which the price is steep. Sometimes, the scythe meets the stone, for even the mightiest force may encounter a greater one. Let this serve as a warning to those who recklessly venture into such perilous domains. This is no Harry Potter wand-waving or mere abracadabra but a force capable of irreparable harm to the careless. All debts are paid, sooner or later.

The witch is signified by the ruler of the twelfth house, representing those who harm in secret. Had the querent asked about pursuing dark arts, we would look to the ninth house of knowledge. If she were a practitioner asking about a peer, the seventh house of competitors would apply. But here, the twelfth house is apt, as the querent is not involved in witchcraft, and the question concerns a hidden adversary.

Saturn represents the witch. We seek to determine if she is dead, requiring the significators of death: the rulers of the radical and turned eighth houses, Venus and the Sun. A separating aspect between Saturn and one of these planets may indicate her death.

What do we find? Saturn is in Aries, its place of fall, conjoined with Neptune, the earth-shaking god. This vividly depicts her as a force of great evil and destruction. Yet, in the context of the question, it reflects her health: if alive, she is gravely unwell. Her affairs are dire.

Saturn’s last aspect was a square with Venus, ruler of the radical eighth house of death, harming Saturn by being in its detriment. This mirrors the first chart, where a square between the querent and witchcraft signified harm. Here, a square between the witch and death suggests a painful demise. Mutual negative reception between Saturn and Venus indicates death was not her intent, yet it came. As the proverb warns, he who digs a pit for another falls into it himself.

Our conclusion? She is likely dead or on the brink of death. Why? Saturn approaches an opposition with Mars in exile, a malefic that will complete what Venus began, if she is still alive. We could not be more definitive, for even we sometimes doubt what a chart reveals. We told the querent: if the witch lives, her end is imminent.

In September, the querent learned from an acquaintance that the witch had indeed been ill for a year, succumbing to cancer in mid-August 2025, shortly after the master’s ritual. Can this be mere coincidence? Unlikely.

We have detailed this situation to illustrate cause and effect. Knowledge and skill in a master’s hands wield great power. Just as the real astrology surpasses its modern counterpart, so too does traditional astrological magic outshine the pale shadow of pseudo-spiritual practices. Even those who wield great power must heed the consequences, for in the end, naught remains but memories and the warning inscribed above the gates of Hell, as Dante wrote:

“Abandon hope, all ye who enter here…”

Epilogue: A Note on Mediums

By the by, concerning charlatans, whom we touched upon briefly at the outset of this article. We must always bear in mind that the former will ever outnumber true masters, those who genuinely possess knowledge and skill. We wish to illustrate this with an example from a recent query we received, concerning a medium who is naught but a charlatan.

As we penned these final lines, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit came to mind, opening with a description of small creatures, half a man’s height. That chapter might be titled Concerning Hobbits. Here, we might call this Concerning Mediums, though this would require addressing true mediums—those with genuine gifts, often due to a physiological disposition that makes them akin to an Aeolian harp for spirits, elemental or otherwise, without proper discipline. Yet our example leans more toward theatricality than true mediumship. Before us stands another charlatan, albeit one renowned in their circle, whose name we withhold for ethical reasons, though those who read between the lines may discern it. Thus, A Note better suits this epilogue, touching lightly on mediumship while focusing on the charlatanism that dominates modern esotericism, more prevalent now than even in the days of Blavatsky’s Theosophical Society, when charlatans, false teachers, and the deranged were less rampant.

Days before writing this article, we received another question concerning occultism, this time about a well-known medium. The querent, a practitioner himself, witnessed the spectacle and adulation surrounding this figure’s performance and asked whether they were truly a medium. He saw only a theatrical graduate, not a master of the craft. The blind devotion of the crowd reminded him of religious movements like Jehovah’s Witnesses, New Generation, or Children of the Sun, which in the turbulent nineties filled halls with credulous followers ready to give their all for a “noble” cause — often tied to the movement’s bottomless coffers. These are the false prophets of our age.

Admittedly, we approached the question with scepticism, for true mediums are rarely public figures; charlatans often are. Yet, as always, we set aside personal biases and examined the chart.

27.09.2025 22:51 (GMT +3). RIGA, LATVIA.

First, we must assign houses. Were this a colleague or rival of the querent, the seventh house would apply. If the querent sought a medium’s services for the first time, the ninth house would be relevant. If they had already consulted them, the seventh house would signify the medium. None of these fit, for the medium is not merely a specialist but a public, media-driven figure – the tenth house. Notably, the seventh, ninth, and tenth houses are all ruled by Saturn, perhaps reflecting the situation’s complexity.

We must assess the medium’s essence as a practitioner, not their knowledge but their inherent abilities. Their planet’s dignities reveal their skill: greater dignities indicate greater mastery; lesser dignities, lesser ability. Saturn, in 28 degrees Pisces, holds only a term, among the weakest dignities, alongside face, though better than none. Yet a term pales beside triplicity, exaltation, or domicile—like comparing a schoolchild to a university graduate. This suggests minimal knowledge or ability, with far more theatricality than mastery, especially given Saturn’s exaltation of Venus, the natural ruler of art and theatre. The patient is more dead than alive; the medium is more actor than adept.

Saturn’s retrograde motion in a mutable sign prompts us to echo Freddie Mercury’s rendition of The Platters’ classic:

“Oh yes, I’m the great pretender…”

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