And when you wish to begin working, place the [pills of incense] in the censer, and carry it to a remote place that it is appropriate [to Mars]. And when you have reached [the place of the working] stand on your feet and secretly audacious and without fear turn to the south toward Mars who should be fortunate and in a good state as we have said before, always looking upon him. And as the smoke rises say [the invocation].
THE SUN
When you wish to pray to the Sun. When you wish to pray to the Sun and to ask for thing like the grace of a king or the love of lords, and to acquire power, make the Sun fortunate an place him in the Ascendant in his day and hour.
And wear royal clothing, silk with yellow and gold mixed, and place a gold crown on your head, and wear a gold ring on your finger, in the form of a great man of the Chaldeans, because the Sun is ruler of the Chaldeans (literally, the lord of their Ascendant). And go to a house that is separate and set aside for your work, and place your right hand over your left and look modestly at the Sun, and your appearance should be modest and bashful.
Then take your gold censer and have a beautiful rooster by the neck, above the neck place a small wax candle, and on the head place the branch of a large palm tree, and in the fire of the censer place the suffumigation. And raise the rooster towards the Sun and as the fumes from the censer rise say [the invocation]:
Note, Picatrix goes on to say that the suffumigation of the Sun is policarie, bdellium, myrrh, laudanum, enule, old siseleos, Celtice, Indian poli, old clean pine, cardomelle, cardamon, aromatic calamus, incense, husk of muscate nut, dried roses, saffron, the spice nard, caper root, pentafilon, aromatic hoof (?) balsam seeds, epithimi, squinati, gourd seeds, eastern spice plant, terebinth, pulverised dates, raisin wine, and honey mixed with wine.
VENUS
When you wish to pray to Venus. When you wish to pray to Venus and ask for the things that pertain to her, look to see that she is far from the malefics, direct and not retrograde and fortunate.
Put on the first or second styles and the best one is the robe and trappings of a noble Arab man. Wear white clothes and white cotton on your head because this is his [signature or seal]. Another style is that of woman. Wear long clothes of silk and gold mixed, precious and beautiful and on your head place a crown richly adorned with precious stones and pearls and on your hand a gold ring with pearls and on your arms wear bracelets of gold; in your right hand hold a mirror and in your left hand a comb. Put before you a jug of wine and in your clothing place crushed aromatics and odoriferous [incense or scent] in the way that women do.
Then take a censer made of gold and silver mixed and place burning charcoal in it, throw the suffumigation into it. And as the fumes rise say the invocation.
Picatrix goes on to say that the suffumigation of Venus is lignum aloes, a rooster, costi, saffron, laudanum, mastic, poppy seed husks, willow leaves and lily root in equal parts. Mix thoroughly with rose water and make pills of incense.
MERCURY
When you wish to pray to Mercury. When you wish to pray to Mercury and you wish to ask for things appropriate to him which are petitions to scribes and kings and regarding rulership.
Dress as if you were a notary or scribe, the Moon conjoining Mercury, and in every way act as if you were a scribe and wear a ring of Mercury mortified [?] that is a ring with an [image] of Hermes [Trismegistus] for the work. And sit on a throne similar to the throne of a judge, and turn your face towards it [?], with a [book or paper] in your hand looking like you wish to write.
And have incense appropriate to Mercury and place the suffumigation in the fire. And as the fumes rise, say the invocation.
Picatrix goes on to say that the incense of Mercury is composed of oak, cumin, dried gariofilate, myrtle branches, bitter almond husks, gum arabic, tamarind seed, grape vine, squinanti, in equal parts. Mix with pure and delicate wine and make into pills.
THE MOON
When you wish to pray to the Moon. When you wish to pray to the Moon and ask for that which pertains to her, dress yourself in the fashion of a young man and wear something that smells good and in your hand have a ring of silver and your movement and work should be smooth and elegant and your speech distinguished, in a good style and to the point.
And have in front of you a censer of silver. And on the 14 day of the lunar month, so long as the Moon is above the earth and making a good aspect with the Benefics, wash your face and turn towards [the Moon] and say the invocation.
Picatrix goes on to say that the suffumigation of the Moon is mastic, cardamon, savin, storax, cardelli pepper, enule, myrrh, dar sessahal, lily root, Celtice, Indian poli, pine cones, laudanum, dried roses, ayrob, raisin wine, grape mixed with very subtle wine, make pills about the size of a chickpea.
Secrets of Planetary Magic Page 9