One day short of one year ago, this series was ritually crafted on a supremely straightforward election featuring Exalted Sol, rising and in its hour. The waxing Moon conjoined the Royal Star Aldebaran, as Mars (the Sun’s ruling planet within the confines of the Ram’s sign) was fresh off his own Degree of Exaltation.

Planets within their sign of Exaltation give the finest results of any the Zodiac has to offer, and are operating at their level of peak performance and expression. They do not effusively or superfluously emit, as planets within their Rulerships sometimes do, and tend toward more dynamism and restraint given the influence of their Ruler. Since planets look to their direct dispositor for marching orders, placement of the target’s Ruler should always be taken into electional consideration in talismanic grade work (admittedly one of many factors!) — for while rarely presenting as a deal-breaker, they can contribute meaningfully to the end result being so-so, versus truly exceptional.

Exalted Sol differs from Golden Sol on just such a basis…

In Rulership, the Sun presents as grandiose and self-embracing — self-edifying, even. Leo is warm, emotionally stabilizing, and expressive. That medicine has its place.

In Exaltation, the Sun strategizes and plots course before acting. It takes things less personally, using its tremendous energy and charisma in service to merit and achievement. It is driven and courageous, operating from the Head in consultation with the Heart (Melothesically speaking), rather than the Heart only.

The Sun’s exaltation in Aries teaches that apex self-esteem is derived not from self-love and self-acceptance alone, but alongside a commitment to doing and being one’s best. It seeks accomplishment as a reflection of glory — greeting each day and its challenges head-on, rising to the occasion as proof of personal greatness.

That is not to say one needs to strive and accomplish on a daily basis, or even should — rest and self-love regardless of one’s station or level of achievement are mandatory to human happiness, the world not being awful/ falling off its axis, and a life well-lived. But offerings from Exalted Sol are there for us in times where we do want to succeed and shine triumphant in the conquest of our own personal milestones.

Cliche as it sounds, Exalted Sol also teaches this:

That we are only ever truly in competition with ourselves.

Aries is singular. It is the Zodiac sign that represents the emanation of the Individual — of budding life and all potential. The human head is the first part of the body to “crown” during the birthing process (fingers crossed!), and the Sun is the Luminary of both cohesion AND individuation.

Sol is King, and in Aries — more than any other sign — the energy and vitality of Sol is in full service to the Individual.

And lucky us! For as the world burns and so many of our institutions and figureheads fall away, there has literally never been more opportunity for the people of this world to improve their lot and plot their own course.

Tools and technologies key to success which were once the purview of the rich and powerful (or hadn’t been invented yet!) are becoming increasingly accessible, and globally distributed. Top shelf magic that would take decades of dedicated study and trial and error to create for oneself can be purchased from masters of their craft for the price of a garment with one click, and sent anywhere in the world. These are wild times.

There is inequality to address, yes!

But there are also more resources available for self-empowerment, self-improvement, and personal achievement than ever in human history… and ignoring that fact comes at the peril of the Individual.

Individuals committing to their own success and the empowerment of those around them is how Big Everything doesn’t pave over the world.

And there is room enough for all of us to shine in our own right.

Have compassion for others, and do not waste energy or do harm by judging them.

It is not for others to judge or define YOU — who you are now, or who you are in the process of becoming.

What you have done, and what you have yet to do.

Do not let others deprive you of the compassion, love, and nurturing your inner child needs (and deserves).

The Sun in Aries says YOU are the first, middle, and final word on WHO you are, WHAT you choose to do, and where your own efforts shall lead you.

In embracing self-cultivation and self-authoring, we cease fighting and blaming the outside world — being upset and distracted by what it has (or has not) given us.

All we can ever do is make the most of what we have to work with at the time, which is always different from what others have to work with. Maybe it’s better. Maybe it’s worse — but them’s the breaks, and getting caught up in the calculus of it all deprives us of time and energy which would be better channeled into achievement on our own behalf.

Because YOU are the only one who has to sleep in the bed you make.

And if you never get up, get out, and make a better bed for yourself, you’re going to be stuck with the one the world happened to make for you.

And you are capable and deserving of better.

And the people you love, provide, and care for need more Champions operating on their behalf.

Exalted Sol aids in cultivating the raw material of Self, toward a form of Championship.

So the question becomes, what does Championship look like for you, personally?

—

We all get frustrated when we’re immersed in a story and the hero keeps refusing the call.

Maybe this is your call…

(Regardless of whether you use Exalted Sol materia to help you get there.)

What do you want?
And what are you going to do about it?

—

The Sun has a number of key functions, chief among them being illumination, levity, and facilitating congruence. It is a counter to melancholic and anxious states because they are the result of emotional darkness, low vitality, and inner fracturing. In Aries, one of the ways the Sun helps remedy these conditions is through doing.

A friend was recently diagnosed with ADHD and the psychiatrist asked them if they had also been experiencing depression (they were), going on to explain that untreated ADHD often co-presents with depression due to the fact that not being able to focus leads to things not getting done, which leads to falling behind, which leads to guilt and disappointment and shame over what has not been accomplished, which leads to feeling like a failure. And that alone can trigger depression.

Exalted Sol materia promotes vitality and vigor, and aids in getting up and getting going. It offers a strong dose of healthy Spring-fire energy, perfect for facilitating achievement and helping stick to the task at hand. The Sun helps stabilize Aries’ cardinal nature, prolonging and smoothing distribution of the charge. It provides some Martial benefits with the joie de vivre of Sol, helping temper the instinct to do with the needs and desires of the Individual.

This is also prime Solar remediation. Apply with intention and perhaps a prayer and offering during the Sun’s day and hours, or with the rising of the Sun. Let the materia itself teach and lead the way. Such will aid in your becoming, regardless of knowing where it might take you, as Sol-fire purifies the Heart, Mind, and Spirit.

This series is warming-to-hot, and should be applied sparingly at first to assess tolerance. Combining with other hot items (Luminous Crown, Jupiter in Sagittarius, Jupiter’s Lightning Rod, St. Expedite) may be too much. Combining with Asclepius and other more cooling or yin series can help, depending on the constitution of the person and desired state (in addition to things like eating fresh veggies, fruit, or yogurt, drinking from a copper vessel, taking cooling herbs, etc.). It can also be put on a cloth or piece of jewelry which is carried on the person, to create an intensity buffer.

And as always, a little goes a long way.

It is also best practice to balance application of this with down time, rest, rejuvenation, self-love and acceptance for its own sake, emotional healing, and the addressing of trauma.

Personal accountability and accomplishment are GREAT things, but they are not ALL things.

And often there are healing processes necessary to coming into our full and glorious own.

For re-mothering and addressing the more yin aspects of the emotional sphere, Immortal Heart may be a better fit or a good supplement for alternating application.

For issues to do with taking action, accountability, and wielding agency, among other things, Exalted Sol is ideal for re-fathering (alongside Asclepius III: Son of Apollo, perhaps).

Exalted Sol helps with all typical Solar things: Sovereignty/ Kingship, elevation, promotion, cohesion, leadership, visibility, empowerment, purification, energetic cleansing and banishing, patrilineal healing, coming into better relationship with men or masculine figures, and working with one’s own yang/ animus.

This series also helps steady the nerves when it’s go-time, managing performance anxiety and stage fright. It holds the Individual together from within, increasing our ability to endure stressful circumstances. It also ensures we present as ourselves, rather than fall apart under the spotlight or in the midst of the race. Increases endurance, bravery, and pain tolerance. Converts “anxiety” into excitement to perform.

In terms of choosing between Golden or Exalted Sols: The Sun in Leo is self-love and self-acceptance for their own sake. It is heart-centered, and takes pride in its legacy (hence its creations and descendants). The Sun in Aries exalts in what it has made of itself and gained from its own steam, alongside its ability to alter the outer world in accord with one’s will.

I pray it serves you well, and that your efforts contribute to the betterment of yourself, as well as the broader sphere.

Exalted Sol is the first Sun in Aries-based project Sphere + Sundry has ever released, and the last of a constellation of series created during the best space-weather of 2020, making it cousins to the already available (and almost sold out, in terms of Oils) Luminous Crown + Empress.

Collaborators for this series include master perfumer Elizabeth Barrial of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab + Twilight Alchemy Lab, esoteric goldsmith Tony Mack, and occult author Robert Fitzgerald.

Gratitude to astrologer’s astrologer Austin Coppock for our election…

Let it be known (for those who are new, or may not) that Austin, in addition to being my long-term partner, has also been my teacher in astrology and astrological magic since 2007.

While — thanks to him! — I am proficient at assessing and choosing elections, he is a Master of this Art, and in the formal business of teaching others. We collaborate via Sphere + Sundry to showcase the borderline miraculous feats that astrological magic — with an undeniable dash of modern innovation — is capable of when done at the highest level by people who know what they are doing, with the intent of helping and healing our clients and loved ones.

If you would like to do the same one day — or even just provide for yourself as the empowered Individual you’re in the constant process of becoming — Austin’s 2021 courses are about to open for enrollment. Join his mailing list to be notified of the occasion.

It’s easy for the pictures, the prose, and the prolific influence of Sphere + Sundry to eclipse the unseen work of election-crafting and practitionership. The difference between Talismanic Materia and the majority of the market is the election itself, and the deep work of decades of combined experience from some of the best artisans in their fields.

There is a lot I bring to the table that is my own, but it is built on the work Austin and myriad others have done before me, and I walk consciously and with gratitude in their hard-won footsteps.

In a world divorced from lineage, due respect, and living tradition, please consider carrying that ethos with you — as we all walk paths made easier by those who have helped clear and light the way.

Every order includes basic instructions for use, a prayer, and timing suggestions for application. You will also receive an invitation to the private client forum for ongoing support from both creator and community.