“Golden Sol” is the proprietary term Sphere + Sundry has chosen for its Sun in Leo family. The first series from 2019 was presented like a self-titled album. The second released in 2024 is referred to as both Golden Sol II and its subtitle, Sun Without Sin. Here today, we present Golden Sol III: Golden Titan.

There was a sweet spot and a solar flare the week that cusped late July and early August last year, when the two most recent were seeded in quick succession. Each election was worth capturing for its own distinct qualities and merits, and allow us the opportunity to showcase how elections have specializations and personalities, which working structure, prayer-petition, design, formulary, and even setting help to augment and emphasize.

The end results are related, but also meaningfully different to experience and orient toward. Offerings from GSII and GSIII together gift somatic and experiential knowledge of this fact, when compared and contrasted. Similarly to Luminous Crown and Empress (crafted on the same day), but in the Sun in Leo’s case, with the added benefit of an identical target and singular Power to reflect on.

It’s fitting that Golden Titan would debut second (despite its creation first), as the election’s Gemini Moon manifests a twofold / twin dynamic, in addition to being airy and active. It’s also good form that most of our Clients will have experienced the lighter, easier to metabolize charge of the newborn Sun before engaging with Golden Titan’s flashier, heavier hitting energies.

Luna’s conjunction to the Royal Star Aldebaran gives grit, passion, opulence, and intensity to the charge that Mars and Jupiter double down on, while Venus, co-present with Sol in the 1st, adds charm and seductiveness to Leo’s raw, charismatic Star-power. A dazzling cocktail of titanic potency — steadfast and unyielding — coated in honors, glamours, and luxury.

The setup for this working reflected the election’s brazen showmanship and lofty elevation, smack dab on the second floor balcony of the Thema Mundi house. On display for all to see, looking down upon the town below, the address to Sol was vibrated without regard for what eyes may see, or ears might hear.

The grass beneath was dry and hay-like, bleached golden from a combination of the Summer Sun’s sheer potency and lack of water. The ground surrounding the house required firming to support the scaffolding the roofers and painters used to give the house its well-deserved glow-up, so its sprinklers had been cut off. This staging was even visible in the background photos for Capricorn II: The Great Work.

An island of dead grass makes for a pointed contrast with sprinklers actively watering a sea of lush foreground, as in GSII’s creation; whose election and write-up emphasize Sol’s symbiotic relationship to water, and the benevolent, innocent nature of its freshly-born, night-banishing rays. The beholding of creation, before any corruption sets in.

But the breaking of dawn brings the inevitable evaporation of morning dew. The Sun’s light matures quickly and increasingly dominates, heat mounting to an oppressive crescendo at mid-day near Summer’s Solstice.

Golden Titan’s election was in the morning as well (though in the second hour to GSII’s first), and the humidity Jupiter and Venus’ influence brought was visible in the cloud-specked sky. Bummer, I thought, these shan’t be great photos.

But after checking in on Sphere Team 6’s candle efforts, I ascended the grand staircase once more, turning clockwise and Eastward to behold Golden Titan’s sun-soaked Altar, awash in light and shadow. As if the Sun — having heard our calls and pleased by our offerings — had begun clearing His own way.

Of Sphere + Sundry’s election, astrologer Austin Coppock shares:

The Sun, strong in Leo, in the 1^st, and in its own hour, has just completed a sextile with fiery Mars and carries that flame into another sextile with triumphant Jupiter. This relationship with Mars and Jupiter, specifically moving from Mars to Jupiter, is at the heart of this election, as the Moon is in the same situation, moving from conjunction to Mars to conjunction with Jupiter. To move from Mars to Jupiter is to move from struggle to victory, from contest to overcoming.

The Moon is in a powerful position here. Though waned, not only is it approaching Jupiter, it is also tightly conjoined the royal star Aldebaran, soaking the Moon’s black and silver with ruddy stellar strength. Together, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and red Aldebaran clear the way for the Sun, spear-bearers blazing a trail for day’s radiant sovereign.

This potent procession occurs in the nakshatra Rohini (The Red One), most favored of the Moon’s 27 and 1 mansions.  Rohini is represented as a cart, the vahana, the sacred vehicle, and maximizes the Moon’s support for the Sun, providing a custom chariot with a 500 horsepower engine and golden scythes on the wheels.

Tempering the fast and furious qualities of this configuration, Venus sits on the Ascendant of this chart. Aphrodite’s planet keeps the engines from overheating too quickly, and mellows the raw speed and power with a measure of grace and charm.

This series stands in meaningful contrast to Golden Sol II, made during the same season, which maximizes the sattvic, peaceful qualities of the Sun. While Golden Sol II came into the world as a smiling child, perfect and whole, Golden Sol III is fierce and mobile, its flaming chariot pulled onward by a flock of winged lions, flanked by a fighter-escort of griffin-riders. Perfect youth, vitality, and innocence in complementary contrast with speed, power, and conquering confidence.  For the Sun is both the joyous child of the SUN XIX card, and the lion of the savannah’s hot pursuit.

Great Charioteer, Luminous Rider!
Who with Steady Heart and Firm Hand
Guides the Planets in their Courses
Grant us a Measure of thy Poise and Control
No Matter how Wild our Steeds  

When choosing between Sun Without Sin and Golden Titan, it might be helpful to think of the two as Yin (or inner) and Yang (outer) sides of the same lion-headed coin.

GSII / Sun Without Sin is better for Solar remediation, and for those who know (or suspect) they have a low Solar “tolerance”. It is perfect for those who wish to ease gently into the Solar waters, and seek to engage with such materia for healing and inner self-work. It is for people who prefer softer, sweeter notes in their Solar sauce, avoiding undo spice. It is for purifying the Solar within one’s own sphere, and weeding one’s garden of ego issues born of shame and grandeur alike. It is balancing, adaptogenic, and homeostasis inducing. In that sense, it is subtle.

GSIII / Golden Titan (this series) is for more exteriorized results, calling forth classical associations the Sun has with fame, leadership, domination, and victory. It is the spiciest of any Golden Sol thus far, though not as heating as Exalted Sol (our Sun in Aries creations). Leo has a more… wholesome… vibe than Aries does, and that still shines through here. It’s just… a little higher on its own supply, than GSII.

And quite literally, for the unique chassis this election is built upon provides lift (Gemini, an Air sign), ferocity (Mars), broad survey (Jupiter), good luck (Jupiter again), and agility (Mercury ruling all that, Exalted in Virgo), with the iron-will and resources of an ~additional~ A-list Star, Aldebaran, before you even put Sol in His chariot, alongside Venus, dolled to the hilt in the passenger’s seat!

It is just the ticket for those who wanted more oomph from Sun Without Sin; though let it also be said that the two play well together, whether layered or alternated. And certain forms are only available in one and not both.

Golden Titan delivers Sphere + Sundry’s first ever Solar Beauty Oil for Skin Hair and Beard, alongside an exquisite Ritual Salt.

Sun Without Sin has our only Sun in Leo Salve, though both offer Body Butters.

With the recent debut of the Blank Canvas collection, you can now make Shampoo, Conditioner, and Lotion out of any series your heart desires, however, past, present, and future.

It is also worth noting that due to our recent kitchen certification to offer Sacramental Cookie Sets, Golden Titan’s Ritual Honey is the first we are actually allowed to advertise as consumable (added bonus, it is delicious!). What a cool lived extension of the Sun in Leo coming after the 1st house Moon and Cancer in the Thema Mundi chart.

There may be a follow up sync along these lines to report later, but it’ll take time to play out. Will update if / when that comes to fruition!

Both Golden Sols make wonderfully pleasing offerings to Solar Spirits and Deities, smelling utterly divine, and can be used for spell work, personal cleansing, and space clearing, in addition to passive application. GSII will bring out the kinder, softer side of the Solar current in any application, while Golden Titan is more of a maximizer, intensifier, and ante-upper. More Helios, less Apollo.

Sun Without Sin is frankincense forward, and its clarifying, smile-inducing orange blossom Water is something truly spectacular.

Golden Titan brings the same royal hojari frankincense, saffron, and 24k gold to bear, but with the addition of dragon’s blood, clove, ginger, blood orange, and enough bay laurel to make Julius Caesar weak in the knees.

Themes include the burning away of cloud cover and darkness, rising and shining through toughness to triumph, as well as explorations in contrast. The strongest lights cast the darkest shadows, and greatness, achievement, and shining brightly can bring out unsavory aspects in ourselves, as well as others.

[This is where Sun Without Sin can help, too… keeping us rooted to why we started something in the first place, to avoid being cast too far adrift by whatever “spoils” come after].

Golden Titan is also wonderful for the banishment of melancholy, and the assertion of drive, ambition, and the type of “Let Them” mindset that enables one to put themselves wherever they need to be, to get the job done. Whether it’s in front of their entire town on a second floor balcony, on stage, on the internet, or in (very) real, everyday life. Do what needs done, and lit’rally FVCK whoever doesn’t understand, or would prefer to you fail or fall.

YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Like all strong Leo charges, Golden Titan is also family oriented, and seems especially heavy on the images. Family photos, family photoshoots, families coming together, and families overcoming internal strife have been resonant effects observed in many beta testers, including yours truly.

It also seems to take an interest in elevated self-presentation. Coifing, looking one’s best, and whatnot.

As far as results go — which always manifest themselves as the Team works toward delivering each series to the world — one of the main things has been just literal happiness. The energy has been so good, and so high, and it has been such a pleasure to produce. Camaraderie and “can do” attitudes abound, and productivity is insane. Ask and it shall be done!

One of the effects this series seems to have is “finding a way”. It reminds me of the old adage, “if you need something done, ask a busy person”. And another one: “An object in motion stays in motion”.

Golden Titan is also emphasizing music in a way no other Sol series has, reminding me of all the nods to song, instruments, and melodies in the Orphic hymns to Apollo, Helios, and The Sun.

The Thema Mundi house’s antique piano — circa 1860, older than the home itself! — was in terrible disrepair. It was sent away to be entirely restored, with an estimated turnaround of “by Christmas”. Two Christmases later, Esquire Piano called entirely out of the blue to announce it will be delivered the week of Golden Titan’s launch.

Interesting note for Sphere + Sundry lore-mongers: this piano is also where the Quicksilver Tongue peacock typically perches, another series which benefits bards!

We were contacted by the Britt Festival asking to tour the house, to see whether it might accommodate headlining bands when they come through town to perform each summer, tying together three* distinct Golden Titan themes: the profile of the house itself (the operation having been conducted on its front balcony, emphasizing visibility), music, and stars in the sense of famous people (but we see you, double entendre!).

*Four if we include financial gain, which I suspect this series will be excellent for! The stacked 11th ruled by 2nd house Mercury seem to insist!

That also took place Golden Titan’s launch week, whose ushering into the public sphere is bringing all kinds of great connections and things to do out of the woodwork.

It is a truly wonderful thing the series provides energy, motivation, and ambition, because boy do you need it to rise to the occasion of all the opportunities Golden Titan is capable of providing!

In other timely syncs, we were also contacted with a request to film a movie scene in front of the house, and gold itself, the physical commodity, is having a simply titanic moment right now, reaching historic high after historic high.

Special thanks also to Nathan Briggs and Jo, Maker of Ways, for their aid with recent tech snafus and our forthcoming Mystery Subset.

And to our home Team and dedicated collaborators, Austin, Tony, Elizabeth, and now Eric, for pulling the Chariot that is Sphere + Sundry straight toward the very face of the Sun, and contributing their artistry to this winged beast of a series.

We trust it shall serve you, Dearest Reader, very well!

Powerful, profound, and exquisitely perfumed it is and shall be!

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We’ve taken this opportunity to pour a batch of Aldebaran Spell Soap,
with what little Powder and Incense was left in the archive from our first, only, and long-gone Aldebaran series.
There will be another one someday, but no exquisite election anytime soon!

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Since we’ve been signing off with theme songs recently,
here’s Golden Titan at its absolute cvntiest

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