(03-07-2026, 05:54 PM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

(03-07-2026, 05:12 PM)eggyk Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

(03-07-2026, 04:54 PM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Yes, there is a fundamental difference between a zodiac sign and a planetary protective seal. A zodiac sign represents your inherent personality traits, whereas a planetary seal is a magical tool used for active protection or manifestation.

This doesn't entirely answer my question. 
when answering, please include an analogy referring to fruit.
What is being depicted is still the zodiacal symbols, is it not? Regardless of what its purpose is.

The illustrations in the Book of the Treasure of Alexander are fascinating because they combine realistic imagery with hidden, encoded magical functions.
When you look at those drawings, you are not looking at a standard horoscope chart, but at active talismanic seals (sigils) disguised as constellations or mythological figures.
## Why Do the Seals Look Like Zodiac Animals?

* Spiritual Embodiment (Forma Spiritualis): In this ancient Arabic hermetic tradition, the spirits of the planets and the Zodiac were believed to manifest in physical, often animal or hybrid forms. To capture the protection of a sign, the magician had to draw the exact entity, not just a line.
* The Theory of Correspondences: If a seal was meant to protect against venomous creatures, it was graphically shaped like a Scorpion or a Serpent, surrounded by magical letters. The image itself acted as a sympathetic shield to repel that specific danger.
* The Magic of the Decans: Many images that look like Zodiac signs are actually the 36 Decans (10-degree subdivisions of the Zodiac). Each Decan has its own unique, often monstrous or divine image (e.g., a man with a dog's head, or a woman holding a bowl). Engraving that specific figure at the right hour created the seal.

## Visual Architecture of the Seals in the Book
In the manuscript, a seal is rarely just the animal. It is heavily modified with graphic anchors:

* Magical Alphabets: The eyes, paws, or tails of the animals are often connected to hidden characters from secret alphabets (like the Alphabet of Hermes or Angelic scripts).
* Concentric Rings: The animal figure is usually enclosed in a circle containing specific invocations, planetary symbols, and the names of kings or angels.

By looking at these drawings as seals rather than just illustrations, you are seeing the true medieval practice of astrological talismanic magic—where art, geometry, and astrology became a physical tool of power.

(03-07-2026, 07:27 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Warning issued. Let's be decent human beings and at least mention when and how we use AI. Feeding people AI answers as if it is your own, is simply disrespectful.

(04-07-2026, 06:34 AM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I think it is clearly evident that everything I am presenting here is the result of detailed, manual work. My theory is currently based on my own reasoning, the manual examination of archives, and the citation of sources. I use Google to answer specific questions from you. It is simply a compilation of information already provided in the initial post. I do not use any AI-generated conclusions. I understand that my findings are so obvious and revolutionary that they may be unsettling.

(04-07-2026, 07:23 AM)eggyk Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

(04-07-2026, 06:34 AM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.I think it is clearly evident that everything I am presenting here is the result of detailed, manual work. My theory is currently based on my own reasoning, the manual examination of archives, and the citation of sources. I use Google to answer specific questions from you. It is simply a compilation of information already provided in the initial post. I do not use any AI-generated conclusions. I understand that my findings are so obvious and revolutionary that they may be unsettling.

Radim, if you are not aware, the "assistant" that answers questions in google search is a built in AI chatbot. We know this is what is providing at least some answers, because you accidentally copied the follow-up question it asked you at the end of it's answer as part of one of your posts. 

This thread is genuinely interesting sometimes, even if I don't agree with your conclusions. If you don't know the answer to a question, and you require the help of "google" to help, just let us know that you asked it, and explain what it said in your own words instead of outright copying its answer. That way we can try to follow up and confirm what it suggests if we want to, and we can also dismiss it if we want to. It's far more honest than using it and claiming otherwise.

As I said, I like this thread and look forward to more comparisons of the imagery between these arabic/ethiopian sources with the VMS, so we should focus on that imo. 

(04-07-2026, 06:34 AM)Radim Dobeš Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

(03-07-2026, 07:27 PM)Koen G Wrote: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.Warning issued. Let's be decent human beings and at least mention when and how we use AI. Feeding people AI answers as if it is your own, is simply disrespectful.

I think it is clearly evident that everything I am presenting here is the result of detailed, manual work. My theory is currently based on my own reasoning, the manual examination of archives, and the citation of sources. I use Google to answer specific questions from you. It is simply a compilation of information already provided in the initial post. I do not use any AI-generated conclusions. I understand that my findings are so obvious and revolutionary that they may be unsettling.

Quote:Does anybody know more about these "man swallowed by a fish" Islamic pictures?
Is this a common way in Islamic culture to show the sign of Pisces?
Or does it have another meanings?

Quote:* The Mermaid/Merman Form: The figure is often rendered with a human upper torso (frequently wearing a turban or robes) and a powerful, scaly fish tail from the waist down.