Original Magic: The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi - Stephen E. Flowers Ph.D. 2017

Operative Uses
The History of Iranian Magic

For the purposes of this book we are most interested in the operative uses of astrological theory; namely, what role it plays in workings of magic. The most important operative aspect flows from the idea that the solar cycle is divided into twelve houses and zodiacal signs made up of 360 degrees and 365 days. A yazata is ascribed to each of these degrees of the circle. During this time, roughly the span of a day, that particular yazata has special power or influence. These yazatas are regularly invoked on that day in rituals, which bring the individual into the matrix of divine power. When individuals have critical need of one of these powers for any special purpose, they can call on it in special rites of magic or, better said, operative theology. The main operative key therefore lies in the aspect of timing combined with the significance ascribed to the days of the month or degrees of the 360 divisions of the circle around the Earth. The manthras can invoke the degree and the timing of acts of operative magic. These actions can then be keyed to the times when the needed powers are strongest.