Practical Planetary Magic by David Rankine & Sorita d’Este:
Taphthartharath has a medium size body and an attractive face. He appears as an armed knight in armour. He moves like the clouds. The sign of his appearance is a feeling of fear or nervousness.

To understand Taphthartharath, it is essential to first grasp the esoteric significance of Mercury. In astrology and magick, Mercury is the planet of communication, intellect, commerce, and travel. It governs all forms of exchange, whether they be ideas, goods, or messages. As the ruler of both Gemini and Virgo, Mercury’s influence is dualistic, embodying both the analytic precision of Virgo and the versatile adaptability of Gemini. This duality is mirrored in Taphthartharath, whose nature is equally multifaceted.

In the Kabbalistic tradition, Mercury corresponds to the sephirah Hod on the Tree of Life. Hod is the sphere of intellect, logic, and the power of communication. It is through Hod that the energy of the higher spheres is translated into the language of the material world, making it a crucial point of connection between the divine and the mundane.

Taphthartharath is often described as a spirit of immense intellectual power and cunning. This spirit acts as a bridge between the divine and human intellect. Taphthartharath’s name, like many in occultism, carries a vibrational significance that aligns with the frequencies of communication and mental acuity.

In Hermetic magick, Taphthartharath is invoked when the practitioner seeks to enhance their mental faculties, improve communication skills, or gain insight into complex situations. The spirit is also associated with the acquisition of knowledge, especially in the fields of science, mathematics, and esoteric studies. Those who work with Taphthartharath may find their minds sharpened and their ability to articulate ideas enhanced.

Taphthartharath is symbolized by the caduceus, the staff carried by Hermes, the Greek god who corresponds to the Roman Mercury. The caduceus, with its two intertwined serpents, represents duality, balance, and the harmonious exchange of energies. This symbol perfectly encapsulates the nature of Taphthartharath, who, like Mercury, navigates the boundaries between opposites—light and dark, conscious and subconscious, divine and human.

The spirit is also associated with the colour orange, which is linked to the planet Mercury in the context of planetary magick. Orange is a colour of creativity, enthusiasm, and mental clarity, all of which are qualities that Taphthartharath can bestow upon the practitioner.

It is best to call upon this spirit on a Wednesday during the planetary hour of Mercury, when its influence is strongest. Rituals involving Taphthartharath might include offerings of items associated with Mercury, such as quartz, yellow or orange candles, and symbols of communication like pens or books.

When working with Taphthartharath, it is crucial to approach with respect and a focused mind. The spirit is known for its sharp intellect, and it can be both a powerful ally and a challenging teacher. Those who seek to invoke Taphthartharath should be prepared for intense mental experiences and be open to the insights that may arise.

Now, there is a famous invocation of Taphthartharath involving the actress and writer, Florence Farr, and is a well-known episode in the history of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.

The invocation of Taphthartharath by Florence Farr is said to have been a powerful and intense ritual, conducted as part of the Golden Dawn’s work with planetary spirits. The purpose of the invocation was to bring forth the spirit of Taphthartharath to gain insight, knowledge, and enhanced intellectual faculties. As the spirit of Mercury, Taphthartharath was believed to possess vast knowledge and the ability to aid in communication and understanding complex matters.

During the ritual, Florence Farr, acting as the chief operator, would have recited specific invocations and prayers, using the sacred names and symbols associated with Mercury and Taphthartharath. The ritual likely involved the use of the caduceus, the staff of Mercury, and other Mercury-related items such as candles, incense, and sigils.

The invocation is said to have been successful, with Taphthartharath making its presence known in the ritual space. However, accounts suggest that the experience was overwhelming, even for an experienced practitioner like Farr.

Farr’s encounter with Taphthartharath reportedly left a profound impact on her, and the ritual became a significant part of her magickal legacy within the Golden Dawn. The event is often cited as an example of the power and potential dangers of working with planetary spirits, particularly those as complex as Taphthartharath.

Now you may have heard that it was Crowley how initiated this ritual. You need to understand that Farr is one of the people that oversaw the initiation of Crowley into the Golden Dawn in 1897, and the two of them didn’t see eye to eye after some time, and so Crowley, who had a strong interest in exploring the boundaries of ritual magick, sought to participate in or replicate this type of invocation to prove his own prowess and perhaps to challenge Farr’s authority.

Crowley, known for his audacity and willingness to push the limits of occult practices, attempted to invoke Taphthartharath himself. However, Crowley’s attempt is often described as chaotic and potentially disastrous.

The invocation of Taphthartharath by Crowley is remembered as an example of his willingness to engage with powerful and potentially dangerous forces without fully considering the consequences. His actions during this ritual contributed to the tension and eventual schism within the Golden Dawn, as other members were alarmed by his approach to magick and his disregard for the group’s established protocols. If you want to read the ritual itself, that Crowley initiated, it can be found in Equinox Vol 1 No. 3 in the chapter The Temple of Solomon the King Book 2 continued, under the title of The Ritual for The Evocation Unto Visible Appearance of The Great Spirit Taphthartharath. He actually starts out by saying, “Soror S.S.D.D. [Florence Farr] altered Frater I.A.’s ritual, making the operation to form a link between Thoth and the Magus. This is absurd; the correct way is as here given, in which the link is formed between the Spirit and the Magus.”