“The Mistress of Genesis: the Moon, the Soul, and the Art of Talismans in Late Antiquity” with Sabrina Moncini.
I will explore the role of the Moon in late antique cosmology as well as what it means for her to act as a Mediator for the sublunar realm. I will address its role in astrology and its importance in the elections for astrological talismans. I will describe a few particular Lunar Talismans and their functions. Finally I will explore the Moon as a symbol of the Soul and its role as a mediator between the spiritual and physical realms, particularly in Sufism or the Arab Neoplatonic tradition.