Marsile Ficin was a learned humanist and translator of the mage Hermes. He was a precursor of the astral magic of the Renaissance.

In 1480, he wrote his three books of life, in which he explained the way that natural objects could be used to obtain their celestial power. For example, to benefit from the curative properties of the sun, he recommended the use of golden or yellow objects, such as amber, honey and saffron. Overall, his book deals with remedies for various ailments, such as insomnia and liver complaints, by resorting to astral and magic medicine.

From a theoretical point of view, Ficin incorporated the idea of the cosmos as explained in the Picatrix. He merely pointed out that each object in nature holds the spirit of a heavenly body. That is why the philosopher always denied he was practicing demonology, instead making himself the messenger of natural magic: "nature is a magician everywhere".

His work on magic, entitled De Vita Coelius Comparanda or How to Capture the Life of Stars, described how to make and use the astral images. As far as Ficin was concerned, which was also the case for Hermes, the sympathies and correspondences of the cosmos were the key to astrology and magic.

The principle consisted of placing both signs and characters of the heavenly body, whose beneficial effects were required, onto a talisman. He also recommended suffumigation - in other words, burning incense. For the list of influences between the heavenly bodies and the scents, you need to refer to Agrippa. Finally, he explained that music could be used to increase the magic force of the talisman, with which he recommended associating an Orphic hymn.

The following two examples can be given:

For the three decans of Aries, you will therefore find the following images:

"Homo senex in altiore cathedra sedens vel dracone, caput tectus panno quodam lineo fusco, manus supra caput erigens, falcem manutens aut
pisces, fusca indutus veste"

"An old man sitting on a raised throne or on a dragon with a dark linen hood covering his head, with one hand raised above his head holding a scythe or a fish, 
and wearing a dark robe"

For a long and happy life: engrave an image of Jupiter
on a clear, white stone:

"Homo sedens super aquilam vel draconem coronatus croceam induto vestem"

"A crowned man on an eagle or dragon, dressed in yellow"