OCULUS OROBOROSOCULUS OROBOROS
Classification: Magic item (Talisman of mystic power)
Creator: Unrevealed
First Appearance: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (February, 1994)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Oculus Oroboros is a powerful mystic conduit fashioned in the image of two serpents devouring each other.
When activated, the Oculus releases the “Rend Eels,” serpent-shaped energy forms that kill those they touch and transfers their life energy back into the artifact.
History:
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - The Oculus Oroboros lay hidden in Romania for ages, protected by a supernatural dampening field.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - The Oculus was thought to be a myth by many.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - Having taken over Castle Doom and impersonated Dr. Doom, Nathaniel Richards (see comments) sought the Oculus Oroboros, but -- despite access to Doom's magical and technological prowess -- he was unable to locate it.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - The supernatural dampening field kept the Oculus hidden from Nathaniel (and presumably from Strange, an aetheric duplicate/aspect of Dr. Stephen Strange created to gather mystic power for Dr. Strange so he could defeat his enemy Salome)
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - An international excavation project (including Professor Cole, Virginia) spent three weeks in Bucharest, Romania, searching for various occult items.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer
Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) <Three days before the main story> - The
excavation project's funding was cut, but they all continued their
work.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer
Supreme#62 - BTS) - Remotely controlling a Doombot and assisted by multiple members of
the Latverian Special Forces, Nathaniel Richards observed the
excavation project as Professor Cole began to unearth the Oculus.
Nathaniel wondered if he could trust them not to destroy the artifact
he coveted, and he remained frustrated that they could find it while he
could not.
Someone noted that they needed a weight, and (presumably)
another person noted that the "airtight container was ready."
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62) - As the Oculus came into view, one of the project noted, "It can't be the Oculus...it is a myth!" As it was completely freed from the ground, "Doom" appeared and snared the Oculus in an energy field, warning everyone to stand clear to avoid being disintegrated. One of the project members reached for the Oculus and was swiftly torn apart by magical energies.
Identifying the field that had
kept the Oculus hidden, "Doom" noted that now that these "dabblers" had
broken that field, this central focusing eye and its disparate parts
would forge the powerful conduit for elemental magick ever...but he was
interrupted by a magical blast by Strange, who informed him that the
Oculus Oroboros belonged to him.
Although his arcane sensors
identified the energy signature/life force of Stephen Strange (Strange was believed to be Dr. Strange in a new costume by most initially), Richards
realized the instruments must be in error, after which Strange blasted
him, claimed the Oroboros and then caused it to unleash the destructive
Rend Eels. Appreciating
the Eels' dangerous nature, "Doom" noted that Strange knew of the
artifact's defenses and told Strange to help him destroy them. As
Strange engaged the Rend Eels, "Doom" advised him to disrupt these
watchdogs at the molecular level, as mystic battering only agitated
them.
The Eels began to destroy the
agents of "Doom" as well as at least two members of the excavation
project (possibly including Virginia, or another woman). Doom
considered that while the Latverian Special Forces were efficient, the
"implacable Rend Eels" devoured the enemies and then themselves before
returning to the Oculus itself.
As the Eels attacked "Doom," Strange ignored the
Rend Eels wrapping around his leg and assaulted "Doom." Both the
Latverian Special Forces and the members of the excavation project
begged Strange to save them from the Rend Eels.
His assaults having permeated the armor of "Doom," Strange noted that he would let the Eels have him.
Strange absorbed the Oculus, noting "All earthbound magick belongs to Strange!"
Magical feedback forced Richards to disengage the neural
interface for fear of not surviving another assault.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#63) -
As Dr. Strange met with Morbius after summoning him to his Forge Canal,
an image of the Oculus Oroboros (or perhaps the Oculus itself), as
viewed through a mystic portal, was seen by Strange's side. 
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#64) - Via the Anomaly Rue in Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, Strange traveled to Dr. Strange's Forge Canal. Pulling the Oroboros from within his chest, Strange delivered it to Dr. Strange, who placed it alongside a number of other mystic artifacts floating in the air.
(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme Annual#4) -
Following an encounter with Strange, Vincent Stevens, and Salome,
Strange stood before his collection of mystic artifacts (including the
Oculus), considering the urgency of his need to upgrade his elemental
magick.
Comments: Created by David Quinn, Melvin Rubi, and Fred Harper.
The Council of Reeds stories or thereabouts noted this Nathaniel Richards to be some corrupt alternate reality counterpart, "the beast." I remain skeptical.
The Oculus received a mini-profile in the Mystic Arcana handbook's Talisman's of Mystic Power page.
Professor Cole and the excavation
team could receive their own profile or be added as sub-profiles to
this profile at some point.
According to Wikipedia:
The ouroboros or uroboros (/ˌ(j)ʊərəˈbɒrəs/, also UK:, US:) is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. Originating in ancient Egyptian iconography, the ouroboros entered western tradition via Greek magical tradition and was adopted as a symbol in Gnosticism and Hermeticism and most notably in alchemy. The term derives from Ancient Greek οὐροβόρος, from οὐρά oura 'tail' plus -βορός -boros '-eating'. The ouroboros is often interpreted as a symbol for eternal cyclic renewal or a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The skin-sloughing process of snakes symbolizes the transmigration of souls, the snake biting its own tail is a fertility symbol. The tail of the snake is a phallic symbol, the mouth is a yonic or womb-like symbol.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Oculus Oroboros should be distinguished from:
images: (without ads):
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62, pg. 6, panel 1 (glowing as Nathaniel Richards/Dr. Doom claims it);
pg. 10, panel 6 (Strange claiming it)
#64, pg. 3, panel 2 (Strange delivering the Oculus to Dr. Strange)
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
First posted: 11/01/2020
Last updated: 02/03/2022
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