Travis Simpkins: Key of Solomon

Showing posts with label Key of Solomon. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Keys to the Gateway of Magic. Dr Stephen Skinner. David Rankine. Occult. Grimoire

I'm reading through "The Keys to the Gateway of Magic: Summoning the Solomonic Archangels and Demon Princes." Edited by Dr. Stephen Skinner and David Rankine.

This classic text of the Nine Great Keys details the invocation of the Archangels, the full hierarchy of spiritual beings (including Olympic Spirits and Elementals) and the evocation of the four Demon Princes.

Highly sought-after, this edition of a rare early seventeenth century grimioire has never before appeared in English. Occult scholar Stephen Skinner, along with magician and author David Rankine, trace the history of the Keys and offer full transcriptions of four key seventeenth century manuscripts in the British Library and in the Bodleian Library.

https://amzn.to/4k6xcSs

Friday, March 14, 2025

The Lesser Key of Solomon. Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis. Grimoire. Joseph H. Peterson

I'm reading through Joseph H. Peterson's edition of "The Lesser Key of Solomon."

Compiled from original manuscripts and fragments in the British Museum Library, Joseph Peterson's new presentation is the most complete and accurate edition of this famous magical grimoire.

A widely respected scholar and archivist of occult texts, Peterson goes to great length to establish the provenance of each part of The Lessor Key of Solomon, and possible derivative works, including critical analyses of all major variations, utilizing fresh translations of earlier magical texts such as Johann Trithemius's Steganographia, The Archidoxes of Magic by Paracelsus, and newly discovered Hebrew manuscripts of the original Key of Solomon.

Abundantly illustrated, Peterson includes reproductions of the original magical circles, tools, and seals of the spirits with variations of certain drawings from various sources and notae missing from earlier editions.

This definitive edition of The Lesser Key of Solomon includes:

Goetia—The ritual invocation of evil spirits and Solomons devices for binding them
Theurgia Goetia—Continues the study of spirits that are “partly good and partly evil”
Ars Paulina—Outlines the good spirits or angles governing the hours of the day and the signs of the zodiac. The text is purported to have been discovered by the Apostle Paul after he had been snatched up to heaven and includes “The Conjuration of the Holy Guardian Angel.”
Ars Almadel—attributed to an Arab of the same name, this text describes twenty beneficial sprits that govern the zodiac
Ars Notoria—With roots that go back to the 13th century Latin manuscripts, and probably even early oral traditions, this collection of orations and prayers in interspersed with magical words said to have mystical properties that can impart communion with God and knowledge of divine and human arts and sciences.
Appendices, which include addenda found in the Sloan Manuscript 2731, Johan Weyer’s Psuedomonarchia demonum
List of Sources
Index

https://amzn.to/4bVroJ1

Sunday, February 9, 2025

The Red Dragon. The Grand Grimoire. Black Letter Press. Occult. Ceremonial Magick

I picked up a Black Letter Press edition of "The Red Dragon" at Splendor Solis Books in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The Grand Grimoire is a foundational book of magic from the 19th century. This translation is the most accurate ever, and is presented with parallel French & English text. A comprehensive introduction covers the development of magic, the history of the grimoire, the witch trials & the Inquisition, the themes & key insights, and much more. The complete translation of a contemporary novel that provides relevant social context to the grimoire is also included. The foreword is by noted author and occultist Baal Kadmon.

This edition incorporates the seals and images of the spirits of the Grand Grimoire, many never seen before. This will aid the magician in concentration and visualization of the spirits, so that they may be evoked for practical purposes. The grimoire describes the process of evoking and making pacts with Lucifuge Rofocale, the 'Infernal Prime Minister," who is above the hierarchy of twenty-six other spirits in this book. The grimoire also contains a process of necromancy and a collection of spells.

This is a comprehensive resource for scholars, occultists, practicing magicians, witches and wizards. It is a valuable work both for its historical value, and its magical use. Our introduction contains notes on the various items used in the Grimoire, such as the herb Verbena, the Bloodstone, the Blasting Rod, and the Magic Circle. We have identified the actual items referenced in the Grimoire, which will be a significant leap in scholarship and magical practice, and we believe, give this grimoire a reestablished significance in occult circles.

While numerous translations exist, as this book is in the public domain, we have not found any translations that have rigorously researched the terms and translated all parts of the content, from the interspersed Latin, Greek and the base French text. The authors are practicing magicians and researchers.

From the Foreword by Baal Kadmon, "The beauty of this translation is not only its accuracy, but also that it is in a clear interlinear format. This provides the reader with the opportunity to see the original text, side-by-side with the English translation, something that does not exist in any other edition of this text. This alone is an invaluable benefit to the reader. However, this is not a mere translation of the text. It is also groundbreaking in its scholarship. For centuries, certain items mentioned in the text were a mystery. Aaman and Arundell were able to decipher them,which is a historic achievement unto itself.Due to the nature of The Grand Grimoire, accuracy should be of the utmost importance to any Magician and Sorcerer who wishes to delve into the secrets and powers of this text. You, the reader, can rest assured that this is by far the most accurate rendition of this text to-date.I am confident that this book will be referenced for many years to come. I know I will certainly refer to it time and time again as I further my own research on the subject of Solomonic Magic."

https://amzn.to/3WTbtEL

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Elementary Treatise on Practical Magic. Papus. Gerard Encausse. Piers Vaughan

I'm enjoying "Elementary Treatise on Practical Magic" by Papus (Gerard Encausse), translated by Piers Vaughan

In 1893, Dr. Gérard Encausse,also known by his nomen mysticum, Papus, wrote a book entitled Traité Élémentaire de Magie Pratique: Adaptation, Réalisation, Théorie de la Magie, or "Elementary Treatise on Practical Magic: Adaptation, Practice, Theory of Magic." This was the moment the general public came to meet 'Papus' for the first time.

Perhaps the most important word in the long title is Adaptation, for Papus makes the very important point that it isn't necessary to follow the instructions of the Grimoires slavishly, with no understanding or engagement of the intellect. He argued that modern man had neither the time to undertake the extensive and exclusive practices of old, and that many of the materials and implements required could either be purchased ready-made, or replaced with more modern substitutes. In this, he was perhaps the first public exponent of the Art to allow the ancient rituals to be adapted to modern use.

The book was a brave attempt to 'normalize' the esoteric world by placing it firmly in the realm of science, and Papus brought his medical knowledge to the challenge, in an attempt to show that everything which magic claimed to do was either firmly within the scientific domain, or would be in the near future. By applying his scientific methods to the study of esoteric phenomena, he hoped to make the magical arts a more respectable field of study. To support this, he included extensive lessons on physiology, neuropathology and hypnotherapy. These were interwoven with discussions of magic, which were primarily based on the Grimoires, and in particular the Clavicles of King Solomon, to show that in some areas of study they were moving along similar paths. Yet for the high road he tries to take, Papus is not above adding phrases like 'Country' or 'Folk Magic' and 'Love Potions' to his subtitle!
That said, the book is important in the history of esoteric education for a number of reasons. It was one of the first books which brought knowledge of the Grimoires and Ceremonial Magic to the general public, rather than to a rarified group of disciples. He was also the first to try to marry esoteric studies to science, in order to make them more palatable; and indeed, his work in this field does not appear to have negatively affected his professional life.

Perhaps most importantly, it provides a fascinating insight in fin de siècle Paris, with its aspirations, energy, fears, and pride. We see a people galvanized with excitement, anticipating the World Fair in 1889, which would see the Eiffel Tower as a monument to man's scientific advances, the appearance of mass transportation by railroad, electric lighting, photography (all of which Papus mentions in this book), together with a burgeoning knowledge of the structure and functioning of the Microcosm - Man.

The text has been supplied with extensive footnotes: Papus had a habit of writing for his times, and therefore makes many assumptions of his readers regarding current politics and history, newspapers, books and magazines, and famous characters and Orders existing in his times. Since it is unlikely any modern reader would be very familiar with these references, the footnotes are intended to provide a quick background, without forcing the reader to have to keep turning to endnotes in order to look up references.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Low Magick. Lon Milo DuQuette. Occult. Qabalah. Thelema. Ordo Templi Orientis

A quiet evening reading Lon Milo DuQuette is time well spent. He has described "Low Magick" as a follow-up to his autobiographical book, "My Life with the Spirits."

Take a fascinating journey into the life of one of the most respected, sought-after, and renowned magicians alive today: Lon Milo DuQuette. In this follow-up to his popular autobiography, My Life with the Spirits, DuQuette tells how a friend was cursed by a well-known foreign filmmaker and how they removed that curse with a little help from Shakespeare. He explains how, as a six-year-old, he used the Law of Attraction to get a date with Linda Kaufman, the most beautiful girl in first-grade. DuQuette also reveals the ins and outs of working with demons and provides a compelling account of performing an exorcism at a private Catholic high school.
As entertaining as they are informative, the true stories in this memoir contain authentic magical theory and invaluable technical information.

Monday, March 21, 2022

The Veritable Key of Solomon. Clavicula Salomonis. Grimoire. Ceremonial Magick. Dr. Stephen Skinner. David Rankine

I recently read through the Greek Magical Papyri and the Hygromanteia. In keeping with the chronological order of Grimoires, I'm now taking a renewed look at the 15th Century Clavicula Salomonis (Key of Solomon). I also have the classic version edited by S.L. MacGregor Mathers, but this book by Dr. Stephen Skinner (and all the others in his Source Works of Ceremonial Magic series) adds so much depth and context.

"The Key of Solomon" is the most famous and infamous of the Grimoires ever produced. Yet amazingly only one version of it has ever been published, by S L MacGregor Mathers, over 100 years ago. What Mathers may not have known is that there were much more detailed and complete versions of this grimoire available in many other languages. This is not just a variant of Mathers' text, but a translation of three completely different and beautifully illustrated 1796 French manuscripts of the Key of Solomon. These are the most beautiful and complete manu-scripts of "The Key of Solomon" ever published. Much of the detail omitted from Mathers' edition is given here, providing a complete and workable system of high magic with full details of implements, procedures, and a wide range of talismans. Much material not available to Mathers is also found in this extraordinary book, including planetary prayers, names of angels and demons, and a vast array of pentacles, as well as material on the Olympic Spirits, Planetary Spirits and Intelligences. The commentary by two of the best known scholar-magicians provides much additional material, a full survey of all the extant manuscripts of this famous grimoire and how they relate to each other, as well as the historical influence of the Key of Solomon on the development of magic from the Renaissance until now. The pentacles as drawn by Fyot, the original scribe, are reproduced here, with more than twice as many pentacles as were produced in Mathers' text. "The Key of Solomon" is the most significant magical grimoire ever penned, certainly for the period from the sixteenth through to the nineteenth century. This present work finally restores "The Key of Solomon" back to its place at the heart of practical Western magic.

Sunday, March 13, 2022

The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia. Grimoire. Ioannis Marathakis. Dr. Stephen Skinner

The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia. Grimoire. Key of Solomon. Ioannis Marathakis. Dr. Stephen Skinner

The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia. Grimoire. Ioannis Marathakis. Dr. Stephen Skinner

I'm spending some time reading through the Hygromanteia. This grimoire is part of the bridge between the Graeco-Egyptian Magical Papyri (PGM) and the Clavicula Salomonis (Key of Solomon). This translation is by Ioannis Marathakis, but is part of Dr. Stephen Skinner's series of Source Works of Ceremonial Magic.

The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia is the ultimate grimoire―the absolute foundation of ceremonial magic. The true source of the Key of Solomon, it is arguably the most significant magical text in the world. For the first time ever, this extraordinary work has been translated from the original Greek into English, allowing magic scholars worldwide to finally access its treasures. The translator, Ioannis Marathakis, is a native born Greek academic with an extensive knowledge of ceremonial magic. Unlike the abridged Latin translation, this groundbreaking work is the complete text, now arranged in its proper order.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Techniques of Solomonic Magic. by Dr. Stephen Skinner

Techniques of Solomonic Magic. Hygromanteia. Key of Solomon. Goetia. by Dr. Stephen Skinner

I'm enjoying "Techniques of Solomonic Magic" by Dr. Stephen Skinner. This book contains the historical background and methodology of the various Medieval and Renaissance Era Solomonic Grimoires (manuscripts containing magical workings ascribed to King Solomon). This text formed part of Dr. Skinner's doctoral thesis. He is certainly one of the most respected authorities on the subject in the world.

The most detailed analysis of the techniques of Solomonic magic from the seventh to the nineteenth century ever published. This volume explores the methods of Solomonic magic in Alexandria, tracing how the tradition passed through Byzantium (the Hygromanteia) to the Latin Clavicula Salomonis and its English incarnation as the Key of Solomon.
Discover specific magical techniques such as the invocation of the gods, the binding of demons, the use of the four demon Kings, and the construction of the circle and lamen. The use of amulets, talismans, and phylacteries is outlined along with their methods of construction. Also included are explanations of the structures and steps of Solomonic evocation, the facing directions, practical considerations, the use of thwarting angels, achieving invisibility, sacrifice, love magic, treasure finding and the binding, imprisoning, and licensing of spirits.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Tarot of Ceremonial Magick. Lon Milo DuQuette. Astrology, Enochian Magick and Goetia

I checked the mail this morning and was happy to find the Tarot deck created by Lon Milo DuQuette and his wife, Constance, titled "Tarot of Ceremonial Magick."

This particular Tarot deck was out of print for a very long time and has been hard to find. So, when I learned that Lon was working with an Occult store in Nebraska to reprint the deck, I figured I'd get one while they were still available. Order while you can.

We collaborated with Lon to bring this incredible deck back to print!
Comes with full-sized companion book that is new but published separately years ago, the book is the original companion book.
About the book: In this ground-breaking book, Lon Milo DuQuette explains the symbology of the cards in his Tarot of Ceremonial Magick, a new deck published by us. The concept is a breakthrough for occultists of all paths. Each card is illustrated with a list of the Zodiacal, Enochian, Ceremonial, Goetic, Tattvic, and Elemental components. DuQuette explains how the cards relate to each other and makes immediately accessible the more difficult conceptual connections that Crowley made so easily. Through DuQuette's wit and decades of practical knowledge of magical practice, students of the arcane arts can gain a whole new level of understanding of how and why magic works. Illustrated. Bibliography. Paperback.

Order the Book and Deck set here:

magicalomaha.com

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

The Sworn Book of Honorius. Liber Iuratus Honorii. Honorius of Thebes. Translated by Joseph Peterson

I'm journeying back several hundred years to spend some time with "The Sworn Book of Honorius", which roughly dates to the 13th or 14th Century.
All of the grimoires and other works translated by Joseph Peterson are nicely done, but this one is particularly great.

As the title testifies, students were sworn to secrecy before being given access to this magic text, and only a few manuscripts have survived. Bits of its teachings, such as the use of the magic whistle for summoning spirits, are alluded to in other texts. Another key element of its ritual, the elaborate “Seal of God,” has been found in texts and amulets throughout Europe.
Interest in The Sworn Book of Honorius has grown in recent years, yet no modern translations have been attempted―until now.
Purporting to preserve the magic of Solomon in the face of intense persecution by religious authorities, this text includes one of the oldest and most detailed magic rituals. It contains a complete system of magic including how to attain the divine vision, communicate with holy angels, and control aerial, earthly, and infernal spirits for practical gain.
Largely ignored by historians until recently, this text is an important witness to the transmission of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism to European Hermeticists.

Sunday, August 22, 2021

The Science of the Kabbalah. Lazare Lenain. Translated by Piers Vaughan. Portrait by Travis Simpkins

My author portrait of Piers A. Vaughan, 33° is featured on the back cover of his translation of The Science of the Kabbalah by Lazare Lenain. It is published by Rose Circle Books. The text focuses on the three Geniuses which hold power over various aspects of one's life (the Elemental, the Astrological and the Divine). Supplemental material has been added by the translator to aide in putting that information to practical use. As with his earlier esoteric books related to Martinism, Piers Vaughan has done a great service in translating and publishing this rare work.

Visit Rose Circle Books here:

rosecirclebooks.com

Purchase the book here:

Saturday, June 5, 2021

The Greek Magical Papyri. by Hans Dieter Betz. Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic. by Stephen Skinner

I have enjoyed traveling back in time 2,000 years through the Temples of Alexandria, Egypt. The Papyri Graecae Magicae (PGM) is a fascinating collection of texts, ranging from the 2nd Century BC to the 5th Century AD, and is representative of the magical practices in Egypt at that time. It is particularly interesting to look at it in terms of lineage and see the various practices that have continued on, albeit in modified forms. Some workings in the ancient PGM papyri later reappeared in Byzantium (the Hygromanteia), and then reappeared again in medieval grimoires like the Clavicula Salomonis (Key of Solomon).

If you're interested, I would suggest buying these two books (in the photo) together as a set. The Greek Magical Papyri is not a particularly easy read, and Dr. Stephen Skinner's companion book kindly creates some order out of the chaos.

"The Greek magical papyri" is a collection of magical spells and formulas, hymns, and rituals from Greco-Roman Egypt, dating from the second century B.C. to the fifth century A.D. Containing a fresh translation of the Greek papyri, as well as Coptic and Demotic texts, this new translation has been brought up to date and is now the most comprehensive collection of this literature, and the first ever in English.

The Greek Magical Papyri in Transition is an invaluable resource for scholars in a wide variety of fields, from the history of religions to the classical languages and literatures, and it will fascinate those with a general interest in the occult and the history of magic.

Uncover the Techniques Used by Graeco-Egyptian Magicians
Egypt was once at the heart of magical practice, and the Graeco-Egyptian papyri are the clearest and most extensive documentation of some of these earliest methods. Using academic tools, Stephen Skinner has translated and presented the information contained in the papyri so that the magic will transcend theory and become a real practice.
More than simply a guide to the papyri, Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic is a complete survey and explanation of the techniques, including:
Attracting love, health, and foresight
Bowl and lamp skrying
Sending of dreams
Mystery rites for fellowship with the gods
And more!
Uncover the techniques once used by Graeco-Egyptian magicians to bring this powerful magic into your life.

Friday, May 14, 2021

Ars Notoria. The Grimoire of Rapid Learning by Magic. Dr. Stephen Skinner. Daniel Clark

The Ars Notoria has intrigued me since I first learned of it's existence. For someone such as myself, with too many interests and always crunched for time, the idea of a book that enables one to learn entire subjects very quickly is quite appealing.

The Ars Notoria was a memory aid utilized by medieval monks, so it is intended for mastering a 13th Century curriculum (the 7 liberal arts and sciences).
This is not to say that you will somehow miraculously obtain knowledge through this system. You won't. You still have to do the work/studying. However, the prayers, incantations and meditations contained therein put you in a relaxed mindset that allows your brain to absorb much more than it would under normal circumstances.

Thanks to Dr. Stephen Skinner for making this text (and the other books in his SWCM series) available. The scholarship is superb. This is part one of two. The second Ars Notoria volume was just recently published.

Stephen Skinner began his career as a Geography lecturer and magazine publisher, but his long term interests have always been Western magic and feng shui.
During the 1970s he was the driving force behind Askin Publishers, producing a number of classic magical works by Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, Austin Osman Spare, Aleister Crowley, and others. During the 1970s he co-wrote many books with Francis King, including the still popular Techniques of High Magic. Also with Francis King he wrote Nostradamus. His interest in prophecy stimulated by this book, he went on to write the best selling Millennium Prophecies.
Stephen is credited with bringing the art of Feng Shui to the West, and in 1976 he wrote the Living Earth Manual of Feng Shui, which was the first English book on feng shui in the 20th century.
Stephen has written more than 35 books, which have been published worldwide in 28 different languages. These books have had introductions by such diverse people as Colin Wilson, HRH Charles Prince of Wales, and Jimmy Choo, shoe designer to the stars.
Stephen lives in Singapore. Stephen is the first Westerner to be awarded the title of Grand Master of Feng Shui by the International Feng Shui Association.

Daniel Clark was born in Hobart, Tasmania. He developed a serious interest in magic from a very early age with a particular focus on the grimoires. His interests range from Solomonic and Faustian traditions and demonology, to the more obscure esoteric areas of Japanese Onmyodo and Yokai mythology. Over the past few years Daniel has been striving to help important and often forgotten manuscripts of magic get digitized, and has tracked down and located many variant grimoires residing in universities and libraries around the world, many of which are still waiting to be re-discovered.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

The Key to Solomon's Key. Lon Milo DuQuette. Knights Templar. Freemasonry. Goetia. Ceremonial Magick

An interesting (and very different) perspective on King Solomon, the Knights Templar and Freemasonry... by the knowledgeable and engaging Lon Milo DuQuette.

"Sketching out a fascinating network of historic figures, cults, and Christendom, this book by an occult-studies expert and respected authority on magic and sorcery takes Western spiritual traditions seriously—but examines them with common sense and self-effacing humor. Working backward from the Freemasons to one of their original orders, the 14th-century Knights Templar, the account considers sorcery, heresy, and intrigues; explores the legend that the Knights possessed a powerful secret dangerous to the Church of Rome; and finds an essential clue to the order's practices in their connection to the biblical Solomon, king of Israel in the 10th century BC. This updated edition features new images, chapters on important symbols, and a new preface."

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The Three Magical Books of Solomon. Greater Key. Lesser Key. Goetia. SL MacGregor Mathers. Aleister Crowley

Essential texts, conveniently with all three Magical Books of Solomon in one volume...

"For the first time, the three great magical works of King Solomon are together in one volume. The Greater and Lesser Keys give a practical guide to the operation of his magic. The testament gives a historical account of its use by Solomon himself.
The Key of Solomon the King was originally researched and translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers from ancient manuscripts in the British museums. Included by Mathers is the Order of the Pentacles of Solomon, the Ancient Fragment of the Key of Solomon, The Qabalistic Invocation of Solomon, and 15 plates full of figures, seals and charts, as well as the original text giving detailed instruction for spells and invocations.
The work is traditionally divided into two books detailing the Key of King Solomon. Book One explains the operation of conjurations, curses, spells and other magical works. Book Two instructs the practitioner on the proper attire, purification rituals and other means of obtaining the goals of the Goetia. Between these two books is the list of plates that contain numerous illustrations and secret seals of Solomon, including the Mystical Seal of Solomon, the Pentacles of Solomon, and the Mystical Alphabet, which impart the mechanisms and requirements for the invocation of spirits and demons.
The Lesser Key of Solomon, or the Clavicula Salomonis Regis, or Lemegeton, is a compilation of materials and writings from ancient sources making up a text book of magic or “grimoire.” Portions of this book can be traced back to the mid-16th to 17th centuries, when occult researchers such as Cornelius Agrippa and Johannes Trithemisus assembled what they discovered during their investigations into their own great works.
As a modern grimoire, the Lesser Key of Solomon has seen several editions with various authors and editors taking liberty to edit and translate the ancient writings and source material. In 1898, Arthur Edward Waite published his The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts, which contained large portions of the Lemegeton. He was followed by Mathers and Crowley in 1904 who published The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon.
In the preface to this edition, it is explained that a “Secret Chief” of the Rosicrucian Order directed the completion of the book. The original editor was a G. H. Fra. D.D.C.F. who translated ancient texts from French, Hebrew, and Latin, but was unable to complete his labors because of the martial assaults of the Four Great Princes. Crowley was then asked to step in and finish what the previous author had begun.
The Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphical work attributed to King Solomon the Wise of the Old Testament. Written in the first-person narrative, the book tells the story of the creation of the magical ring of King Solomon and how Solomon’s ring was used to bind and control demons, including Beelzebub. In this book of King Solomon, the discourses between the King and the various spirits are told, and the story shows how Solomon uses his wisdom to withstand the demons’ tricks and guile and enlist their aid in the building of his temple.
The manuscripts from which this work was discovered date from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. All were written in Greek. This dating makes most experts believe that the work is medieval. But some scholars, including D.C. Duling, argue that it is likely that the work comes from the 5th or 6th centuries.
No matter the date, the text provides an immensely interesting description of how King Solomon tamed various demons to build his temple. The text includes predictions of the coming of Christ, as one demon explains to Solomon that while he may be bound, the only thing that can truly take his power away is the man born from a virgin who will be crucified by the Jews."

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy. Henry Cornelius Agrippa. Edited by Stephen Skinner

I just finished a cover-to-cover read of Agrippa's "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" and it seemed appropriate to just continue on to the somewhat controversial "Fourth Book", originally published in the 1550's.

There are a few versions of this text available. However, this particular one, edited by Dr. Stephen Skinner, is the best (in my opinion).

"This book is a milestone in Western magical practice. Often erroneously called a forgery, it is in fact six separate books in one, the first two being by Agrippa (1486-1535). One of them, Of Magical Ceremonies, is Agrippa's clearest step-by-step formulation of how to perform an evocation, much more openly expressed than in his Three Books of Occult Philosophy. In addition there is the key grimoire, Of the Magick of the Ancients by Arbatel, which clearly defines the different types of magic, focusing on the invocation of angels and of the Olympic spirits. The Heptameron by Peter de Abano is a complete, self-contained set of instructions for conjuration of spirits according to the day of the week. Also included is Villinganus' work on the nature of spirits, illusions, prophecies, and miracles, and how they may be used. Two complete geomancies (one by Agrippa) complete the volume, which has been reset in modern type and edited with a commentary by Stephen Skinner."

Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Henry Cornelius Agrippa. Edited by Donald Tyson. Llewelyn Publications

Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Henry Cornelius Agrippa. Edited by Donald Tyson. Llewellyn Publications

Published in the 1530's, Agrippa's "Three Books of Occult Philosophy" has been THE book of occult studies for nearly 500 years.

This new hardcover edition from Llewellyn Publications is very nicely put together!

"The Single Most Important Text in the History of Western Occultism
The vast store of magical lore within the Three Books of Occult Philosophy has been an essential resource for occultists since its original publication nearly five centuries ago. In this hardcover edition, editor Donald Tyson presents these writings in their complete form, free from the hundreds of errors made in the original translation and supplemented by notes and explanations to contextualize the material for the modern reader.
The most complete repository of Pagan and Neoplatonic magic ever compiled, this book is packed with material you will not find elsewhere, including copious extracts on magic from obscure or lost works by Pythagoras, Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Ptolemy, Plato, Aristotle, and many other authorities. Donald Tyson's detailed annotations clarify difficult references and provide origins of quotations, expanding upon them as necessary in order to make Agrippa's work more accessible.
As well as providing extensive insight into the foundations of the Western esoteric tradition, the Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the ultimate "how-to" for magical workings. It describes how to work all manner of divination and magic in such clear and useful detail that it is still the guide for modern techniques. And the extensive supplementary material―including biographical and geographical dictionaries and appendices―provides quick reference to many previously obscure matters in classical magic."

Friday, January 1, 2021

The Order. Netflix Series. Magic Secret Society

The Order. Magic Secret Society. Netflix Series. Sarah Grey as Alyssa Drake

Created by Dennis Heaton, The Order became a hit series on Netflix with the first two seasons airing between 2019 and 2020. The success has kindled rumors that there will be a third season in 2021.

The plot is summarized: "When Belgrave University student Jack Morton joins a fabled secret society, the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, he is thrust into a world of magic, monsters and intrigue. Out to avenge his mother's death, he uncovers dark family secrets and lands in an underground battle being waged between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic. Assisting Jack in the fight is Alyssa, a tour guide at Belgrave and fellow member of the Order, which is led by Jack's estranged father."

The Order offers much interest for those who are versed in Ceremonial Magick. Magic circles, sigils and other elements of the Key of Solomon are very apparent as well as references to actual historical grimoires such as the Sworn Book of Honorius.

The cast does great job all around, including Sarah Grey, Jake Manley, Louriza Tronco, Katherine Isabelle, Adam DiMarco and Thomas Elms.