Showing posts with label Lemegeton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lemegeton. Show all posts

Friday, March 14, 2025

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

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

 

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Angels, Demons and Gods of the New Millennium. Musings on Modern Magick. Lon Milo DuQuette

Angels, Demons and Gods of the New Millennium. Musings on Modern Magick. Lon Milo DuQuette
Angels, Demons and Gods of the New Millennium. Musings on Modern Magick. Lon Milo DuQuette

I'm enjoying "Angels, Demons and God's of the New Millennium: Musings on Modern Magick" by Lon Milo DuQuette, a unique and entertaining voice in the realm of Occult books.


The apparent descent of spirit into matter is just an illusion of digressive defects in preception--a cascade of consciousness, each level forgetful of the level just above it. Initiatory landmarks such as the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel aren't steps upon a ladder; rather they are shift of consciousness-awakenings. You could say the rest of the universe has already pulled its act together and is just waiting for you to wake up to the fact. Like it or not, we all come hard-wired with a complete set (twelve six-packs) of Goetic demons. They are units of untamed natural forces within ourselves that we have ignored, denied or disowned. They surface to work their mischeif when our will is ambiguous and our resistance is low. After you have committed an embarrassing act of unbelieveable stupidity you are really referring to them when you slap your forehead and scream, "I am my own worst enemy!" As long as they ignored and uncontrolled, they are as dangerous as hungry beasts in an abandoned zoo. What pantheon of gods could possibly preside over a world where every man and every woman is a star--self-radiant and co-eual to every other star in the universe? What powers or agencies still govern an enviornment populated by independent creative beings? The answer becomes obviuos when we grasp the fact that we are running out of cosmic elbow room. When all is said and done, worshippers of the New Millennium are left with three fundamental deities: "the absolutely biggest One; the absolutely smallest One; and the One that is everything between the other two."

Monday, March 21, 2022

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

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

Friday, May 14, 2021

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

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

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

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