The Key of Solomon (Clavicula Salomonis) edited by S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers. For a reprint of Mathers' edition, see listing at Amazon.com INTRODUCTION by Joseph H.
Peterson. The Key of Solomon is the most famous and important of all Grimoires, or handbooks of Magic. As A.E. Waite has stated (BCM, pg. 58) "At the head of all, and, within certain limits, the inspiration and the source of all, stands the Key of Solomon. ... Mr. It is true that the Mathers edition would not be considered critical by modern standards of scholarship (but Waite's editions of various esoteric texts leave far more to be desired than Mathers'). Of course, none of the manuscripts used by Mathers qualify as "ancient" or even "medieval"; the oldest is probably 16th century.
Mathers' translation is almost entirely dependant on French Colorno manuscript exemplars dating 18th century. In addition, Mathers made significant use of Lansdowne 1202, even though he pronounces it "more concise in style. " Sloane 1307 is in Italian, and is also ca. 17th century. Greek Latin Italian English Hebrew French Others. Book of Shadows - Complete. Sacred Magic of Abramelin Index. Sacred Texts Grimoires Esoteric This remarkable grimoire was translated by S.L.M.
Mathers from a 15th century French mauscript. This text has had a huge influence on modern ceremonial magic, and has been cited as a primary influence on Aleister Crowley. Abraham of Würzburg, a cabalist and scholar of magic, describes a quest for the secret teachings which culminated in Egypt, where he encountered the magician Abramelin, who taught him his system in detail.
The procedure involves many months of purification, followed by the invocation of good and evil spirits to accomplish some very worldly goals, including acquisition of treasure and love, travel through the air and under water, and raising armies out of thin air. Book of Ceremonial Magic: Chapter II: The Initial Rites and Ceremonies: Section 8: Concerning Aspersion and Cleansing. Sacred Texts Grimoires Index Previous Next § 8.
Concerning Aspersion and Cleansing In the preparation of the instruments, as already abundantly evident, and in the more important works which follow it. the ceremonies of aspersion and fumigation, that is, of purifying and consecrating, are continually enjoined. Sprinkling is performed with the Aspergillus, which, according to the Grimorium Verum, should be composed of mint, marjory and rosemary, bound about with a thread woven by a virgin girl. It should be made on the day and in the hour of Mercury, the moon waxing.
P. 178 water, in which some salt has been cast. O Thou most powerful Lord, my God, my rest, and my life I Do Thou help me, Most Holy Father! The Aspergillus recommended by this Ritual differs somewhat from the former, being of vervain, periwinkle, sage, mint, valerian, ash and basil, taking care not to use hyssop 2 but rosemary in place thereof. Click to view p. 179 Concerning Incense and Fumigation p. 180 Footnotes.