Christian mysticism and Hermetic occultism
The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts: Including the Rites and Mysteries of Goëtic Theurgy, Sorcery, and Infernal Necromancy
Scholarly survey and critical synthesis of the major European grimoire tradition, representing the first major English-language collection of its kind. Waite examines the history, authenticity, and theological implications of the Key of Solomon, Lesser Key, Grand Grimoire, Grimoire of Honorius, Fourth Book of Agrippa, Sacred Magic of Abramelin, and others. The first part scrutinises the antiquity and evolution of magical ritual; the second reproduces a Complete Grimoire synthesising the original texts, corrected of copyist errors. Waite debunks many legends surrounding these texts while documenting their actual ritual content, including goëtic evocation, infernal pacts, sorcery, and necromancy. Revised and republished in 1910 as The Book of Ceremonial Magic.
Contents76 chapters
- 01Frontispiece: Edward Kelley a Magician
- 02Title Page
- 03Special Notice
- 04Preface
- 05Contents
- 06Explanation of Full-Page Plates
- 07Part I: The Literature of Ceremonial Magic
- 08Chapter I: The Antiquity of Magical Rituals
- 09§1 The Importance of Ceremonial Magic
- 10§2 The Distinction Between White and Black Magic
- 11§3 The Unprinted Literature of Ceremonial Magic
- 12Chapter II: The Rituals of Transcendental Magic
- 13§1 The Arbatel of Magic
- 14§2 Theosophia Pneumatica
- 15§3 The Enchiridion of Pope Leo
- 16§4 The Seven Mysterious Orisons
- 17§5 Summary of Transcendental Magic
- 18Chapter III: Composite Rituals
- 19§1 The Key of Solomon the King
- 20§2 The Lesser Key of Solomon
- 21§3 The Fourth Book of Cornelius Agrippa
- 22§4 The Heptameron
- 23Chapter IV: The Rituals of Black Magic
- 24§1 The Grimorium Verum
- 25§2 True Black Magic
- 26§3 The Grand Grimoire
- 27§4 The Grimoire of Honorius
- 28§5 Minor and Spurious Rituals of Black Magic
- 29§6 The Black Pullet
- 30§7 Talismans of the Sage of the Pyramids
- 31§8 The Gold-Finding Hen
- 32Part II: The Complete Grimoire
- 33Chapter I: The Preparation of the Operator
- 34§1 Concerning the Love of God
- 35§2 Concerning Fortitude
- 36§3 Concerning Continence and Abstinence
- 37§4 External Preparation (Firstly Concerning Ablution)
- 38§5 External Preparation (Secondly Concerning the Vestments)
- 39Chapter II: The Initial Rites and Ceremonies
- 40§1 Concerning the Virtues of the Planets
- 41§2 A General Instruction Concerning the Instruments Required for the Art
- 42§3 Concerning the Rod and Staff of the Art
- 43§4 Concerning the Pen and Ink of the Art
- 44§5 Concerning Virgin Wax or Virgin Earth
- 45§6 Concerning the Silken Cloth
- 46§7 Concerning the Victim of the Art
- 47§8 Concerning Aspersion and Fumigation
- 48§9 Concerning the Time of Operation
- 49Chapter III: Concerning the Descending Hierarchy
- 50§1 The Names and Offices of Evil Spirits
- 51§2 The Forms of Infernal Spirits in Their Manifestations
- 52Chapter IV: The Mysteries of Goëtic Theurgy According to the Lesser Key of Solomon the King
- 53§1 Concerning the Spirits of the Brazen Vessel (False Monarchy of Demons)
- 54§2 Concerning the Rite of Conjuration from the Lemegeton
- 55Chapter V: Concerning the Mystery of the Sanctum Regnum
- 56Chapter VI: The Mysteries of Infernal Invocation According to the Grand Grimoire
- 57§1 The Rite of Lucifuge
- 58§2 The Genuine Sanctum Regnum (True Method of Making Pacts)
- 59Chapter VII: The Method of Honorius
- 60§1 Universal Conjuration
- 61§2 Conjuration of the Demons
- 62§3 What Must Be Said in Composing the Circle
- 63Chapter VIII: Miscellaneous and Minor Processes
- 64§1 Concerning Works of Hatred and Destruction
- 65§2 Concerning Venereal Experiments
- 66§3 Concerning the Experiment of Love
- 67§3 Concerning the Experiment of Invisibility
- 68§4 Concerning the Hand of Glory
- 69§5 Concerning the Vision of Spirits in the Air
- 70§6 Concerning Divination by the Word of Uriel
- 71§7 Concerning the Mirror of Solomon
- 72§8 Concerning the Three Rings of Solomon, Son of David
- 73Chapter IX: Concerning Infernal Necromancy
- 74A Conjuration for the Spirit Guardians of Hidden Treasure
- 75A Conjuration Compelling Obedience
- 76The Discharge
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