| The Magician's Handbook A Grimoire,
strictly speaking, is a collection of magickal formulas or symbols,
with instructions for their use to achieve certain ends. The word "Grimoire"
is actually an archaic spelling of the word "grammar," a
word which once referred to things magical.
Often containing
complex instructions for conjuring demons and spirits, European Grimoires
were astonishingly common between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries.
What is even more surprising is the atmosphere of Christian piety that
often permeates these texts. A far cry from the black magick and pacts
with Satan one might expect, they are filled with biblical references
and regimens of prayer and Angelic supplications. Ritual Magicians of
the Middle ages and Renaissance periods tended to be heavily religious,
and although they found inspiration in Pagan and Islamic texts, they
often relied on Christian magical traditions going back as far as the
first century. Some especially religiously oriented magicians even found
a biblical imperative in the words of Jesus- " And whatsoever
ye shall ask in my name, that will I do "
There are
generally two types of magical manuals, Ritual Magick primers and compendiums
of so called "Natural magic." While the latter are usually
a hodge podge of chemical preparations and herbal formulas, the former
contain a curious mixture of prayer, conjuration, and kabbalistic or
astrological formulas. They often contain a laundry list of enchantments,
from the mundane (obtaining money and favors) to the improbable (invisibility,
invincibility, and the power to fly), to the profoundly spiritual (union
with God, enlightenment, and wisdom). Much of modern Ritual Magick is
based on the techniques found in these old books, which contain many
features recognizable to both Magicians and Wiccans- magical weapons,
the calling of quarters, pentacles and sigils used in invocations, and
the use of magickal or heavenly languages.
Solomonic
Magick
Perhaps
the most well known Grimoire is the Legemeton, better known as
"The Key of Solomon," which originated in the twelfth century
and is still in print (usually in expurgated form) nearly a thousand
years later. The Key is named for the Biblical figure believed to have
authored it, whose legend as a conjuror and magician were widespread.
As early as the first century, the historian Josephus makes references
to a book of demonic conjurations attributed to Solomon. Another text
attributed to Solomon is the Goetia, or "Lesser Key,"
dating from the sixteenth century. It contains a list of demonic spirits,
their powers, and the means to invoke them.
A
magician invokes angels and demons
Black
Magick? Another
well known, but far more infamous book is the so called Grimoire
of Honorious, improbably attributed to a catholic Pope. Filled with
pages of prayers and pious supplications to God, it is also one of the
more sinister, containing requirements for animal sacrifice and instructions
for obtaining a pact with the Devil. It is for these reasons it is popular
with some self styled Satanists and African Obi-men. It is possible
the book was originally written with the intent to defame the somewhat
controversial Pope.
Divine
Union
The slightly
sinister atmosphere of Honorius is in direct contrast to the
highly praised Book of the Sacred magick of Abramelin the Mage.
Held in high regard by Aleister Crowley and MacGregor Mathers alike,
it contains complex instructions for attaining a guiding spirit and
eventually, a state of enlightened union with God. The workings in Abramelin
are so complex that the book recommends one take a year away from work
and family obligations to complete it. Some of the concepts introduced
in Abramelin have become enshrined in modern Ritual tradition, especially
the concept of the "Holy Guardian Angel," believed to be a
divine aspect of one's own personality, a "true self" that
can be contacted to guide one's spiritual development.
Further
Reading
If you
would like to check out some of these texts for yourself, I've compiled
a list of popular Grimoires below:
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