The Incantation of Circe

Come together now, all seven princes of the world The "seven princes" are the planetary deities: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon, who in Hermetic tradition govern the material world., and turn your attention toward your Circe, so that by your borrowed power—which I draw out through your deputies: the juices of herbs, the smoke of fires, and the hanging of stones This refers to the practice of natural magic, where terrestrial objects (herbs, incense, talismans) act as "vicars" or channels for celestial influence.—I may be able to compel the administrators of forms. May they, even by force, cause the hidden species of other kinds of living things to emerge from the shadows into the open light, as the counterfeit figure of man recedes.

Therefore, again and again I conjure you and I affirm: you wicked, most impudent, impious, and stubborn destroyers, you shall not escape me. Let the human faces recede—let them recede from the beasts, even against our own will original: "invitis nobis." This suggests the power of the incantation is so absolute it transcends even the conscious hesitation of the practitioners.. I powerfully command you in the sight of this sun, by high-thundering Jove, and by all the gods who will avenge your sluggishness and evasion. Do you believe the gods do not care for these things? Behold the sacred letters of the gods, which I show upon this metal plate. Behold the characters I unfold into the air. Behold the trace of the Great Seal original: "magni ſygilli." This likely refers to Bruno's "Seal of Seals," a complex mnemonic and magical diagram he believed could unify all knowledge and power..

Moeris, unfold the parchment in which are the most powerful marks, whose mysteries are hidden from all mortals. These are the means by which we believe we can change the very laws of nature; why shall it not be permitted through them to restore those same laws that have been impiously profaned? Circe argues that her magic is not "unnatural," but rather a restoration of the true order by stripping away the "human" mask from those who act like beasts. Add frankincense to the fires, and other types of fumigations; and while I murmur these words, look out from the window to see what becomes of the crowd.

MOERIS. A marvelous sight, Circe, marvelous! Of all the many men we saw, three...