Steganography: The Art of Secret Writing

BOOK ONE.

[Signature: B 2]

...[may we follow] the ways of justice with care original: "bus iustitiæ," completing the word "sequamur" (let us follow) from the previous page. Nuturing redeemer of the human race, hear us, and grant us forgiveness for our sins. O Father of mercy, be favorable to us in all our adversities. Heal, Lord, our weak souls, for we are yours; grant us, afflicted little worms a common medieval expression of humility before God, the rest of eternal pleasantness, so that by always looking upon you, we may praise you. Amen. I, Johannes Trithemius of Sponheim, published this, 1500.

CHAPTER III.

WHOSE PRINCE IS CAMUEL, HAVING UNDER

Note.

him ten spirits presiding over daytime operations and ten similarly over nighttime operations, with just as many sub-servants, whose duty it is to announce the sender's arrival, ways, and journey.

A decorative drop cap 'T' showing a figure, possibly a monk or gardener, within a lush landscape or garden, framed by a square border of swirling leaves and vines.
The first and supreme Spirit of the third mansion term: mansion (Latin: mansio); in this context, it refers to a specific "office" or celestial station in Trithemius’s system toward the East original: "Eurum," referring to the Southeast wind is called Camuel. He is very benevolent and prompt to send his substitutes to the one who operates in this science according to the proper form. He has few ministers indeed, but all are good, voluntary, and faithful—namely ten who preside over the day and ten who preside over the night. These are always sent in pairs to the operator from both orders, since those who preside over the day do not flee the darkness, nor do those who preside over the night flee the light. Always, where necessity demands, in every commission of the operator, one is aided by the other; and when they appear visibly, then one is usually seen in a beautiful garment of mixed color, and the other in the form of bright splendor. Yet they often appear by sensible effect alone meaning they can be felt or heard but are not seen, unless it so pleases the operator. This Camuel, with his ministers and sub-servants, has authority and power to announce to an absent friend the status, will, condition, path, journeys, arrival, and departure of the sender, whenever the one who operates in this art desires. When, therefore, you wish to operate according to your will through the angels of this mansion, you must first know who the ten angels of Camuel are, who