The Key of Solomon

to the operations, which must not be employed for anything else. You cannot do without a burinA steel cutting tool used for engraving metal. to engrave upon the metals whatever the operation shall require; you must have an inkstand to hold the ink; you must have a cup to receive the blood of the victims; you must have a brazier to hold the fire for the incensings. Note also that all these things must be new, and that you must prepare, exorcise, and purify them in the manner that I shall teach you hereafter. Above all, remember never to fail in any of the ceremonies, because in the preparations one must be exact so that the Spirits may be prompt to obey you. As it will be necessary in the operations to have different kinds of pens as well as ink which you must use—seeing as in certain operations you will have need of the blood of some animals, and in others you will be obliged to compose it with the colors that correspond to the Planets—I shall take care to teach you this in each treatise concerning the instruments proper to the Operations.

REGARDING the place where you wish to perform the work, it must be pure and cleansed for forty days, leaving a lamp burning there day and night during the said forty days. You must also have two kinds of staffs, namely: one which serves positively only for the operations of Venus, and another which serves for all other operations. You must likewise have a garment suitable for the operations, which signifies the purity with which you must act in Body and Spirit.

TABLE OF INSTRUMENTS

The Sword.
The Stiletto.
Knife for the Victims.
Knife for the Wood.
The Burin.
Staff for all Operations.
Staff for the operations of Venus.
The Cup.
The Inkwell.
The Brazier.