THE FIRST BOOK

Concerning the Characters of the Spirits.

You must carry the aforementioned character original: "character"; a magical symbol or sigil with you. If you are male, carry it in your right pocket. It must be written in your own blood, or that of a sea turtle. At the two half-circles, you should place the first letter of your first and last name. If you desire more power, you may engrave the character on an emerald or ruby, for these stones have a natural sympathy for the spirits—especially those of the Sun, who are the most knowledgeable and superior to the others. If you are female, carry the character on the left side, between the breasts, like a reliquary a container for holy relics. Both sexes must be equally careful to write or engrave the character on the day and in the hour of Mars. Obey the spirits in this, so that they may obey you.

The spirits who are powerful and exalted serve only their confidants and intimate friends, according to a pact made—or to be made—using certain characters at the will of Singambuth or his secretary. Aabidandes, of whom we will provide information, is the perfect acquaintance to call, conjure, and constrain, as you will see in the Key referring to a "Clavicle" or handbook of magic, where you will be given a method for making a pact with the spirits.

Of the Nature of Pacts.

There are only two kinds of pact: the tacit implied or silent and the apparent explicit or written. You will distinguish one from the other if you read this little book. Know, however, that there are many kinds of spirits; some are attractive and others are not.

You must be on your guard when you make a pact with a spirit and are required to give the spirit something that belongs to you.

The Kinds of Spirits.

In regard to spirits, there are the superior and the inferior. The names of the superiors are: Lucifer, Beelzebuth, and Astaroth. The inferiors of Lucifer are in Europe and Asia and obey him. Beelzebuth lives in Africa, and Astaroth inhabits America.

Each of these leaders has two subordinates who command their subjects to carry out everything the Emperor has resolved to do throughout the world, and vice versa.

The Visible Appearance of Spirits.

Spirits do not always appear in the same shape. This is because they do not possess their own physical matter or form; they must find a body to appear in, choosing one suitable for their intended manifestation and appearance.

Lucifer appears in the form and figure of a handsome boy. When angry, he appears red. There is nothing monstrous about his appearance.

Beelzebuth appears sometimes in monstrous forms, sometimes like a giant cow, and at times like a male goat with a long tail. When angry, he vomits fire.