On Superstition and the Bonds of Demons

These are the seven Angels of the planets according to the tradition of the ancient Sages, each of whom leads the world for three hundred fifty-four years and four months The number 354 corresponds to the number of days in a lunar year, here expanded into a "great year" of 354 solar years. in their own specific order. Oriphiel is the Angel of Saturn, who governed the world from the beginning of Creation for 354 years and four months; after him came Venus; then Jupiter; after him Mercury; then Mars; then the Moon; and finally the Sun. Each is described in the shared Table referring to the table on the previous page as having held dominion over the world for 354 years and four months under their respective Angel. Thus, at the time of the Great Flood, the Sages say that Samael, the Angel of Mars, held the authority of governance; Gabriel, the Angel of the Moon, governed during the time of the confusion of languages The Tower of Babel; and Michael, the Angel of the Sun, governed during the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Indeed, if anyone places faith in this described influence, they will easily be able to calculate for themselves the changes of the ages and the governances of the Angels from the origin of the world down to their own time, following the prescribed order.

However, as we pursue those matters which serve our current purpose, we do not doubt that we can perceive other spirits subject to the seven aforementioned planetary Angels—twenty-one in total. This means there are three spirits for each one, according to the instruction of this art of ours, through whom we achieve the effect of our intention. We shall observe the customary order of the Planets, beginning from the highest of all, Saturn, and continuing down to the Moon, first describing the operation of each principal Angel, then of those who serve them, and joining the chapters together in order.

C H A P T E R I.

Saturn is the highest and supreme of all the planets, by nature slow in motion, cold because it is remote, difficult, and heavy. Moving from the point of its beginning for 650 years until the point of its first station, it lingers in any given sign for 30 months; it is moved by its own natural motion for 626 These figures relate to complex early modern astronomical calculations regarding planetary cycles and "great years.". Its first and supreme Angel is called Oriphiel, who has under him three principal Spirits, namely Sadael, Poniel, and Morisiel, of whom we shall speak in their proper place and order.

Through this Oriphiel, the great Angel of Saturn, many and diverse operations are performed in steganography From the Greek 'steganos' (hidden) and 'graphein' (writing); the art of secret communication.. Through him, we can make the secrets of our mind known to a friend who knows this art, wherever they may be, whether through letters if one prefers, or even without letters; and we can perform many other wonders which no one else understands if they are unskilled in this science of ours. Therefore, anyone wishing to perform any work in steganography through this Angel—especially on the day of Saturn Saturday and in those matters, businesses, and causes which pertain to Saturn—it is first necessary that you know his various motions: the primary, the pure, the proper, the mixed, the direct, the retrograde, and the confused. And in all these things, one must know not only the general rules handed down by the Astronomers,