On Superstition and the Bonds of Demons

There are, moreover, stars—seven hundred in number—through which we work to convey any secret whatsoever to an absent person without words, without writing, and without a human messenger. Their names, locations, risings, settings, elevations, distances, approaches, and retrogressions may be found in the Books of Astronomy. Therefore, once the star has been observed in all respects as is proper, and the point of the ascendant ascendant: the degree of the zodiac rising over the eastern horizon at a specific moment is known in which Saturn was at that same hour—if the operation is performed through him—consider most diligently the quality of his motion: whether it be direct or retrograde, pure or mixed, proper or joined with other impediments of malevolent aspects original: "malorum aspectuum"; in astrology, certain angles like squares or oppositions are considered "malefic" or difficult., pure or confused. Then, write upon a clean paper the point of the beginning of motion in the same sign, both for Saturn himself and for the other conjoined Planets; observe diligently how much it has progressed, how much it is elevated, or how much it is depressed.

You shall do this same thing for the other Planets conjoined to Saturn, or to whichever planet through which the operation is being performed. In a similar way, accurately examine by which aspect the Planets behold one another—whether it be trine, square, conjunction, or sextile aspects: these are specific geometric angles between planets (Trine = 120°, Square = 90°, Sextile = 60°), which were believed to determine their influence.—because the greatest power of this operation lies hidden in these aspects. Likewise, before all else, it is useful to discern in which quarter Saturn is, not only regarding the day or night, but also regarding the sign in which he resides, and regarding the years from the beginning of the World when he was first created in his own house; for all these things are necessary. And note when Oriphiel, the Angel of Saturn, rules the World in his order, a reign which he leads for 354 years and four months This refers to the "secundadeian" system, a historical belief that seven archangels took turns governing world history in cycles.: at that time, every operation of this deepest science which pertains to the works of Saturn, and which is done through him, is easy and will achieve a clear effect without great labor. The same must be observed concerning the other Planets.

Whoever, therefore, having learned the principles of this art, wishes to work through it without difficulty, should work through that Planet whose principal Angel is found by easy calculation to be governing the world at that time. Therefore, once all things have been most perfectly calculated, observe the process for the operation: which Angel of Saturn presides over that quarter of the day or night; and write his name along with the name of the star through which you wish to work, which you must necessarily see. At any time, however, you will be able to see the stars necessary for you by the art which we have handed down, whether by day or by night.

Next, write upon the same small paper the other things which you know to be most secret, using our ink ink: "encausto"; likely a specialized or consecrated ink used in ritual magic prepared in our manner, as we have described. Afterward, place the paper itself which you have written before you upon a table, and write upon another paper the concept of your mind which you wish the absent person to know. Wrap these two papers together and place them in a prominent spot before you on the table or a pulpit; here, perform the conjuration appropriate to the spirit through whom you work. Or, if you wish to convey the secret entirely without writing—either through a spirit or without a spirit—let that be left to your judgment. For it is part of the same operation to convey a secret to a friend with a spirit or without a spirit, with only a few things altered. Now we shall arrange the different operations of Saturn and his Angels according to the four principal quarters, with the conjurations appropriate to each in order, which must be used when a secret is conveyed through a spirit.