The Book of Ceremonial Magic

With this exception, the large body of literature that deals with Theurgic Ceremonial original: "Theurgic Ceremonial"; rituals intended to invoke divine or supernatural powers, often distinguished from "goetic" or dark magic in its various branches has remained inaccessible to most readers. It has been hidden in rare printed books and even rarer manuscripts, both of which are mostly in foreign languages. There is likely a significant group of people—beyond those who actively study the occult—who might welcome a systematic account of magical procedures. They might view it primarily as a curiosity of ancient belief original: "old-world credulity", but also as a valuable contribution to certain niche areas of historical research. However, a typical edition designed for occult students would likely discourage rather than attract these historical researchers.

In this work, I have tried to consider several different interests. I approach the subject from the perspectives of bibliography and criticism. I have consulted every source of information known to me through many years of inquiry to ensure this account is complete. At the same time, I recognize there is a group of readers who do not mind being called "professed occultists." Regardless of my own view of their commitments, I am dealing with texts in which they have a primary interest. I have therefore addressed their needs in two important ways, which I believe will not offend those who are purely historical students.

First, I have maintained strict technical accuracy. The ceremonial rituals described in this book are absolutely faithful to the original texts. This removes any need for a reader to consult the originals to clarify a doubtful point of historical magical procedure. For ease of reference—if I may modestly suggest it to such a circle—this version is actually superior to the originals. This is because I have organized the material systematically, whereas the original texts are often incomprehensible original: "exceed understanding" due to the errors of scribes, the misprints of early publishers, the sloppy methods of early translators, and, it must be added, the confused minds of the

original compilers—even the legendary "Solomon" himself was no exception. Those who are interested in the countless rituals of useless observance original: "vain observance"; rituals considered to have no real spiritual efficacy that make up Ceremonial Magic original: "Ceremonial Magic"; the formal, ritualistic practice of magic found in grimoires as it appears in books will, therefore, find them substantially intact here.

The second way I have considered the interests of the occult student is much more important, though they may not be as ready to accept the suggestion, given everything it implies. Robert Turner an English translator active in the mid-17th century, the translator of the Magical Elements original: "Magical Elements"; the Heptameron, a famous book of rituals—written, or more accurately, supposed to be written, by the ill-fated Peter of Abano a 13th-century Italian physician and philosopher who was accused of magic—describes that treatise as an introduction to "magical vanity." This term was perhaps used in a symbolic or specialized way to suggest that most things concerning the material world are equally trivial.

Now, the deeper purpose of this present investigation is to provide those interested in the subject with the clearest evidence of the uselessness of Ceremonial Magic as it is found in books. I also intend to show the imaginary nature of the distinction between White and Black Magic—at least as far as the literature of either side is concerned. As for the things implied within or lying behind this literature, that is a different matter. Regarding that, I will only say for now that, judging by the results they have produced, they are not unlike the "second death" beyond the gates of hell original: "perdition". It would be inappropriate for a writer with my known commitments to deny that there is a Magic which is...