The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts

A black and white illustration, likely a woodcut or engraving, depicting a scene of necromancy the practice of communicating with the dead in a churchyard at night. Under a crescent moon and starry sky, a large gothic church with a central tower stands in the background. In the foreground, a shrouded, skeletal figure of a deceased person stands facing right. Opposing it are two elderly men with long white beards dressed in academic or clerical robes. The man in the front points a staff toward a magic circle inscribed on the ground while holding a flaming torch high in his other hand. The man behind him holds a large, open book. The magic circle on the ground contains various alchemical or astrological symbols (such as Mercury, Venus, and Mars) along with the text "CITATION OF SPIRITS", "de Laurence" a reference to the publisher L. W. de Laurence, "Pow" likely meaning Power, and "Dom" original: "Dom," an abbreviation for "Dominus" meaning Lord. The graveyard setting includes several tombstones and a skull with crossbones lying near an open grave.

Edward Kelley (1555–1597) was a famous English spirit medium and occultist who worked closely with John Dee.

Edward Kelley magician necromancy citation of spirits de Laurence occult invocation churchyard