Gideon Bohak on Late-Antique Jewish Magic
Gideon Bohak is our guide in a rich and wide-ranging discussion of late-antique Jewish magic. The conversation turns this way and that, dipping into Jewish magic in the bronze-age to the twenty-first century, but concentrates on late antiquity, when a ‘scribal turn’ in Jewish culture produced num...
Primary Sources
The Goal of the Wise (Ghayat al-Hakim)
Maslama al-Majriti presents a revolutionary perspective on the occult, arguing that magic is not a shortcut for the superstitious, but the ultimate synthesis of mathematics, physics, and metaphysics. The text centers on the concept of the 'Universal Man,' positing that the human body is a microcosm
Picatrix (Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm)
The Picatrix (Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm) is a monumental synthesis of occult wisdom, merging Hellenistic Neoplatonism with Indian, Nabataean, and Egyptian magical traditions. Attributed to the scholar al-Majriti, it argues that magic is not mere superstition but the highest form of science, requiring mastery
The Goal of the Wise
The Picatrix (Ghayat al-Hakim) is a foundational pillar of the Western esoteric tradition, uniting astronomy, medicine, and alchemy into a singular, practical science of the soul and world. Pseudo-Maslama presents a world where human fate is surgically determined by planetary 'winds' and where the p
The Goal of the Wise
Commissioned by Emperor Frederick II, this work rejects the armchair science of the ancients. It argues that physical reality, not classical texts, dictates the truth about avian anatomy and behavior. The author explains how to master the wild instincts of raptors through precise, observed technique
Reg.lat.1300
Reg.lat.1300 presents a cosmic manual where every planetary movement and elemental substance holds a specific magical virtue. The text argues that the material world is a decaying reflection of eternal celestial causes, and only through strict ritual purity can a practitioner bridge this gap. Reader
Reg.lat.1300
This manuscript acts as a technical manual for those seeking to bridge the divide between the celestial spheres and the terrestrial world. It frames magic as a rigorous science where the practitioner aligns their will with planetary configurations and divine names. By synthesizing herbal, lapidary,
The Goal of the Wise
Picatrix: The Goal of the Wise is a monumental compendium of ancient occult wisdom, translated into Latin for the court of King Alfonso. It boldly asserts that magic is not mere superstition but a divine science—a 'veiler' of the practitioner's will that channels the influence of the planets and the
Reg.lat.1344
Reg.lat.1344 is a profound synthesis of Renaissance occultism and radical theology, featuring the works of luminaries like Johannes Trithemius and the legendary Paracelsus. The text makes the bold claim that secret messages can be transmitted across the world via spirit intermediaries and that the '
The Book of Raziel (Sepher Raziel)
The Book of Raziel functions as a bridge between the celestial hierarchies and the practitioner on earth. It argues that physical reality is a reflection of immutable heavens governed by specific angelic powers. The text insists that true magical authority requires moral discipline, secret knowledge
The Key of Solomon
Les Clavicules de Salomon is far more than a collection of spells; it is a rigorous technical manual for the practitioner seeking to bridge the gap between the mundane and the divine. Attributed to the wisdom of Solomon and preserved through the lineage of Rabbi Abognazar, this 1634 manuscript claim
Reg.lat.1344
Reg.lat.1344 is a profound synthesis of esoteric science and Christian orthodoxy, weaving together the once-forbidden arts of steganography, astrological magic, and alchemy. This manuscript challenges the boundary between the sacred and the occult, presenting a world where spirits of the air serve a
The Key of Solomon and Pneumatic Theosophy
Claviculae Salomonis et theosophia pneumatica presents a radical vision where magic is not a dark art, but a sacred science—a 'Spirit-Art' that integrates theology, alchemy, and astrology. The text argues that the human mind is the ultimate engine of miracle-working, capable of uniting with celestia
Part of the Mishnah: Seeds
Part of the Mishnah: Zeraim is a monumental synthesis of ancient Rabbinic wisdom and 17th-century Christian Hebraism. Centered on the work of the brilliant scholar William Guise and featuring the essential prefaces of Moses Maimonides, the text explores the divine transmission of Law and the logical
The Book of the Angel Raziel
The Book of the Angel Raziel is a cornerstone of mystical literature, claiming to be the foundational source of all esoteric knowledge transmitted through the biblical patriarchs. It posits a universe where the Hebrew alphabet serves as the literal DNA of creation, linking the anatomy of the human s
The Grand Grimoire with the Great Key of Solomon
Le Grand Grimoire represents the pinnacle of the Solomonic tradition, blending high ceremonial magic with dark, practical demonology. Anonymous yet authoritative, the text claims to offer the same arcane knowledge King Solomon used to command spirits, presenting a world where the infernal hierarchy
The Works of Apuleius
Apuleius remains one of the most enigmatic voices of the Roman Empire, serving as a vital bridge between Platonic philosophy and the ancient mystery cults. This collection brings together his most influential works, showcasing his unique perspective as a 'half-and-half Numidian' intellectual who nav
The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses (1880 facsimile)
The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses presents itself as a direct translation of secret Hebrew manuscripts. It argues that biblical figures possessed the authority to control celestial and infernal spirits. The text provides explicit instructions for the use of seals, amulets, and incantations to man
The Greater Key of Solomon
The Greater Key of Solomon is far more than a simple book of spells; it is a profound philosophical system that positions humanity as the sovereign mediator between the physical and spiritual realms. S. L. MacGregor Mathers, a central figure of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, presents a text
New Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, Vol. 1
This volume presents a direct look at the Sanhedrin tractate, where rabbis debate the structural foundations of law. It captures a moment where legal theory meets the harsh friction of real-world politics and divine judgment. Rodkinson translates centuries of complex jurisprudence into a framework a
The Key of Solomon
The Key of Solomon is far more than a simple book of spells; it is a complex philosophical system that bridges the gap between the mundane and the divine. Dating back to the Italian Renaissance, this grimoire presents the bold claim that through rigorous spiritual purification and the precise applic
The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses
L.W. De Laurence presents these forbidden books as divinely revealed tools for human empowerment. He argues that the Bible is a practical manual for both spiritual salvation and tangible magical intervention. The text suggests that man functions as a microcosm reflecting the wider cosmos. By manipul
The Key of Solomon
The Key of Solomon presents a stark departure from modern passive spirituality. It outlines a system where the practitioner uses divine names, astrology, and specific physical talismans to assert authority over spiritual forces. The text insists that true mastery requires both internal purity and ri
The Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia)
The Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia) is not merely a catalog of demons; it is a sophisticated system of ceremonial magic that claims spirits are actually 'portions of the human brain.' Edited by the enigmatic L.W. de Laurence, this text provides a rigorous framework for the 'Bornless Ritual' and the p
Lesser Key of Solomon (Goetia) - De Laurence Edition
The L.W. de Laurence edition of the 'Lesser Key of Solomon' presents a radical reinterpretation of ceremonial magic, casting it as a rigorous 'Natural Philosophy' rather than mere superstition. By blending Kabbalistic mysticism with a bold psychological defense, the text argues that the demonic hier
Apuleius: Apology and Florida
Apuleius: Apology and Florida offers a rare, firsthand glimpse into the legal and social tensions of the second-century Roman Empire. Facing a capital charge of sorcery, Apuleius argues that his scientific interest in anatomy and natural history is a mark of philosophical devotion rather than crimin
The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King
The Book of the Goetia forces a confrontation between medieval sorcery and early twentieth-century materialism. Crowley edits the original manuscript with a cynical, sharp edge, famously claiming that these demonic entities are merely projections of the human brain. Readers gain access to the comple
Mishnah: Kaufmann Manuscript (Complete)
Solomonic Cycle Magic Collection
The Solomonic Cycle Magic Collection is an essential synthesis for any practitioner or scholar of the Western Esoteric Tradition. By bridging the gaps between the seminal works of Johann Weyer, Reginald Scot, and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, this collection offers a rectified and expanded list of 72