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16 Talismans & eivocations d tk Golden Dawn
Golden Dawn, translated different versions8 ofthis manuscript into
English in 1 888.
Mathers' text has five major parts. The first is the purification
of the items used in magic. The second is the process of evocation
and the third is talismanic magic, by using pentacles. The fourth
relates to the magical meanings of the biblical Psalms which bind a
spirit to the operator's will. The magical use of the Psalms is
something that most occultists overlook in favour of something more
flamboyant. They are woven into the Greater Key of Solomon in
such a way that their use is almost invisible.
The fifth part of the book relates to the use of planetary hours
and seems to duplicate the work of the magician Peter Abano
(though where he got his information is unknown to the writer).
This is a sensible part of the manuscript and lists certain celestial
patterns to be observed when performing rituals.
The text of the manuscript is well set out. It shows how to
perform rituals correctly and safely. From studying of these texts,
it is evident that the Mathers' version is incomplete, even if the
missing sections found in other manuscripts are included. There
may have been a master text that the present condensed versions
were taken from.
The Lesser Key of Solomon9 (or Lemegeton) is another
manuscript used by Mathers for the Golden Dawnlo. It is difficult
to date, but there are elements in Agrippa's works that possibly
came from this text or its original source. The Lemegeton is broken
up into five parts.
Taken fiom: Add.,10,862; Sloane Mss.,1307 & 3019; Harleian Mss.,3981; and
King's Mss., 288; and Lansdowne Mss., 1202 & 1203. Additional titles (according
to Waite) that can also be referred to on this Manuscript are at the French Library;
Les Clavicules de Rabbi Salomon, 2346 (72SAF); Livre de la Clavicule de Salomon,
Ray des Hebreux 2348(75SAF); Les Vrais Clavicules du Roy Salomon 2349(77SAF);
LQS Secret des Secrets. autrement La Clavicule ak Salomon, ou le veritable Gromoire
2350(78SAF); Livre Second de La Clavicule de Salomon 2791 (76SAF).
See 'Sloane 273 1 ', & 'Sloane 3648' British Library, for an English translation of
this text.
lo The full manuscript was distributed to Golden Dawn adepts, Aleister Crowley
published apart of it The Goetia. While some have considered that Crowley published
this Mathers edition as his own work, the Mathers version was a direct copy of an
English version in the British Museum.