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The Book of ceremonial Magic

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156:3 Of a black cat, says the Clavicle, and the weapon when finished should be wrapped<br />

in a cloth <strong>of</strong> black silk, which, however, contradicts <strong>Book</strong> ii. c. 20, <strong>of</strong> the same work.<br />

159:1 White boxwood is prescribed by the Key <strong>of</strong> Solomon.<br />

160:1 <strong>The</strong> first or the fifteenth hour is the reading <strong>of</strong> the Key, but there is more reason in<br />

the longer period, having regard to the nature <strong>of</strong> the operation.<br />

160:2 i.e., Elohim Gibor. <strong>The</strong> Key <strong>of</strong> Solomon prescribes other Divine Names for the<br />

Sword <strong>of</strong> the Master.<br />

160:3 <strong>The</strong>se instructions are terribly confused. Compare the English version <strong>of</strong> the Key <strong>of</strong><br />

Solomon, wherein the passage is thus amended:--"<strong>The</strong> first sword should have on the<br />

pommel the name Cardiel or Gabriel; on the Lamen <strong>of</strong> the Guard, Region; on the Blade,<br />

Panoraim Heamesin. <strong>The</strong> second should have on the pommel the name Auriel; on the<br />

Lamen <strong>of</strong> the p. 161 Guard, Sarion; on the Blade, Gamorin Debalin. <strong>The</strong> third sword<br />

should have on the pommel the name Damiel or Raphael; on the Lamen <strong>of</strong> the Guard,<br />

Yemeton; on the Blade, Lamedin Eradim."<br />

§ 3. Concerning the Rod and Staff <strong>of</strong> the Art<br />

<strong>The</strong> great mystery <strong>of</strong> practical magic is supposed to be centred in the <strong>Magic</strong> Rod, and<br />

Éliphas Lévi, who claims to have reconstructed the primitive <strong>ceremonial</strong>, but seems<br />

rather to have over-edited his materials, supplies a highly sensational account <strong>of</strong> its<br />

powers and an elaborate method <strong>of</strong> its preparation. For him it is the sign <strong>of</strong> the<br />

transmission <strong>of</strong> the magical priesthood, which has never ceased since the darksome origin<br />

<strong>of</strong> pseudo-transcendent science. <strong>The</strong> operator is overwhelmed with precautions<br />

concerning the secrecy which must be maintained in regard to it and might well be<br />

dejected by the difficulties <strong>of</strong> its consecration. In view <strong>of</strong> such imputed importance, it is<br />

curious that De Abano and pseudo-Agrippa omit all mention <strong>of</strong> this tremendous<br />

instrument, while the Key <strong>of</strong> Solomon dismisses it in a few lines <strong>of</strong> easy instruction. It<br />

would appear, however, that a staff and rod are both necessary, especially in Goëtic<br />

operations, though their distinctive provinces are in no<br />

p. 162<br />

case described. According to the <strong>Book</strong> <strong>of</strong> True Black <strong>Magic</strong>, the staff should be <strong>of</strong> cane<br />

and the wand or rod <strong>of</strong> hazel, both virgin-that is, having no branches or <strong>of</strong>fshoots. 1 <strong>The</strong>y<br />

must be cut and trimmed on the day and in the hour <strong>of</strong> the Sun, while the following<br />

characters must be inscribed upon the staff, but on the day and in the hour <strong>of</strong> Mercury: 2-<br />

-

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