The Book of ceremonial Magic

other processes which are not in themselves Goëtic, but are objectionable on account of
the abuse to which they are liable. It is curious to observe how experiments of this kind
will in one Ritual appear under a harmless guise but will in another bear all the marks of
diabolism. The experience of Invisibility, with which we are here concerned, illustrates
all these points.
Here Ceremonial Magic pretends to place its adepts in possession of the ring of Gyges.
Presuming that the Key of Solomon is the most ancient of all the Rituals, it is there that
the formal process first occurs. It is accomplished, however, without the intervention of a
ring, by means of a simple preliminary invocation, and an address to Almiras, Master and
Chief of Invisibility, whatsoever may be necessary for the particular occasion, such as
characters and circles, being left to the discretion of the operator. There is also a
complementary process by means of a waxen image; it occurs in one manuscript copy
and is given by the English editor. The person who has duly made and consecrated this
image is supposed to become invisible when he carries it. If we now turn to the Book of
True Black Magic, we shall find the first experiment adapted as follows:--Before making
the experiment of invisibility these words must be committed to memory: SCABOLES,
HABRION,
p. 307
ELÆ, ELIMIGIT, GABOLII, SEMITRION, MENTINOBOL, SABANITEUT,
HEREMOBOL, CANE, METHÉ, BALUTI, CATEA, TIMEGUEL, BORA, by the
empire which ye exert over us, fulfill this work, so that I may become invisible. 1 The said
words must be written with the blood before mentioned, 2 and the following Conjuration
recited: O Ye Spirits of Invisibility, I conjure and constrain you incontinently and
forthwith to consecrate this experiment, so that, surely and without trickery, I may go
invisible. Furthermore, I conjure you by Lucifer, your prince, by the obedience which you
owe to him and by the power of God, incontinently to aid me by consecrating this
experiment, without loss of my body or my soul. So be it, so be it, so be it.
Prepare all things required for this experiment with due solemnity and diligence, as it is
laid down in the chapter proper thereto: so shalt thou operate with certainty and so find
the truth; but failing any of the things needful, thou shalt not attain thy desire, for not by
the walls but the gate may any man enter a town.
This is merely a shorter recension of the process contained in the Clavicle, with the
reference to Lucifer interpolated.
In place of these bald and somewhat unmeaning directions, the Grimorium Verum
supplies an excessively curious process, at once monstrous and fantastic, recalling the
sorceries of Thessaly and having direct connections with folk-lore.
To become Invisible
Begin this operation on a Wednesday before the sun rises, being furnished with seven
black beans. Take next the head