The Book of ceremonial Magic
The Book of ceremonial Magic
The Book of ceremonial Magic
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For the Masters <strong>of</strong> Black <strong>Magic</strong>, as for the author <strong>of</strong> the Comte de Gabalis, the air is the<br />
abode <strong>of</strong> far other beings than the bird and fly, but the process by which they are rendered<br />
visible is complicated through the exceptional nature <strong>of</strong> the<br />
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required materials. It is, <strong>of</strong> course, quite possible to secure the brain <strong>of</strong> a cock, and<br />
dissection with that object may perhaps be performed by deputy; the kitchen-maid or the<br />
poulterer's assistant would be easily secured. <strong>The</strong> dust from the grave <strong>of</strong> a dead man is<br />
the second ingredient <strong>of</strong> the process; but a visit to the nearest cemetery will not be<br />
sufficient, because it is useless to collect it on the surface; that which is next to the c<strong>of</strong>fin<br />
will alone serve the purpose. In addition to these substances there are only oil <strong>of</strong> almonds<br />
and virgin wax. A compost must be made <strong>of</strong> the four, and it must be wrapped in a sheet<br />
<strong>of</strong> virgin parchment inscribed previously with the words GOMERT, KAILOETH, and<br />
with the character <strong>of</strong> Khil.<br />
<strong>The</strong> materials being thus prepared, it remains to set them alight, whereupon the operator<br />
will behold that which the Grimoire characterises as prodigious, but does not specify<br />
except by the indication <strong>of</strong> the title. This experiment, it adds, should be performed only<br />
by those who fear nothing.<br />
It is easy to deride the process, but reflective persons will see that it is the quintessence<br />
and summary <strong>of</strong> the whole art. This is Black <strong>Magic</strong>--and most <strong>of</strong> the white kind--in the<br />
proverbial nutshell-a combination in equal proportions <strong>of</strong> the disgusting and the imbecile.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many more elaborate experiments, but few <strong>of</strong> such a representative kind. It is<br />
not necessary to add that it has been exceedingly popular and is to be found in most <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Grimoires.<br />
§ 6. Concerning Divination by the Word <strong>of</strong> Uriel<br />
As there are many practices passing under the name <strong>of</strong> White <strong>Magic</strong> which are doubtful<br />
in character on the surface, while they are more than doubtful within, so there are<br />
experiences described in the Grimoires, or in the treasuries <strong>of</strong> secrets which accompany<br />
them, having nothing in their nature which can be<br />
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termed especially repulsive; they belong, however, to the Grimoires; their connections in<br />
occult literature are those <strong>of</strong> Black <strong>Magic</strong>, and they deserve a place here. Moreover, a<br />
process which in one Ritual will be merely curious or diverting, hypnotic or clairvoyant,<br />
may in another bear all the outward marks <strong>of</strong> diabolism. <strong>The</strong> mode <strong>of</strong> divination termed<br />
the. Word or Speech <strong>of</strong> Uriel--signifying answers or oracles obtained from that spirit<br />
<strong>ceremonial</strong>ly invoked--appears in the Grimorium Verum as an experiment in lucidity<br />
induced by means <strong>of</strong> Hydromancy, but in the Verus Jesuitarum Libellus the Conjuration<br />
<strong>of</strong> Uriel appears as an infernal conjuration, and it is a process <strong>of</strong> Black <strong>Magic</strong><br />
undisguised.