The Book of ceremonial Magic
The Book of ceremonial Magic
The Book of ceremonial Magic
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But if your hopes are frustrated, and no Spirit will appear, yet for this do not despair, but,<br />
leaving the circle, return again at other times, doing as before. And if you shall judge that<br />
you have erred in anything, then you shall amend by adding or diminishing, for the<br />
constancy <strong>of</strong> reiteration doth <strong>of</strong>ten increase your authority and power, and striketh terror<br />
into the Spirits, humbling them to obedience.<br />
Hence some do use to make a gate in the circle, whereby they go in and out, which they<br />
open and shut as they please, and fortify it with Holy Names and pentacles. This also we<br />
are to take notice <strong>of</strong>, that when no Spirits will appear, but the Master, being wearied, hath<br />
determined to cease and give over, let him not therefore depart without licensing the<br />
Spirits, for they that do neglect this are very greatly in danger, except they are fortified<br />
with some sublime defence. Oftentimes also the Spirits do come, although they be not<br />
visible (for to cause terror to him that calls them), either in the thing which he useth or in<br />
the operation itself. But this kind <strong>of</strong> licensing is not given simply, but by a kind <strong>of</strong><br />
dispensation with suspension, until they shall render themselves obedient.<br />
When we intend to execute any effect by evil Spirits where an apparition is not needful,<br />
this is to be done by making the required instrument or subject <strong>of</strong> the experiment itself,<br />
whether it be an image, a ring or a writing, any candle, character or sacrifice, or anything<br />
<strong>of</strong> the like sort. <strong>The</strong> name <strong>of</strong> the Spirit is to be written thereon, with his character,<br />
according to the exigency <strong>of</strong> the experiment, either writing with blood or using some<br />
perfume agreeable to the Spirit, making also frequent prayers to God and the good angels<br />
before we invocate the evil Spirit, and conjuring him by the Divine Power.<br />
p. 83<br />
Over and above the formal diabolism <strong>of</strong> this process, there are instructions for composing<br />
a book <strong>of</strong> evil spirits, to be prepared <strong>ceremonial</strong>ly, according to their name and order. By<br />
means <strong>of</strong> a "holy oath," the ready obedience <strong>of</strong> the Spirit, whose name is written therein,<br />
is supposed to be insured. <strong>The</strong> book itself must be formed <strong>of</strong> most pure and clean paper<br />
which has never been used previously--a stipulation which may have been <strong>of</strong> moment in<br />
the days <strong>of</strong> the palimpsest, but is, <strong>of</strong> course, scarcely necessary in our own. <strong>The</strong> image <strong>of</strong><br />
the Spirit must be drawn on the left side, and his character on the right, preceded by the<br />
oath which embodies the name <strong>of</strong> the Spirit, together with his dignity, place, <strong>of</strong>fice and<br />
power. <strong>The</strong> operation must be performed on the day and in the hour <strong>of</strong> the planet to<br />
which the Spirit is attributed. When the book has been composed, it must be well bound<br />
and emblazoned, being furnished also with markers and seals, for to open it at random<br />
after its consecration might endanger the operator. It should be kept reverently and free<br />
from pr<strong>of</strong>anation, for otherwise it will lose its virtue. Its consecration is a matter <strong>of</strong> some<br />
difficulty, as every Spirit whose name appears therein must be called before the circle,<br />
the bonds read over in his presence, and each in succession must be compelled to impose<br />
his hand where his respective image and character are drawn, and to "confirm and<br />
consecrate the same with a special and common oath." In a word, the document must be<br />
regularly and legally delivered as the act and deed <strong>of</strong> each. During this ceremony the<br />
book must be laid within a triangle described outside the circle.