the book of ceremonial magic contents - Yankeeclassic.com

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