Related Articles • John Dee, 007 • The Emerald Tablet • The Pentagram Related Resources • Ritual Magick • The Grimoire of Honorius • The Book of the sacred magick of Abramelin the Mage

A Grimoire, strictly speaking, is a collection of magickal formulas or symbols, with instructions for their use to achieve certain ends. The word "Grimoire" is actually an archaic spelling of the word "grammar," a word which once referred to things magical.

Often containing complex instructions for conjuring demons and spirits, European Grimoires were astonishingly common between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries. What is even more surprising is the atmosphere of Christian piety that often permeates these texts. A far cry from the black magick and pacts with Satan one might expect, they are filled with biblical references and regimens of prayer and Angelic supplications. Ritual Magicians of the Middle ages and Renaissance periods tended to be heavily religious, and although they found inspiration in Pagan and Islamic texts, they often relied on Christian magical traditions going back as far as the first century. Some especially religiously oriented magicians even found a biblical imperative in the words of Jesus- " And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do "

There are generally two types of magical manuals, Ritual Magick primers and compendiums of so called "Natural magic." While the latter are usually a hodge podge of chemical preparations and herbal formulas, the former contain a curious mixture of prayer, conjuration, and kabbalistic or astrological formulas. They often contain a laundry list of enchantments, from the mundane (obtaining money and favors) to the improbable (invisibility, invincibility, and the power to fly), to the profoundly spiritual (union with God, enlightenment, and wisdom). Much of modern Ritual Magick is based on the techniques found in these old books, which contain many features recognizable to both Magicians and Wiccans- magical weapons, the calling of quarters, pentacles and sigils used in invocations, and the use of magickal or heavenly languages.

Solomonic Magick

Perhaps the most well known Grimoire is the Legemeton, better known as "The Key of Solomon," which originated in the twelfth century and is still in print (usually in expurgated form) nearly a thousand years later. The Key is named for the Biblical figure believed to have authored it, whose legend as a conjuror and magician were widespread. As early as the first century, the historian Josephus makes references to a book of demonic conjurations attributed to Solomon. Another text attributed to Solomon is the Goetia, or "Lesser Key," dating from the sixteenth century. It contains a list of demonic spirits, their powers, and the means to invoke them.

A magician invokes angels and demons

Black Magick?

Another well known, but far more infamous book is the so called Grimoire of Honorious, improbably attributed to a catholic Pope. Filled with pages of prayers and pious supplications to God, it is also one of the more sinister, containing requirements for animal sacrifice and instructions for obtaining a pact with the Devil. It is for these reasons it is popular with some self styled Satanists and African Obi-men. It is possible the book was originally written with the intent to defame the somewhat controversial Pope.

Divine Union

The slightly sinister atmosphere of Honorius is in direct contrast to the highly praised Book of the Sacred magick of Abramelin the Mage. Held in high regard by Aleister Crowley and MacGregor Mathers alike, it contains complex instructions for attaining a guiding spirit and eventually, a state of enlightened union with God. The workings in Abramelin are so complex that the book recommends one take a year away from work and family obligations to complete it. Some of the concepts introduced in Abramelin have become enshrined in modern Ritual tradition, especially the concept of the "Holy Guardian Angel," believed to be a divine aspect of one's own personality, a "true self" that can be contacted to guide one's spiritual development.

Further Reading

If you would like to check out some of these texts for yourself, I've compiled a list of popular Grimoires below:

• The Goetia, or Lesser Key of Solomon
  One of the oldest and most famous medieval grimoires, the Goetia contains explicit instructions for evoking and utilizing demonic spirits. Illustrated.
• Calling Spirits
  Attributed (probably incorrectly) to H.C. Agrippa
• The Sword of Moses
• The Seventh Book of Mose