Grimorie

The gown is to be woven of silk; or, if this be unavailable, of linen. If linen is to be used, the thread must have been spun by a young maiden of proven chastity.
In certain operations a belt made from the skin of a lion may be worn.

The shoes are of white leather, and must be made during the nine days preceding an operation.

The crown, if it be worn, is of virgin parchment, and written on it are these names: to the fore, YOD HE VAU HE; to the right, EL; to the left, ELOHIM; to the rear, ADONAI.
These names are to be written using the ink and pen of the art.

The instruments of the art:

These are the instruments required by the operator:

the knife with a black hilt; the knife with a white hilt;
the scimitar; the sickle; the dagger; the poniard;
the short lance; the staff; the wand; the sword;
the further swords for the use of assistants;
the burin.

Each is to be made in the prescribed manner, as follows:

The knife with the white hilt may be used in all operations save only the making of the circle. It is to be made in the day and the hour of Mercury, the Moon being full, and must be dipped in a mixture of pimpernel juice and the blood of a gosling, and inscribed with the necessary characters.

The knife with the black hilt, which is used in making the circle, is to be made in the day and the hour of Saturn, and dipped in a mixture of hemlock juice and the blood of a black cat.

The staff is to be of elderwood or rosewood, and the wand of hazel.
They must be cut from the tree at sunrise on the day of Mercury, and inscribed in that day and hour. The wood must be virgin: new branches of a year's growth, no more. Once prepared they should bow consecrated and set aside in a place of purity until they are required.

All instruments of the art must be prepared and consecrated in the nine days preceding the operation, and then must be wrapped in silk of any color save black or grey. The silk must previously have been incensed and consecrated, and set aside for seven days among sweet spices.

The pen and the parchment:

The pen is to be made from the feather of a male gosling: the magus must pluck the third feather of the right wing, meanwhile speaking this incantation:
'ADRAI, HAHLII, TAMAII, TILONAS, ATHAMAS, ZIANOR, ADONAI banish from this pen all deceit and error, so that it may be of virtue and efficacy to write all that I desire'. It should then be sharpened with the knife of the art, perfumed and sprinkled, and set aside in a silk cloth.

The incantation must be written, using the pen of the art, on virgin parchment: that is, parchment taken from an animal which has not attained the age of procreation. This animal, which must be male, should be taken by the magus in the day and hour of Mercury to a secret place, where no one may see him at work.

He must carry with him a marsh reed, cut with a single stroke by a new knife, and before commencing must strip the leaves from it, meanwhile repeating the Conjuration of the reed. This having be spoken, the animal may be flayed, and the skin rubbed with exorcised salt.
It must then be left in the sun for a day, after which it is placed in a glazed vessel filled with lime and exorcised water, and left for three days, then scraped, stretched on a circle of hazel, then dried for three days in a dark place.
The cauls of new-born children may also be employed for this purpose.

The candles are to be made in the day of Mercury from virgin wax: that is, wax made by bees which have not made wax previously. This wax must be gathered by the magus himself. The wicks are to be made by the magus, or by a young virgin.

The preparation of the magus:

In the nine days preceding any operation, the magus must prepare himself in the proper manner, having first made ready the necessary instruments.
He must bathe in exorcised water, and purify himself thereby from the crown of his head to his toe, and after speaking the necessary prayer should dry himself with a towel of white linen, and dress in the gown of white linen or silk. Henceforth until the time of the operation he must abstain from all things unlawful, and from every kind of impiety, impurity, wickedness or immodesty of body and soul.

He must abstain from excessive eating or drinking, and from useless conversation, and must observe a strict decency in all things. It is best if he remains solitary during this time, seeing and speaking to no one save any assistants he may employ, and fasting as much as he is able.

Grimoires

- Clavicula Salomnis also known as Lesser Key of Solomon. The Key itself is of great philosophical value to the magus. A quote of an significant passage about the importance of magical seals:

'Thou shouldest take particular care if thou makest them on virgin parchment to use the proper colors; and if thou engraves them on metal, to do so in the manner taught thee; and so shalt thou have the satisfaction of seeing them produce the desired effect. But seeing that this Science is not a Science of argument and open reasoning, but that, on the contrary, it is entirely mysterious and occult, we should not argue and deliberate over these matters, and it is sufficient to believe firmly to enable us to bring into operation that which is already been taught.'

- The Legemeton is of greater practical use in its detailed description of the steps to be taken in performing a summoning.

Of all three-score and ten demons the characteristics are set forth in the Lemegeton. through the control of one of these great princes any desired consequence may be produced, but in truth there is little purpose in evoking a major presence to achieve an effect workable through some simpler magic, for the preparations are stringent and lengthy and the operation is invariably exhausting.
- Book of Sacred Magic by Abra-Melin, known also as Abraham the Jew.

This work was composed by the great magician shortly before his death and passed to his son Lamech, whereafter a copy made by Lamech came into possession of Agrippa. Rofomagus composed a further copy, and these are the only versions in existence, according to Rofomagus. The original is in the possession of Lamech's son, himself called Abraham, an elderly and ineffectual necromancer resident in Zurich at the time of Rofomagus's life. Agrippa's copy disappeared after his death and may have been destroyed.

- Nygromancyene is Rofomagus his own grimoire, and within its pages is to be found knowledge exceeding that recorded in all other grimoires. Through careful study of the preparations and procedures recorded therein any apprentice magician might in a matter of years acquire the level of mastery over the princes of the Descending Hierarchy which took Rofomagus decades of slow research.

Doctrine of Correspondences is a work attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. The doctrine states simply that all material things reflect a cosmic principle, and that principle may be addressed by symbols (talismans, seals, words and names of power). When the symbol is manipulated, that which it reflects is manipulated also. As above, so below; time present, time past, time future.

Grimoires by charlatans according to Rofomagus.

- The black Pullet wakes the suggestion that a Prince of Hell may be summoned by the simple expedient of cleaving in twain a black hen at a crossroads at midnight while repeating a simple incantation. This reveals that the author, whoever he may be, has no knowledge of the rigors of true magic.

Seals and Symbols

Each demon is represented by its own seal, which would be affixed to any pact reached with a magician as a binding commitment. The magician, too, would have his own seal, whose form would symbolically represent him.

The signs most commonly used in his magic are the many Pentacles, or Medals, of which there are altogether 44, each with its particular characteristics and uses. A few selected examples are reproduced here:

The Pentacles may be drawn on virgin parchment, or inscribed in metal. The colour of ink or the metal used must be that appropriate to the Planet with which the Pentacle is in sympathy.
These are as follows:

The seven Pentacles of Saturn: black; lead
The seven Pentacles of Jupiter: blue; tin
The seven Pentacles of Mars: red; iron
The seven pentacles of the Sun: yellow; gold
The five Pentacles of Venus: green; copper
The five Pentacles of Mercury: mixed colors; a mixture of metals
The six Pentacles of the Moon: silver; silver

- The first pentacle of Saturn is of great use in striking terror into the spirits.
Upon being shown it they submit and kneel on the earth before the magus, and obey his command.

The sixth pentacle of Saturn is formed from the mystical characters of Saturn, and around it is written in Hebrew these words:

'Set thou a wicked one to be ruler over him, and let Satan stands at his right hand.' The person against whom the magus uses this pentacle will be obsessed by demons, and shall ever fear their coming, and shall have no peace, and in sleep shall suffer dreadful nightmares, and shall eventually take his own life in despair unless the magus shall relent.
- The second pentacle of Jupiter is a greatly efficacious in the acquisition of riches and honors, and the user will enjoy great peace of mind. It may also be used to discover hidden treasures, and to drive away any guardian spirits. This pentacle should be inscribed on virgin parchment with the blood of a screech owl, using a feather from a swallow's wing.

- The sixth pentacle of Mars will protect the magus against any attacker, howsoever armed. He will not be injured in any way, and his assailant's weapons will be turned against himself. The words to be inscribed around the pentacle are these: 'Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bow shall be broken.'

- The fifth pentacle of the Sun will summon those spirits who will transport the magus great distances in a short period of time, lifting him into the air but keeping him hidden from any watcher upon the ground.

- The fifth pentacle of Venus will incite strong feelings of love and devotion in anyone to whom it is shown; its inscription, which should be recited aloud, is 'My heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels.'

- The fourth pentacle of Mercury is used in the acquisition of knowledge, and the seeking out of things that are hidden, and in the comprehension of mysteries. The spirits which it calls forth may be commanded to perform missions on the magus's behalf.

- The fifth pentacle of Mercury commands the spirits of the planet, and causes any door to open, however securely it may be fastened.

- The second pentacle of the Moon preserves the user against all perils and dangers associated with water, and should thus be used before undertaking any journey by river or by sea. The spirits of the moon which it calls forth are troublesome, and may cause great storms and tempests in order to terrify the magus. On being shown the pentacle, and having the words on it spoken to them, they will cease their mischief.

- The fifth pentacle of the Moon is of great power. By its use the magus may obtain, during his sleep, the answers to mysteries which may baffle him. It may be used to invoke a spirit who will cause great destruction, and protect the magus against any phantom of the night. Its said that the dead souls may be recalled from hell itself by use of this pentacle, but this is found not to be so.

Familiars

When the grimoires call for assistance to participate in a ritual it is often less troublesome to employ certain creatures trained to the task.

The following creatures are best suited to the role of familiar:
the cat, the owl, the raven, the toad and the bat. A male animal is to be used, and should ne operated upon in the month of its birth so that it loses its generative ability. A spell of simple understanding, spoken over an animal rendered insensible through inhalation of laudanum, binds it to its master and enables it to perform its simple task, as long as it is kept in the proper state of preparedness.

It must be fed solely on human flesh and blood, on which diet it will grow hostile to anyone save its master. During the nine days preceding a magical operation in which it is to participate the familiar must fast, as a result of which it will become particularly vicious. It must be controlled carefully at this time, for which a few words of power, or the appropriate pentacle, should suffice; if it should bite or scratch the magus his preparations will be spoilt, and the whole operation will have to be started again from the beginning.

Animal creations

It is possible to create, by techniques both secular and magical, new hybrid forms from different existing species of bird, beast and reptile. The type of suture to be employed depends on the nature of the hybrid: to join mammal to reptile or bird, the gut of a bat is to be used; to join mammal to fish, the gut of an otter; and so forth.

The blade employed in the surgery is to be of steel forged in the day and hour of Jupiter and quenched in a mixture of serpent's blood and nettle juice; the knife's handle must be oak, cut during the waning moon from a tree choked with mistletoe.

The vital essence of the creatures may be preserved, even when heads must be separated from bodies, by inducing a stupor with an inhalation of steam from a bowl of water infused with henbane.

It did not prove possible to create hybrids which would breed true to their kind.

The familiar associations between the Zodiac and parts of the body.

Aries affects the face and neck
Gemini affects the shoulders and arms
Cancer affecting the lungs, chest and breasts
Leo affects the heart and stomage
Libra affects the navel, loins, buttocks and kidneys
Scorpio affects the genitalia
etc.

Thus, in a ceremony using heart blood, or one designed to affect the heart, the sign of Leo would be most important: plants would be cut when the moon was in leo, instruments prepared during times of the sun etc.

Alchemy

Rofomagus was able to view directly those moments of discovery through the intercession of Astaroth therefore having more success than other alchemists of his time. He saw the lost tomb of Hermes Trismegistus and read from the emerald tablet held in his mummified hand the words which set forth the basic tenets of the alchemist's beliefs:

T'is true, without falsehood and most real: that which is above is like that which is below, to perpetrate the miracles of one thing. And as all things have been derived from one, by the thought of one, so all things are born from this thing, by adoption. The sun is its father, the moon is its mother. Wind has carried it in its belly, the earth is its nurse. Here is the father of every perfection in the world. His strength and power are absolute when changed into earth; thou wilt separate the earth from fire, the subtle from the gross, gently and with care. It ascends from earth to heaven, and descends again to earth to receive the power of the superior and the inferior things.
By this means, thou wilt have the glory of the world. And because of this, all obscurity will flee from thee. Within this is the power, most powerful of al powers. For it will overcome all subtle things, and penetrate every solid thing. Thus the world was created. From this will be, and will emerge, admirable adaptations of which the means are here.
And for this reason I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of the philosophy of the world. What I have said of the sun's operations is accomplished.

For the purpose of turning base metal in gold, which is the goal of all alchemists no matter how philosophical they state their purpose to be, an agent is necessary, this being the substance which has been termed the Philosopher's stone. The making of this stone involves a lengthy combustion of a most complex mixture of substances in the heat of the alchemical furnace.

The stone, when it appears, has the appearance of a viscous dark red liquid, which congeals into a substance not unlike a large crystal of quartz. It is quite frail, and may readily be broken into smaller fragments. Its potency is great; a singles crumb will suffice for many operations, for the stone is not itself consumed in the reaction. The method for performing the transmutation of base metal into gold with the aid of the stone is quite simple and depends on the mere proximity of the elements. It is quite sufficient simply to envelop the stone in virgin wax and then slowly drip mercury or molten lead on it. As the droplets of metal pass around the stone, they are transformed into gold of the purest quality.

This gold is of great value to the magus, for it is virgin metal, which greatly increases in potency any spell in which it is used. If prepared for this purpose it must be made and used on the same day as or the days immediately preceding an operation. Reading the lines on the palms of the hand and the face.

By touching and concentrating upon hand or face, a deep insight may be gained through inner vision, and this may be effectively translated into the lines on the hand or forehead. These practices are children's games for charlatans; to the true magus the lines mean nothing, but are a focus for his probing mind.

Covens and witch burning.

Witches practice a simple magic. They celebrate feasts, that are by the church referred to as Sabbath, at four times of the year, and sometimes more, and these major feasts are linked to the new seasons.

Part of their worship is towards the moon goddess, who is known as Diana, or Hecate, or Selene. Hecate rules dogs, ghosts, tombs and crossroads, and these night feasts are invariably celebrated at crossroads. They invoke, at various times, both God and Diana, and in their festive prayer is clear evidence that all such feasts are a celebration of the tree-fold nature of a Mother-protector, or Goddess: the youthful Luna; the lover of life and men who is Diana; and the ageing haunter of the underworld, Proserpine.

At these simple Sabbaths all present go either naked, which in summer is preferred, or clad in the skins and masks of the animals of the land: as horses, cows, wolves, owls, cats, bats, frogs, sometimes goats. They dance from right to left, holding hands, and moving with exaggerated slowness. Such sinister motion is of great offence to the church. Sometimes they dance back to back, again in opposition to the accepted Christian tradition. All of these things, and the sexual freedom that accompanies feasting in spring and summer, are seen as devil worship, but they are more truly a tradition of the ancient country, and celebrate the earth, and heaven, and the bountiful harvest of the soil, and of woman, and of a joy in nature that has vanished from holy consciousness.

Then there are those Sabbaths wherein malefica make attendance, that is those black witches whose vile hold upon a community can often be mortal.

At these the area of worship is marked out with the skulls of horse, cow and human, preferably from animals and men that have been slaughtered in the full vigor of life. The fire is used not just for warmth but to roast, for consumption, the grisly remains of an infant sacrifice. Such malefica, who conduct the sabbat, and who cast spells of stupefaction over those ordinary people who attend upon the feast, invariably have made pacts in blood with minor demons, and summon their masters using incantation and sacrifice.

The demons appear as black dogs, although they are sometimes seen as hideously malformed men, or cats, or goats. The dog accomplishes sexual union with the malefica, and the semen is collected and is of great power in the working of evil. The major demon of these Sabbat's is the Sabbat goat or Put Satanachia.