About the author
Joseph H. Peterson is a scholar and translator known for his editions of historical grimoires and ceremonial magic texts, many published through Ibis Press and Weiser Books. His Lesser Key of Solomon draws on original manuscripts and fragments held in the British Museum Library to produce what is presented as the most complete and accurate edition of that widely circulated magical text. Other titles include John Dee's Five Books of Mystery, a sourcebook of the Enochian material recorded by the Elizabethan scholar John Dee, and editions of the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses and the Arbatel, a concise sixteenth-century treatise on magic. Peterson's work is grounded in manuscript research and textual history rather than practical instruction, aimed at readers with a serious interest in the primary sources of Western ceremonial magic and grimoire traditions. He is widely cited among researchers of historical occultism for the accuracy and documentation of his editions.
📖 Where to start with Joseph H Peterson
💬 What our editors say about Joseph H Peterson's books
“This edition stands out in the esoteric canon for its remarkable clarity and elegance, offering a rare glimpse into positive philosophical magic. It provides undemanding instructions for invoking divine powers while urging moral…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Arbatel: Concerning the Magic of the Ancients
“Peterson delivers a robust, academically grounded edition that prioritizes textual accuracy over accessibility. It is an essential tool for serious occultists who value the integration of British Museum fragments and fresh…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Lesser Key of Solomon: Detailing the Ceremonial Art of Commanding Spirits Booth Good and Evil
“Peterson has resurrected Dee’s diaries from obscurity, offering a vital archive for those studying the profound spiritual mechanics of late sixteenth-century occultism. The edition excels in contextualizing the Calls and visions,…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on John Dee's Five Books of Mystery: Original Sourcebook of Enochian Magic
📋 Editions by Joseph H Peterson in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbatel: Concerning the Magic of the Ancients | — | Ibis Press | 128 | 9780892541522 |
| Lesser Key of Solomon: Detailing the Ceremonial Art of Commandin | — | Weiser Books | 304 | 9781578632206 |
| John Dee's Five Books of Mystery: Original Sourcebook of Enochia | — | Weiser Books | 544 | 9781578631780 |
| Clavis or Key to the Magic of Solomon: From an Original Talisman | 2009 | Ibis Press | 456 | 9780892541591 |
| Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses (New, Expanded) Peterson, Josep | 2008 | Ibis Press | 320 | 9780892541300 |
| Mysteriorum Libri Quinque: Dr. John Dee's Five Books of Mysterie | 2024 | Weiser Books | 400 | 9781578638222 |
| The Magic of the Sword of Moses: A Practical Guide to Its Spells | 2022 | Weiser Books | 192 | 9781578637263 |
| The Petit Albert and the Grand Albert: Two Foundational 18th-Cen | 2026 | Weiser Books | 272 | 9781578639342 |
| Elucidation of Necromancy Lucidarium Artis Nigromantice Attribut | 2021 | Ibis Press | 320 | 9780892541997 |
