US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

Sepher Raziel: Liber Salomonis: A Sixteenth Century English Grimoire

Karr, Don; , Skinner, Stephen
Reader rating
4.5
(1 reviews) 105 sold
Availability to be confirmed

This edition can be ordered. No arrival date is confirmed.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unlock the arcane secrets of a foundational 16th-century Solomonic grimoire.

This definitive edition unveils the complete `Sepher Raziel`, also known as `Liber Salomonis`, a cornerstone text of Western ceremonial magic from the 16th century. It comprehensively details the astrological principles governing magical operations, the esoteric virtues of minerals, plants, and animals, alongside specific instructions for ritual perfumes and proper timing. The grimoire further explores the necessity of ritual purity, the celestial hierarchies of angels, and the profound power embedded within divine names, presented in both original manuscript form and a clear modern English translation.

Key themes
Cosmic Correspondences Ritual Purity & Timing Angelic Hierarchies & Names
Historical context

This work serves as a definitive edition of the Sepher Raziel, also known as Liber Salomonis, anchoring itself in the foundational traditions of Western ceremonial magic from the sixteenth century. It bridges historical manuscript culture with contemporary esoteric study by presenting original text alongside modern translation.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
Aleister Crowley · Arthur Edward Waite · The Key of Solomon · Francis Barrett
📕 Grimoires
🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2010 📖 296 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9780738723532
Fun fact
This monumental edition of `Sepher Raziel` is a treasure for the dedicated scholar and practitioner. Its dual presentation of original text and modern translation, coupled with insightful contextual essays, makes it an indispensable resource for understanding 16th-century Solomonic magic. While invaluable for serious students, those seeking simplified spells or quick results may find its academic rigor and complex ritual instructions daunting. It firmly establishes itself as a definitive scholarly and practical edition within the grimoire tradition.

📝 Description: Sepher Raziel: Liber Salomonis: A Sixteenth Century English Grimoire

Sepher Raziel--also called Liber Salomonis--is a full grimoire in the Solomonic tradition from a sixteenth century manuscript. It contains seven books: the Clavis, concerned with astrology and its use in magic, with precise interactions between planets, Signs, and Houses; the Ala, outlining the magical virtues of stones, herbs, and animals; the Tractatus Thymiamatus, which determines perfumes and suffumigations used in the Art; a Treatise of Times detailing the correct hours of the day for each operation; a Treatise on Preparations on ritual purity, and abstinence; Samaim, on the different heavens and their angels; and finally, a Book of Names and their virtues and properties, being seven semiforas of Adam and seven semiforas of Moses. The Sepher Raziel text is given in two forms: a literal transcription with no changes in spelling or wording and a modern English version. This volume also includes a foreword which offers an overview of Raziel manuscripts, which represent a number of independent traditions, an essay on the literature of Solomonic magic in English, an introduction to the Sepher Raziel manuscript presented, an appendix on incense nomenclature as a supplement to Tractatus Thymiamatus, a list of printed notices and manuscript sources of Sepher Raziel, and a full bibliography of printed works on Solomonic magic and items of related interest.

💎 Expert review

💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This publication stands as a robust resource for serious students of Western esotericism, offering a meticulously curated presentation of the Sepher Raziel. The inclusion of both original manuscript forms and modern translation ensures accessibility without sacrificing historical integrity. However, it does not suit casual readers or those seeking simple, quick-start guides to magic. Individuals looking for superficial entertainment or those uninterested in the rigorous demands of astrological timing, ritual perfumes, and celestial hierarchies will likely find the dense technical details overwhelming. It is strictly for those willing to engage with the complex, structured nature of sixteenth-century ceremonial practice rather than seeking a light introduction.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and practitioners deeply invested in the Solomonic tradition will find immense value in this comprehensive exploration of foundational magical principles. Readers seeking to understand the intricate astrological frameworks that govern ritual operations, or those fascinated by the esoteric virtues attributed to specific minerals, plants, and animals, will appreciate the detailed instructions provided. This edition is particularly beneficial for those who desire clarity through its clear modern English translation while still valuing the authenticity of the original manuscript form. It offers a profound look into celestial hierarchies of angels and the power of divine names, making it an essential resource for anyone committed to mastering ritual purity and proper timing in ceremonial magic.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★
For serious students of Solomonic magic, occult historians, and practitioners seeking authentic grimoire traditions, this volume offers an unparalleled opportunity. If you're ready to delve deep into the philosophical and practical foundations of Renaissance ceremonial magic, this is an essential…

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

This publication stands as a robust resource for serious students of Western esotericism, offering a meticulously curated presentation of the Sepher Raziel. The inclusion of both original manuscript forms and modern translation ensures accessibility without sacrificing historical integrity. However, it does not suit casual readers or those seeking simple, quick-start guides to magic. Individuals looking for superficial entertainment or those uninterested in the rigorous demands of astrological timing, ritual perfumes, and celestial hierarchies will likely find the dense technical details overwhelming. It is strictly for those willing to engage with the complex, structured nature of sixteenth-century ceremonial practice rather than seeking a light introduction.

❓ Frequently asked questions

This edition uniquely presents the original 16th-century manuscript transcription alongside a modern English translation, allowing scholars and practitioners to cross-reference and deeply engage with the text without ambiguity, supported by extensive scholarly commentary.
While incredibly comprehensive, this is an advanced grimoire. Its intricate instructions and philosophical depth are best appreciated by those with a foundational understanding of ceremonial magic, Kabbalah, and astrological principles.

📖 Who should read this

For serious students of Solomonic magic, occult historians, and practitioners seeking authentic grimoire traditions, this volume offers an unparalleled opportunity. If you're ready to delve deep into the philosophical and practical foundations of Renaissance ceremonial magic, this is an essential acquisition.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Cosmic Correspondences

The text meticulously charts the intricate relationships between planetary influences, astrological signs, and houses, revealing how these celestial alignments govern magical efficacy. It extends this understanding to the magical properties inherent in various natural elements—stones, herbs, and animals—providing a holistic framework for understanding and manipulating the unseen forces of the cosmos through sympathetic magic.

Ritual Purity & Timing

A substantial portion of the grimoire emphasizes the critical importance of spiritual and physical preparation. It outlines stringent requirements for ritual cleanliness, dietary abstinence, and the precise temporal windows—down to specific hours of the day—that must be observed for any magical operation to succeed. This underscores the belief that alignment with divine order is paramount.

Angelic Hierarchies & Names

Readers are introduced to the various celestial heavens and their associated angelic intelligences. The book details the virtues and properties of these entities, culminating in the exploration of sacred names, including the 'semiforas' attributed to Adam and Moses. This section provides keys for invoking or compelling spiritual forces through their divine appellations.

💬 Quotes from the book

“When the Moon be in the first Face of Leo, and Saturn ascending, then prepare thy censer with musk and ambergris, and call upon the spirit by his true name.”

“Know ye that the efficacy of the Art dwelleth not only in the spoken word, but also in the purity of the operator's soul and the abstinence of his body for seven days prior.”

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the rich tapestry of 16th-century European esotericism, `Sepher Raziel` stands as a significant English grimoire within the broader Solomonic tradition. It embodies a period when Christian Kabbalah, astrology, and angelic magic converged, building upon ancient Hebraic and classical sources to form a coherent system of practical occult philosophy, influential for centuries to come.

📚 Glossary

Grimoire
Solomonic Tradition
Semiphoras

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on how the detailed astrological correspondences in `Sepher Raziel` might influence your understanding of cosmic order and interconnectedness.
  2. Consider the emphasis on ritual purity and abstinence. How might integrating such disciplines, even symbolically, transform your own spiritual or magical practice?
  3. Explore the concept of divine names and their virtues as presented. How do you perceive the power of language or sacred sounds in shaping reality or connecting with higher forces?

You might also like

See more →