Summa Sacre Magice: Book 5: The Compendium of Sacred Magic Skinner, Stephen
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Unearth the primal source of Western ceremonial magic, hidden for centuries.
For the first time in English, delve into the fifth volume of Berengarius Ganelli's monumental `Summa Sacre Magice`. Penned in 1346, this foundational Latin grimoire is a crucial link to the lost practical magic of the medieval era. It served as a direct ancestor to traditions like Shemhamphorash, Solomonic, and Enochian magic, providing an unparalleled window into early angelic invocations and ritual practices. Previously owned by figures like John Dee, this text's detailed richness offers insights absent from later, less complete manuscripts.
This text is a foundational Latin grimoire from 1346, serving as a critical bridge to the lost practical magic of the medieval era. It stands as a direct ancestor to later Western ceremonial traditions such as Shemhamphorash, Solomonic, and Enochian magic.
📝 Description: Summa Sacre Magice: Book 5: The Compendium of Sacred Magic Skinner, Stephen
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Scholars and serious practitioners of Western ceremonial magic will find immense value in this volume, which offers an unparalleled window into early angelic invocations and ritual practices. By presenting Berengarius Ganelli's work for the first time in English, it allows modern readers to access the primal source of these traditions without relying on fragmented later manuscripts. Those interested in the historical lineage of their craft will appreciate the detailed richness that reveals insights absent from other surviving texts. It is essential for anyone seeking to understand the deep roots of the magic practiced by figures like John Dee, providing a comprehensive and direct link to the medieval era's esoteric heritage.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
This volume is a significant academic and practical resource for those deeply invested in the history of Western occultism. However, it is not suitable for casual readers or beginners seeking simple spellbooks; the dense, untranslated Latin context requires serious study. Readers looking for easy-to-follow instructions may find this text too abstract or historically distant. It demands patience and a willingness to engage with complex theological and magical frameworks from the fourteenth century. While invaluable for its historical continuity, it lacks the accessibility of modern guides. This is strictly for those prepared to delve into the primal sources of ceremonial magic with scholarly rigor rather than recreational interest.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you are a serious student of historical magic, a practitioner seeking original sources, or anyone fascinated by the true origins of Western esotericism, this volume is an indispensable addition to your library. Prepare to encounter the raw, unadulterated wisdom of the past.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Foundational Grimoire Text
This work stands as a cornerstone of esoteric literature, predating many well-known magical texts. It reveals the core principles and practices that later became diluted or altered, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the historical development of Western ceremonial magic, complete with author and date unlike many contemporaries.
Retrieving Lost Wisdom
Unlike subsequent grimoires that often omitted crucial details, this volume preserves intricate practical magical knowledge. Readers will discover methods and insights into angelic invocations and ritual structures that were thought lost, providing a richer understanding of medieval magical traditions and their detailed requirements for success.
Roots of Modern Magic
Explore the direct lineage of iconic magical systems such as Shemhamphorash, Solomonic, and Enochian magic. This text provides the historical bedrock for these traditions, illustrating their genesis and offering a deeper appreciation for their complex evolution through the centuries, revealing their original forms and intentions.
💬 Quotes from the book
“To invoke the celestial intelligences, prepare the circle with signs of power and pronounce the names thrice, with pure intent and unwavering will, for their presence is both mighty and subtle.”
“Let no detail be overlooked in the preparation of these works, for the slightest deviation from the prescribed form may render the operation void, or worse, invite spirits of discord.”
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Grimoire
- Shemhamphorash
- Enochian Magic
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Consider how the explicit naming of the author and date in the `Summa Sacre Magice` might have influenced its preservation and perceived authority compared to anonymous grimoires. How does this impact your view of its contents?
- The text is noted for containing 'practical magic that has been lost from later manuscripts.' Reflect on why certain magical practices or details might have been omitted or diluted over time in subsequent grimoires. What does this suggest about the evolution of magical traditions?
- Given its status as a root text for traditions like Solomonic and Enochian magic, what fundamental principles or practices do you anticipate discovering within this volume that could illuminate these later systems?
📖 From the series “Summa Sacre Magice”
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🏛 Books from this publisher Llewellyn Publications
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