🕯️ Occult Philosophy −51%

Summa Sacre Magice: Books 1 & 2: The Compendium of Sacred Magic

✍️ Berengarius Ganelli, Stephen Skinner, Daniel Clark
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$96.00 $196.00 Save $100.00 (51%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

First English translation of Ganelli's foundational 1346 magical compendium.

Ganelli compiled five ancient texts that influence Shemhamphorash, Solomonic, and Enochian systems. Skinner’s translation makes this 1346 Latin source accessible to modern readers. The book covers the roots of Western magic through historical analysis rather than practical instruction. It reflects the scholarly background of Skinner, who previously published works by Agrippa and Crowley. The text remains a primary resource for understanding the lineage of magical theory from the fourteenth century.

Key Themes
Shemhamphorash magic Solomonic traditions Enochian systems
Literary Context

Ganelli wrote this text in 1346. It represents a key moment in Western magical history. The work bridges medieval Latin scholarship and later esoteric traditions. Skinner’s translation connects fourteenth-century theory with contemporary occult study.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Agrippa · The Key of Solomon · Stephen Skinner's translations
🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2025 📖 271 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780738781235
Fun Fact
The "Summa Sacre Magice" is an undeniable triumph of occult scholarship, finally rendering a monumental medieval text accessible. Skinner and Clark have gifted us a direct portal to 14th-century magical thought, invaluable for any serious library. Casual dabblers seeking quick results will be disappointed; this is a work for dedicated scholars and practitioners committed to deep historical engagement. It cements its place as a definitive primary source for understanding the complex origins of Western ceremonial magic.

📝 Description: Summa Sacre Magice: Books 1 & 2: The Compendium of Sacred Magic

Berengarius Ganelli wrote the Summa Sacre Magice in 1346. This work collects five ancient texts that form the foundation of Shemhamphorash, Solomonic, and Enochian magic traditions. Stephen Skinner translated this material into English for the first time. Daniel Clark assisted with the translation process. The text is now available in a hardcover edition published by Llewellyn Publications on February 08, 2025. The volume contains 271 pages and weighs approximately 0.79 kilograms. Ganelli was a magician active in the fourteenth century. His writings provide direct access to early magical theory. Skinner began his career as a geography lecturer and magazine publisher. He later focused on Western magic and feng shui. During the 1970s, he drove Askin Publishers to release classic works by Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, Austin Osman Spare, and Aleister Crowley. He also co-wrote books with Francis King during that decade. This book suits readers interested in historical occultism and magick studies. It addresses the mind, body, and spirit through these specific lenses. Scholars of medieval Latin texts will find value in this primary source. Those seeking modern practical rituals may find the content too academic or distant. The physical dimensions are 25.15 centimeters in length, 17.78 centimeters in width, and 2.79 centimeters in height. The ISBN is 9780738781235.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This publication is a vital resource for serious students of history and ceremonial magic who require primary source material translated by experts like Skinner and Clark. However, it does not suit casual readers or those seeking simple, step-by-step spellbooks without historical context. The dense nature of the 14th-century Latin grimoire may overwhelm beginners unfamiliar with medieval spiritual frameworks. It is best approached by those willing to engage with scholarly depth rather than practical immediacy. While essential for academic and dedicated esoteric study, it lacks the accessibility required for general interest occultism or modern ritual automation.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Modern practitioners and scholars of Western occultism will gain immense value from this compendium, which finally renders long-obscure medieval wisdom into English. Readers seeking a profound window into the esoteric workings that shaped ceremonial magic will find this text indispensable. It offers unparalleled access to spiritual disciplines that have remained hidden for centuries, allowing contemporary students to engage directly with the foundational practices of historical occultism. By bridging the gap between past and present, it enables a deeper understanding of the evolution of magical theory and practice.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you are a serious student of historical magic, a ceremonial magician seeking original sources, or a scholar of medieval esotericism, this volume is an essential addition to your library. Prepare to immerse yourself in the authentic voice of a bygone era, directly engaging with the roots of…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

This publication is a vital resource for serious students of history and ceremonial magic who require primary source material translated by experts like Skinner and Clark. However, it does not suit casual readers or those seeking simple, step-by-step spellbooks without historical context. The dense nature of the 14th-century Latin grimoire may overwhelm beginners unfamiliar with medieval spiritual frameworks. It is best approached by those willing to engage with scholarly depth rather than practical immediacy. While essential for academic and dedicated esoteric study, it lacks the accessibility required for general interest occultism or modern ritual automation.

❓ Frequently asked questions

It's the most comprehensive Latin magical text surviving from the 14th century, offering an unparalleled insight into medieval ceremonial magic. This edition marks its first-ever translation into English, making a foundational work accessible after centuries of obscurity.
While intellectually stimulating, this is a primary historical source. It's best suited for those with a serious interest in historical occultism, academic study, or advanced magical practice, rather than an introductory guide for beginners seeking simple spells.

📖 Who should read this

If you are a serious student of historical magic, a ceremonial magician seeking original sources, or a scholar of medieval esotericism, this volume is an essential addition to your library. Prepare to immerse yourself in the authentic voice of a bygone era, directly engaging with the roots of Western magical thought.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Medieval Magickal Practice

This foundational text meticulously outlines the intricate rituals, invocations, and philosophical underpinnings of sacred magic as understood and practiced in the 14th century. It provides a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the practical applications and theoretical constructs that defined Western esoteric traditions during the late Middle Ages, revealing a sophisticated system of spiritual engagement.

Historical Occultism Revealed

As the most substantial surviving Latin treatise on magic from its era, the "Summa" illuminates the intellectual currents and magical paradigms prevalent before the Renaissance. It offers invaluable insights into the evolution of grimoire traditions and the historical connections between magic, theology, and philosophy, acting as a vital bridge to understanding subsequent magical developments.

Sacred Magic Foundations

The work explores the profound spiritual and ethical considerations integral to its magical system. It emphasizes the sacred dimension of its practices, distinguishing it from more mundane sorcery, and outlines the practitioner's moral and intellectual development necessary for engaging with divine and angelic intelligences, asserting a deeply reverent approach to esoteric work.

📜 Historical context

Penned in 1346, the "Summa Sacre Magice" emerges from a period when Christian theology and esoteric practice often intertwined. Its survival and now its translation are monumental, offering a singular perspective on pre-Renaissance ceremonial magic. It predates many better-known grimoires, providing crucial context for understanding the evolution of texts like the Key of Solomon and establishing a vital link in the lineage of Western esoteric literature.

📚 Glossary

Summa
Grimoire
Esotericism

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How does reading a 14th-century magical text alter your understanding of the relationship between faith, science, and the supernatural during the Middle Ages?
  2. Reflect on the concept of "sacred magic" as presented in the Summa. What distinctions does it draw from other forms of magic, and what ethical responsibilities does it imply for the practitioner?
  3. Consider the historical context of 1346. How might the societal anxieties, religious beliefs, and intellectual climate of that era have influenced the creation and content of the "Summa Sacre Magice"?

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