US shipping Secure card payment Occult and esoteric books

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

Ganelli, Berengarius; , Skinner, Stephen; , Clark, Daniel
Reader rating
4.7
(1 reviews) 45 sold
In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the forbidden wisdom of medieval magic, finally revealed in English after centuries of obscurity.

Delve into the profound depths of medieval magical practice with the "Summa Sacre Magice," an extraordinary 14th-century Latin grimoire now accessible to English readers for the very first time. Authored by Berengarius Ganelli and meticulously brought to light by Stephen Skinner and Daniel Clark, this compendium offers an unparalleled window into the esoteric workings and spiritual disciplines that shaped the early development of Western ceremonial magic. It represents a cornerstone text for understanding historical occultism, making its long-hidden knowledge available to modern practitioners and scholars alike.

Key themes
Medieval Magickal Practice Historical Occultism Revealed Sacred Magic Foundations
Historical context

This text serves as a cornerstone for understanding the early development of Western ceremonial magic, representing a significant artifact of medieval magical practice and spiritual discipline. It bridges the gap between historical occultism and modern esoteric inquiry by making traditional Latin grimoire knowledge accessible.

Difficulty
●●● Demanding
Fans will love it
Agrippa · The Key of Solomon · Stephen Skinner's translations
🕯️ Occult Philosophy
🏛 Llewellyn Publications 📅 2025 📖 271 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 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 Ganelli, Berengarius

The most significant surviving Latin text on magic, the Summa Sacre Magice is now available in English for the first time ever. Dating from 1346, the Summa Sacre ...

💎 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 4.7/5
★★★★
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

4.7
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
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.

💬 Quotes from the book

“Let no man approach these sacred rites with a heart impure or a spirit unchastened, for the celestial intelligences demand reverence above all earthly desire.”

“By the virtue of these seals and the utterance of the names herein inscribed, the spirits of the aerial realm shall be compelled to manifest and obey thy righteous command.”

📜 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"?

You might also like

See more →