The Book of Ceremonial Magic, including the Rites and Mysteries of Goetic Theurgy, Sorcery and Infernal Necromancy.
New York: Bell Publishing, ND [ circa 1969 ]. Reprint. Hardcover. Octavo. xxxvi + 338pp. Red cloth lettered in black on spine. B/w frontis. & illustrations. 'The Book of Ceremonial Magic' is a revised and enlarged edition Waite's 'Book of Black Magic and of Pacts', first published in 1898. The book sets out to provide a methodical survey of the practice of ritual magic, based on the original texts found in rare medieval book and manuscript grimoires, many of which were all but unprocurable, and had to be translated from a number of different languages. It is in two main parts, the first, 'The Literature of Ceremonial Magic,' looks at the history of ritual magic, and provides studies and excerpts from the most important medieval magical texts, including the famous texts of black magic The Grimoire of Honorius, The Black Pullet, etc. etc. The Second 'Forms a complete Grimoire of Black Magic,' and includes chapters on 'The Preparation of the Operator, the Initial Rites and Ceremonies', 'The Mysteries of Goetic Theurgy According to the Lesser Key of Solomon the King,' and 'The Mysteries of Infernal Evocation According to the Grand Grimoire,' etc. Corners and spine ends bruised and a bit rubbed, a bit of dust jacket adhered to upper spine, page edges a little darkened, pages lightly browned, rear blank endpaper partially adhered to the previous page (binder's fault), some light splits to text block. Still a tight, unmarked VG copy in VG dust jacket (Dust jacket somewhat rubbed overall, light creasing and chafing to edges, a bit of ripple to laminate on both panels, not clipped). Item #62189
ISBN: 0317129396
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