The Book of Ceremonial Magic; The Secret Tradition in Goëtia, including the rites and mysteries of Goëtic theurgy, sorcery and infernal necromancy. Illustrated
New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, (1961). First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Large Octavo. xliv + 338pp. Contrasting red and black cloth with gilt titles to spine. Frontis, illustrations. The Book of Ceremonial Magic, is a revised and enlarged edition Waite's 'Book of Black Magic and of Pacts', which was 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. This edition has a new seven page Foreword by John C. Wilson. Upper corners lightly bruised, fore-edge darkened, but overall a tight, bright and unmarked VG+ copy in VG dust jacket (Dust jacket is a little rubbed overall, edges chafed and creased with some light chipping to spine ends, corners and folds, upper front corner chipped and torn, a few closed tears, not clipped. Dust jacket is now protected in removable mylar wrapper). Item #63997
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