The Book of the Secret Ritual.
NP [ Bristol UK ]: The ODTAA Company, ND (1960). First Edition Thus. Softcover. Octavo. (25 leaves - paginated on rectos only). Stapled yellow wrappers printed and bordered in red, text printed in green on rectos only, front wrapper counts as first page. An extremely enigmatic volume. It starts by declaring that the ritual is "intended for the use of students well-versed in the art of Magick" that was hhanded down orally from Master to Disciple." "The Ritual is most efficacious for the invoking of 'Wandering Spirits' including poltergeists, also for the spirits who haunt their former homes in preference to seeking any progress in the spiritual realms. What is attempted in this experiment, and very often achieved, is what amounts to materialisation of one or more spirit entities. ... the method employed is 'Ectoplasmic' in which ectoplasmic substance exudes from the body of the medium, and from this substance is formed the materialised entities who have passed from the physical body." While the ritual, which runs over some eight pages, has some spiritualist elements, it is largely traditional ceremonial magic, calling for materials such as a bowl of blood from a black cock, etc. Interestingly their are strong Thelemic elements in it: "... Mystery of Mystery, in her name Babalon. And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name Baphomet. And I believe in one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is Thelema." The rest of the booklet comprises a general discussion of magick, another ritual for lodge use, a discussion of a (non-specified) magickal lodge, and a general discourse on magick the spirit, etc. referencing Jacob Boehme, Emmanuel Swedenborg and Rudolph Steiner. The work is attributed to Marius Malchus, which is the spurious name given to the supposed author of "The Secret Grimoire of Turiel" (first published 1960). While "The Book of the Secret Ritual" is undated, the typically reliable British Library (which appears to be the only library holding a copy) dates it to 1958, two years before "Turiel" came out. Thus it may be that both works have the same author/editor who first wrote this book, and later compiled "The Secret Grimoire of Turiel" for publication. Covers a bit worn and rubbed but a complete and unmarked copy - thus overall VG condition. A rare and interesting work that is deserving of further research. Item #68661
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