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. A lovely example of the Bell reprint. Just a hint of general shelf wear, light bruising to corners and spine ends, pages edges slightly browned and a little flecked, pages lightly toned. No internal marks of any kind. All in all -a tight, fresh VG+ copy in near Fine dust jacket (Dust jacket has just the slighest shelfwear, not clipped. Now wrapped in a removable protective sleeve). Item #69967
ISBN: 0517129396
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