Geosophia: The Argo of Magic. The Encyclopædia Goetica, Volume II; from the Greeks to the Grimoires Books I, II, III and IV. AND The Encyclopædia Goetica, Volume III; from the Greeks to the Grimoires Books V, VI, VII and VIII ( Two Volumes ).
UK: Scarlet Imprint, 2010. First Edition, Edition Deluxe. Hardcovers. Octavos. Two volumes. xxiii, [v], + 312pp & vi + 326pp. Quarter vellum, over marble papered boards, in a cloth slipcase. All edges gilt. Eight colour plates and illustrations, maps and tables. Indexes. The spectacular "Draco fine bound edition" of "Geosophia" limited to 54 numbered sets, specially bound thus, each volume signed by the author on the title-page and hand-numbered (this set with the matching numbers 35). Following his popular "True Grimoire", Jake Stratton-Kent traces the development of magic from the Greeks to the grimoires. From the publishers: "By exposing the necromantic origins of much of modern magic we are able to reconnect with the source of our ritual tradition. There is a continuity of practice in the West which encompasses the pre-Olympian cults of Dionysus and Cybele, is found in the Greek Magical Papyri and Picatrix and flows into the grimoires. The grimoire tradition is revealed as the descendant of the ancient practices of the Goes. This is a work which redefines our understanding of the Western Tradition, one which does not begin with Cabbala or Solomon, but rather descends into the Underworld and brings forth new life. JSK illuminates scarce and overlooked texts with an incisive commentary, from volcanic conjourations to over 70 pages dealing with Picatrix. Following the voyage of the Argonauts, Geosophia offers biographies of the heroes and gods, and discovers the hidden magical meanings and significance of their actions and adventures. Yet this is not a history lesson, JSK dares to imagine a global synthesis of magic where Western goetic magic, reconnected to its cthonic origins can dovetail with the African Traditional Religions. Like The True Grimoire, this further work in the Encyclopædia Goetica series is both a scholarly and eminently practical work. Geosophia equips the modern grimoire magician with an arsenal of techniques and approaches that will transform their personal art. The mythic structure of Geosophia anchors the practice of the modern necromancer in an indigenous yet eclectic history which transfuses the Western Magical Tradition with the same vitality that we find in the African diaspora religions." The marbling of the endpapers has offset a little onto the paper lining of the slip case, giving a slightly mottled effect (only visible if you remove the books and look inside the slipcase!). Otherwise both volumes Fine in Fine slip-case. No dust jackets - as issued. Item #70563
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