The True Black Magic

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Title page of the grimoire The True Black Magic (La véritable magie noire).

The True Black Magic (French: La véritable magie noire), also known as The secret of secrets, is a pseudepigraphical grimoire or book of spells attributed to King Solomon.[1] It probably dates back to the 14th or 15th century.

Editions[edit]

Only two known copies of the text exist, both dated 1750 but printed in ca. 1790 and 1830.[2] One of the editions is held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, while the other is in private hands.[3] Both editions are supposedly French translations by Iroé Grego from original manuscripts in Hebrew.

The edition held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France has been analyzed by A. E. Waite in The Book of Ceremonial Magic.[4]

Content[edit]

The grimoire is divided in two books. The first one contains instructions the magician has to follow to prepare for the magical rituals, and several spells to achieve supernatural powers. The second book is dedicated to 45 pentacles that also allow the user to obtain treasures, powers, and control over spirits and demons.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Grego, Iroé (1750). La véritable magie noire ou Le secret des secrets. Manuscrit trouvé à Jerusalem, dans le sépulcre de Salomon. Contenant : 1. ° Quarante-cinq talismans avec leurs gravures, ainsi que la manière de s'en servir, et leurs merveilleuses propriétés ; 2.° Tous les caractères magiques connus jusqu'à ce jour, traduit de l'hébreu, du mage Iroé-Grego.
  2. ^ Arcane, Arcane (2020-11-01). "Clavicula Solomonis (Toz Graecus Family)". Grimoire Magic. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  3. ^ "Very rare black magic grimoire | Pierre Calvet's rare books". Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  4. ^ Waite, Arthur Edward (1961). The Book Of Ceremonial Magic. Jazzybee Verlag. ISBN 9783849672218.
  5. ^ Iroe-Grego, Mage (2016). La Véritable Magie Noire Ou Le Secret Des Secrets. Manuscrit Trouvé À Jerusalem, Sépulcre de Salomon (in French). HACHETTE LIVRE. ISBN 978-2-01-372614-6.