Post by FangedSmile on Sept 11, 2007 18:54:12 GMT -6
The Grimoire
Traditionally a grimoire is a magical book of information about magical beliefs and practices. While spells are probably the most common topic featured, other subjects include lists of angels and demons, astrological theories and practices, instructions for making talismans and charms and summoning unearthly entities. Lovecroft’s fictional grimoire was inspired by Sumerian mythology and the section "Ars Goetia" in the “Lesser Key of Soloman” deals with the summoning of demonic entities.
The word grimoire originates from the French word for “grammar” – grammaire, which is defined as a set of symbols with instructions on how to combine them to create good sentences. Consider it a recipe book of magic spells.
Grimoires have a long history, with the first ones dating back to the early Middle Ages. One of the earliest grimoires is the Pictarix, which dates back to the 13th century. The book, which contains astrological and talisman information, was written in Arabic, and there’s a copy at the British Library. Here’s a brief detail of other ancient grimoires:
Bullet The Sworn Book of Honorius is one of the oldest and most influential grimoires. It is thought to be the compilation of knowledge from several magicians, condensed into 93 chapters. This grimoire covers a range of diverse topics, including details on how to find treasure, catch a thief, save your soul from purgatory, conjuring and summoning demons and knowledge about what to expect when you get to Heaven.
Bullet The Book of Abramelin contains details of a specific form of magic passed to a German Jew named Abraham of Worms by an Egyptian magician named Abramelin (or Abra-Melin).
BulletThe Clavis Salomonis or Clavicula Salomonis is better known as the Key of Soloman. It contains graphic diagrams and curses to compel reluctant spirits and demons to undertake a summoner’s bidding. It details the layout of specific symbols to trap a demon or other individual who strays into the selected area covered by the symbols.
A curious paradox of this book is that anyone wishing to use it must prove he or she has never performed a malicious or evil act, and must call for God’s protection before asking the demon to perform some dreadful deed!
Bullet Three Books about Occult Philosophy examines the relationship between ritualistic magic and religion, focusing on Intellectual, Celestial and Elemental magic. Other subjects covered include astrology, numerology, alchemy and the names of different angels and gods.
Bullet Hierarchy of Demons dates back to the 16th century, and contains a list of 68 demons with the methods and rituals and most suitable times for summoning them. A point to note here: traditional lists of demons usually name 72 beings.
Bullet The Voynich Manuscript is an illustrated book of uncertain and unknown heritage. Thought to have been written between 1450 and 1520 the book is written in an unknown script. Some of the world’s best code breakers have failed to decipher a single word on its 240 pages. Written with a quill the book seems to be broken into six sections, with each section containing a single large illustration.
The images have helped categorise the contents thus: Astronomical, Biological, Cosmological, Herbal, Pharmaceutical and Recipes. Strangely while the specific purpose of this book is not known information about its owners is fairly comprehensive. The book has been called an elaboratee hoax, but for writers it's far more interesting to consider it has some deeper, mystical meaning. What would it mean for the person who does perhaps decipher the contents?
Bullet The Grand Grimoire supposedly dates back to 1522, and is perhaps the most famous black magic grimoire. Also known as “The Red Dragon” the book contains thorough information for those who wish to enter into a pact with Lucifer. The summoner is called “Karcist”, and he/she is supposed to undertake certain rituals and fast for one quarter of the moon.
After that time the Karcist must purchase a blood-stone to carry with him/her at all times in case of an accident. This is because the entity being summoned will use all means at its disposal to terrify the Karcist to force him/her abandon the summoning. The summoned demon does not want to be controlled by anybody or anything, especially not a Karcist.
There are many aspects a writer can consider when describing the summoning of a demon. The summoner can purefy him/herself, or perhaps wear a specific colour or garment. He/she may be required to use a specific item other than the grimoire contaiining the spell; an artefact perhaps, or some other charmed object like a gemstone or an enchanted item like a goblet, a knife or blade or a piece of jewellry.
A sacrifice of some sorts may also be required. Spells can also be detailed for summoning spirits for battle purposes and invocations for calling forward entities from Hell. As the latter spirits are undoubtedly malignant beings spells are available to protect the conjurer from any malicious acts these spirits may undertake, like possession. Each demon has its own summoning spell, and if a summoner does not have a thorough knowledge of the specific spell and of the way the demon operates there could be serious trouble in store.
Time appears to be a major consideration for a demon to carry out the required action. A demon will not work outside a time constraint, unless additional payment is received. This can lead to ruination or even death for the summoner. In exchange for the additional demand upon its time the demon may ask the summoner to carry out some ungodly deed on its behalf. At worst it may demand the summoner’s soul as payment.
Sometimes the summoner may wish to borrow the demon’s powers for a short time, transferring them to a familiar who is probably easier to control. This is known as binding, and also applies to a demon who is trapped inside an object like a ring or a bottle. The summoner may use the object to call the demon, who will be obliged to return to the object within a specific time period.
www.writing.com/main/view_item/user_id/zwisis
Traditionally a grimoire is a magical book of information about magical beliefs and practices. While spells are probably the most common topic featured, other subjects include lists of angels and demons, astrological theories and practices, instructions for making talismans and charms and summoning unearthly entities. Lovecroft’s fictional grimoire was inspired by Sumerian mythology and the section "Ars Goetia" in the “Lesser Key of Soloman” deals with the summoning of demonic entities.
The word grimoire originates from the French word for “grammar” – grammaire, which is defined as a set of symbols with instructions on how to combine them to create good sentences. Consider it a recipe book of magic spells.
Grimoires have a long history, with the first ones dating back to the early Middle Ages. One of the earliest grimoires is the Pictarix, which dates back to the 13th century. The book, which contains astrological and talisman information, was written in Arabic, and there’s a copy at the British Library. Here’s a brief detail of other ancient grimoires:
Bullet The Sworn Book of Honorius is one of the oldest and most influential grimoires. It is thought to be the compilation of knowledge from several magicians, condensed into 93 chapters. This grimoire covers a range of diverse topics, including details on how to find treasure, catch a thief, save your soul from purgatory, conjuring and summoning demons and knowledge about what to expect when you get to Heaven.
Bullet The Book of Abramelin contains details of a specific form of magic passed to a German Jew named Abraham of Worms by an Egyptian magician named Abramelin (or Abra-Melin).
BulletThe Clavis Salomonis or Clavicula Salomonis is better known as the Key of Soloman. It contains graphic diagrams and curses to compel reluctant spirits and demons to undertake a summoner’s bidding. It details the layout of specific symbols to trap a demon or other individual who strays into the selected area covered by the symbols.
A curious paradox of this book is that anyone wishing to use it must prove he or she has never performed a malicious or evil act, and must call for God’s protection before asking the demon to perform some dreadful deed!
Bullet Three Books about Occult Philosophy examines the relationship between ritualistic magic and religion, focusing on Intellectual, Celestial and Elemental magic. Other subjects covered include astrology, numerology, alchemy and the names of different angels and gods.
Bullet Hierarchy of Demons dates back to the 16th century, and contains a list of 68 demons with the methods and rituals and most suitable times for summoning them. A point to note here: traditional lists of demons usually name 72 beings.
Bullet The Voynich Manuscript is an illustrated book of uncertain and unknown heritage. Thought to have been written between 1450 and 1520 the book is written in an unknown script. Some of the world’s best code breakers have failed to decipher a single word on its 240 pages. Written with a quill the book seems to be broken into six sections, with each section containing a single large illustration.
The images have helped categorise the contents thus: Astronomical, Biological, Cosmological, Herbal, Pharmaceutical and Recipes. Strangely while the specific purpose of this book is not known information about its owners is fairly comprehensive. The book has been called an elaboratee hoax, but for writers it's far more interesting to consider it has some deeper, mystical meaning. What would it mean for the person who does perhaps decipher the contents?
Bullet The Grand Grimoire supposedly dates back to 1522, and is perhaps the most famous black magic grimoire. Also known as “The Red Dragon” the book contains thorough information for those who wish to enter into a pact with Lucifer. The summoner is called “Karcist”, and he/she is supposed to undertake certain rituals and fast for one quarter of the moon.
After that time the Karcist must purchase a blood-stone to carry with him/her at all times in case of an accident. This is because the entity being summoned will use all means at its disposal to terrify the Karcist to force him/her abandon the summoning. The summoned demon does not want to be controlled by anybody or anything, especially not a Karcist.
There are many aspects a writer can consider when describing the summoning of a demon. The summoner can purefy him/herself, or perhaps wear a specific colour or garment. He/she may be required to use a specific item other than the grimoire contaiining the spell; an artefact perhaps, or some other charmed object like a gemstone or an enchanted item like a goblet, a knife or blade or a piece of jewellry.
A sacrifice of some sorts may also be required. Spells can also be detailed for summoning spirits for battle purposes and invocations for calling forward entities from Hell. As the latter spirits are undoubtedly malignant beings spells are available to protect the conjurer from any malicious acts these spirits may undertake, like possession. Each demon has its own summoning spell, and if a summoner does not have a thorough knowledge of the specific spell and of the way the demon operates there could be serious trouble in store.
Time appears to be a major consideration for a demon to carry out the required action. A demon will not work outside a time constraint, unless additional payment is received. This can lead to ruination or even death for the summoner. In exchange for the additional demand upon its time the demon may ask the summoner to carry out some ungodly deed on its behalf. At worst it may demand the summoner’s soul as payment.
Sometimes the summoner may wish to borrow the demon’s powers for a short time, transferring them to a familiar who is probably easier to control. This is known as binding, and also applies to a demon who is trapped inside an object like a ring or a bottle. The summoner may use the object to call the demon, who will be obliged to return to the object within a specific time period.
www.writing.com/main/view_item/user_id/zwisis