Magical Treatise of Solomon

The Magical Treatise of Solomon,[1][2][3][4][5] sometimes known as Hygromanteia (Greek: Ὑγρομαντεία) or Hygromancy of Solomon, the Solomonikê[6] (Σολομωνική), or even Little Key of the Whole Art of Hygromancy, Found by Several Craftsmen and by the Holy Prophet Solomon,[7] refers to a group of similar late Byzantine-era[8] grimoires purporting to contain Solomon's instructions to his son Rehoboam on various magical techniques and tools to summon and control different spirits, those spirits' powers, astrological beliefs, select charms, different means of divination, and the magical uses of herbs.

History and influence

The oldest manuscripts are from the fourteenth century, and the majority from the fifteenth century, but Pablo A. Torijano's claim that it is based on material going as far back as the sixth century is either accepted[6] or at least regarded as plausible. Ioannis Marathakis, while not denying the possibility of Torijano's theory, suggests that some time between the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries is more likely.[9] The Magical Treatise of Solomon served as a bridge between the Roman-era Testament of Solomon and the renaissance Key of Solomon.[10] Early copies of the Magical Treatise were appended to or incorporated elements of the Testament of Solomon,[11][12] while one of the earliest manuscripts of the Key of Solomon is also classified as a late copy of the Magical Treatise.[13] Some manuscripts featured demons assigned to the four cardinal directions, distinct from those found in the Lesser Key of Solomon and related works, but very similar to those found in later works such as the Grand Grimoire and Grimoirium Verum.[14][15] Portions of the Treatise also have some relationship to the Heptameron of Pietro d'Abano, the Lesser Key of Solomon, and the Sworn Book of Honorius;[16] and select ideas may bear distant relationships to the Book of Abramelin,[17][6] the Greek Magical Papyri (particularly "The Sword of Dardanus"), Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, Sepher Ha-Razim, the Sword of Moses,[18] and the Cyranides[19]

Contents

The Magical Treatise provides instructions on how to create planetary, daily, and hourly talismans,[20] a magic sword, vessels for divination and conjuration, wax figures, scrolls (written in the blood of a bat), a ring, special clothing, and a garland, all intended to control summoned spirits.[21] Angelic conjurations, general prayers to God, and prayers to control planetary influences are listed. Astrological beliefs, including supposed relationship between planets and select plants, are presented as esoteric knowledge. Different angels and demons over different planets, days, and hours are named, as well as what function they perform,[22][21][23] although the lists are mostly unique to each manuscript.[24] Angels mentioned include Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, and Anael. Demons mentioned include Asmodeus, Abizouth, Oniskeliá, Lucifer (as Loutzipher), Astaroth, and Beelzebub.[25]

Editions
  • The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia; Trans. & Ed. Ioannis Marathakis, Fore. Stephen Skinner; Golden Hoard Press, 2011.
  • Translation of select manuscripts in Solomon, the Esoteric King: From King to Magus, Development of a Tradition (pp. 231–309); by Pablo A. Torijano, Brill, Jan 2002. Also featured in pp. 311–325 of Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: More Noncanonical Scriptures, Volume 1; ed.s Richard Bauckham, James R. Davila, Alexander Panayotov; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013.
  • Transcription of one manuscript in Anecdota Atheniensia (pp. 397–445), by Armand Delatte; Liége, 1927. Noted to be the most well known[26]
gollark: I'll visit the End™.
gollark: That's the Nether.
gollark: Hmm, that reminds me, I need an electronics assembler.
gollark: Also, sending attack drones.
gollark: Plus SC weather forecast!

References
  1. The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia; Trans. & Ed. Ioannis Marathakis, Fore. Stephen Skinner; Golden Hoard Press, 2011.
  2. Solomon, the Esoteric King: From King to Magus, Development of a Tradition; by Pablo A. Torijano, Brill, Jan 2002; pp. 151–175, 209–224, and 231-309
  3. The Hygromancy of Solomon: A new translation and introduction by Pablo A. Torijano; pp. 305–325 in Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: More Noncanonical Scriptures, Volume 1; ed.s Richard Bauckham, James R. Davila, Alexander Panayotov; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2013
  4. A Source of The Key of Solomon - The Magic Treatise or Hygromacy, or Epistle to Rehoboam by Ioannis Marathakis, pp. 108–120 in Occult Traditions, ed. Damon Zacharias Lycourinos
  5. From Roots to Fruits - A History of the Grimoire Tradition by David Rankine, pp. 93–109 in Lycourinos.
  6. Rankine, pp. 98–100 in Lycourinos.
  7. Grimoires, by Owen Davies, Oxford UP, 2010; p. 15. Also, Marathakis, Golden Hoard, p. 34.
  8. Torijano, Brill, p. 174
  9. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, p. 75
  10. Marathakis and Skinner, Golden Hoard, pp. 12–14, 85
  11. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, pp. 18, 20, 74
  12. Torijano, Brill, pp. 58, 170-171
  13. Introduction by Joseph H. Peterson to The Key of Solomon (Clavicula Salomonis), Esoteric Archives, 1999, 2004, 2005.
  14. Skinner, in Marathakis, Golden Hoard, p. 13
  15. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, pp. 74–75
  16. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, p. 92
  17. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, p. 100
  18. Torijano, Brill, pp. 215–216
  19. Marathakis, Brill, p. 23
  20. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, pp. 33–36
  21. Torijano, Brill, p. 211
  22. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, pp. 50–54
  23. Torijano, Brill, p. 164
  24. Marathakis, Golden Hoard, pp. 55–74
  25. Names of Angels and Demons from the Magical Treatise of Solomon (Harleian MS. 5596), hosted at Esoteric Archives.
  26. Marathakis, p.20
-A Grimoire Wish List: The Magical Treatise of Solomon - part 1 & part 2
-On The Shelf Review - Hygromanteia - a review of Marathakis's translation, The Magical Treatise of Solomon.
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