Thanks for this deep dive, Chen. It would be fascinating to learn about what figures such as Sibley did with these grimoires. This book in particular is unusually ornate and beautiful, and so I imagine it was displayed and read. But I wonder how they "used" a book like this. I've learned from historians such as Jason Josephson Storm and Jackson Lears that occult practice was commonplace in Enlightenment Europe. This volume has a lot of syncretic symbolism--drawing from Greek, Christian, and Roman iconography--and I'm just curious how they would discuss and integrate the contents. Anyway, always amazing to see these artifacts.
One could always take a very simple exercise from the book and see if it works. That may not prove it was from Solomon, but at least something there works accordingly with the books description and expectations. Have you tried that?
Yes Chen… but also the question is”what do we mean today with the concept of “magic”? Who were Jesus Magi for ex in ancient times? And so on….i think we are very far today from what traditions represented then…and consequently from their context
The Biblical Magi were Persian Astrologers. It was a respectable way of making a living, requiring a degree of literacy and numeracy. There was no implication of conjuration and casting of spells.
I mean the capacity to intuit, to foresee, the power to control and Know ourselves and the others deeply, the ability to turn negative into positive, and to influence or project historical transformations towards abundance and welfare extended to the whole of humanity, could they be considered nowadays the real magic? The current powerful techs of AI or algorythmical applications can be considered in this direction? First question Second: what could be the use of ancient magical texts today, like for ex the above one or Kybalion and its hermetical universal principles ? Could they still reinforce our potentialities/skills and technological positions or shall we consider them as outdated ideas? Or why not, a still current powerful way to resist the risks and the possible bad use of technologies becoming their counter-altar?
I find these articles soooo interesting. While I know that the possibility that there is actual magic in these books is slim to none, I still hold out hope that there might be, in a very Fox Mulder "I want to believe" kind of way.
Is the Book of Soloman one of tomes Crowley used to inform Thelema?
It's difficult to not be skeptical that Solomon authored not only this book, but all the others attributed to him. That said, the thing is fascinating no matter who did in fact write it. Pseudoepigraphy makes these things all the more intriguing. It creates notoriety and interest. Kudos to Moses de Leon for realizing this.
Thanks Chen. I didn t know about the existence of this itext and its story through the centuries. Solomon figure was/is so important in ancient as well as modern times. Just think of Freemasons’ tradition in its third degree mostly fixed on Bible (Kings…) and Talmud…..The basic question is always the same one: history or myth? In my opinion the best approach is a-dualistic, made of historical+mythical elements to reach a deeper understanding not only of our unreachable past as well as of our archetypal inside. They reciprocally balance each other without absolutizing , leaving our horizon open to our imperfect research , as the Temple unaccomplished wall symbolically suggests us in its wiseness.
Thanks for this deep dive, Chen. It would be fascinating to learn about what figures such as Sibley did with these grimoires. This book in particular is unusually ornate and beautiful, and so I imagine it was displayed and read. But I wonder how they "used" a book like this. I've learned from historians such as Jason Josephson Storm and Jackson Lears that occult practice was commonplace in Enlightenment Europe. This volume has a lot of syncretic symbolism--drawing from Greek, Christian, and Roman iconography--and I'm just curious how they would discuss and integrate the contents. Anyway, always amazing to see these artifacts.
I agree.such care with creating the work, the dedication not just in terms of what is being said. A complete experience
One could always take a very simple exercise from the book and see if it works. That may not prove it was from Solomon, but at least something there works accordingly with the books description and expectations. Have you tried that?
I did not. I am too afraid it will work and then I'll need to change my whole belief system. Who has time for that?
Interesting question.
Yes Chen… but also the question is”what do we mean today with the concept of “magic”? Who were Jesus Magi for ex in ancient times? And so on….i think we are very far today from what traditions represented then…and consequently from their context
The Biblical Magi were Persian Astrologers. It was a respectable way of making a living, requiring a degree of literacy and numeracy. There was no implication of conjuration and casting of spells.
I mean the capacity to intuit, to foresee, the power to control and Know ourselves and the others deeply, the ability to turn negative into positive, and to influence or project historical transformations towards abundance and welfare extended to the whole of humanity, could they be considered nowadays the real magic? The current powerful techs of AI or algorythmical applications can be considered in this direction? First question Second: what could be the use of ancient magical texts today, like for ex the above one or Kybalion and its hermetical universal principles ? Could they still reinforce our potentialities/skills and technological positions or shall we consider them as outdated ideas? Or why not, a still current powerful way to resist the risks and the possible bad use of technologies becoming their counter-altar?
I find these articles soooo interesting. While I know that the possibility that there is actual magic in these books is slim to none, I still hold out hope that there might be, in a very Fox Mulder "I want to believe" kind of way.
Is the Book of Soloman one of tomes Crowley used to inform Thelema?
I am not sure... But I won't be surprise if he did
It's difficult to not be skeptical that Solomon authored not only this book, but all the others attributed to him. That said, the thing is fascinating no matter who did in fact write it. Pseudoepigraphy makes these things all the more intriguing. It creates notoriety and interest. Kudos to Moses de Leon for realizing this.
Definitely. I should write about his story here. Such a great one
This was a well written and researched look into this book and this time. I was fascinated by it. Thank you.
Thank you Carolyn
Thanks Chen. I didn t know about the existence of this itext and its story through the centuries. Solomon figure was/is so important in ancient as well as modern times. Just think of Freemasons’ tradition in its third degree mostly fixed on Bible (Kings…) and Talmud…..The basic question is always the same one: history or myth? In my opinion the best approach is a-dualistic, made of historical+mythical elements to reach a deeper understanding not only of our unreachable past as well as of our archetypal inside. They reciprocally balance each other without absolutizing , leaving our horizon open to our imperfect research , as the Temple unaccomplished wall symbolically suggests us in its wiseness.