Medieval Grimoire Tradition: Solomonic Magic & Ceremonial Practice

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to the Grimoire Tradition

The grimoire tradition represents the practical, operative side of Western magic—detailed instruction manuals for summoning spirits, creating talismans, and performing ceremonial rituals. From the medieval period through the Renaissance, grimoires (from the French 'grammaire,' meaning grammar or textbook) codified magical knowledge, blending Jewish Kabbalah, Christian theology, Greco-Roman magic, and Arabic astrology into comprehensive systems of ceremonial practice.

At the heart of this tradition lies Solomonic magic—the art of commanding spirits through the authority of King Solomon, who according to legend received divine wisdom to control demons and angels. This guide explores the major grimoires, the structure of Solomonic magic, and the ceremonial practices that continue to influence modern occultism.

The Legend of Solomon

Biblical Foundation

King Solomon (10th century BCE) appears in the Hebrew Bible as the wisest of kings, builder of the First Temple, and author of wisdom literature. The Bible mentions his wisdom but not his magical powers.

The Magical Legend

Post-biblical Jewish and Christian legends expanded Solomon's story:

• God granted Solomon a magical ring (the Seal of Solomon) inscribed with the divine name
• With this ring, Solomon commanded demons to build the Temple
• He imprisoned 72 demons in a brass vessel
• He wrote books of magic detailing how to command spirits
• Angels taught him the secrets of creation and magic

This legendary Solomon became the archetypal magician, and grimoires claimed his authorship for authority.

Major Grimoires of the Solomonic Tradition

1. The Key of Solomon (Clavicula Salomonis)

Date: 14th-15th century (claims ancient origin)
Language: Latin, later translated to many languages
Content: Complete system of ceremonial magic

Key Features:

• Preparation of the magician (purification, fasting, prayer)
• Creation of magical tools (wand, sword, knife, pentacles)
• Timing of operations (planetary hours and days)
• 44 pentacles for various purposes
• Conjurations of spirits
• Protection and banishing rituals

Philosophy: The magician works through divine authority, commanding spirits in God's name. Success requires purity, faith, and precise ritual execution.

2. The Lesser Key of Solomon (Lemegeton)

Date: 17th century
Parts: Five books, most famous is the Goetia
Content: Detailed spirit catalogs and evocation procedures

The Five Books:

Ars Goetia: 72 demons, their seals, powers, and how to evoke them
Ars Theurgia Goetia: 31 aerial spirits
Ars Paulina: Angels of the hours and zodiac signs
Ars Almadel: Angels of the four altitudes
Ars Notoria: Prayers and figures for divine knowledge

3. The Goetia: The 72 Demons

The most famous grimoire section, detailing 72 demons Solomon allegedly bound:

Structure for Each Spirit:

• Name and rank (King, Duke, Prince, etc.)
• Seal/sigil for summoning
• Number of legions commanded
• Powers and abilities
• Appearance when summoned

Example - Bael (First Spirit):

• Rank: King
• Legions: 66
• Appearance: Three heads (cat, man, toad) or various forms
• Powers: Grants invisibility, wisdom, cunning

Warning: Goetic evocation is advanced, dangerous magic requiring extensive preparation, protection, and knowledge. Not for beginners.

4. The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses

Date: 18th-19th century (claims ancient origin)
Content: Seals, talismans, and conjurations attributed to Moses
Influence: Popular in Hoodoo and folk magic

Key Features:

• Magical seals combining Hebrew letters and symbols
• Psalms for magical purposes
• Conjurations of angels and spirits
• Talismans for protection, wealth, love

5. The Sworn Book of Honorius (Liber Juratus)

Date: 13th century
Content: One of the oldest grimoires, focuses on angelic magic
Philosophy: Achieving the beatific vision (seeing God) through angelic intermediaries

The Structure of Solomonic Magic

The Magician's Preparation

Purification (Days to Weeks Before):

• Fasting or restricted diet
• Sexual abstinence
• Daily prayers and meditation
• Ritual bathing
• Confession of sins
• White linen robes

Mental/Spiritual State:

• Faith in God's power
• Purity of intention
• Fearlessness
• Absolute confidence in divine authority

The Magical Tools

Each tool must be created according to specific instructions, consecrated, and used only for magical purposes:

The Wand: Authority, command, connection to divine will
The Sword: Banishing, protection, commanding demons
The Knife (Athame): Inscribing circles and symbols
The Pentacle: Protection, manifestation, grounding
The Cup: Receiving, offerings, libations
The Censer: Incense, purification, offerings to spirits
The Book: Grimoire containing all operations
Robes and Crown: Ritual garments marking sacred space

Timing: Planetary Hours and Days

Operations must be performed at astrologically appropriate times:

Planetary Days:

• Sunday (Sun): Success, authority, healing
• Monday (Moon): Divination, dreams, travel
• Tuesday (Mars): Courage, conflict, protection
• Wednesday (Mercury): Communication, learning, business
• Thursday (Jupiter): Wealth, expansion, legal matters
• Friday (Venus): Love, beauty, art
• Saturday (Saturn): Binding, banishing, endings

Planetary Hours: Each day is divided into 12 daylight and 12 nighttime hours, each ruled by a planet. Operations should occur during the appropriate planetary hour.

The Magic Circle

The circle is the magician's protection, a sacred space where spirits cannot enter without permission.

Construction:

• 9-foot diameter (typically)
• Drawn with sword or consecrated chalk
• Inscribed with divine names (YHVH, Adonai, Elohim, etc.)
• Four cardinal directions marked
• Pentagrams at quarters
• Names of archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel)

Function:

• Creates sacred space
• Protects magician from spirits
• Concentrates power
• Marks boundary between worlds

The Triangle of Solomon

Spirits are evoked to appear in the Triangle of Solomon (or Triangle of Art), placed outside the circle:

Structure:

• Equilateral triangle
• Circle at each point
• Divine names at each angle
• Often contains a scrying mirror or crystal

Function: Provides a safe space for spirits to manifest, visible to the magician but contained.

The Evocation Ritual

Basic Structure

1. Preparation: Purification, donning robes, gathering tools
2. Opening: Prayers, invocations of divine protection
3. Casting the Circle: Creating sacred space
4. Calling the Quarters: Invoking archangels at four directions
5. Preliminary Invocation: Calling upon God and angels for authority
6. The Conjuration: Commanding the spirit to appear
7. Manifestation: Spirit appears in triangle (or gives signs)
8. The Charge: Commanding the spirit to perform the task
9. The License to Depart: Dismissing the spirit peacefully
10. Closing: Banishing, giving thanks, closing circle

The Conjuration

The conjuration is the formal command for the spirit to appear, typically invoking:

• Divine names (YHVH, Adonai, El, Elohim)
• Names of angels
• The authority of Solomon
• Threats of punishment if the spirit refuses

Example (simplified):
'I conjure thee, [Spirit Name], by the living God, by the true God, by the holy God who created all things by His Word... I command thee to appear visibly before this circle in fair and comely form, without delay, to do my will in all things that I shall desire...'

Dealing with Spirits

If the Spirit Appears:

• Remain calm and confident
• Do not break the circle
• Give clear, specific commands
• Bind the spirit to an oath if necessary
• Dismiss properly when done

If the Spirit Refuses:

• Repeat conjuration with more force
• Invoke higher authorities
• Threaten with divine punishment
• Use constraining conjurations

If Nothing Happens:

• Timing may be wrong
• Preparation insufficient
• Lack of faith or confidence
• Ritual errors

Talismanic Magic

The 44 Pentacles of Solomon

The Key of Solomon contains 44 pentacles (talismans) for various purposes, organized by planetary rulership:

Saturn Pentacles (7): Protection, invisibility, commanding spirits, causing fear
Jupiter Pentacles (7): Wealth, honor, power, discovering treasure
Mars Pentacles (7): Victory, courage, protection from enemies, causing discord
Sun Pentacles (7): Success, favor, invisibility, commanding spirits
Venus Pentacles (5): Love, friendship, honor, attracting others
Mercury Pentacles (5): Knowledge, eloquence, business success, memory
Moon Pentacles (6): Divination, dreams, safe travel, opening locks

Creating a Pentacle

1. Choose appropriate pentacle for your purpose
2. Select material: Parchment, metal (gold, silver, copper, etc.), or wood
3. Choose timing: Appropriate planetary day and hour
4. Purify materials with incense and prayer
5. Inscribe pentacle exactly as shown in grimoire
6. Consecrate with prayers, incense, and divine names
7. Charge with intention during planetary hour

The Philosophy of Grimoire Magic

Divine Authority

The magician doesn't work through personal power but through divine authority. Success depends on:

• Purity and righteousness
• Faith in God
• Proper use of divine names
• Precise ritual execution

The Hierarchy of Spirits

Grimoires present a hierarchical cosmos:

• God: Supreme authority
• Archangels: Divine messengers and protectors
• Angels: Servants of God, helpers of humanity
• Planetary Spirits: Govern celestial influences
• Demons: Fallen angels, bound to serve when properly commanded

The Magician's Role

The magician is:

• Priest-king, wielding divine authority
• Intermediary between heaven and earth
• Master of spirits through God's power
• Seeker of wisdom and hidden knowledge

Modern Practice and Cautions

Contemporary Grimoire Magic

Modern practitioners approach grimoires in various ways:

• Traditional: Following instructions exactly as written
• Adapted: Modifying for modern context while keeping core structure
• Psychological: Viewing spirits as aspects of the unconscious
• Academic: Studying as historical/cultural artifacts

Important Cautions

• Not for Beginners: Grimoire magic requires extensive study and preparation
• Psychological Risks: Can trigger latent mental health issues
• Spiritual Risks: Opening to spiritual forces requires protection and knowledge
• Ethical Considerations: Using magic to harm others creates karmic consequences
• Respect Required: These are sacred practices, not games

Further Study

Primary Grimoires:

• The Key of Solomon (Mathers translation)
• The Lesser Key of Solomon (Crowley/Mathers edition)
• The Sworn Book of Honorius

Modern Guides:

• The Goetia of Dr. Rudd by Stephen Skinner
• Techniques of Solomonic Magic by Stephen Mace
• Summoning Spirits by Konstantinos

Conclusion

The grimoire tradition represents the systematic codification of Western ceremonial magic, blending Jewish mysticism, Christian theology, and Greco-Roman magical practice into comprehensive systems for working with spirits. Whether approached as literal spirit evocation or as psychological/symbolic work, grimoires offer a complete magical worldview and practice that continues to influence modern occultism.

May you work with wisdom. May you command with divine authority. May you walk protected between the worlds.