The Book of Ceremonial Magic

About this book

An old grimoire might promise power over spirits, but what does the ritual actually ask a practitioner to believe? Arthur Edward Waite examines the documents, seals and procedures that circulated under the name ceremonial magic.

He surveys magical books, conjurations and the claims attached to them, often bringing a skeptical eye to extravagant promises. The work is valuable for its reproductions of historical material as well as for Waite's own commentary, which reflects his particular Christian-mystical outlook. The pages preserve a world of circles, names and elaborate instructions best approached as historical texts.