Dr Stephen Skinner

Sepher Raziel: Liber Salomonis: a sixteenth century English grimoire Dr Stephen Skinner

'Sepher Raziel' (also called 'Liber Salomonis') is not the same as the Hebrew 'Sepher Raziel ha-Melakh.' It is a full grimoire in the Solomonic tradition from a 1564 century English manuscript, derived from Latin sources. As such it is one of the earliest English grimoires published. It begins with directions for making the equipment, parchment, pen and ink of Art. It contains seven separate Treatises: 1. 'Liber Clavis' which is concerned with astrology and its correct use in magic. 2. 'Ala' outlines the magical virtues of stones, herbs. beasts, and words. 3. 'Tractatus Thymiamatus' explains why incense is essential to magical operations, and the effect of various incenses on the spirits. 4. 'Treatise of Times' gives details of the correct hours of the day and night for each operation, with associated angels. 5. 'Treatise on Purity' explains the exact preparations, and the reasons for ritual purity. 6. 'Samaim' is a treatise on the seven Heavens, with the names of their angels. 7. The 'Book of Virtues and Miracles' is a treatise on the names of God, and how they are to be used in invocation to produce miraculous results.