THE BRIEF INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTION.
(N.B. This is taken from several MS. Codices, of which the four principal variations are here composed together in parallel columns as an example of the close agreement of the various texts of the Lemegeton.
For in the whole work the differences in the wording of the various Codices are not sufficient to require the constant giving of parallel readings; but except in the more ancient examples there is much deterioration in the Seals and Sigils, so that in this latter respect the more recent exemplars are not entirely reliable.)
which containeth all the Names, Offices, and Orders of all the Spirits that ever he had converse with, with theSeals and Characters to each Spirit and the manner of calling them forth to visible appearance:
In 5 parts, viz.:
(1)The First Partis a Book of Evil Spirits, calledGoetia, showing how he bound up those Spirits, and used them in general things, whereby he obtained great fame.
(2)The Second Partis a Book of Spirits, partly Evil and partly Good, which is namedTheurgia-Goetia, all Aërial Spirits, etc.
(3)The Third Partis of Spirits governing the Planetary Hours, and what Spirits belong to every degree, of the Signs, and Planets in the Signs. Called thePauline Art, etc.
(4)The Fourth Partof this Book is calledAlmadelorSolomon, which containeth those Spirits which govern the Four Altitudes, or the 360 Degrees of the Zodiac.
These two last Orders of Spirits are Good, and to be sought for by Divine seeking, etc., and are calledTheurgia.
(5)The Fifth Partis a Book of Orations and Prayers that Wise Solomon used upon the Altar in the Temple. The which is calledArs Nova, which was revealed unto Solomon by that Holy Angel of God calledMichael; and he also received many brief Notes written with the Finger of God, which were declared to him by the said Angel with Claps of Thunder; without which Notes King Solomon had never obtained his great knowledge, for by them in a short time he knew all Arts and Sciences both Good and Bad; from these Notes it is called theNotary Art, etc.
The Whole Lemegeton or Clavicula.
Now this Book containeth all the Names, Orders, and Offices of all the Spirits with which Solomon ever conversed, the Seals and Characters belonging to each Spirit, and the manner of calling them forth to visible appearance:
Divided into 5 special Books or parts, viz.:
(1)The First Book, orPart, which is a Book concerning Spirits of Evil, and which is termedThe Goetia of Solomon, sheweth forth his manner of binding these Spirits for use in things divers. And hereby did he acquire great renown.
(2)The Second Bookis one which treateth of Spirits mingled of Good and Evil Natures, the which is entitledThe Theurgia-Goetia, or the Magical Wisdom of the Spirits Aërial, whereof some do abide, but certain do wander and abide not.
(3)The Third Book, calledArs Paulina, orThe Art Pauline, treateth of the Spirits allotted unto every degree of the 360 Degrees of the Zodiac; and also of the Signs, and of the Planets in the Signs, as well as of the Hours.
(4)The Fourth Book, calledArs Almadel Salomonis, orThe Art Almadel of Solomon, concerneth those Spirits which be set over the Quaternary of the Altitudes.
These two last mentioned Books, theArt Paulineand theArt Almadel, do relate unto Good Spirits alone, whose knowledge is to be obtained through seeking unto the Divine. These two Books be also classed together under the Name of the First and Second Parts of the BookTheurgia of Solomon.
(5)The Fifth Bookof the Lemegeton is one ofPrayers and Orations. The which Solomon the Wise did use upon the Altar in the Temple. And the titles hereof beArs Nova, theNew Art, andArs Notaria, theNotary Art. The which was revealed to him byMichael, that Holy Angel of God, in thunder and in lightning, and he further did receive by the aforesaid Angel certain Notes written by the Hand of God, without the which that Great King had never attained unto his great Wisdom, for thus he knew all things and all Sciences and Arts whether Good or Evil.
which containeth all the Names, Offices, and Orders of all the Spirits with whom he ever held any converse; together with the Seals and Characters proper unto each Spirit, and the method of calling them forth to visible appearance:
In 5 parts, viz.:
(1)The First Partis a Book of Evil Spirits, calledGoetia, showing how he bound up those Spirits and used them in things general and several, whereby he obtained great fame.
(2)The Second Partis a Book of Spirits, partly Evil and partly Good, which is calledTheurgia-Goetia, all Aërial Spirits, etc.
(3)The Third Partis of Spirits governing the Planetary Hours, and of what Spirits do belong to every Degree of the Signs, and of the Planets in the Signs. This is called thePauline Art, etc.
(4)The Fourth Partof this Book is calledAlmadel of Solomon, the which containeth those Spirits which do govern the Four Altitudes, or the 360 Degrees of the Zodiac.
These two last Orders of Spirits are Good, and arecalledTheurgia, and are to be sought for by Divine seeking, etc.
(5)The Fifth Partis a Book of Orations and Prayers which Wise Solomon did use upon the Altar in the Temple. The which is calledArs Nova, the which was revealed to Solomon by that Holy Angel of God called Michael; and he also received many brief Notes written with the Finger of God, which were declared to him by the said Angel with Claps of Thunder; without which Notes King Solomon had never obtained his Great Wisdom, for by them in short time he gained Knowledge of all Arts and Sciences both Good and Bad; from these Notes it is called theNotary Art, etc.