Abra-Melin
Abramelin the Mage (1362-1460), a Jew from Wurxburg, Germany. Abraham, or Abramelin, also known as Abraham the Jew or Abra-Melin composed a body of magical works which left their mark on Alexander Sanders and Aleister Crowley. Abra-Melin was an expert of the Kabbalah and proclaimed that he was taught magical knowledge by angels. They told him how to conjure and tame demons to become his personal servants and workers. He also was taught how to raise storms. His magic is frequently referred to as Abra-Melin magic.
He proclaimed that demons who created everything in the world worked under the direction of angels, and that each individual had a demon and angel as familiars. He stated the basis for his magic could be found in the Kabbalah.
Abra-Melin generated much lore which surrounded him. It credits him as creating 2,000 spirit cavalrymen to help Frederick, the elector of Saxony. Supposedly he helped the earl of Warwick in his escape from jail. Also he helped save the antipope John XXIII (1410-1415) from the Council of Constance.
The magic of Abra-Melin was supposedly contained in The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, which was actually a collection of three books. The French manuscript supposedly written in the 18th century is supposed to be a translation of Abra-Melin’s original Hebrew work, dated 1478. This manuscript, at the Biblotheque de I’ Arsenal, Paris, was again translated by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, an influential member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Aleister Crowley is said to have copied from the book to compose his rituals for mastering demons.
Abra-Melin magic resembles that found in The Key of Solomon grimoire. The basis of the magic lies in the power of numbers and sacred names and the construction of numerous magical squares for the purposes of invisibility, flying, commanding spirits, necromancy, metamorphosis, and other magical feats. All rituals for the magical practices must be adhered to exactly and in strict accordance to astrological observances.
Mathers’ translation was published about 1898. It was reissued by Pitman Press Bath in 1956 of which it was limited to 500 books and later by Causeway Books, New York, 1974, and Dover Publications, New York, 1975.
The Book of Sacred Magic
Of Abra Melin the Mage
TABLE
OF CONTENTS OF THE
INTRODUCTION,
By
S. L. MAC GREGOR MATHERS.
Notice of the " Biblioth~que de I'Arsenal " at Paris. The Manuscript of the present work known to Bulwer Lytton and EIiphas Levi. Similarity between Mejnour's style of instruction of Glyndon in " Zanoni " and that employed by Abra Melin to Abraham the Jew. Critical description of the present Manuscript ; its style; examples; apparent date. Abraham the Jew, his era, and occult contemporaries. His faith and travels. Abra Melin. Place of residence, and family of Abraham the Jew. Value of this Book to Occult students. Notable persons with whom Abraham was brought in contact, and for or against whom he worked Magic. His warnings against the error of changing one's religion, whether Jew, Turk, Christian, or Pagan. The absolute necessity of unshaken faith in order to produce a Magical effect. The Author comparatively broad in his views, though unjust to women. Good advice in other matters given by him. His counsel of a retired life not borne out by his own history. White and Black Magic. Apparent basal definitions of this particular stem of Sacred Magic. Its advantages, especially as regards Abraham's comments on other Professors of Magic he had met. The employment of a Child Clairvoyant, necessary or not.Abraham's intolerance of other Magical systems. Basis of his systern in the Qabalah. Example of Magical Square of Letters from Third Book, compared with a Pentacle in " Key of Solomon ". General character of these. Practical Qabalah.Definitions of the nature of Angels, Elemental Spirits, and Devils, with their differences. Behaviour toward these, as advocated by Abraham. Meaning of the word Demon, as distinct from Devil. Magic in the " Arabian Nights," compared with recipes in Third Book of this work. Faust and the effects he is said, to have produced. Magic and the Qabalah derived from Egypt; difference between Egyptian and Chaldean Magic. Value of a Sacred language and one's mother tongue compared. Pentacles and Symbols. Evocation by the Magic Circle and Licence to Depart. Abraham's Remarks on Astrology. Notes to this work--------Written for Occultists only.
Taken from the 1956 edition which was limited to 500 copies Hard Back
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