A much underappreciated classic of psychology and tradition connected to the ancient world. ( )

First published in 1911 as The Book of Ceremonial Magic, this classic work explains the rites, mysteries and secret traditions of Witchcraft, Sorcery, and "Infernal Necromancy", and also explores Theurgy, the White Magic which invokes beneficent spirits. Presented in two parts, the first 'contains an analytical and critical account of the chief magical rituals known to the writer'; the second 'forms a complete Grimoire of Black Magic'. With illustrations and diagrams throughout, the author's mission, 'to permit the rituals of White and Black Magic to speak for themselves', is brilliantly accomplished in this extraordinary text. ( )

Arthur Edward Waite writes The Book of Ceremonial Magic as a newer and more accurate edition of his previous title The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts, written in 1898. As most ancient texts on magical literature are rare and hard to come by, it becomes very difficult for modern scholars to ascertain an accurate knowledge of ancient spells and rituals. Waite responds to this lack of accessible literature and approaches this text as a methodical and systematic account of magical procedures of the past. He remains faithful to the original sources before making any conclusions by way of his thorough research methods.
Part I provides the reader with essential passages from leading magical texts from the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Part II is a more systematically organized version of these ancient texts, adapted by A.E. Waite to the ways of the modern academic. This volume remains one of the best sources of magical procedure, touching on such topics as gods, costume, and the planets and their relation to the supernatural. Although disapproving of the application of magic and the black arts in his introduction, Waite nonetheless defends those victims persecuted throughout history because of their participation in these superstitious beliefs. He also speaks positively about astrology and alchemy, noting them as more important categories of the magical arts. Through this volume, the contemporary reader can finally begin to understand the beliefs in the black arts that were so deeply rooted in our civilization's past.

A compilation of the best/ worst of the popular grimoires from Middle Ages with a moralist agenda. Here Waite tries to, and not too nonchalantly, prove any real black magic as uneducated superstition compared to "high ceremonial magic". Possibly the very reason why Crowley mocked Waite as a self-righteous pomp (or something to same effect).

Partly very uneducated superstition and partly ceremonial black magic, though the substantial content remains by far even more uneven than that of Goetia (also included, though in part only, in this title) and Lemegeton. Not a bad compilation though, there is some quite seductive threads to follow for those who won't heed a warning and/ or contempt for such unruly magic. ( )

Also known as the Book of Black Magic. This includes comprehensive descriptions of rituals from classic grimoires, including extensive illustrations of magical seals. Grimoires covered include the Greater and Lesser Keys of Solomon, the Grimorium Verum, and the Black Pullet. ( )