The Magical Treatise of Solomon, or Hygromanteia (Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic Series) Hardcover – March 8, 2012

This is not another edition of the Lemegeton or Key of Solomon, this is their predecessor, The Magical Treatise of Solomon. Mr. Marathakis gives 12 versions of the Magical Treatise and tons of background information and explanatory notes. Stephen Skinner's forward is quite thorough and creates the setting for the main text. Plenty of tables comparing the angels, planets, etc. in the different texts. There is an illustration mentioned on page 120 that is missing from my edition, but Mr. Marathakis has graciously provided it on the "The Magical Treatise of Solomon or Hygromanteia" Facebook page. I cannot express in words how well researched this book is; The Magical Treatise of Solomon is definitely my favorite of the Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic Series!

A mind-altering set of texts. I got this to explore the astrological timing in particular, but came away with a richer view of the historical grimoire literature.

Fabulous. A fabulous and accurate facsimile for the serious student of ceremonial magic.

Excellent book

Beautifully written.

A full list of the books contents are listed below the reviewThe Magical Treatise of Solomon or Hyrgromanteia is Vol VIII of the `Sourceworks of Ceremonial magic Series` and is a worthy edition to an already superb set of books. What we have here is the ur-text to the `Key of Solomon` a book which has influenced Ceremonial Magic in Europe and the US more than any other book for hundreds of years. The Magical Treatise will give you so much connecting information on the Western Mystery Tradition that its almost impossible to bypass. So many obscure things in Ceremonial Magic will come to light and you will also be able to understand grimoire magic at a much greater depth. Quoted from the Forward by Stephen Skinner in The Magical Treatise: The Treatise is the origin of the names of the chief demons that can be found in the Grimorium Verum, Grand Grimoire, UTF version of the `Key`, and also in Abramelin, in fact without it the hierarchy of the spirits of the Goetia makes no sense. The placing of beans in the mouth for the operation of invisibility in the Grimorium Verum is also clarified in the Treatise. In all, the Magical Treatise is the source of very many of the traditions of European ritual magic.(end quote) The Treatise is full of eye openers and is truly a most important book. Its the first time the full Greek original of the `Key of Solomon` appears in English. Stephen Skinner and Ioannis Marathakis have done a great job in putting the Treatise back in order just as it was meant to be and have taken it from the shadows into the light of day. This is a beautiful book that is well written and easy to understand with a hefty 376 pages including 57 illustrations many in colour. This grimoire deserves its place in history and I cant see anyone being disappointed in it, this was an important buy for me and i`m glad I did.Editions: An unlimited Hardback and a Limited Edition of 150 individually numbered full leather copies. Contents are listed below:Contents: List of Figures x57 (Some examples, by reviewer)1.The inscription and the seal on the ring of Solomon2.The divination by means of a mirror3.The image of the circle, the Magister and the apprentice4.A traditional Cretan black handled knife5.Divination by means of candle6.The copper bowl divination7.Twenty talismans8.The signs and seals of Venus, Mercury and Moon9.Two images of the bell and a circle of art10.The twenty four seals that must be drawn on a Lamen11.The images of Jupiter and Mars12.The seal of the Moon13.The alphabet of the Sun14.circle of the first method of evocation15.The circle of the second method of evocation16.The circle of the art List of Tables x23 (Some examples, by reviewer)1.The signs of the seven planets, as found in the Magical Treatise2.The talismanic effects of the planetary hours3.The Angels of the planets, drawn from 7 different manuscripts4.The inscriptions on Solomon`s ring according to different sources5.The 30 spirits of each of the 4 cardinal directions6.Planetary friends and enemies7.The Beneficial and the Malign days of the monthsForwardIntroduction The ManuscriptsAnalysis of the Contents of the Magical TreatiseTranslation of Manuscripts of the Magical Treatise Bononiesis Univers. 3632 Neopolitanus II C.33 Harleianus 5596 Vindobonensis Phil.Gr.70 Parisinus Gr. 2419 Mediolanensis H 2 infer Athonicus Dion. 282 Monacensis Gr. 70 Atheniensis 1265 Gennadianus 45 Petropolitanus Academicus Atheniensis 115Appendix - Chapter Analysis of the different ManuscriptsBibliographyIndex

"The Magical Treatise of Solomon or Hygromanteia" survives mainly in fragments in Greek scattered through a variety of manuscripts dating from the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries, although the original work was probably composed during Byzantine times. It presents a fusion of magical techniques which include astrological elections, the use of specula and the first documented use of the Black Hilted Knife and the Circle of Art. Like the similar "Testament of Solomon" which it partly resembles, it relies mostly on the summoning and control of demons by angels. In the past available chiefly in the difficult to obtain French and Greek texts of Armand Delatte, the full Greek original of what may well have been the ur-text of "The Key of Solomon" is here presented in English for the first time. In his careful translation and presentation of all fifteen of these manuscripts in their correct order Marathakis has produced a scholarly work containing all the relevant material within the covers of a single handsome volume. It should be valued as highly by the historian of magic as it definitely will be by the practising mage. An assured five stars.

Informative but somewhat disorganized and confusing. The scholarship seems excellent but it could have been much better edited.

Information organized and layed out properly to make it easier to follow.