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Cyprian of Antioch

Black Magic

introduction

The history of the practice of Black magic is not a collection of fragmented fragments; it is a continuous chain of transmission of “forbidden knowledge”, stretching from the priestly archives of Ancient Egypt to the peasant farms of Norway and Iceland. At the center of this thread is the figure of the legendary Magician Cyprian, whose name has become a universal “brand” for books teaching Black magic and witchcraft.

“KYPRIANY”

I. Genesis: Magical Papyri and Egyptian Syncretism

The tradition has its roots in the Papyri Graecae Magicae (Greek Magic Papyri, PGM), created in Egypt in the first centuries AD. It was there that the method was born, which a millennium later we will see in the northern Svartebog (Black Books). Egyptian magicians were the first to use verba mystica — “words of power”, which were a mixture of distorted Egyptian, Assyrian and Hebrew names of God.

These spells, often written as sound variations around a single root (forerunners of formulas like PORRO PORRO POTO), served the same purpose as later grimoires: subduing invisible forces. In the papyri, we find the first lists of angels and demons, which later move to the Byzantine codices, and then to the “Cyprian”.

II. Byzantine Bridge: Solomon and Sisinius

With the fall of Antiquity, the magic baton passed to Byzantium. This is where the final formation of demonic hierarchies takes place. Byzantine magical codes (such as the “Liber juratus” types) systematize the infernal host. At this time, the legends of the “seventy-two spirits of Solomon” are born and the image of the demon-tormentor, hiding under many names, is formed.

In the Byzantine tradition, the practice of casting spells with the names of saints is also laid down. The Holy prophet Sisenei (Sisinius) and the archangel Michael, forcing the “daughters of Herod” (Gnemea, Trisea, Yellowing) to reveal their secret names — is a direct prototype of how the northern svarteboksprester (priest-warlock) will later perform fordrive Djevelen (exorcism).

III. Cyprian of Antioch: The Legend of the Contract

The “Confessions of Cyprian"became the link between the East and the North. According to legend, Cyprian was a great magician who trained in Egypt and Mount Olympus before converting to Christianity. His story of how he, in a form similar to a man’s (Mands Lignelse), sought hidden knowledge (skjult Kundskab og Kunst), became archetypal.

It is in the texts attributed to Cyprian that the Kontrakt (Contract) with the forces of Bezna (Afgrunden) is first described in detail. This idea — obtaining kraft og magt (power and might) through a contract-formed the basis of the entire northern black magic tradition. When the Norwegian manuscript Siprianus Kunste-Bog describes a meeting between a young Cyprian and a Certain (Person) on a Thursday evening (Torsdagsaften), we hear an echo of ancient initiations.

Under the general name “Cyprian”, a whole set of heterogeneous grimoires on necromancy and black magic is known. These works, describing the methods of mastering Djævelens Kunster (Diabolical Arts), were widely used in Europe. Although their authorship was traditionally attributed to the legendary Magician Cyprian, it was rather a tribute to the mystical fashion of the time, similar to the later “Faustians”.

For the northern masters of the secret forces, these “Cyprians” became the most important textbook: they drew from them instructions on conjuring Evil Spirits, finding ways to communicate with the Devil, and strict procedures for concluding and signing Contracts. These texts formed the foundation of Northern Witchcraft as an original book tradition and formed the basis of the magico-philosophical system of Northern Europe, which has significant differences from the occultism of other parts of the continent.

Below is a fragment of Cyprian’s confessions, taken from a manuscript that was not previously available in Russian, and therefore remains poorly studied in Russian demonology. The manuscript is entitled:

“Siprianus Kunste-Bog” (Cyprian’s Book of Magical Arts), where the original name is written as Siprianus. The text states that it was Skreven paa (written) in Wittenbergske Accademie (Wittenberg Academy) in Anno 1345, and then Funden paa Kiøbenhauns Slott Anno 1665 (found in Copenhagen Castle) in a marble chest-Udi en Marmorstens Kiiste. The manuscript is made on parchment (Skreven paa Pergament). The title page reads: Suprianus Hoved-Bog (The Main Book of Cyprian) and specifies that it is Indeholder al den Undervisning, som haves af de onde Aander i Afgrunden (contains all the teaching received from the evil Spirits in the Abyss).

The discovery of this Svartebog (Black Book) has an interesting history: in 1893, K. A. Olsen, who served as a local Lensmand (civil servant in rural Norway), discovered it during Registreringsforretning (registration procedures) on the Gaarden Aas farm (in the Jeløen area, near Moss). The owner of the farm was Anders Nilsen Aas, who passed away at the age of 90. Anders ' relatives assumed that the book came to him from his father.

This Svartebog is notable for the fact that Runealfabetet (runic alphabet) was used for its titles. The text contains intersperses of Latin and Greek, and linguistic features indicate Danish influence. The nature of the letter indicates that the manuscript was created by a native of the common people, who owned runes, probably Anders ' father with the participation of another person who acted as Svartebogsforfatter (author/compiler of the black book).

The text opens with the” confession” of Cyprian (Suprianus), a fragment of which is given below:

“In his youth, Cyprian, who had already touched the skjult Kundskab og Kunst (hidden knowledge and arts), met a man one Thursday evening in a field (Torsdagsaften). He asked the purpose of his search, to which Cyprian replied that he longed for secret witchcraft knowledge. Then this Person said, ' Stay with me and I will reveal this knowledge to you.””

At the same time, I, Cyprian, lost touch with reality. Overwhelmed with great amazement, I only began to come to my senses in a certain house, where I was surrounded by strangers.

To my question: “Where am I, sir?”, my interlocutor replied:

“From now on, you are in the Abyss (Afgrunden), deep under the Earth you left, but still in the very center of the Earth’s Sphere (Jordens Klode). I am the young Lucifer (unge Lucifer), the legitimate son of the old Lucifer (gamle Lucifer (s) Søn) and the Son of Satan (Satans Søn), the same one who was banished from Paradise (Paradis) for seducing your first parents, Adam and Eve, created by the Lord of Heaven (Himmelens Herre). Since the heavenly creator revealed his son through the Virgin Mary, my Father found it insulting that there was no heir of his own to rule with him, having Power over the Abyss (Magt i Afgrunden).

To do this, my Father brought a chosen Woman (Kvinde) into his domain, teaching her the dark Arts and Sciences (mørke Videnskaber og Kunster). When he appeared to her in human form (Mands Lignelse), he conceived me. I now have the power to do His Will and Glory (Vilje og Hæder). I am the young Lucifer and Lord of the” Closed Fortress " (unge Lucifer og er Lukeborgs Hofmester), whose task is to instruct in the knowledge of the dark Sciences (mørke Videnskaber).”

When I asked about the price of this training, young Lucifer explained, “It costs nothing but a Contract (Kontrakt). This agreement between us will allow you to carry out any plans until the hour when I come for my payment…”

When a traditional northern sorcerer uses the word Fanden (derived from Fiende-enemy), he means the Devil (Djævel). However, under this collective concept, various demonic faces may be hidden, known as the Names of the Devil (Djævelens Navn): Chief Lucifer (Høvding Lucifer), Lord Beelzebub (Herre Belsebud, whose name varies in the texts: Bellzebu, Bælstebub, Belesebub, Bælsebub, Belsebub, Belsebup, Heyerdahl) and Astarot (Astarot, also found in the texts). like Astorat, Astaroth, Astrat, Astalol). These three figures embody the highest authority and are referred to in northern witchcraft as " 3 Devil Names”(3 Fandens Navn).

In spellcasting practice, these names often take the encrypted form: Medrak, Sechdrak, Abenego.

It is important to understand the hierarchy: when people speak of Lucifer as Fanden, they mean the Old Lucifer (gamle Lucifer) or the first Satan (Satan / Sattan). He is a direct rival of God the Father (Gud Fader) and is now bound by the Chains of Darkness (Mørkhedens Lænker) or Lucifers Lænke (Lucifers Lænke) in the center of Hell (Helvede / Helvete), in the Abyss itself (Afgrunden). At the same time, the image of the bound Lucifer is identical to the Oldest Beelzebub (aeldste Belsebub), since all the “3 Names of the Devil” (3 Djævelens Navn) are essentially one in the person of Fanden.

The full Power (Magt) of the Old Lucifer (Gamle Lucifer) is transferred to his successor, the Young Lucifer (Unge Lucifer). It is noteworthy that the term Antichrist is not used in the texts of Svartebog (Black Books). It is the Young Lucifer who acts as the executor of his Father’s Will (Vilje), being the full ruler of Hell and the Abyss (Helvede og Afgrunden) and the Owner of the” Locked Fortress " (Lukeborg).

This place is also known as the Iron Castle or Trapezoid Tower (or by other names), but practicing sorcerers prefer not to disclose unnecessary details about this monastery.

An important parallel follows from the above: just as in Christianity they speak of the Holy Trinity, which includes God the Father, God’s Son and the Holy Spirit (Gud Fader, (Guds) Søn og den Helligaand), in the northern tradition there is another, Hellish Trinity. It includes the Devil (Fanden), the Son of the Devil (Fandens Søn), and the Devil Spirit (Djævelens Aand).

Here there is a clear mirror image of the spiritual path. If believers seek protection from the Lord Jesus Christ (Herre Jesus Kristus), receiving the Holy Spirit (Helligaand) through him for union with God the Father (Gud Fader), then warlocks (heksemester), as well as witches and sorcerers (Trold-Kvinder og Trold-Karle) act differently. Through the mediation of the Son of Satan (Satans Søn — – Young Lucifer (Unge Lucifer — – they absorb the Devil’s Spirit (Djævelens Aand), thereby gaining strength and power (kraft og magt) for their craft directly from the Devil himself (Fanden).

Let us now return to the origins of the conceptual apparatus. When a Norwegian master mentions a Spirit (Aand), the word can cover a wide range of phenomena, from ghosts (gespenst, spøgelse, genfærd) and doppelgangers (genganger) to the human soul itself (sjæl). However, the terms ond Aand (Evil Spirit) or Djævelens Aand (Devil Spirit) indicate legions of Devils. Most often, this means a specific group of entities-Trold (Troll), or, more precisely, Troll-Devil (Trold-Djævel).

Unlike the folklore image of a stupid goblin, this Trold-Djævel is essentially a disembodied imp. The very state of obsession with it is called Besat, and the art of controlling it is called Besvérg (Besværg, to conjure). This evil spirit-possessed (Troldet) is able to possess people and animals. For example, a wolf that was imbued with such a spirit (Ulv, som hører til Troldet) became extremely dangerous, and special spells or silver bullets were required to fight it. It is from this category of spirits that the definitions of “witchcraft” (Trolddom, Troldskap, trollskap) and “sorcerer” (Troldman) are derived. The latter is called a person who has entered into an unnatural connection with these entities, which gives his charms real power.

As a result, we can distinguish two main forms of diabolical art: the first is based on the conclusion of a direct Contract (Kontrakt) with the Devil, the second — on contact with Trolls or their connection to the sorcerer. Necromancy, as a special form of nigromantic skill, has always been associated with them. In reality, these trends rarely existed in their pure form, usually they were intertwined in a single witchcraft layer, which formed the original black magic of the Scandinavian countries, captured on the pages of the” black books " (Svartebog).

When studying the surviving Danish-Norwegian” black books " (Svarteboken), it becomes obvious that this literature is extremely heterogeneous. Within its framework, two opposite magical directions co-exist: svart — ondartet) — malicious, dark magic, and hvit (godartet) magi-light, beneficial knowledge.

Researchers identify several specialized types of these manuscripts:

1. Military Black Books (militærsvartebøker). These manuscripts were the soldiers ' faithful companions. They contained methods of defending against enemy steel and bullets, ways to achieve victory in battles, and rituals to endow your weapons with deadly, magical power.

2. Agricultural or Agricultural black books (Jordbrukssvartebøker). This type of grimoire was focused on everyday needs: they were looking for help in farming, proper care of livestock, and good luck in fishing, whether hunting or fishing.

3. Books of warlock priests. A special place in the tradition was occupied by Svarteboken, which were in the hands of priests (Prester). Such people were called “black book priests” or svarteboksprester. In the popular imagination, they had much more serious power than their usual counterparts, especially when it came to exorcising the Devil (fordrive Djevelen).

There is a clear line here: if svarteboksprester was most often perceived as a defender and fighter against the dark forces, then other experts in the secret arts often entered into a direct connection with the underworld. Evidence of this is provided by contracts with the devil (djevelkontrakt), samples of which are still found among the surviving materials. It is worth noting that the layer of this tradition is very extensive: about 200 copies and fragments of Danish-Norwegian manuscripts alone have survived to our time.

In addition, in the German region (and much less often in Sweden), there were specific guides for finding treasures and treasures, such as the famous works of Höllenzwang or Schwarzer Rabe.

Iceland’s magical heritage, captured in grimoires and folk lore, is much more than just the drawing of galdrastavs. This is a complex system that combines prose and poetic plots, ritual actions and a deep mythological layer. It combines the original Scandinavian culture, book influences of the XIII — XIV centuries, remnants of ancient paganism and Christian teaching.

The peak of the development of this tradition occurred in the XVII century. The religious syncretism of that time is clearly confirmed by a text from the Stockholm Haldrabuk (plates 25v-26r): “Tilessessa hjálpi m [ér] allir guðir, ÞÓr, Óðinn, Frigg, Freyja, Satan, Belsebupp og allir þeir ogæær sem Valhöll byggja. In this may all the gods help me: Thor, Odin, Frigga, Freya, Satan, Beelzebub, and all the inhabitants of Valhalla. In your most powerful name, Odin). At its core, Icelandic magic has many similarities with Swedish Trolldom or traditional Russian village witchcraft.

It is important to understand that the inscription of Galdrastav itself is only a part of the magical act, although often the central one. A full-fledged action involves working with special plants, minerals, and animal parts, creating ritual tools, reciting verbal formulas, and addressing deities or spirits.

As a confirmation, we can consider examples recorded in Icelandic sources from different eras:

1. Skirnir’s Love Spell (“Skirnir’s Journey”, stanzas 26—36). This ancient text (composed in the 7th–10th centuries) demonstrates the use of the magic wand (tamsvondur), elements of graphic magic (“urUrs ríst ekéér ok þría stafi…") and the summoning of otherworldly entities.

2. Galdrabókin í Stokkhólmi (лист 21). A 17th-century love ritual involving creating a hollow in the floor where the object of passion passes, using the “blood of the Jotun spear”, addressing Odin (“essEss bið eg Óðinn…"), and carving signs.

3. Recipes from Galdraskræða Skugga:

• №21 (“Stafur til að vekja upp með, reka út illa anda, og koma niður draug”). A method for necromancy and exorcism, where the stav is drawn in special ink from a mixture of human, arctic fox and seal blood, and the ritual is accompanied by a visa borrowed from the” Saga of Bishop Arnie son of Torlak " (Árna saga biskupsorOrláksson).

• №95 (“Stafur til að vekja upp með”). An example from the 20th century, where the emphasis is solely on a detailed ritual in the absence of a conspiracy formula.

These “complete” recipes reflect the ideal form of magical practice. Although many galdrastavas have survived only as names without detailed instructions, when referring to the Icelandic tradition, it is extremely important to preserve its original “spirit” — this applies both to the choice of tools and materials, and to the correct choice of the entities that the practitioner refers to.

In the manuscripts of the continental “black books”, spell formulas are often based on the principles of double faith and abound in various abbreviations. The Christian layer of these abbreviations is quite transparent and easy to decipher. The most commonly used forms include:

* N. G.-Navn God (Name of God).

* I N. G. F. S. og H. A.-I Navn Gud Fader, Søn og HelligAand (In the Name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Similarly: I N. G. F. S. og Gud den Helligaand.

• N.P.F.S. — Navn Pater, Filus, Spiritus.

• C. L. og B. — Christi Legeme og Blod (Christ’s Body and Blood).

Much more difficult for researchers are ciphers related to the infernal (diabolical) component of grimoires. While some abbreviations are clear, others remain unsolved. Below is a list of similar symbols:

* D. N. or N. D. (D. Navn) — Name of the Devil; also used F. N. (Fanden Navn).

* N. B. or B. N.-Belsebus Navn (Beelzebub’s name).

* F. b. — Fadervor bagvendt (Our Father’s prayer in reverse reading).

* S. S.-Satans Søn (Son of Satan).

* I. N. K. L. — I Navn K (onning) L (ucifer) (In The Name Of The Ruler Lucifer). Example of usage in a formula: I. N. K. L + As (modum) + C (ordi) +.

• S. B. og alle D. — Satan, Belsebub og alle Djævle (Satan, Beelzebub and other Devils).

* Dia. — Diaboli (Devil).

* A. E.-Afgrunds-Engle (Angels of the Abyss).

* U. L. and L. H. — Unge Lucifer og Lukemborg Hovmester (Young Lucifer and Lord of Lukemborg).

* H. H.-Helvedes Høvdinger (Leader of Hell).

* H. L. — Høvding Lucifer.

A number of magic formulas remain extremely mysterious. So, in rituals for finding hidden treasures with the assistance of dark forces, the following letter rows are found:

• Svelelus… H: H: L:

• Anqvinnus …S: G: D:

• Natani… A: T: G:

• Rabinius… E: D: T:

* Schaliebius… K: Z: Z: D: (where Z:Z: stands for Zvanton Zver, and D: probably means Djævel).

• Mlcalnius… H: K: V:

• Gabinins… K: V: M:

The phenomenon of double reading is noteworthy: for example, the usual formula I N. F. S. H. (I Navn Fader, Søn, Helligaand — In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in the context of black magic could be intentionally interpreted as I Navn Fanden, Søn, HelvedeAand — In the name of the Devil, his Son and the Spirit of Hell. Such mimicry was a common technique in recording forbidden spells.

There is a reasonable assumption that this tradition of abbreviations and ciphers (often recorded using runes or Runealfabetet) penetrated from continental writings on witchcraft to Icelandic galdrakvery. There, these formulas became an integral part of graphic magic signs, mixing with the general layer of the northern magical tradition.

The use of magical “seals” or galdrastavs was not limited to learned grimoires; these signs were actively used in everyday magical practice. A typical example is the Icelandic “Galdrabók” (XVI century), which provides a ritual for exposing a thief.

In order to find out the name of the criminal, tradition prescribed to cut specific magic signs on the bottom of a wooden bowl with a knife. After performing a series of actions using blood and medicinal herbs, the practitioner had to appeal to an extremely heterogeneous host of entities: the Archangel Raphael, as well as toóÓr (Toru), Frigg (Frigg), Belsebupp (Beelzebub) and Óðinn (to Odin). Sorcery was reinforced by three readings of the Fadervor prayer (“Our Father”).

This example clearly illustrates the syncretism inherent in the Northern tradition: images of Norse mythology here freely coexist with biblical characters and Christian prayers. Within the framework of this worldview, various sacred systems do not come into conflict, but, on the contrary, sum up their power in order to achieve a specific practical goal — in this case, catching a thief.

“hancor. hanacor. hanylos. iehorna. theodonos. helyothos. heliotheos. phagor. corphandonos. norizaue. corithico. hanosae. helsezope. phagora”

In one of the most significant monuments of European magic of the XIII century — the “Book of spells of Pope Honorius”(known as” Liber juratus”) — a lot of formulas consisting of mysterious words are concentrated. These verba mystica only vaguely resemble the roots of Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. In the occult tradition, it was believed that such “beyond” words had the true power to subdue spirits and change the course of natural phenomena.

The use of verba mystica, borrowed from sacred dialects or skillfully stylized to match them, served as proof of the antiquity and authority of the text. This practice has its roots in the Egyptian magic papyri of the first centuries AD, where Greek spells were supplemented with elements of Assyrian, Egyptian and other Eastern languages.

Often, distorted Latin phrases are hidden behind bizarre verba mystica. Thus, the Gospel verse (Luke 4: 30)” Jesus autem transiens per medium illorum ibat “could be transformed into an unintelligible"Jesus aut antrocius per Medium Senum telb” due to mistakes of scribes who did not know Latin. Another example is an English amulet of the XI — XII centuries against fever with the formula: “IRE † AREX † XRE † RAUEX † FILIAX † ARAFAX”. Here, the word Xre suggests an appeal to Christ (Christ [e]), in arafax — distorted artifex (creator, master), and in filiax — Latin filius (son).

Often, magic formulas were based on sound playing around the central root. In the English snake plot “PORRO PORRO POTO / ZELO ZELO ZEBETA / ARRA ARRAY PARACLITUS”, we see rhythmic repetitions, where PORRO can be an encrypted prayer” Pater, te oro”(“Father, I pray You”). A similar technique is also noticeable in the treatment of fistula (fistula), where variations were pronounced: “festella, festelle, festelle, festelli, festello, festello, festella, festellum”. Similarly, the German spell for catching a fugitive is” Peda inpeda. Prepeda. Conpeda prepedias inpediae. Conpedia " — was based on consonance with the Latin verbs impedio (hinder, confuse) and prepedio (bind).

In some cases, the magical “nonsense” was the result of deliberate encryption. To hide secrets from the uninitiated, various methods were used: replacing vowels with dots (a =”. ”, e =":”, o ="::”), shifting the alphabet (when the Latin vivit turned into xkxkx) or replacing the first letter with the last (a with z, b with y, and so on next). Finally, the Latin text could simply be written in other characters — such as Greek script or Scandinavian runes.

According to the instructions of a 15th-century German grimoire, the ritual requires making a mirror out of refined steel. On its reverse, devoid of gloss, you should write ten names: Latranoy, Iszarin, Bicol, Danmals, Gromon, Zara, Ralkal, Sigtonia, Samah, Meneglasar, accompanied by each unique sign, and in the very center place the name of the spirit-Floron. After preparation, the artifact is hidden in a secluded place, smeared with pure balsam and fumigated with a mixture of aloe, myrrh, amber and white incense. The master passes the mirror into the hands of a virgin boy and says the magic formula: “Bismille araathe mem lismissa gassim gisim galisim darrgosim samaiaosim ralim…” It is believed that after this, the image of a knight on horseback will appear in the steel surface, able to answer questions about the secrets of the past, present and future.

Confirmation of this tradition can be found in the” textbook” of magic from the Bavarian National Library in Munich, where the author captured the scheme of such a mirror: concentric circles, in the center of which the name Floron is inscribed, and the names of ten spirits with their mysterious signs are distributed along the edges. The existence of such objects is also confirmed by the discovery in the Physical and Mathematical Salon of Dresden — a metal disk of the XV century, also dedicated to the spirit of Floron, although the secondary signs on it differ from the Munich manuscript.

In magical practice from late Antiquity to the present day, such graphic elements have played a key role. In the Middle Ages, they were classified as” seals”(sigillum),” figures”(figura) or” badges " (c (h) aracter). Unlike verba mystica (mysterious words in dead languages), demon names, or alphanumeric codes, these signs had no linguistic basis and were not intended to be read.

Their visual range was diverse: some resembled a distorted Glagolitic alphabet, runes, Greek or Hebrew letters; others were structures of lines and circles; others took the form of geometric symbols, such as the"seal of Solomon”. It was believed that through these inscriptions, representing spirits (angels and demons) or planetary influences, the magician gains control over the invisible forces of the universe.

The treatise “Commentaries on the Book of Images of the Moon” explains that the sacred names of God and angels should be hidden behind these symbols. The shape of the sign itself should correspond to the goal: for example, the “dancing” lines of icons are designed to bring joy.

The theoretical basis for this was given by Agrippa of Nettesheim in his work “Three Books on Occult Philosophy”. He argued that the heavenly bodies imprint special marks or seals (signacula et characteres) on terrestrial objects — stones, plants, and animals. These signs are of the nature of stellar emanations, and the magician, by reproducing the signacula et characteres, is enabled to use the occult properties of things and direct the influence of celestial forces to achieve his goals.

Magic squares filled with deep meaning or, conversely, seeming nonsense, occupied an important place in occult literature. Especially famous is the ancient Roman palindrome “Sator arepo tenet opera rotas” (Sower Arepo drives the wheel), which, in addition to direct and reverse reading, was read in all directions in the form of a magic square. Archaeological finds, for example, in Pompeii, indicate its popularity among people who believed in the power of letters. This formula, like the famous “abracadabra” — a word written in the form of a descending triangle and associated with getting rid of troubles-remained popular in grimoires at least since the 15th century. In the Christian context, Arepo was interpreted as an allegory of the Lord-Sower, which allowed the formula to be used along with the enumeration of divine names or placed on amulets.

The German grimoire illustrates a different approach: each letter of the anagram Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas was associated with a specific character or concept-whether it was Satan, an Angel, Adam and Eve, Paradise, Olympus, Tartarus or the Stars. Interpreting the text as a continuous poem in distorted Latin reveals the following picture:

“Satan, the star-angel, is rejected from Olympus,

Adam and Eve are banished from Paradise,

Emmanuel cast down Death and bound Hell,

Trampled down death and rose up, rising to the stars,

Ruling the world and giving love instead of evil.”

Russian popular prints and small fortune-telling books often depicted a magic square, known as the” seal of the wise King Solomon”, surrounded by biblical scenes. Some popular publications were supplemented with twenty-five circles with transcripts of each letter of the square, as well as images of King Solomon himself and the flowers of paradise. For divination, you had to drop a grain on a square, and its location gave a prediction.

The magic palindrome “Sator arepo tenet opera rotas” is the most famous example of a phrase that retains its appearance when read in both directions. Traditionally, it was written in five lines, forming a square — the so — called “super palindrome”, which allows reading not only horizontally and vertically, but also by the boustrophedon method (moving “snake”: the first line from left to right, the second-from right to left, etc.).

The oldest example of this square (with a slightly different word order) It was discovered on a column in Pompeii, a Roman city buried under ashes in 79 AD.

The semantic content of the phrase is still controversial, primarily because of the word “arepo”, which is not found in classical Latin. It was probably created artificially for symmetry or borrowed. If you take it as a proper name, the translation goes something like this: “The sower of Arepo works with the help of wheels [a wheeled plow].” However, in magical practice, the immaculateness and mystery of the palindrome form were valued much higher than its literal meaning.

In the 1920s, researchers discovered that the letters “Sator arepo tenet opera rotas” could be rearranged into two overlapping inscriptions, “Pater noster”(“Our Father”). The remaining letters-A and O pairs each-were interpreted as “alpha and omega”, symbolizing the beginning and end of all things according to the Revelation of John the Theologian. This gave rise to a hypothesis about the early Christian origin of the Sator palindrome, although many data point to its older roots.

In the Middle Ages, this magic square was used everywhere. It was applied to amulets for women in labor and included in complex conspiracy formulas. For example, in a 15th-century text, a palindrome served to exorcise the storm demon:

“And I will put the key of the house of David on its shoulder; it will open, and no one will forbid it; it will shut, and no one will open it. The Tetragrammaton. Hallelujah. Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas… I conjure you, demon, in the name of the One God, † Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas. † The Cross is a true sign † Cross-healing † Make the sign of the Cross and exorcise yourself, demon. Regia nosaan et gyran”.

The tradition of using the square has survived to Modern times. So, in the German collection” Romanus Buchlein”(“Roman Book”), published in 1788, a method of fighting a fire was proposed: the magic square should be written on both sides of the plate and thrown directly into the flame.

“…Aveche, Boab, Bille, Fameis, aka Fronam, Beduech, aka Banone, Astaroth, Forches, also called Fortas and Sartii, Furfur, Margoas, Malphas, Gorsor, Simias, Volach, Cambra, Gudiffligei, Andrialfis, Vuduch, Andras, Saymon, Azo, Bachimy, Albernis, Cabeym, Arabas, Lanima, Primam, Paimon, Belial, Egym, Ras, Torcha, Ara, Acar, Paragalla, Ponicarpo, Lambes, Triplex, Complex…”

* (“Collection on geomancy”. Italy, 15th century) *

At the heart of many spells in the Christian world is an ancient magical postulate: to gain power over the spirit — whether to exorcise the demon of illness or to compel him to serve — you can only know his true name. This explains the abundance of long lists of demonic names in grimoires. This onomasticon is extremely eclectic: biblical names (such as Beelzebub) coexist with characters from Germanic, Greco-Roman, Slavic or Celtic myths, as well as with names created by the authors ' imagination. It was believed that an extensive list of names increases the” range” of the plot, just as prayers list dozens of names of God or the ranks of angels.

This tradition was especially developed in Byzantine and Old Russian texts for getting rid of fevers — “tryasovits”. In such plots, the saints force the demons to reveal their essence. A typical example reads:

*“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. <…> By the black sea stands a stone pillar, on that pillar sits the holy Sisenei the prophet and the holy Michael the archangel … 12 okoyannykh wives came out of the sea… And the holy Prophet Sisinei asked them: What is there, wicked and evil-looking women, that came out of the sea and of what kind? And their wives answered him, “We are the daughters of Herod the king… And asking them holy Sisinaeus the prophet: What are your names, O holy ones? 1. speech: I have a name for Gnome. 2. speech: I have a name called Trisea. 3. reche: I have a name for Zhelteya. 4. I have a name Puhleya…”*

In order to effectively counter or subdue the infernal legions, mages sought to streamline the invisible world. Byzantine sources estimated the number of demons in the range from 10,969 to 60,000 entities. The famous opponent of the witch hunt, the physician Johann Weyer, in his work” Pseudo-Monarchy of Demons " (1577) presented a detailed structure of the infernal host: 111 legions, each of which consists of 6666 demons. Its lists include such names as Gomory, Descarabia, Amduscias, Andras, Androalphus, Oze.

The infernal world was traditionally perceived as a mirror image of the earthly one — a monarchy with a clear hierarchy and titled nobility. This is evidenced by the 1728 court case of deacon Ivan Kozmin, who was accused of sacrilege. He confessed that six years earlier he had received from the clerk Zitrov a notebook with a love spell and a ritual of renunciation of the Creator. This text included not only the “king of Soton”, but also a whole staff of demonic officials.

It is noteworthy that in the Russian conspiracy tradition, the evangelical Herod the Great often acts not just as a historical villain, but as a powerful demon prince. Conspiracies of the XIX century place him in the west: * “on the western side lives Satan himself, the evil tormentor Herod the king"*, and in his subordination are * “three hundred demons… the demon Sava, the demon Sorcerer, the demon Asaul"*. By appealing to this dark hierarchy, the spellcaster demands that these entities serve him as faithfully as they would their infernal lord.

Ways to gain love and favor from the legacy of Cyprian of Antioch:

Love elixir on wine

In order to win the heart of a woman, on a Friday morning you should take one and a half ounces of sugar (candy or lump) and carefully grind it in a mortar, saying the formula: “Abrasax, Abracadabra”. The resulting powder is mixed with half a pint of quality white wine. The vessel with the elixir must be kept for twelve days in absolute darkness or in a room covered with black curtains. Shake the bottle every morning for a minute, saying: “Abrasax”. At night, the procedure is repeated, saying “Abrasax” three times. At the end of the period, the wine is poured into a new container, two grains of white mustard are added and left for another three days, after which it is filtered. It is believed that if the object of desire drinks at least half of this remedy with food or drink, his will will be subdued.

Apple magic (graphemes and spells)

There is a widespread tradition of manipulating apples, which should be inscribed with certain names or symbols before giving them to the chosen person to eat:

* Put your name on the fruit along with the names: Causma, Abroth, Sordaye.

* Write on the apple: Guell, Blatirell, Gliaell, so that the one who tastes it will be filled with love.

* Write the names Raguell, Lucifer, Sathanus and say: “I conjure you, apple, with these three names written on you: let everyone who eats the fruit burn with passion for me until he does my will.”

* Draw Hely and Helyas on the apple along with your name and the woman’s name.

* Put the names Guell and Satyrell on the fruit.

* Before the apple falls from the tree, write Aleo, Deleo, Delaton on it, saying: “I conjure you, apple, by these three names; let the woman or virgin who has tasted you love me and burn with passion as fire melts wax.”

* On Friday, before the fruit touches the ground, write on it: Reacamo lise Lucifero and the name of the woman.

* To awaken love, use the inscription: Chiuas Eathmus Sifance.

* During the new moon period, apply the formula: Saglaff duster mos fileimes to the apple.

* Using blood, write the names Lucifer, Sathanus, Rusal on a fruit hanging on a branch, saying: “I adjure you by all the demons that tempted Adam and Eve in Paradise; whatever way you enter a woman, she will be filled with desire for me.”

* With the blood of a bat, apply the code: 3 L 1 S A R E E 2 to the red apple.

• Use the point of a knife to cut Tabora on one side of the fruit and Odul Ochara on the other (works for both women and men).

* To subordinate a man to your goals, write your names and the Gosmer Synady Heupide triad on the apple.

* Divide the fruit into four parts, and write “Sathiel, Sathiel, Obing, Siagel"on each of them. The spell reads as follows: “I conjure you, apple, by the living and true God who created you, by the four evangelists, by the Good News, by Samuel and Mary; may the love of a woman abide with me. Amen to that.”

* Cut out the words Dedica lupa druca dedia Calpa Draco on the growing fruit with a knife; one part should be eaten by yourself, and the other should be given to her.

* Use the following names for the label: Satuell, Latuell, Datuell.

Touch Charms

At dawn, draw a series of letters on your left palm: H L D P N A G U S T. The person you touch with this hand will follow you.

Dedication.

Two thousand years ago, the Alexandrian Greeks and Copts underwent the following initiation:

Stay clean for seven days. On the third day of the lunar month, go to a place where the water of the Nile has recently left, before someone leaves their footprints on it. On the two bricks that you will put on their sides, build a fire of olive wood when half the Sun, that is, at dawn, is above the horizon. When the sun is fully above the horizon, cut off the head of a rooster, white and without blemish, which you must carry and hold under your left arm, and dig a chute around the altar until the Sun rises. When you decapitate a rooster, hold it between your knees and hold it down on your own, without any help. Throw the head into the river and drink the blood of the rooster, pouring it into the right palm and put what remains of the body on the burning altar. Then jump into the river for ablution. Submerge yourself in the clothes you have on, get out of the water backwards, change into fresh clothes, and leave without looking back. After that, take the owl’s bile and rub it a little over your eyes with an ibis feather, and your initiation will be complete. However, if you can’t get an owl, then use an ibis egg and a falcon feather. Drill a hole in the egg, insert a feather in it, break it and so you get a fluid that you can apply to yourself.