TexasMadness
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Clavicula Salomonis
I've recently gotten interested in Grimoires - ancient books on magic. Probably one of the better known, the Clavicula Salomonis or Key of Solomon is also one that I find the most interesting.
The Key is composed of two books. The first book deals with the conjuring of spirits and laying of curses and such. There's a nifty "experiment" (ritual, spell, etc) on how to stop poachers from killing an animal even!
The second book has to do with the way the "exorcist" (the one performing the experiments) must conduct themselves - purification, clothing, use of tools, etc.
The Key is probably the most drawn upon work for modern witchcraft, both Hollywood style and more practical practice. Gardner used many of the elements in the book for Wiccan rituals - the athame, blessing of salt and water, etc. MAny of the symbols and symbolism also comes from the Key (pentacle, etc).
Many things described in the Key contain the use of blood. Makes me realize what a different world we live in. Practically all talismans and tools must be dipped in the blood of this or that animal (goslings, magpies, bats, etc - winged animals have special significance).
The Key dates back to at least the 14th century but not necessarily to King Solomon himself. The book may be as old as 2 centuries prior, having been based down by word of mouth. But it does not date back to Biblical times. Like many Grimoires of the Middle Ages, the power invoked in the books is from the Christian God.
You can find the text online in several different places, some with explanatory text or slightly different translations. I like these two resources (both versions of Mathers translation but the second with more explanation and illustrations from other versions):
http://sacred-texts.com/grim/kos/index.htm
http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/ksol.htm
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6/10/2009, 7:39 pm
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Re: Clavicula Salomonis
How interesting. Wouldn't you love to get your hands on the actual books?????? I know I would!
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
~~*~~  .~~*~~ |
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6/10/2009, 9:57 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Clavicula Salomonis
I LOVE old books. Or even (especially with my budget) reproductions of old books. I couldn't imagine having a book that old. I think the oldest I have is from the 1890s. My mom has some from the mid 1800s but nothing before then!
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6/10/2009, 11:03 pm
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PerpetuallyCurious
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Re: Clavicula Salomonis
Oh my, I'll definitely be saving those links for the next rainy day! 
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6/11/2009, 4:09 pm
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Re: Clavicula Salomonis
I wonder if we should 'sticky' this topic so the links are always on top. What do y'all think???
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
~~*~~ .~~*~~ |
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6/11/2009, 9:18 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Clavicula Salomonis
Hmmm...actually, how about a sticky that has links to lots of different pagan texts online. It could be updated from time to time to add new sites that people find. Our own resource sticky!
I'll start to work on that and we can "launch" it with the next newsletter (planning on getting that done before the weekend is over) - sound good?
Last edited by TexasMadness, 6/11/2009, 10:13 pm
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6/11/2009, 10:12 pm
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