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'De Occulta Philosophia libri III' is a study of occult philosophy by German writer Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. It touches on topics such as magic, astrology, Kabbalah, numerology, and angels, among others.
This 18th-century grimoire contains natural and cabalistic magic. It's said to have been inspired by the works of German philosopher and mathematician Albertus Parvus Lucius.
This "magical spirit-art" text was allegedly written by Moses. On its cover, it's possible to read its description as "the wonderful arts of the old Hebrews, taken from the Mosaic books of the Kabbalah and the Talmud."
This 18th-century French text is attributed to the French Count of St. Germain. It is written in code, and its deciphered message is about feats of magic.
This 400-page book on magic and astrology was originally written in Arabic sometime in the 11th century.
This grimoire on demonology was compiled in the 17th century. It's divided into five books and includes information on 72 demons, among other things.
This grimoire, also known as 'The Enchiridion of Pope Leo,' which has been falsely attributed to Pope Leo III, contains a number of spells in the form of prayers.
'Hermetica' is a collection of texts attributed to the legendary Hellenistic figure Hermes Trismegistus. The texts cover a number of topics, including alchemy and healing magic.
This grimoire it said to have been written by Pope Honorius III. It's unique in that it contains instructions to be followed by a priest, including some to be said during mass.
The 'Greek Magical Papyri' is a body of papyri from Graeco-Roman Egypt dated from the 100s BCE to the 400s CE. It contains numerous magical spells, rituals, and hymns.
This French grimoire contains texts attributed to King Solomon. It features a hierarchy of hell, and lists information on its demons.
The texts of this grimoire are attributed to 3rd-century Saint Cyprian of Antioch, who was a Pagan sorcerer who converted to Christianity. The book is particularly popular in Portugal and Spain, and, consequently, former colonies of both countries.
This black magic grimoire contains instructions on how to summon demons and Lucifer himself, as well as how to form a deal with the devil. The 'Grand Grimoire' is also known as 'Le Dragon Rouge' or 'The Red Dragon.'
Attributed to Albertus Magnus, this grimoire was started around 1245, but it wasn't until 1703 that it was famously published in French. Its original Latin title roughly translates into English as "the book of secrets of Albert the Great on the virtues of herbs, stones and certain animals."
This manuscript from circa 1619-1620 is both a grimoire and esoteric print of calendar engravings. It is composed of three sheets measuring 4 feet (1.2 m) by 2 feet (0.6 m).
This 1582 grimoire by Italian Dominican friar and cosmological theorist Giordano Bruno covers topics such as Ficinian psychology, mnemonics, and hermetic magic.
This Icelandic grimoire from the 1600s consists of a collection of 47 spells and sigils/staves. The manuscript makes reference to a wide range of topics, from Christian entities, to demons, and the Norse gods.
This grimoire contains a 19th-century collection of East Syriac Christian charms and incantations. The book was not published until 1912.
This is essentially the Wiccan Bible. It was created by the "father of Wicca" Gerald Gardner sometime between the late 1940s and early 1950s. It contains religious texts and instructions for magical rituals.
Sources: (Grimoire Encyclopedia)
See also: Why is witchcraft on the rise?
This 18th-century French grimoire delves into magical talismans, amulets (like the one pictured), and rings. It also touches on the art of necromancy and Kabbalah.
Also known under the English title 'Arbatel: On the Magic of the Ancients,' this is a Latin grimoire published in 1575 in Switzerland. It contains text on Renaissance ceremonial magic.
Published in 1899, this grimoire by the American folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland is said to contain a compilation of texts by a group of witches from Tuscany, Italy. This book played an important role in the devolvement of the Pagan religion of Wicca.
Also known as 'The Archidoxes of Magic,' this 16th-century grimoire contains information on magical sigils and their use on talismans and amulets. It's said to contain the works of Swiss alchemist Paracelsus (which were compiled by an editor).
This 17th-century French Christian magic book is kept in the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris. It's original title is 'Liber Armadel seu totius cabalae perfectissima brevissima et infallabilis scientia tam speculativa quam practiqua.'
This 15th-century grimoire, originally titled 'Liber incantationum, exorcismorum et fascinationum variarum,' delves into demonology and necromancy. The book is kept at the Bavarian State Library, in Munich, Germany.
This medieval grimoire is said to have been written by Honorius of Thebes. The product of a conference of magicians, this book contains things such as instructions on how to conjure demons.
Parts of this demonological grimoire have been found in different locations, namely in the Sloane manuscripts and in the Folger Shakespeare Library. In addition to demons, 'The Book of the Office of Spirits' (as it's known in English) also mentions fairies.
This grimoire contains instructions on how to contact Turiel (as mentioned in the Book of Enoch). Though it is said that parts of it have been plagiarized from 'The Book of Ceremonial Magic' by British occultist Arthur Edward Waite.
You may have never heard the name, but grimoires are essentially textbooks of magic. Also known as spell books, grimoires have been around for a very long time. They contain instructions, prayers, spells—you name it. Topics range from the use of magical objects such as talismans and amulets, to magic rituals and summoning demons.
Curious? Click through the following gallery and learn more about these mysterious spell books.
Grimoires: the famous magic spell books
From Kabbalah to black magic
LIFESTYLE Occult
You may have never heard the name, but grimoires are essentially textbooks of magic. Also known as spell books, grimoires have been around for a very long time. They contain instructions, prayers, spells—you name it. Topics range from the use of magical objects such as talismans and amulets, to magic rituals and summoning demons.
Curious? Click through the following gallery and learn more about these mysterious spell books.