When we think of occultists and magicians, we might think of dusty old tomes scrawled with summoning circles and mystical images, full of chants and spells written in forgotten languages. Grimoires – as these books of magic are often called – continue to be an object of fascination and study for scholars and modern-day practitioners. We at Treadwell's recommend the following titles for anyone brave enough to venture into this much-maligned genre of magical literature ...
Top pick: Grimoires by Owen Davies
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is this phenomenal history of magic books, by leading historian Owen Davies. Taking us from the ancient world to the present, Davies offers a fascinating account of the the world's most famous (and infamous) grimoires, showing us just how profoundly and surprisingly magical books have influenced history, culture and the world. £18.99
The 'must-haves': grimoires that should be in every occultist's library.
The classic grimoire on how to attain knowledge of the Holy Guardian Angel. This is a new translation by Georg Dehn that improves on the classic MacGregor Mathers edition correcting errors and adding material that had previously been missing. This is the authoritative edition of the Book of Abramelin, reflecting more accurately the Abramelin procedure as it would have been practised in the late medieval period.
The most famous (or infamous) grimoire of all time. More popularly known as the Goetia, this grimoire catalogues seventy-two spirits that each have their own office in the infernal hierarchy, and who can be called upon to perform various tasks for the magician – such as finding treasure, obtaining political power, or other more diabolical aims. Joseph H. Peterson's edition of the text is carefully edited based on original manuscripts and is a fantastic edition to have, whether for scholarly – or less scholarly – reasons ...
Also recommended
Infernally great reads: Recommended reading for any grimoire enthusiast
Geosophia, Vols. I & II – Jake Stratton-Kent
Jake Stratton-Kent's epic history of grimoire magic and its roots in the ancient world makes for an absolutely spellbinding read, taking us from the enigmatic mystery cults of Greece to the early modern grimoires – like the True Grimoire – that would make their mark not just in the West but all over the New World. These two volumes are a brilliant addition to the bookshelf for anyone interested in the history of magic.
Techniques of Solomonic Magic – Dr Stephen Skinner
This is a thought-provoking work of scholarship, comparing the rituals, invocations, and barbarous names found across various Solomonic grimoires to uncover their similarities and differences. A fantastic read for anyone looking to be more serious about their work with the Solomonic grimoires, their spirits and their methods.
Held in the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington are two Elizabethan manuscripts in Latin which contain a wide range of early modern magical material, from simple charms and cures to more complex instructions for conjuring various spirits. The Book of Oberon is a beautiful edition of this lesser-known text, and is lavishly illustrated with high-quality, digital re-creations of the circles and seals found in the original manuscripts. A perfect gift for the occultist in your life!
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