The Three Magical Books of Solomon

1. King Solomon's Divine Authority Over Spirits

Blessed art thou, O Lord God, who didst give to Solomon such authority.

Gift from God. The core premise is that King Solomon received divine wisdom and authority, specifically from the Lord Sabaôth via the archangel Michael, enabling him to command and control all manner of spirits. This power was not inherent but a grace granted through prayer and devotion, symbolized by a magical ring bearing a pentalpha seal. This authority extended over spirits of the air, earth, and under the earth, allowing him to compel them to his will.

Building the Temple. Solomon primarily used this granted power to enlist the spirits in the monumental task of building the Temple in Jerusalem. Instead of relying solely on human labor, he bound and directed various demons and elemental spirits to perform difficult tasks like cutting stones, carrying materials, and even raising heavy pillars. This demonstrated the practical application of his spiritual authority.

Legacy of control. The texts suggest that Solomon's methods and the tools he used, particularly the seals and divine names, retained their power even after his time. The "Key" and "Testament" serve as records of this knowledge, intended to pass down the means of controlling spirits to others, albeit with strict warnings about purity and purpose.

2. The Diverse Nature and Hierarchy of Spirits

There are different kinds of Spirits, according to the things over which they preside...

Varied origins and forms. Spirits are described as having diverse origins (from elements like water, wind, earth, fire, solar vapors, or even echoes and giants) and appearing in myriad forms, from human shapes to monstrous combinations of animals or abstract appearances like dust winds or headless figures. They inhabit different realms, including the heavens, elements, and the abyss.

Rank and rule. Spirits are organized into hierarchies, with kings, dukes, marquises, presidents, and earls, often ruling over legions of lesser spirits. They are also categorized by their planetary associations (Saturnine, Jovial, Martial, Solar, Venerean, Mercurial, Lunar) and elemental natures (fiery, airy, watery, earthy). Four great kings (Amaymon, Corson, Zimimay, Gaap) rule the cardinal points.

Specific functions. Each spirit, particularly the 72 listed in the Goetia, has specific offices and abilities. These range from teaching sciences and languages to causing or curing diseases, finding treasure, inciting love or hatred, revealing secrets, causing storms, or even transforming shapes. Understanding a spirit's nature and office is crucial for effective invocation.

3. The Power of Divine Names, Seals, and Symbols

The whole Science and understanding of our Key dependeth upon the operation, Knowledge, and use of Pentacles.

Divine authority. The power to command spirits ultimately derives from God, accessed through the invocation and reverence of His Holy Names. Names like IHVH, ADONAI, EL, ELOHIM, EHEIEH, and many others are central to conjurations, compelling spirits through the sheer force of divine authority they represent.

Seals and characters. Pentacles (medals or talismans) and specific characters or sigils are vital tools. These are inscribed with divine names, angelic names, and mystical symbols. They serve multiple purposes:

• Striking terror into spirits and compelling obedience.
• Protecting the operator from harm.
• Attracting specific spiritual influences.
• Concentrating the will and intention of the magician.

Mysteries of mysteries. The texts emphasize that these names and symbols are not mere words or drawings but embody profound, occult power. Their correct construction and use, combined with the operator's purity and faith, are presented as the key to unlocking the secrets of magical art and achieving desired effects.

4. Essential Tools and the Sacred Circle for Operations

Having chosen a place for preparing and constructing the Circle, and all things necessary being prepared for the perfection of the Operations, take thou the Sickle or Scimitar of Art and stick it into the centre of the place where the Circle is to be made...

Sacred space. The Magical Circle is the fundamental protective and operational space for invoking spirits. It is meticulously constructed using consecrated instruments, inscribed with divine names and symbols, and purified with water and incense. Its purpose is twofold:

• To create a safe zone for the operator and companions.
• To serve as a focal point for concentrating spiritual energy and compelling spirits to appear within a designated triangle outside the circle.

Consecrated instruments. Various tools are required, each prepared and consecrated with specific rituals, materials, and divine invocations:

• Knives (white hilt for general use, black hilt for the circle)
• Swords, sickles, daggers, lances
• Wands and staffs
• Burins or gravers
• Trumpets
• Vessels for incense and water

Symbolic significance. Each tool, material (like virgin parchment, wax, specific woods), and color used in preparation holds symbolic meaning and is imbued with virtue through exorcism and prayer. This ensures that everything employed in the operation is pure, aligned with the divine, and effective in commanding spiritual forces.

5. Ritual Purity and Preparation of the Operator

He who wisheth to apply himself unto so great and so difficult a Science should have his mind free from all business, and from all extraneous ideas of whatever nature they may be.

Inner and outer cleanliness. Success in magical operations demands rigorous preparation of the operator and companions, emphasizing both physical and spiritual purity. This involves:

• Abstinence from sensual pleasures and impure thoughts/actions.
• Fasting (especially on the days leading up to the operation).
• Confession of sins and seeking divine pardon.
• Ritual bathing and purification with exorcised water.

Consecrated attire. Special garments of clean white linen or silk, marked with sacred characters, are worn during operations. These vestments are also purified and consecrated, symbolizing the operator's separation from the mundane and readiness for sacred work.

Mindset and faith. Beyond physical rites, the operator must cultivate a focused, pure, and unwavering mindset. Freedom from worldly distractions, firm faith in God, and a clear intention for the operation are paramount. The texts repeatedly warn that impurity, doubt, or using the art for evil will lead to failure or even harm.

6. Specific Spirits and Their Unique Abilities (Goetia)

The First Principal Spirit is a King ruling in the East, called Bael. He maketh thee to go Invisible.

The 72 Spirits. The Goetia details 72 specific spirits, each with a name, rank (King, Duke, Marquis, etc.), appearance, and particular abilities or "offices." These spirits command legions and can be compelled to perform various tasks for the operator.

Examples of spirit offices:

• Bael: Makes one invisible.
• Agares: Teaches languages, causes earthquakes.
• Vassago: Declares past/future, finds lost things.
• Marbas: Cures/causes diseases, gives wisdom, changes shapes.
• Amon: Tells past/future, reconciles friends/foes.
• Asmoday: Teaches sciences, gives invisibility, guards treasure.
• Gaap: Causes love/hatred, teaches philosophy, transports men.
• Andromalius: Brings back thieves and stolen goods, discovers wickedness.

Compelling appearance. Each spirit has a specific seal or character that must be worn or shown to compel obedience. Conjurations are tailored to invoke them by name and rank, often calling upon higher divine or angelic powers to force their appearance in a "fair human shape" within the triangle of art.

7. Practical Applications: From Treasure to Invisibility

The Days and Hours of Jupiter are proper for obtaining honours, acquiring riches; contracting friendships, preserving health; and arriving at all that thou canst desire.

Diverse goals. The Key of Solomon outlines numerous practical applications for interacting with spirits and using magical tools, categorized by planetary influence and specific rituals. These range from beneficial outcomes to potentially harmful ones, though the texts caution against malevolent use.

Examples of operations:

• Acquiring wealth and honor: Associated with Jupiter and the Sun.
• Seeking favor and love: Associated with Venus.
• Gaining knowledge and eloquence: Associated with Mercury.
• Recovering stolen property: Associated with the Moon and specific spirits.
• Achieving invisibility: Associated with Mars and the Sun, involving specific rituals and spirits.
• Causing destruction or discord: Associated with Saturn and Mars.
• Healing or causing disease: Associated with specific spirits like Marbas.

Timing is crucial. The success of these operations is heavily dependent on performing them at the correct planetary days and hours, and often when the moon is in a specific phase or zodiacal sign that aligns with the operation's purpose.

8. The Testament: Solomon's Encounters and Cautionary Tale

And at my death I wrote this Testament to the children of Israel, and gave it to them, so that they might know the powers of the demons and their shapes, and the names of their angels, by which these angels are frustrated.

Solomon's narrative. The Testament provides a first-person account of Solomon's acquisition of power over demons (via the ring from Michael) and his subsequent interactions with a wide array of spirits. It details how he questioned them about their names, abilities, planetary/elemental associations, and the angels that could frustrate them.

Demons at work. The Testament describes specific demons and their roles:

• Ornias: Strangles men, sucks thumbs, cuts stone.
• Beelzeboul: Exarch of demons, destroys kings, incites sin/heresy.
• Asmodeus: Plots against newlyweds, causes madness/lust.
• Onoskelis: Strangles men, consorts with men in female form.
• Ephippas: Devastates land with hot breath, raises heavy stones.
• Obizuth: Strangles infants, causes deafness/blindness.

Angelic counter-forces. A key theme is that each demon has a specific angel or divine name that can frustrate or bind it. Solomon learns these names from the demons themselves, providing a means of control beyond the initial binding ring.

The fall of Solomon. The Testament concludes with a cautionary note: Solomon, despite his wisdom and power, is eventually led astray by desire for a foreign woman, sacrifices to pagan gods, loses the Spirit of God, and his kingdom is prophesied to fall. This highlights the moral dangers inherent in wielding such power.

9. A Psychological Interpretation of Magical Practice

The spirits of the Goetia are portions of the human brain.

Internal landscape. Aleister Crowley's introduction to the Goetia offers a modern, psychological interpretation, suggesting that the spirits invoked are not necessarily external entities but rather symbolic representations of aspects or faculties within the human mind or brain.

Stimulating the psyche. From this perspective, the elaborate rituals, symbols, divine names, and perfumes are methods designed to stimulate specific areas or functions of the brain. The seals are visual keys, the names are vibrations, and the rituals combine sensory inputs to induce unusual brain states.

Achieving internal change. The "effects" described in the grimoires, such as gaining knowledge, courage, or skill, or even causing perceived external changes, are interpreted as the result of profound internal shifts and the activation of latent psychological capacities. "To destroy our enemies," for example, might be reinterpreted as overcoming internal duality or cultivating compassion.

Empirical psychology. Crowley frames ceremonial magic as a series of "empirical physiological experiments" aimed at understanding and controlling the human psyche. While acknowledging potential objective phenomena, the primary focus is on the internal, subjective experience and the potential for self-transformation through these ancient practices.

Last updated: May 18, 2025