"The Talismanic Urn" is a short story written by Bernard Malamud that explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and personal relationships. The story revolves around the protagonist, a Jewish man named Nathan Sureshot, who comes into possession of a talismanic urn that is said to have magical powers. The urn, according to Jewish folklore, is said to grant the wishes of whoever possesses it, but it comes with a catch - the wish must be selfless in nature. Nathan, who is somewhat of a loner and feels disconnected from his community and his own Jewish identity, sees the urn as an opportunity to change his life. He wishes for a beautiful woman to love and be loved by, and to reconnect with his cultural heritage. Miraculously, his wish comes true when he meets a woman named Juliana, who is both beautiful and deeply connected to her Jewish roots.
The Lesser Key of Solomon, or the Clavicula Salomonis Regis, or Lemegeton, is a compilation of materials and writings from ancient sources making up a text book of magic or "grimoire." Portions of this book can be traced back to the mid-16th to 17th centuries, when occult researchers such as Cornelius Agrippa and Johannes Trithemisus assembled what they discovered during their investigations into their own great works.
As a modern grimoire, the Lesser Key of Solomon has seen several editions with various authors and editors taking liberty to edit and translate the ancient writings and source material. who translated ancient texts from French, Hebrew, and Latin, but was unable to complete his labors because of the martial assaults of the Four Great Princes.
Miraculously, his wish comes true when he meets a woman named Juliana, who is both beautiful and deeply connected to her Jewish roots. As Nathan's relationship with Juliana blossoms, he realizes the true power of the urn is not in its ability to grant wishes, but in its ability to uncover and awaken what is already within him. The urn serves as a metaphor for Nathan's own self-discovery and serves as a catalyst for reconnecting with his Jewish identity.
The Three Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon (Hardcover)
For the first time, the three great magical works of King Solomon are together in one volume. The Greater and Lesser Keys give a practical guide to the operation of his magic. The testament gives a historical account of its use by Solomon himself.
The Key of Solomon the King was originally researched and translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers from ancient manuscripts in the British museums. Included by Mathers is the Order of the Pentacles of Solomon, the Ancient Fragment of the Key of Solomon, The Qabalistic Invocation of Solomon, and 15 plates full of figures, seals and charts, as well as the original text giving detailed instruction for spells and invocations.
The work is traditionally divided into two books detailing the Key of King Solomon. Book One explains the operation of conjurations, curses, spells and other magical works. Book Two instructs the practitioner on the proper attire, purification rituals and other means of obtaining the goals of the Goetia. Between these two books is the list of plates that contain numerous illustrations and secret seals of Solomon, including the Mystical Seal of Solomon, the Pentacles of Solomon, and the Mystical Alphabet, which impart the mechanisms and requirements for the invocation of spirits and demons.
The Lesser Key of Solomon, or the Clavicula Salomonis Regis, or Lemegeton, is a compilation of materials and writings from ancient sources making up a text book of magic or "grimoire." Portions of this book can be traced back to the mid-16th to 17th centuries, when occult researchers such as Cornelius Agrippa and Johannes Trithemisus assembled what they discovered during their investigations into their own great works.
As a modern grimoire, the Lesser Key of Solomon has seen several editions with various authors and editors taking liberty to edit and translate the ancient writings and source material. In 1898, Arthur Edward Waite published his The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts, which contained large portions of the Lemegeton. He was followed by Mathers and Crowley in 1904 who published The Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon.
In the preface to this edition, it is explained that a "Secret Chief" of the Rosicrucian Order directed the completion of the book. The original editor was a G. H. Fra. D.D.C.F. who translated ancient texts from French, Hebrew, and Latin, but was unable to complete his labors because of the martial assaults of the Four Great Princes. Crowley was then asked to step in and finish what the previous author had begun.
The Testament of Solomon is a pseudepigraphical work attributed to King Solomon the Wise of the Old Testament. Written in the first-person narrative, the book tells the story of the creation of the magical ring of King Solomon and how Solomon's ring was used to bind and control demons, including Beelzebub. In this book of King Solomon, the discourses between the King and the various spirits are told, and the story shows how Solomon uses his wisdom to withstand the demons' tricks and guile and enlist their aid in the building of his temple.
The manuscripts from which this work was discovered date from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. All were written in Greek. This dating makes most experts believe that the work is medieval. But some scholars, including D.C. Duling, argue that it is likely that the work comes from the 5th or 6th centuries.
- Magick Studies
- Occultism
- Divination - General
- Paperback (August 11th, 2017): $19.99
For the first time, the three great magical works of King Solomon are together in one volume. The Greater and Lesser Keys give a practical guide to the operation of his magic. The testament gives a historical account of its use by Solomon himself.
However, as the story progresses, Nathan begins to question the authenticity of his relationship with Juliana. He becomes suspicious of her motives and wonders if she is only interested in him because of the urn. This leads him to question his own self-worth and the sincerity of his wish. Ultimately, he decides to test the urn's power and wishes for Juliana to fall out of love with him in order to see if their relationship is genuine. When his wish is granted, Nathan is left feeling empty and disillusioned. He realizes that the urn's power is not all it's cracked up to be and that true happiness cannot be forced or manufactured. He learns that the key to finding fulfillment lies within oneself and in embracing one's own identity. "The Talismanic Urn" is a thought-provoking story that delves into themes of self-discovery, cultural heritage, and the complexities of human relationships. It encourages readers to question the importance of material possessions and external validation, and to instead focus on cultivating a deeper sense of self and personal connections. Through Nathan's journey, we are reminded that true happiness and fulfillment can only be found when we embrace who we truly are and embrace the relationships that are built on genuine love and understanding..
Reviews for "Bernard Malamud's Talismanic Urn and the Power of Belief"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Talismanic Urn" by Bernard Malamud. I found the story to be confusing and unfocused, with too many characters and subplots to keep track of. The writing style was also very dense and difficult to read, which made it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I felt like the book dragged on and didn't really go anywhere. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Talismanic Urn" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was convoluted and nonsensical, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The story seemed to jump around without any clear direction, and by the end, I was left wondering what the point of it all was. Additionally, the writing style was overly pretentious and full of unnecessary jargon, making it difficult to follow along. This book just wasn't for me, and I wouldn't waste my time reading it again.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Talismanic Urn," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story lacked a compelling narrative and failed to keep me engaged throughout. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was overly verbose and verbose, making it a chore to read. Overall, I found "The Talismanic Urn" to be a disappointing read and wouldn't recommend it to others.