A legitimate occult manuscript refers to a text, document, or book that is recognized by practitioners and scholars of the occult as being genuine and authentic. These manuscripts often contain esoteric and secretive knowledge about rituals, symbols, and the supernatural. The authenticity of such manuscripts is typically determined by a combination of historical evidence, expert analysis, and the reputation of the author or scribe. In the realm of the occult, there are numerous manuscripts that claim to hold ancient wisdom and mystical practices, but not all are considered legitimate. Many forgeries and hoaxes have been created throughout history in an attempt to deceive and exploit those seeking occult knowledge. However, there are also genuine manuscripts that have been passed down through generations or discovered in ancient libraries and tombs.
This fascinating and bizarre collection compiles the most unusual, obscure books from the far reaches of the human imagination.
With criminals, it was about being both a deterrent and a more symbolic punishment, to encase the outlaw with the very symbol of civilization the book. Chaldean Oracles lost, only exists in fragments While the original text has been lost, fragments of it are preserved in quotations from later authors.
However, there are also genuine manuscripts that have been passed down through generations or discovered in ancient libraries and tombs. The main idea behind a legitimate occult manuscript is that it holds valuable insights into the arcane and mysterious world of the occult. These manuscripts often provide instructions on how to perform rituals, invocations, and divinations, as well as information on the symbolism and meanings behind various occult practices.
Rare texts on magic and the occult unearthed for Archives Alive event
This month’s must-see Archives Alive event will take audiences back in time to explore rare texts at McMaster University rooted in the very real tradition of magic and philosophy in western Europe.
BY Tina Depko, University Library
October 20, 2021
SHARELeather-bound books with ancient alphabets, pentagrams outlined in red paint on a floor, and hooded figures chanting incantations by candlelight; these are among the depictions commonly conjured in popular culture around magic and the occult.
But where do these concepts come from?
This month’s must-see Archives Alive event will take audiences back in time to explore rare texts at McMaster University rooted in the very real tradition of magic and philosophy in western Europe.
An image from the first edition of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa’s De Occulta Philosophia libri III (1533). Photo by Myron Groover
The virtual talk, entitled, “The Operation of All Wonderfull Things:” Magic and the Occult at McMaster University Library, is on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
“Here at McMaster, we have some of the original source materials from which those popular depictions take their inspiration,” said presenter Myron Groover, archives and rare books librarian at McMaster University Library’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections. “Fictional depictions of occultism are inspired by the real thing — an extensive philosophical and practical literature of magic in the Western esoteric tradition.”
Among the texts that will be featured during the event is one of only six known manuscripts of the Liber Visionum — a beguiling medieval synthesis of demonology and Marianism.
An illustration (with manual annotations) from an undated edition of Le véritable magie noire, ou, Le secret des secrets. Photo by Myron Groover
Groover says that although the text looks benign to our eyes today, it was so controversial that it was officially suppressed in 1323.
“The work itself seems to be a series of complicated prayers or rituals that you undertake to attain a state of mystical and philosophical union with the Virgin Mary. Through doing so, the idea is that you would have access in your personal life to the Virgin’s infinite wisdom and compassion,” he said.
“The reason it is controversial is that it papers over an earlier medieval occult tradition that was entirely demonological in nature. It was a way of sanitizing a practice that was originally about manifesting, summoning, and communicating with demons in order to make it politically correct within the religious atmosphere of the day.”
Another book that will be highlighted is an obscure 19 th century copy of the Lesser Key of Solomon.
“This is a stereotypical-looking occult book, with many summoning pentacles and symbols,” said Groover. “What makes our copy significant is that it is quite heavily annotated. This could mean that someone who was studying and quite possibly practising the occult arts has read this as a practical textbook and has gone through it in pencil and made certain cross-references, correlations, and in some cases, corrections to the text, which is quite fascinating.”
Perhaps one of the texts Groover is most excited to share is a recently acquired first edition of Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy dating from the 1530s.
“Agrippa is inspired by the period in which he’s alive, but he uses this inspiration to pull together the whole esoteric tradition which he believes is derived from classical antiquity,” said Groover. “It’s a very influential synthesis and something from which practitioners today still read and quote.”
In addition to delving into the rare texts, Groover will connect the dots to references in modern popular culture, making the event appealing to a wide audience.
“Anyone who has ever enjoyed TV shows like Supernatural or thought Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer was cool should definitely tune in to this event,” he said.
All are welcome to attend. Admission is free.
Archives Alive showcases the unique holdings of McMaster University Library’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections. A wealth of resources exist which will delight and inform, from rare books created before 1800 to contemporary writers’ archives. Recognizing that archives can feel intimidating, these talks allow staff and researchers to share their knowledge with the community and introduce collection items housed within the library. Archives Alive is presented by McMaster University Library and McMaster Alumni.
Republish this Article for FreeThey may also delve into cosmology, astrology, alchemy, and other occult sciences. It is important to note that the term "legitimate" in relation to occult manuscripts does not necessarily mean that the content is scientifically accurate or universally accepted. Occult practices and beliefs are often highly subjective and vary between different traditions and schools of thought. What may be considered valid and authentic in one occult tradition may be seen as heretical or unorthodox in another. Scholars and practitioners of the occult rely on their expertise, experience, and intuition to determine the legitimacy of a manuscript. They may consider factors such as historical evidence, the author's credentials, internal coherence of the text, and consistency with known occult practices and principles. In conclusion, a legitimate occult manuscript is a text that is generally accepted as being genuine and authentic by experts and practitioners of the occult. These manuscripts provide valuable insights and instructions into the esoteric and mysterious world of the occult, although their validity and interpretations may differ between different occult traditions and individuals..
Reviews for "The Picatrix: A Journey into the Legitimate Occult Manuscript of Astrological Magic"
1. Emily - 2/5: I was really excited to get my hands on this so-called "Legitimate occult manuscript" and dive into the world of magic and mysticism. However, I was left sorely disappointed. The content seemed disjointed and confusing, lacking clear explanations or practical applications for the rituals and spells it described. It felt more like a jumble of random ideas and concepts rather than a well-structured and informative manuscript. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied after reading it.
2. John - 3/5: As someone who has studied occult practices for years, I had high hopes for this manuscript. While it did provide some interesting insights and historical references, the author failed to offer any unique or groundbreaking information. The content felt derivative and lacked originality, repeating ideas and concepts that can be found in various other occult books. Furthermore, the writing style was dry and lacked the captivating storytelling that one usually expects from a manuscript of this nature. Overall, it was an average read that didn't impress or offer anything new to the world of occultism.
3. Sarah - 1/5: This "Legitimate occult manuscript" was a complete waste of my time and money. The content was vague and left me with more questions than answers. The author made grand claims about the power and effectiveness of certain rituals, but provided no evidence or personal experiences to back them up. It felt more like a poorly written and poorly researched piece of fiction rather than a legitimate guide to the occult. I would not recommend this manuscript to anyone serious about studying or practicing the occult.