Additional information
by Francis Barrett (Author)
2018 Reprint of 1801 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. The book was originally published with three books in a single volume, as was common with many texts of this period. All three parts are included in this facsimile. It facilitated the modern revival of magic by making information from otherwise rare books more readily available. It may have influenced novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton and occultist Eliphas Levi. When first published in 1801, The Magus presented a complete study in the practice of ritual magic. It was compiled by Barrett from many different occult sources, such as Agrippa's work, the Heptameron, and various manuscripts of The Key of Solomon, in response to renewed public interest in magic and the ancient, classic texts. As such, it was the first readily accessible English translation, or republication, of rare occult works, and was fundamental for many exploring the Western magic tradition at the dawn of the Victorian Occult Revival. Contents include:
Book I covers: Natural Magic -- the occult properties of animals, minerals, and vegetables; including the preparation of charms, potions, "monsters", and sorcery; alchemy -- the Philosopher's Stone and how to make it; transmuting base metals into gold, the origin and history of alchemy including famous alchemists; the nature of the elements, the spirit world, planets, numerology, astrology, and talismanic magic.
Book II covers: the occult powers and uses of magnetism, including an essay on the Weapon Salve; and a comprehensive study of the cabala and ceremonial magic; includes divine names associated with cabala; use of the cabala to contact, summon, and bind spirits; names and descriptions of good and evil spirits along with the numbers, characters, and seals associated with them; construction of magic circles; and ceremonies of consecration, invocation, and conjuration.
Book III is a compilation of biographies of famous magi, cabalists, and philosophers, such as Zoroaster, Albertus Magnus, Doctor Dee, Raymond Lully, and others.
