My LORD’s BibleThe Key of Solomon, Book I 8
1CONCERNING PENTACLES, AND THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTING THEM As we have already made mention of the pentacles, it is necessary that thou shouldest understand that the whole science and understanding of our Key dependeth upon the operation, knowledge, and use of pentacles.
2He then who shall wish to perform any operation by the means of the medals, or pentacles, and therein to render himself expert, must observe what hath been hereinbefore ordained. Let him then, O my son Roboam, know and understand that in the aforesaid pentacles he shall find those ineffable and most holy names which were written by the finger of God in the tablets of Moses; and which I, Solomon, have received through the ministry of an angel by divine revelation. These then have I collected together, arranged, consecrated, and kept, for the benefit of the human race, and the preservation of body and of soul.
4It is necessary to have a chamber or cabinet specially set apart and newly cleaned, wherein thou canst remain without interruption, the which having entered with thy companions, thou shalt incense and perfume it with the odours and perfumes of the art. The sky should be clear and serene. It is necessary that thou shouldest have one or more pieces of virgin paper prepared and arranged ready, as we shall tell you more fully later on, in its place. Thou shalt commence the writing or construction of the pentacles in the hour aforesaid. Among other things, thou shalt chiefly use these colours: Gold, cinnabar or vermilion red, and celestial or brilliant azure blue. Furthermore, thou shalt make these medals or pentacles with exorcised pen and colours, as we shall hereafter show thee. Whensoever thou constructest them, if thou canst complete them in the hour wherein thou didst begin them, it is better. However, if it be absolutely necessary to interrupt the work, thou shouldest await the proper day and hour before re-commencing it.
5The pentacles being finished and completed, take a cloth of very fine silk, as we shall hereafter ordain thee, in the which thou shalt wrap the pentacles. After which thou shalt take a large vessel of earth filled with charcoal, upon the which there must be put frankincense, mastic, and aloes, all having been previously conjured and exorcised as shall hereafter be told thee. Thou must also be thyself pure, clean, and washed, as thou shalt find given in the proper place. Furthermore, thou shouldest have the craft knife or knife of the art, with the which thou shalt make a circle, and trace within it an inner circle, and in the space between the two thou shalt write the names of God, which thou shalt think fit and proper. It is necessary after this that thou shouldest have within the circle a vessel of earth with burning coals and odoriferous perfumes thereon; with the which thou shalt fumigate the aforesaid pentacles; and, having turned thy face towards the East, thou shalt hold the said pentacles over the smoke of the incense, and shalt repeat devoutly the following Psalms of David my father: (Ps8=KJV8) Domine Deus noster. [sic Domine Dominus noster] (O Lord our Lord....) (Ps18=KJV19) Caeli enarrant gloriam Dei.(The heavens declare the glory of God....) (Ps26=KJV27) Dominus illuminatio mea (The Lord is my light....) (Ps21=KJV22) Deus Deus meus respice in me. (My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?) (Ps31=KJV32) Beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates. (Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven....) (Ps50=KJV51) Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam. (Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness....) (Ps28=KJV29) Afferte [=Adferte] Domine. (Give unto the Lord....) (Ps71=KJV72) Deus iudicium tuum Regi da. (Give the King thy judgements, O God....) (Ps53=KJV54) Deus in nomine tuo salvum me fac. (Save me, O God, by thy name....) (Ps133=KJV134) Ecce nunc Benedicite Dominum. (Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye....)
6(For a convenient form of circle which may be used for preparing instruments and other things of the same kind, as well as for consecrating the pentacles, see Figure 3.)
7After this thou shalt repeat the following Oration:— THE ORATION.
8O ADONAI most powerful, EL most strong, AGLA most holy, ON most righteous, the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the Beginning and the End; thou who hast established all things in thy Wisdom; thou who has chosen Abraham thy faithful servant, and hast promised that in his seed shall all nations of the earth be blessed, which seed thou hast multiplied as the stars of Heaven; thou who hast appeared unto thy servant Moses in flame in the midst of the Burning Bush, and hast made him walk with dry feet through the Red Sea; thou who gavest the Law to him upon Mount Sinai; thou who hast granted unto Solomon thy Servant these pentacles by thy great Mercy, for the preservation of Soul and of Body; we most humbly implore and supplicate thy Holy Majesty, that these pentacles may be consecrated by thy power, and prepared in such manner that they may obtain virtue and strength against all spirits, through thee, O Most Holy ADONAI, whose Kingdom, Empire, and principality, remaineth and endureth without end.
9These words being said, thou shalt perfume the pentacles with the same sweet scents and perfumes, and afterwards having wrapped them in a piece of prepared silk cloth, thou shalt put them in a place fit and clean, which thou mayest open whenever it shall please thee, and close it again, at thy pleasure and according unto thy will. We will hereafter show thee the method and manner of preparing the aforesaid place, of perfuming it with scents and sweet odours, and of sprinkling it with the water and water-sprinkler of magical art; for all these things contain many good properties, and innumerable virtues, as experience will easily teach thee.
10We have already said sufficient regarding the solemn conjuration of spirits.
11We have also spoken enough in our present Key, regarding the manner in which it is necessary to attract the spirits so as to make them speak. Now, by divine aid, I will teach thee how to perform certain experiments with success.