My LORD’s BibleThe Key of Solomon, Book II 17
2Virgin paper, or card, is that which is new, pure, clean, and exorcised, never having served for any other purpose. Virgin parchment is necessary in many magical operations, and should be properly prepared and consecrated. There are two kinds, one called virgin, the other unborn. Virgin parchment is that which is taken from an animal which hath not attained the age of generation, whether it be ram, or kid, or other animal. Unborn parchment is taken from an animal which hath been taken before its time from the uterus of its mother.
3Take whichsoever of these two classes of animals thou pleasest, provided only that it be male, and in the day and hour of Mercury; and take it to a secret place where no man may see thee at work. Thou shalt have a marsh-reed cut at a single stroke with a new knife, and thou shalt strip from it the leaves, repeating this conjuration:—
4THE CONJURATION OF THE REED. I conjure thee by the Creator of all things, and by the king of angels, whose name is EL SHADDAI, that thou receivest strength and virtue to flay this animal and to construct the parchment whereon I may write the holy names of God, and that it may acquire so great virtue that all which I shall write or do may obtain its effect, through him who liveth unto the eternal ages. Amen.
5Before cutting the reed recite Psalm: [Ps71=KJV72] Deus iudicium tuum Regi da (Give the king thy judgments....) After this, with the knife of the art, thou shalt fashion the reed into the shape of a knife, and upon it thou shalt write these names: AGLA, ADONAI, ELOHI ( see figure 87), through whom be the work of this knife accomplished. Then thou shalt say:—
6O God, who drewest Moses, thy well beloved and thine elect, from among the reeds on the marshy banks of the Nile, and from the waters, he being yet but a child, grant unto me through thy great mercy and compassion that this reed may receive power and virtue to effect that which I desire through thy holy name and the names of thy holy angels. Amen. This being done, thou shalt commence with this knife to flay the animal, whether it be virgin or unborn, saying:—
7LAZAY, ADONAY, DALMAY, SHADDAI, TETRAGRAMMATON, ANERETON, ANEFENETON, CURETON and ye holy angels of God; be present, and grant power and virtue unto this parchment, and may it be consecrated by you, so that all things which I shall write thereon shall obtain their effect. Amen. The animal being flayed, take salt, and say thus over it:— God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, who hast created all things from negative existence, deign to bless and sanctify this salt, so that in placing it upon this parchment which I wish to make, it may have such virtue that whatsoever I may write on it hereafter may attain its desired end. Amen.
8Afterwards rub the said parchment with the exorcised salt, and leave it in the Sun, to imbibe this salt for the space of an entire day. Then take a large earthen vessel glazed within and without, round the outside of which thou shalt write the characters in Figure 88.
9After this thou shalt put powdered lime into the vessel, saying:— ONAY, ZARON, LAINON, ZEVARON, THIPHION, ELION, be ye present and bless this lime so that it may attain the desired effect, through the king of the heavens, and the God of the angels. Amen.
10Take then exorcised water and pour it upon the said lime, and place the skin therein for three days, after which thou shalt take it thence, and scrape therefrom the lime and flesh adhering, with the knife of reed.
12O God Adonai, holy and powerful father, put virtue into these stones, that they may serve to stretch this parchment, and to chase therefrom all fraud, and may it obtain virtue by thine almighty power.
13After this, having stretched the said parchment upon the circle and bound it with the cord and stones, thou shalt say:— AGLA, YOD, HE, VAU, HE, IAH, EMANUEL, bless and preserve this parchment, so that no phantasm may enter therein.
14Let it dry thus for three days in a dark and shady place, then cut the cord with the knife of art, and detach the parchment from the circle, saying:—
15ANCOR, AMACOR, AMIDES, THEODONIAS, PHAGOR, ANITOR, be present for a guard unto this parchment. Then perfume it, and keep it in silk ready for use. No woman, if her flowers be upon her, should be permitted to see this parchment; otherwise it will lose its virtue. He who maketh it should be pure, clean, and prepared. But if the preparation of the aforesaid parchment seemeth too tedious, thou mayest make it in the following manner, but it is not so good. Take any parchment, and exorcise it; prepare a censer with perfumes; write upon the parchment [*censer] the characters in Figure 89, hold it over the incense, and say:—
16Be ye present to aid me, and may my operation be accomplished through you; LAZAY, SALMAY, DALMAY, ADONAI, ANERETON, CEDRION, CRIPON, PRION, ANAIRETON, ELION, OCTINOMON, ZEVANION, ALAZAION, ZIDEON, AGLA, ON, YOD HE VAU HE, ARTOR, DINOTOR, holy angels of God; be present and infuse virtue into this parchment, so that it may obtain such power through you that all names or characters thereon written may receive due power, and that all deceit and hindrance may depart therefrom, through God the Lord merciful and gracious, who liveth and reigneth through all the ages. Amen.
17Then shalt thou recite over the parchment these Psalms: [Ps71=KJV72] Deus iudicium tuum Regi da (Give the king thy judgments, O God) [Ps116=KJV117] Laudate Dominum omnes gentes (O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him) [Ps133=KJV134] Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum (Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye) [Dan3.57] Benedicite Omnia Opera (O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye)
19The cauls of newly-born children, duly consecrated, may also he used instead of virgin parchment. Also paper, satin, silk, and the like substances, may be employed in operations of less importance if duly exorcised and consecrated.