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March / April 2010 Issue

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The Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Term: key of solomon

DEFINITIONS

Key of Solomon: One of the famous classical grimoires also known as the Greater Key of Solomon. In French it was available in the fourteenth century. A.E. Waite is willing to allow as much as two centuries before this time for the book to have been created and transmitted (perhaps orally), placing its true original as far back as the twelfth century. It would seem that scholars generally agree on the idea that the Key (along with the Lemegeton) is the fountainhead of Medieval grimoiric writing; providing the format, style, and even the content of those which followed.

The Key is composed of two books. Book one concerns the art of spirit summoning—without offering any set hierarchies of intelligences or the use of a triangle. Instead, the spirits arrive at the edge of the circle, and it is up to the mage to question them about their names and functions. Book two concerns itself with all ritual preparations—purifications, the construction of magickal tools, incense, holy water, etc. It is also the book from which Gerald Gardner drew much of his material in his formation of Wicca.
source: Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, Aaron Leitch (Llewellyn Publications)


ARTICLES

Signs of the Zodiac
The signs of the zodiac are the most widely known part of the astrological system. As mentioned earlier, almost everyone knows your Sun sign. The daily horoscopes in the newspaper are based on the position of the Sun in the zodiac. The zodiac is ...
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The History of the Golden Dawn
The story of the Golden Dawn, like that of any human organization, is replete with high points and low points—with human achievements and human failings. There is no need for us to try to whitewash or sugarcoat the faults of some of the individuals ...
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Astrological Houses
Your astrological chart is divided into twelve sections called houses. They are numbered from the left side counterclockwise around the chart. The chart represents the planets against a background of the signs of the zodiac, and these signs rise in ...
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Principles of Ceremonial
Magical ceremonial can be built up and elaborated to forms of great subtlety and complexity, but the initial principles which cause its creation are simple in the extreme. In the first place, ceremonial is a different thing from meditation, and it ...
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Transits and Progressions
Just as your birth chart shows where the planets were when you were born, at any moment another chart can be created. The planets in a chart for a particular moment are called transits. As the planets move through the zodiac, they interact with ...
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How Astrology Can (and Can't) Help You
Contrary to some ideas, astrology is neither a belief system nor a religion. It is not associated with any type of questionable therapy or cultish practice. In many respects, astrology is more like a specialized language. Learning the language takes ...
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Fet Gede - the Vodou Festival of the Ancestors
We carry the past around with us. It is in our memories, in the "ether" that surrounds us, in our family history - and, perhaps, in our cellular memory. Recent studies have shown that transplant patients inherit more than just organs when they take ...
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Celtic Magic
The Druids and filídh were known for their divination and mysticism. These took manyforms, such as the learning and verse forms for composing blessings and curses,and the memorization of old hymns, chants and incantations. The basic song wascalled a ...
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Past Life Story #1 - Lost Treasure
"Turn here? What do you mean, turn here? That’s a dead end. I don’t know why I let you talk me into this." "Please, Greg, just a little longer. I know we’re almost there." Greg turned the car into the short dirt lane and stopped as the ruts ended ...
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Alternate Theories to Reincarnation
Those who discount reincarnation offer various explanations for the problem-solving aspects of the information obtained. Some explain that if a situation in the present lifetime is particularly painful, distressing or embarrassing, the person ...
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Curiosity is a great cure-all because it generates energy and enthusiasm. Even if you don’t have much control over your present circumstances, you can nevertheless indulge your curiosity with simple tarot readings. The following is a “card search” technique that gives you something to look forward to. As you shuffle your deck,... read this article
The Astrological Elements: How Compatible Are Your Sun Signs?
The Everyday Clairvoyant: What’s Your Gift? (And Does It Help You Clean The House?)
Court Cards, Part I: The Kings of Tarot
Court Cards, Part II: The Queens of Tarot
Court Cards, Part III: The Knights of Tarot

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