Grimorium Verum
Encyclopedia
The 'Grimorium Verum' is an 18th-century grimoire
, attributed to one "Alibeck the Egyptian" of Memphis
, who purportedly wrote in 1517. Like many grimoires, it claims a tradition originating with King Solomon.
The grimoire is not a translation of an earlier work as purported, its original appearing in French or Italian in the mid 18th century, as noted already by Arthur Waite
who discussed the work in his The Book of Ceremonial Magic
(1911), stating:
One version of the Grimoire was included as "The Clavicles of King Solomon: Book 3" in one of the French manuscripts S. L. MacGregor Mathers incorporated in his version of The Key of Solomon, but it was omitted from the 'Key' with the following explanation:
Idries Shah
also published some of it in "The Secret Lore of Magic: Book of the Sorcerers" in 1957.
Grimoire
A grimoire is a textbook of magic. Such books typically include instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms and divination and also how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as angels, spirits, and demons...
, attributed to one "Alibeck the Egyptian" of Memphis
Memphis, Egypt
Memphis was the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch, the first nome of Lower Egypt. Its ruins are located near the town of Helwan, south of Cairo.According to legend related by Manetho, the city was founded by the pharaoh Menes around 3000 BC. Capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it remained an...
, who purportedly wrote in 1517. Like many grimoires, it claims a tradition originating with King Solomon.
The grimoire is not a translation of an earlier work as purported, its original appearing in French or Italian in the mid 18th century, as noted already by Arthur Waite
Arthur Edward Waite
Arthur Edward Waite was a scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters, and was the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. As his biographer, R.A...
who discussed the work in his The Book of Ceremonial Magic
The Book of Ceremonial Magic
The Book of Ceremonial Magic, by Arthur Edward Waite was originally called The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. It is an attempt to document various famous grimoires, explain the history behind them , discuss the theology contained therein The Book of Ceremonial Magic, by Arthur Edward Waite was...
(1911), stating:
- "The date specified in the title of the Grimorium Verum is undeniably fraudulent; the work belongs to the middle of the eighteenth century, and Memphis is Rome."
One version of the Grimoire was included as "The Clavicles of King Solomon: Book 3" in one of the French manuscripts S. L. MacGregor Mathers incorporated in his version of The Key of Solomon, but it was omitted from the 'Key' with the following explanation:
- "At the end there are some short extracts from the Grimorium Verum with the Seals of evil spirits, which, as they do not belong to the Key of Solomon proper, I have not given. For the evident classification of the 'Key' is in two books and no more."
Idries Shah
Idries Shah
Idries Shah , also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi , was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.Born in India, the descendant of a...
also published some of it in "The Secret Lore of Magic: Book of the Sorcerers" in 1957.
Editions
- Joseph H Peterson (2007) ISBN: 978-1434811165
- Jake Stratton-Kent (2009) Scarlet Imprint http://www.scarletimprint.com/truegrimoire.htm No ISBN issued by publisher.
External links
- Grimorium verum (partial) at Esoteric Archives