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The Lesser Key of Solomon & Goetia - Documentary History of Solomonic Magic & Demonic Summoning

ESOTERICA・2 minutes read

The text explores the history and significance of Solomon's control over demons, focusing on texts like the Babylonian Talmud and The Testament of Solomon, as well as the development of practical magic texts like the Lesser Key of Solomon. It discusses how these texts influenced Western magic and were instrumental in engaging with various spirits, both good and evil, through rituals and invocations.

Insights

  • The Talmud and related texts depict a world filled with demons, with each person surrounded by thousands of demons, highlighting a belief in supernatural entities protected by divine forces.
  • The Lesser Key of Solomon, a significant text in demonology, catalogues and controls demons, with its Ars Goetia section listing 72 demonic figures with detailed descriptions and conjurations, showcasing a historical influence on engaging with entities through magic.

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Recent questions

  • What is the origin of the term "pandemonium"?

    The term "pandemonium" originated from the Talmud, describing a world full of demons.

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Summary

00:00

"Solomon's Demonic Wisdom and Power"

  • During a power outage in October, the narrator reads the Babylonian Talmud's first volume, focusing on blessings, which mentions the abundance of demons.
  • The Talmud describes a world infested with demons, with each person having thousands of demons around them, protected by the Divine.
  • The term "pandemonium" originated from the Talmud, meaning a world full of demons, as depicted by the rabbis.
  • The Lesser Key of Solomon, also known as Le Megaton, is a significant text in demonology, cataloging, describing, and controlling demons.
  • Dr. Angela Puka collaborates with the narrator to explore the history of Solomon's role in controlling demons and the composition of the Lesser Key of Solomon.
  • Solomon, known for his wisdom and temple construction, is associated with occult wisdom, botany, and magical powers.
  • Solomon's wisdom extends to cosmological, astrological, biological, and metaphysical knowledge, as described in various texts.
  • Solomon's ability to control demons is highlighted in early texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus' writings, using incantations and a ring.
  • The trope of Solomon using demons in temple construction appears in various texts, including the Babylonian Talmud and The Testament of Solomon.
  • The Talmudic legend involves Solomon capturing demons to find the Shamir, a magical worm, for temple construction, with a dark twist involving Asmodius taking over the throne.

16:17

"Solomon's Magical Testament: Binding Demons, Wisdom"

  • The Testament of Solomon is a Christian magical text from the Early Middle Ages, possibly originating in the first few centuries of the Common Era.
  • Solomon, in the text, is given a magical ring by the Angel Michael to bind demons Ornias and Beelzebub.
  • Solomon gains wisdom about demons' astrological origins and powers, allowing him to control them.
  • The text includes a catalog of demons and their powers, possibly tracing back to earlier Jewish apocalyptic texts.
  • Solomon interrogates demonic planets, reflecting an old Gnostic worldview where planets are seen as demonic archons.
  • Solomon binds various demons, making them work on the construction of the temple, including carrying water.
  • Jesus, as an angel, thwarts demons from managing the temple's cornerstone, eventually allowing it to be placed.
  • The Testament ends with Solomon turning to foreign gods due to his love for his mistress, warning against making his mistakes.
  • The Testament of Solomon is not yet a practical magical text, but it contains spells like the solomonic collapse for inducing trance.
  • The text influences the development of Western magic, spreading into Islamic and Byzantine contexts, leading to the emergence of practical solomonic magic texts by the late 15th century.

31:42

"Lesser Key of Solomon: Magic and Spirits"

  • Manuscripts often contain various texts with a common theme like magic, such as the Lesser Key of Solomon.
  • The Lesser Key of Solomon, primarily the Ars Goetia, focuses on invoking and binding good and evil spirits.
  • Composed of five texts, the Lesser Key of Solomon dates back to the mid-17th century, combining material from centuries prior.
  • The Ars Goetia catalog lists 72 demonic figures with detailed descriptions and conjurations for invoking them.
  • The demonic seals in the catalog have origins in French magical traditions and likely tie to astral symbolism.
  • The list of demons in the Ars Goetia has roots in high Middle Ages, possibly influenced by Johann Weyer's work.
  • The Ars Goetia's demonic inventory was meant to diminish belief in demons but became a key source for engaging with entities through magic.
  • The Ars Theurgia Goetia in the Lesser Key involves invoking angels, expanding the practice beyond just evil spirits.
  • The Ars Paulina focuses on good spirits with an astrological emphasis, including the conjuration of the Holy Guardian Angel.
  • The Ars Almadel describes creating a wax sigil for invoking angels, possibly influencing later magical practices like scrying.

47:09

Exploring Arcane History, Philosophy, Religion, Future Plans

  • Dr. Justin Sledge hosts Esoterica, delving into the Arcane in history, philosophy, and religion.
  • Plans to cover the Lesser Key of Solomon in the future.
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