The ''Munich Manual of Demonic Magic'' or ''Liber incantationum, exorcismorum et fascinationum variarum'' (CLM 849 of the

Bavarian State Library The Bavarian State Library (, abbreviated BSB, called ''Bibliotheca Regia Monacensis'' before 1919) in Munich is the central " Landesbibliothek", i. e. the state library of the Free State of Bavaria, the biggest universal and research libra ...

Munich Munich is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, Germany. As of 30 November 2024, its population was 1,604,384, making it the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. Munich is the largest city in Germany that is no ...

) is a fifteenth-century goetic

grimoire A grimoire () (also known as a book of spells, magic book, or a spellbook) is a textbook of magic, typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like talismans and amulets, how to perform magical spells, charms, and divin ...

manuscript. The text, composed in Latin, is largely concerned with

demonology Demonology is the study of demons within religious belief and myth. Depending on context, it can refer to studies within theology, religious doctrine, or occultism. In many faiths, it concerns the study of a hierarchy of demons. Demons may be n ...

and

necromancy Necromancy () is the practice of Magic (paranormal), magic involving communication with the Death, dead by Evocation, summoning their spirits as Ghost, apparitions or Vision (spirituality), visions for the purpose of divination; imparting the ...

. Richard Kieckhefer edited the text of the manuscript in 1998 under the title ''Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer's Manual of the Fifteenth Century''. Portions of the text, in English translation, are presented in ''Forbidden Rites'' as well, embedded within the author's essays and explanations on the ''Munich Manual'' in specific and grimoires in general. The Russian translation of this Latin grimoire was published in 2019. The first comprehensive English translation was published in 2023.

Content

There is only one known surviving manuscript of the ''Munich Manual'', which is almost complete, except for the first two folios that describe the beginning of the first ritual. The rest of the grimoire contains complete instructions for the invocation of demons such as

Satan Satan, also known as the Devil, is a devilish entity in Abrahamic religions who seduces humans into sin (or falsehood). In Judaism, Satan is seen as an agent subservient to God, typically regarded as a metaphor for the '' yetzer hara'', or ' ...

Lilith Lilith (; ), also spelled Lilit, Lilitu, or Lilis, is a feminine figure in Mesopotamian and Jewish mythology, theorized to be the first wife of Adam and a primordial she-demon. Lilith is cited as having been "banished" from the Garden of Eden ...

Astaroth Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Astetoth), in demonology, is considered to be the Great Duke of Hell. He is described as a male figure, most likely named after the unrelated Near Eastern goddess Astarte. Background The name ''Ast ...

, Valac and

Samael Samael (; , ''Sammāʾēl'', "Venom of God"; , ''Samsama'il'' or , ''Samail''; alternatively Smal, Smil, Samil, or Samiel) is an archangel in Talmudic and post-Talmudic tradition; a figure who is the accuser or adversary (Satan#Judaism, Satan ...

, as well as the supposed attainment of favors and supernatural powers from them. Some of the spells allow for obtaining the love of a woman, achieving invisibility, acquiring wealth and treasures, or gaining knowledge. The text is accompanied by over 40 illustrations of magic circles and symbols to be used in the rituals. Pages 130 to 133 include a list of 11 demons, similar in part to the one from Ars Goetia.
# Count / Duke Barbarus # Duke Cason # President / Count Otius # King Curson # Duke Alugor # Prince Taob # President Volach # Duke Gaeneron # Marquis Tuveries # President Hanni # Marquis Sucax The manuscript seems to be a compilation from multiple earlier sources. Most of the text is in Latin, with the exception of two appended materials in German and Italian. One of the most famous sections of the Munich Manual is the Bond of Solomon, a ritual that supposedly allows the magician to bind demons for the purpose of either guarding him, providing treasures, or answering questions on any matter.

References

Bibliography

External links

Black and white facsimile
at the

15th-century books in Latin Bavarian State Library Demonology European witchcraft Goetic grimoires Books about magic {{occult-book-stub