Heptameron: or, Magical Elements

By Peter De Abano

A classic grimoire remade from several source manuscripts with quality in mind. Utilizing Robert Turner's fine enduring translation, much work was done to help facilitate the accuracy of the Latin sourcework. Access to Turners Early translation and Latin source manuscripts can be accessed via links in the frontmatter of this work. In his writings he expounds and advocates the medical and philosophical systems of Averroes, Avicenna, and other Arabian writers. His best known works are the Conciliator differentiarum quae inter philosophos et medicos versantur (Mantua, 1472; Venice, 1476), and De venenis eorumque remediis (1472), of which a French translation was published at Lyon in 1593. The former was an attempt to reconcile Arab medicine and Greek natural philosophy, by answering questions concerning anatomy and physiology. This style of though was called the Paduan School for Medical Dialectics. It was considered authoritative as late as the sixteenth century. It has been alleged that Abano also wrote a grimoire called the Heptameron, a concise book of ritual magical rites concerned with conjuring specific angels for the seven days of the week (hence the title). It should not be confused with the Heptameron of Marguerite of Navarre. He is also credited with writing De venenis eorumque remediis which expounded on Arabic theories concerning superstitions, poisons, and contagions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Ruggieri
• Release date: Apr 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9786050427806

Book preview

Heptameron: or, Magical Elements

Peter de Abano

First digital edition 2016 by Anna Ruggieri

Of the Circle, and the Composition Thereof.

The form of Circles is not alwaies one and the same; but useth to be changed, according to the order of the Spirits that are to be called, their places, times, daies and hours. For in making a Circle, it ought to be considered in what time of the year, what day, and what hour, that you make the Circle; what Spirits you would call, to what Star and Region they do belong, and what functions they have. Therefore let there be made three Circles of the latitude of nine foot, and let them be distant one from another a hands breadth; and in the middle Circle, first, write the name of the hour wherein you do the work. In the second place, Write the name of the Angel of the hour. In the third place, The Sigil of the Angel of the hour. Fourthly, The name of the Angel that ruleth that day wherein you do the work, and the names of his ministers. In the fifth place, The name of the present time. Sixthly, The name of the Spirits ruling in that part of time, and their Presidents. Seventhly, The name of the head of the Signe ruling in that part of time wherein you work. Eighthly, The name of the earth, according to that part of time wherein you work. Ninthly, and for the compleating of the middle Circle, Write the name of the Sun and of the Moon, according