The Book of the Spirits, Part I

Many moons have passed since I last left my words here in this blog, now finally I decided to pen down my latest post. Earlier, I had promised to translate le Livre des Esperitz, a 14th century French grimoire into English, and I did translate part of the book.

This Book of the Spirits, written by an unknown author, was published much later than the pseudepigraphical Testament of Solomon, but earlier than the Key of Solomon, and even earlier than Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, making it one of the earliest Solomonic grimoires. Unlike the Key of Solomon, this book does not contain any evocation ritual, but it is apparent that the author, whoever he was, was a practising magician.

So now, here it is the first part of the book, I will post the rest soon.

The Book of the Spirits

Here begins the Book of the Spirits, which was revealed to Solomon the sage, who compelled them on the earth and made them obey the will of man; for before this science was found, shown and revealed to Solomon, the spirits had caused much evil deeds and plagues on the earth and destroyed much good of the world, and they persecuted the children of man. For this the merciful God gave Solomon the benefits of this sacred science to compel the spirits and made them obey man, so that their wickedness will rule no more on the Christian land.

In the beginning of the Book, there are names of the spirits who are the rulers and masters of all other spirits, of the region and office of Lucifer; of the office of Bezlebut ; of Satan ; of the four spirits who are the rulers of the four regions and four parts of the world, know that the spirit which name is Orient, of Poymon, of Equi; of Veal, the great king; of Agarat, duke; of Barbas, prince; of Bulfas, prince; of Amon, marquis ; of Batal, count; of Gemen, king; of Gazon, duke; of Artis, prince; of Machin, duke; of Dicision, king; of Abugor, duke; of Vipos, count; of Cerbere, marquis; of Carmola, prince; of Estor, duke; of Coap, prince; of Deas, duke; of Asmoday, king; of Bitur, marquis of Beal, duke; of Forcas, prince; of Furfur, count; of Margotias, marquis; of Oze, prince; of Lucay, marquis; of Pucel, duke; of Jayn, count; of Suralet, duke; of Zagon, king; of Dragon, prince; of Parcas, prince; of Gorsin, duke; of Andralfas, marquis; of Flanos, duke; of Brial, king; of Fenix, marquis; of Distolas.

[1] Lucifer was very handsome and exalted, like other good angels, but he did not dwell in the heavens for more than an hour, for he looked and contemplated at his own great beauty, and became proud. All others that had evil thought with him were thrown into Hell in confusion. As for Lucifer, according to the doctors of necromancy, he presides in the Hell and all the spirits of Hell obey him as the lord of Hell.

[2] Gay, great and evil spirit, who is also known as Bezlebuth, and who was called Anthaon before the time of Solomon, is the greatest spirit in the Hell after Lucifer. Know that he rules the eastern quarters, and who ever wish to call him should face the east, and he will appear to him in beautiful form. He teaches all the sciences and gives gold and silver to he who compels him to come, and gives true answers to the questions asked, and reveals the secrets of Hell if asked, and teaches the truth of the concealed things on earth and in the sea, and reveals all the treasures hidden on earth, and safeguard from other spirits, he needs to be called in the right time.

[3] The third spirit is called Satan, who was created after Lucifer, and he converses in the air near us. Sathan appears in a graceful form and lives in the northern region. He who wishes to call him should face the north. There he will appear and he is capable to change into the forms of men and women if one commanded him to do so, and he does all evils if commanded.

Of the four principle spirits according to their offices and parts, the first one being:

Following from the first:

The first is called Orient and lives in the east. He holds the name of this part of the world.

The second :
The second is called Poymon and lives in the west.

The third :
The third is called Amoymon and lives in the south.

The fourth :
The fourth is called Equi and lives in the north.

(to be continued...)