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The Greater Key of Solomon: The Grimoire of Solomon
One of the most renowned of all grimoires, the Greater Key of Solomon is a translated compilation of Solomonic magic taken from seven different manuscripts ranging from the 15th to 17th centuries. Compiled by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers at the end of the 1800s, its content is partially diabolical, partially god-fearing, and completely magickal.
Through the rites listed within the text, which is broken into two books, the master, or operator, is said to be capable of calling forth a number of demonic spirits and securing various powers and abilities- partly through conjuring, partly through the use of pentacles and talismans. Additional "experiments" in invisibility, restoring lost property, and more, are also listed. It contains an interesting passage regarding crafting a magic carpet, and several spiritual texts related to Kabbalah.
The mage is warned repeatedly by Mathers and by Solomon (within the context of the work itself) to remain chaste and pure, for otherwise is to invoke the wrath of the entire cosmos.
Fully Illustrated.
Through the rites listed within the text, which is broken into two books, the master, or operator, is said to be capable of calling forth a number of demonic spirits and securing various powers and abilities- partly through conjuring, partly through the use of pentacles and talismans. Additional "experiments" in invisibility, restoring lost property, and more, are also listed. It contains an interesting passage regarding crafting a magic carpet, and several spiritual texts related to Kabbalah.
The mage is warned repeatedly by Mathers and by Solomon (within the context of the work itself) to remain chaste and pure, for otherwise is to invoke the wrath of the entire cosmos.
Fully Illustrated.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1400
415 people are currently reading
2981 people want to read
About the author
S.L. MacGregor Mathers
253 books126 followersSamuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, born Samuel Liddell Mathers and having allegedly added MacGregor as a claim to a Highland heritage for which there is little other evidence, was an English occultist best remembered as a founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
His translations of medieval grimoires and other obscure occult texts, while often criticized for their accuracy or incompleteness, served to make this otherwise inaccessible material more widely available to English-speaking audiences, and remain among the most popular of his works.
His translations of medieval grimoires and other obscure occult texts, while often criticized for their accuracy or incompleteness, served to make this otherwise inaccessible material more widely available to English-speaking audiences, and remain among the most popular of his works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 11, 2025
It never fails to amaze me how people can be so obsessed with Jewish individuals, religion, and culture while simultaneously being fiery antisemites. “The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis” by S.L. MacGregor Mathers and edited by L.W. de Laurence was translated from old, so-called ‘ancient’ manuscripts found in the British Museum, though these manuscripts were actually written around the sixteenth century in Renaissance Italy, an era in Europe when the expulsion of Jewish communities and antisemitism was considered the norm.
King Solomon is acknowledged as authoring three books: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. However, this book falsely claims that “The Key to Solomon the King” is Solomon’s fourth book that was discovered by Babylonian philosophers after King Solomon ordered it to be placed in his grave after his death.
MacGregor Mathers states that,
“…This work is edited from several ancient MSS. in the British Museum, which all differ from each other in various points, some giving what is omitted by the others, but all unfortunately agreeing in one thing, which is the execrable mangling of the Hebrew words through the ignorance of the transcribers…”
It seems that instead, the manuscripts were written (and later copied) by Christians who actually didn’t read or write Hebrew fluently, much less speak it, but who had a limited amount of Hebrew knowledge. I say this primarily because of the text, which is reminiscent of Christian dogma. For example, in one part the writing mentions the Ten Commandments rather than the 613 Mitzvot. There are other examples, but what I see beyond the Hebrew word ‘Adonai’ that is peppered throughout the book is European people who are entrenched in their own Christian/Catholic religions but who are seeking a temporary exit from the overbearing religious norms of the day.
During the Renaissance, people began pushing back against Catholicism, but in Italy, this couldn’t easily be accomplished without being called a heretic and excommunicated—an effective social death sentence at the time as one would lose family, friends, business connections, and etc.
It was during the Renaissance that the literacy rate and world trade began to increase. Many Europeans, stifled by the church’s control—which permeated not only religious life but also social life—began to show an interest in magic, just like MacGregor Mathers did during the nineteenth century when he founded the Order of the Golden Dawn. So, rather than risk a complete rejection from the church, I believe that Renaissance magical practitioners chose to write syncretic manuscripts, falsely attributing them to a Jewish king—a safe bet for anyone should a nosy priest happen upon your manuscript because Jews were “people of the book.”
Do I think that the original writer sought to deceive people regarding the antiquity of the writings? Yes, definitely. In fact, I believe that they **had** to in order to avoid excommunication. But the so-called ‘ancient’ rites included in the book weren’t ancient, and the original writer knew this. I believe them to be more like a modern-day version of a Wiccan’s personal Book of Shadows: they weren’t age-old rites passed down for centuries, but rather things that personally worked for them as they explored using magic in their own lives.
Quite a few people in the earlier days of ‘organized’ magic were antisemitic and racist (e.g., Aleister Crowley, and etc.). Today, however, with church powers being drastically reduced, people are free to make personal choices about faith and practice. Although you can’t pigeonhole an entire group of people, the modern Wiccans and Pagans that I’ve met thus far I’ve found to be decidedly more open and inclusive than any other religious group I’ve met, save for Judaism.
This book is important historically because it shows how nonconformists during the Renaissance tried to balance institutionalized Catholicism and Christianity with emerging neo-pagan belief systems. It’s also important because this book quickly became a go-to guide for many in the Wiccan faith, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so it’s a source of modern history as well.
King Solomon is acknowledged as authoring three books: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Song of Songs. However, this book falsely claims that “The Key to Solomon the King” is Solomon’s fourth book that was discovered by Babylonian philosophers after King Solomon ordered it to be placed in his grave after his death.
MacGregor Mathers states that,
“…This work is edited from several ancient MSS. in the British Museum, which all differ from each other in various points, some giving what is omitted by the others, but all unfortunately agreeing in one thing, which is the execrable mangling of the Hebrew words through the ignorance of the transcribers…”
It seems that instead, the manuscripts were written (and later copied) by Christians who actually didn’t read or write Hebrew fluently, much less speak it, but who had a limited amount of Hebrew knowledge. I say this primarily because of the text, which is reminiscent of Christian dogma. For example, in one part the writing mentions the Ten Commandments rather than the 613 Mitzvot. There are other examples, but what I see beyond the Hebrew word ‘Adonai’ that is peppered throughout the book is European people who are entrenched in their own Christian/Catholic religions but who are seeking a temporary exit from the overbearing religious norms of the day.
During the Renaissance, people began pushing back against Catholicism, but in Italy, this couldn’t easily be accomplished without being called a heretic and excommunicated—an effective social death sentence at the time as one would lose family, friends, business connections, and etc.
It was during the Renaissance that the literacy rate and world trade began to increase. Many Europeans, stifled by the church’s control—which permeated not only religious life but also social life—began to show an interest in magic, just like MacGregor Mathers did during the nineteenth century when he founded the Order of the Golden Dawn. So, rather than risk a complete rejection from the church, I believe that Renaissance magical practitioners chose to write syncretic manuscripts, falsely attributing them to a Jewish king—a safe bet for anyone should a nosy priest happen upon your manuscript because Jews were “people of the book.”
Do I think that the original writer sought to deceive people regarding the antiquity of the writings? Yes, definitely. In fact, I believe that they **had** to in order to avoid excommunication. But the so-called ‘ancient’ rites included in the book weren’t ancient, and the original writer knew this. I believe them to be more like a modern-day version of a Wiccan’s personal Book of Shadows: they weren’t age-old rites passed down for centuries, but rather things that personally worked for them as they explored using magic in their own lives.
Quite a few people in the earlier days of ‘organized’ magic were antisemitic and racist (e.g., Aleister Crowley, and etc.). Today, however, with church powers being drastically reduced, people are free to make personal choices about faith and practice. Although you can’t pigeonhole an entire group of people, the modern Wiccans and Pagans that I’ve met thus far I’ve found to be decidedly more open and inclusive than any other religious group I’ve met, save for Judaism.
This book is important historically because it shows how nonconformists during the Renaissance tried to balance institutionalized Catholicism and Christianity with emerging neo-pagan belief systems. It’s also important because this book quickly became a go-to guide for many in the Wiccan faith, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so it’s a source of modern history as well.
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August 3, 2017Shrouded in mystery, The Key of Solomon is a late medieval to early renaissance grimoire where one can find powerful incantations that summon angels and spirits, astrological information, and directions on how to create magical talisman. Ever wonder why magical practitioners cast a protective circle? The magic circle, although more elaborate of a procedure in this book, is still used by many practitioners today of Wicca, Thelema, and the Golden Dawn. For someone interested in magical practices and grimoire magic, this book will be fascinating. Lore states that the Key of Solomon was written by King Solomon himself. Historically it has been found that the author is unknown. Whoever the author is, they have become a huge impact on western esoteric traditions. I read this for the historical aspects and was fascinated to find so many connections to magical practices today. This is heavy reading and definitely for the academic who is interested in learning the mysteries and history of magic. --Colleen M.
September 28, 2023
The Greatest Key of Solomon by S.L. MacGregor Matters
Is the classic and
book of magic, attributed to the accident King Solomon Secret Procedure, it's Mysteries and Magic Rites; Original Plates, Seal, Charms and Tailsman
and Occultism. It's hard to do a review on this book. And I'm running out of books to read before the end of the year, I would like to read the other books, there are five 😘
I messed up ( Sorry ) 😎
Is the classic and
book of magic, attributed to the accident King Solomon Secret Procedure, it's Mysteries and Magic Rites; Original Plates, Seal, Charms and Tailsman
and Occultism. It's hard to do a review on this book. And I'm running out of books to read before the end of the year, I would like to read the other books, there are five 😘
I messed up ( Sorry ) 😎
July 22, 2012
read when I was a Child... this is one of the Five (5) "Books of King Solomon" that are so Famous in the Occult Community because book number two (2) "The Lesser Key of Solomon" is about k-r@d "DEMONS," whereas This Book of Solomon, number One (1) I believe is Focused Soley on Angels...
Must re-read for any Serious, Academic, Anthropology-Oriented Scientist.
Must re-read for any Serious, Academic, Anthropology-Oriented Scientist.
September 15, 2012
Alright, lets cut to the chase: this is an archaic prayer book, nothing more. If you expect detailed tutorials on how to call out for some demon friends, this is not the book for you. I wanted to read it 'cause I've seen it referenced in other books and media, so I decided I should give it a try and see what was what.
Throughout the whole time I spent reading this I kept wondering if people really attempted to perform these crazy rituals and, damn, I'm pretty sure it must have happened, which is sad 'cause these are the most tiresome, complex, boring rituals I've read about, and thinking someone made such a big effort to get it right and then get bupkis in return...
First half of the book was enough interesting, talking about the Planets, Days and Hours, but the second part was too tiresome, going on and on about how to properly prepare certain materials (paper, cloth, ink,etc.) for rituals I got what I wanted from this book, I guess. I ain't recommending it to anyone I know, though.
Throughout the whole time I spent reading this I kept wondering if people really attempted to perform these crazy rituals and, damn, I'm pretty sure it must have happened, which is sad 'cause these are the most tiresome, complex, boring rituals I've read about, and thinking someone made such a big effort to get it right and then get bupkis in return...
First half of the book was enough interesting, talking about the Planets, Days and Hours, but the second part was too tiresome, going on and on about how to properly prepare certain materials (paper, cloth, ink,etc.) for rituals I got what I wanted from this book, I guess. I ain't recommending it to anyone I know, though.
August 21, 2012
This book has some beautiful magickal seals and circles, especially the grand pentacle of Solomon, which was referenced in the Arabian Nights as the seal that he put on the djinn's vase.
December 22, 2012
If you are familiar with halacha in early Judaism this book can be hilarious. Otherwise it's just boring nonsense.
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September 10, 2021This seems more like something you're just supposed to read a section of when doing the work related to that section so I don't know why I sat here and read the entire thing but I sure did.
August 19, 2024
Styled as a letter from Solomon to his son, this text is basically the Anarchist's Cookbook of the renaissance, filled with recipes for how to summon creatures from the netherworld and conduct other rituals banned in most countries at the time. Each text contains as its respective primary purpose a set of instructions that don't make for lively reading but nevertheless strike at the contextual norms in which it was written. Both further feature, as expected, interesting bits on the margins that affirm the substance of the challenged contextual norms.
The text purports to pass along the mysteries delivered to King Solomon, “when I was beginning to close mine eyes, the Angel of the Lord, even Homadiel, appeared to me” (2). We should note that Homadiel’s entry in Davidson’s Dictionary of Angels cites only this text for authority regarding the angel. Solomon is to be delivered these secrets because he had prayed “neither for long life, nor for much riches, nor for the souls of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself wisdom to perform justice” (id.). Definitely not a dream as he was dozing off, definitely an angel.
The first person narrative told by Solomon shifts inexplicably and narrates his death; the person who finds the manuscript thereafter can’t understand it, as “the secrets of Solomon appear hidden and obscure” (3), until an angelic interpreter carries out the regular hermeneutic function such that “he saw that the Key of Solomon was changed, so that it appeared quite clear unto him plainly in all parts” (4). One object of the text is to “render the Angels familiar” (5), with the corollary that one may “abuse not this privilege by demanding from them things which are contrary to their nature” (6). So far, so good and pious. What about other creatures, though with different, non-angelic natures? Maybe that "contrary to nature" clause has a Mephistophilis-sized loophole in it.
There follows the Key proper, which opens with charts of planetary hours. These are used to determine when specific praxis might proceed. For example, “In the Days and Hours of Saturn, thou canst perform experiments to summon the Souls from Hades, but only of those who have died a natural death” (10). It seems like this should be more of a thing in daily life.
It’s striking that it’s all presented as very devout, at least upfront. Everyone must for instance “abstain with great and thorough continence during the space of nine days from sensual pleasures” prior to running an ‘experiment’ (14). Most sections contain multiple prayers, seemingly biblical. That’s all window-dressing, though—there’s no general rule to abstain from pleasure with thorough continence—just for the days leading up to summoning the dead. The main goal of communicating with spirits is open-ended: “that ye may come immediately to execute our desire, whatever it may be” (24). So, sorcery is just a cipher for the inchoate capitalist will to dominate.
The sacrilege, I suppose, here, aside from the sorcery itself, is the implication that Solomon was a magus as well as Moses and other biblical protagonists: “Come ye at once without any hideousness or deformity before us, come ye without monstrous appearance […] by the Name Tzabaoth, which Moses named and invoked, and all the ponds and rivers were covered with blood throughout the land of Egypt” (27)--many biblical supernaturalisms are presented as sorcerous invocations directed by a person, rather than miracles from the heavens. Wrestling with spirits however gets rough at times: “if ye contravene and resist there follows many different prayers to compel spirits, who are us by your disobedience unto the virtue and power of thus Name Yiai, we curse ye even unto the Depth of the Great Abyss, into the rich we shall cast. Hurl, and bind ye” (28-29). Many prayers follow to compel spirits, who are vulnerable to “constancy” (32). Ultimately, one might “reduce ye unto nothing in Hell”(35). One wonders if the rhetoric of slave ownership developed out of this sort of talk, or if the causation flowed the other direction.
There’s rules for giving spirits the “license to depart” as well as for making a “Book of virgin paper, and therein write the foregoing conjuration, and constrain the Demons to swear upon the same book that they will come whenever they be called” (38). Faust is starting to look kinda amateurish, if all this can be done without signing one’s soul away.
A lengthy section on making pentacles follows—“the whole Science and understanding of our Key dependeth upon the operation, Knowledge, and use of Pentacles” (39). There’s lotsa drawings of these, regarding inscriptions. Pentacles are made “for the purpose of striking terror into the Spirits and reducing them to obedience” (56). It presents spells for finding stolen property, invisibility, provoking love, enchanting items for fast travel, and so on. Often these involve using specially prepared tools to kill an animal and whatnot. These particular invocations seem to be common sorcery ideas, insofar as they show up as specifically prohibited by the Witchcraft Acts in England.
The theme should be apparent: sorcery is about labor-saving technique or reducing others to forced servitude. However, “this Science is not a Science of argument and open reasoning, but that, on the contrary, it is entirely mysterious and occult” (57). Therefore: “Accursed be he who understandeth our Art without having the qualities requisite to throughly understand our Key” (id.). I'm thinking that the techniques of power want to operate in secrecy.
The second book of the text concerns how to make the protective circle, how to consecrate companions (mostly exploitable disciples but also “a faithful and attached dog” (77) is recommended to the discerning sorcerer), and the making of various tools, incenses, papers, and so on. It is further recommended that experiments be conducted in “desolate and uninhabited” venues (84), to “hide them from the sight of the foolish, the ignorant, and the profane.” Or maybe to avoid getting burned by the writ de haeretico comburendo. Either way. One gets a bit deep into the text before the warning that “the use of blood is more or less connected with Black Magic” (99), whereas a number of the items foregoing involve killing animals in their manufacture. Thereafter, it becomes clear that “in many operations it is necessary to make some sort of sacrifice unto the Demons”(108), inclusive of animal killings. Talk about burying the lede (as well as the Mephistophilis-sized loophole).
The whole thing ends with a cosmological fragment that details various demonic personalities: “The Devil is ever a God of refusal. Discredited idolatries are religions in their time” (113).
Recommended for readers of Goethe, Dante, and Milton.
The text purports to pass along the mysteries delivered to King Solomon, “when I was beginning to close mine eyes, the Angel of the Lord, even Homadiel, appeared to me” (2). We should note that Homadiel’s entry in Davidson’s Dictionary of Angels cites only this text for authority regarding the angel. Solomon is to be delivered these secrets because he had prayed “neither for long life, nor for much riches, nor for the souls of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself wisdom to perform justice” (id.). Definitely not a dream as he was dozing off, definitely an angel.
The first person narrative told by Solomon shifts inexplicably and narrates his death; the person who finds the manuscript thereafter can’t understand it, as “the secrets of Solomon appear hidden and obscure” (3), until an angelic interpreter carries out the regular hermeneutic function such that “he saw that the Key of Solomon was changed, so that it appeared quite clear unto him plainly in all parts” (4). One object of the text is to “render the Angels familiar” (5), with the corollary that one may “abuse not this privilege by demanding from them things which are contrary to their nature” (6). So far, so good and pious. What about other creatures, though with different, non-angelic natures? Maybe that "contrary to nature" clause has a Mephistophilis-sized loophole in it.
There follows the Key proper, which opens with charts of planetary hours. These are used to determine when specific praxis might proceed. For example, “In the Days and Hours of Saturn, thou canst perform experiments to summon the Souls from Hades, but only of those who have died a natural death” (10). It seems like this should be more of a thing in daily life.
It’s striking that it’s all presented as very devout, at least upfront. Everyone must for instance “abstain with great and thorough continence during the space of nine days from sensual pleasures” prior to running an ‘experiment’ (14). Most sections contain multiple prayers, seemingly biblical. That’s all window-dressing, though—there’s no general rule to abstain from pleasure with thorough continence—just for the days leading up to summoning the dead. The main goal of communicating with spirits is open-ended: “that ye may come immediately to execute our desire, whatever it may be” (24). So, sorcery is just a cipher for the inchoate capitalist will to dominate.
The sacrilege, I suppose, here, aside from the sorcery itself, is the implication that Solomon was a magus as well as Moses and other biblical protagonists: “Come ye at once without any hideousness or deformity before us, come ye without monstrous appearance […] by the Name Tzabaoth, which Moses named and invoked, and all the ponds and rivers were covered with blood throughout the land of Egypt” (27)--many biblical supernaturalisms are presented as sorcerous invocations directed by a person, rather than miracles from the heavens. Wrestling with spirits however gets rough at times: “if ye contravene and resist there follows many different prayers to compel spirits, who are us by your disobedience unto the virtue and power of thus Name Yiai, we curse ye even unto the Depth of the Great Abyss, into the rich we shall cast. Hurl, and bind ye” (28-29). Many prayers follow to compel spirits, who are vulnerable to “constancy” (32). Ultimately, one might “reduce ye unto nothing in Hell”(35). One wonders if the rhetoric of slave ownership developed out of this sort of talk, or if the causation flowed the other direction.
There’s rules for giving spirits the “license to depart” as well as for making a “Book of virgin paper, and therein write the foregoing conjuration, and constrain the Demons to swear upon the same book that they will come whenever they be called” (38). Faust is starting to look kinda amateurish, if all this can be done without signing one’s soul away.
A lengthy section on making pentacles follows—“the whole Science and understanding of our Key dependeth upon the operation, Knowledge, and use of Pentacles” (39). There’s lotsa drawings of these, regarding inscriptions. Pentacles are made “for the purpose of striking terror into the Spirits and reducing them to obedience” (56). It presents spells for finding stolen property, invisibility, provoking love, enchanting items for fast travel, and so on. Often these involve using specially prepared tools to kill an animal and whatnot. These particular invocations seem to be common sorcery ideas, insofar as they show up as specifically prohibited by the Witchcraft Acts in England.
The theme should be apparent: sorcery is about labor-saving technique or reducing others to forced servitude. However, “this Science is not a Science of argument and open reasoning, but that, on the contrary, it is entirely mysterious and occult” (57). Therefore: “Accursed be he who understandeth our Art without having the qualities requisite to throughly understand our Key” (id.). I'm thinking that the techniques of power want to operate in secrecy.
The second book of the text concerns how to make the protective circle, how to consecrate companions (mostly exploitable disciples but also “a faithful and attached dog” (77) is recommended to the discerning sorcerer), and the making of various tools, incenses, papers, and so on. It is further recommended that experiments be conducted in “desolate and uninhabited” venues (84), to “hide them from the sight of the foolish, the ignorant, and the profane.” Or maybe to avoid getting burned by the writ de haeretico comburendo. Either way. One gets a bit deep into the text before the warning that “the use of blood is more or less connected with Black Magic” (99), whereas a number of the items foregoing involve killing animals in their manufacture. Thereafter, it becomes clear that “in many operations it is necessary to make some sort of sacrifice unto the Demons”(108), inclusive of animal killings. Talk about burying the lede (as well as the Mephistophilis-sized loophole).
The whole thing ends with a cosmological fragment that details various demonic personalities: “The Devil is ever a God of refusal. Discredited idolatries are religions in their time” (113).
Recommended for readers of Goethe, Dante, and Milton.
February 10, 2019
The Key is a valuable historical and anthropological work of the ancient ceremonial magic tradition. The translation by Mathers is quite satisfactory for reading purposes, yet there are segments which imply that it's not completely or correctly translated, so forget about getting the spells going. Besides, the minutely (obsessive), precise, tedious and long nature of the process required for the experiments, will pretty much render you unable to ever get them "right". This is frankly explained in the foreword by R. A. Gilbert. Since I wasn't interested in putting into practice the rituals, it wasn't a distraction.
Another reviewer was correct in declaring that the Key, on the surface, is a book of "archaic" prayers from the Hebrew and Biblical tradition, accompanied with difficult rituals; it was supposedly written by Solomon, after all. But in honor to the truth, there's wisdom in it, but it's up to the sort of reader to grasp it. I actually think that the wisdom contained in the Key is quite simple in what it's trying to teach to you, so it depends on what point of maturity you're in your life.
Another reviewer was correct in declaring that the Key, on the surface, is a book of "archaic" prayers from the Hebrew and Biblical tradition, accompanied with difficult rituals; it was supposedly written by Solomon, after all. But in honor to the truth, there's wisdom in it, but it's up to the sort of reader to grasp it. I actually think that the wisdom contained in the Key is quite simple in what it's trying to teach to you, so it depends on what point of maturity you're in your life.
June 15, 2017
Although lacking the depth of analysis and corrections offered by the like of Joseph Peterson, in his edition of the Lemegeton, there is a certain charm to the translation of Mathers. There are sufficient footnotes to detail the MSS sources for each section, providing sufficient insight into the selections made by Mathers when editing the work, as well as justifying his inclusion of aspects which are absent from some of the MSS.
The work itself, the Key of Solomon, is useful in framing any study of the goetic arts or the other grimoires. For the keen observer, there is also some guidance here which undermines some of the errors made by other magical systems and popular conceptions of spirits.
The work itself, the Key of Solomon, is useful in framing any study of the goetic arts or the other grimoires. For the keen observer, there is also some guidance here which undermines some of the errors made by other magical systems and popular conceptions of spirits.
November 29, 2007
This is a premer for the study of King Soloman's teachings in the occult world. Not easy to ready but packed with valuable information.
July 31, 2009
I have had one of the medallions for years, now I know why I found it so fascinating.
February 7, 2021
Interesting, Solomon never wrote anything down.
August 26, 2021
Definitely not just a book for anyone to play around with.
February 10, 2023
The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis" by S.L. MacGregor Mathers is a seminal work of Western esoteric tradition that explores the world of ceremonial magic and the spirits that reside within it. This book is a comprehensive guide to the magical practices and rituals of the Solomonic tradition and is considered to be one of the most important works of its kind.
One of the standout features of "The Key of Solomon the King" is its historical significance. Mathers was a prominent figure in the late 19th-century Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and his work on this book represents an important contribution to the development of modern Western esoteric traditions.
The content of "The Key of Solomon the King" is equally impressive. The book is a detailed guide to the various rituals and practices of Solomonic magic, including the construction and consecration of magical tools, the evocation of spirits, and the creation of talismans. The book also includes a wealth of information about the spiritual beings described in the Solomonic tradition, including demons, angels, and other supernatural entities.
In conclusion, "The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis" is an essential work for anyone interested in the history and practice of Western ceremonial magic. The historical significance of the book, as well as its comprehensive and detailed content, make it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike. Whether you are a student of the Western esoteric tradition or simply interested in the world of ceremonial magic, "The Key of Solomon the King" is a book that is sure to provide a wealth of information and inspiration.
One of the standout features of "The Key of Solomon the King" is its historical significance. Mathers was a prominent figure in the late 19th-century Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and his work on this book represents an important contribution to the development of modern Western esoteric traditions.
The content of "The Key of Solomon the King" is equally impressive. The book is a detailed guide to the various rituals and practices of Solomonic magic, including the construction and consecration of magical tools, the evocation of spirits, and the creation of talismans. The book also includes a wealth of information about the spiritual beings described in the Solomonic tradition, including demons, angels, and other supernatural entities.
In conclusion, "The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis" is an essential work for anyone interested in the history and practice of Western ceremonial magic. The historical significance of the book, as well as its comprehensive and detailed content, make it a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike. Whether you are a student of the Western esoteric tradition or simply interested in the world of ceremonial magic, "The Key of Solomon the King" is a book that is sure to provide a wealth of information and inspiration.
July 27, 2018
Summary: This is a great translation book that is very approachable.
I was aware of some of this, but did not know the ins and outs. I think with this book, you're going to want to likely memorize a lot of the names. But wow. This book is dense for its size. It must have been so crazy to have found this work in the original form for the first time and then actually to have seen what it was the book was saying.
I had no idea that each of the names really meant something very precisely different. I am excited to read more about this topic and better understand how some of my friends are using this as a part of their spiritual practice.
I was aware of some of this, but did not know the ins and outs. I think with this book, you're going to want to likely memorize a lot of the names. But wow. This book is dense for its size. It must have been so crazy to have found this work in the original form for the first time and then actually to have seen what it was the book was saying.
I had no idea that each of the names really meant something very precisely different. I am excited to read more about this topic and better understand how some of my friends are using this as a part of their spiritual practice.
October 4, 2023
I like the greater key better than the lesser key. Not only because i prefer not to mess with demons, but also because this one goes much more in depth with the rituals and prayers. The prayers are very repetitive and wont miss much by skipping most of it, unless you're planning on doing the rituals. The images on this edition specifically are terrible. You can barely tell some letters and numbers and they are all together, so when the paragraph mentions a specific figure, you have to go back a few pages to see for reference. I had to print a higher quality version of the figures and keep it on the side for reference.
August 31, 2024
I'm not sure what originally put this book on my radar, or what I thought it would be. But magical incantations and spells from King Solomon? I find that hard to believe, especially since there are references to Christian saints and Roman mythology which sure don't seem like they would be in BC times. Mostly the incantations call for reciting a bunch of angel-sounding names, some of which are supposedly ones used my the likes of Moses and Joshua. Highly doubtful. Definitely reads more like late 19th century wishful thinking and/or speculative fiction. Mildly interesting only for the historical aspects of it.
December 16, 2025
Things that ive learned from reading this book:
1)many ancient magical texts are more about internalizing the human being than about “external summoning.”
2)The book shows that true power comes from purification of intention, self-control, discipline of mind, and connection to the higher law of God, not from dominance or displays of power.
3)Symbols, sigils, and rituals are more symbolic language for working with the layers of the mind, will, and human responsibility to a higher power.
For me it was more a text about self-control, right intention, power of prayer, boundaries, and the danger of the illusion of power without cultivation than a magical manual.
1)many ancient magical texts are more about internalizing the human being than about “external summoning.”
2)The book shows that true power comes from purification of intention, self-control, discipline of mind, and connection to the higher law of God, not from dominance or displays of power.
3)Symbols, sigils, and rituals are more symbolic language for working with the layers of the mind, will, and human responsibility to a higher power.
For me it was more a text about self-control, right intention, power of prayer, boundaries, and the danger of the illusion of power without cultivation than a magical manual.
August 11, 2021
An interesting introduction into the occult which I was curious about as a teenager. I was surprised at how generally the occult is seen as being dark and evil, when the spells mentioned in this book are anything but, the only potentially evil thing would be the whole summoning demons thing, but how you go about it is surprisingly not "evil" as it involves God, it's just ritualistic, which would certainly scare the ignorant I'm sure.
A good book for any others also just a bit curious and wanting to know what some forms of the occult are like!
A good book for any others also just a bit curious and wanting to know what some forms of the occult are like!
September 15, 2022
This version if "The Key of Solomon" from Dover books is a medium built but still vary informative of the keys of solomon giving you the tools necessary to preform the Magick arts of ancient jewdasim protection angels planets and hrs all rolled into this little book that you could keep in your glove box. The dialog it's self was not to hard to understand a lot of the words though mostly in the incantations I fear unless you have another person help you pronounce it you may struggle there is no help when it comes to the pronunciation of words in this book. But I do feel that if ceremonial Magick is your go to or your strongest practice this book is a good one for that
August 6, 2025
Dry at times, but a fascinating manual that offers tiny windows into the world of medieval magic — a world that became the foundation for much of modern occult practice.
Worth reading if you want to understand your roots and gain insight into planetary influence, reverence in ritual, angelic hierarchies, timing, and the importance of purification. Not a spellbook for casual dabbling, but a detailed blueprint for ceremonial magic, steeped in its religious and cultural context.
Worth reading if you want to understand your roots and gain insight into planetary influence, reverence in ritual, angelic hierarchies, timing, and the importance of purification. Not a spellbook for casual dabbling, but a detailed blueprint for ceremonial magic, steeped in its religious and cultural context.
October 26, 2017
This most celebrated of all magical textbooks, believed to be written by King Solomon himself, details the processes for summoning and mastering the spirits. Demonstrates that the usual theoretical distinction between black magic and white, evil magic and good, is not so simply drawn. Text: English (translation)Original Language: French, Hebrew, Italian, Latin
November 24, 2022
OMF
This book is as close as man can write for GOD on how to deal with demons.... The prayers make you feel safe (although you wish GOD would intervene) and help out a little) and the layerings should be enough
This book is as close as man can write for GOD on how to deal with demons.... The prayers make you feel safe (although you wish GOD would intervene) and help out a little) and the layerings should be enough
January 28, 2024
Pretty interesting insight into ancient ritualistic religious practice. Seems to have been translated more than I can count on my fingers. Would recommend for someone writing a possession movie, or are just interested in the rituals people used too (or perhaps still do) participate in.
February 12, 2024
Good book that goes over every Planetary Pentacle. Can't say I found it inspiring- I had to read Sara Mastros book to get that. One I read Mastros book, I went back to read cover to cover this book I had languishing on my bookshelf. Great to use as a cross reference and that is it's value to me.
March 10, 2024
Lots of illegal freak shit in here but also very important text that might feel dry at times w all the prayers but i found it all really interesting to read despite being painfully archaic. Mathers offers a great voice of reason.
June 3, 2024
I have found it interesting reading the different grimoires that are out there and this is no different. I tend to give them high marks because they are an interesting read. That being said I wouldn't recommend them to those not interested in the text because they can be a bit dry.
December 19, 2024
I give this stars for the historical interest factor. But I wouldn't say this book is 'readable'. It's obviously full of coding I don't understand, and parts were downright creepy. But it was fascinating to think where this sort of thinking came from / the ancestry of it.
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