Picatrix: A Medieval Treatise on Astral Magic

Magic in History

by Dan Attrell (Translator), David Porreca (Translator)

A manual for constructing talismans, mixing magical compounds, summoning planetary spirits, and determining astrological conditions, Picatrix is a cornerstone of Western esotericism. It offers important insights not only into occult practices and beliefs but also into the transmission of magical ideas from antiquity to the present. Dan Attrell and David Porreca’s English translation opens the world of this vital medieval treatise to modern-day scholars and lay readers. The original text, Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm , was compiled in Arabic from over two hundred sources in the latter half of the tenth century. It was translated into Castilian Spanish in the mid-thirteenth century, and shortly thereafter into Latin. Based on David Pingree’s edition of the Latin text, this translation captures the spirit of Picatrix ’s role in the European tradition. In the world of Picatrix , we see a seamless integration of practical magic, earnest piety, and traditional philosophy. The detailed introduction considers the text’s reception through multiple iterations and includes an enlightening statistical breakdown of the rituals described in the book. Framed by extensive research on the ancient and medieval context that gave rise to the Latin version of the text, this translation of Picatrix will be an indispensable volume for students and scholars of the history of science, magic, and religion and will fascinate anyone interested in the occult.

Genres: Occult, Esoterica, Nonfiction, Magick, History, Religion

384 pages, Hardcover

Published January 10, 2019

Reviews

[Mansoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take the skin from a woman’s vulva in a ring such that it retains its hole shape. Whatever you look at through it will be a sign of death.

اشکال علم اسلامی این بود که بخش زیادی از آن اصولا علمی نبود، هرچند مترجمان مشتاق در اسپانیا ظاهرا آن را چنین می‌پنداشتند
—رابرت اروین

ماجرای انتشار این رساله‌ی قرون وسطایی در قرن بیستم، در نوع خودش، حکایت جالبی است. ریتر، ویراستار متن عربی رساله، دوبار به جرم روابط همجنس‌خواهانه دستگیر شد. بعد از آن‌که مشمول عفو عمومی شد و از زندان بیرون آمد، آلمان را ترک کرد. چند سال بعد، او و پلسنر، مترجم آلمانی رساله، در استانبول همدیگر را ملاقات کردند. ولی پلسنر در آن زمان دچار افسردگی حاد شده بود. ریتر در نامه‌ای به یکی از همکارانش تصریح می‌کند که پلسنر در آستانه‌ی فروپاشی عصبی است و نمی‌تواند همکار قابلی برای پروژه باشد. در نهایت چند سال بعدتر متن عربی رساله با تصحیح ریتر منتشر می‌شود. متعاقب جنگ جهانی دوم، برنامه‌ی پلسنر برای اتمام ترجمه‌ی آلمانی به تعویق می‌افتد و تنها با پایان جنگ او موفق می‌شود کارش را از سر بگیرد. سرانجام سیزده سال طول می‌کشد تا پلسنر ترجمه‌ی مورد تاییدش را، به همراه شرح و تفسیر، چاپ کند
...
نمونه‌هایی از متن رساله (ترجمه از نسخه‌ی لاتین)

An image so that men may be loved by women. Make an image of a girl out of a cold and dry metal... Once you have done this, men will be joined with women and have high quality sex.


The distillate of human gall with a cat’s eye helps and sharpens light.

Take the vulva of a woman (that is, the skin), and carry it in a yellow cloth with the tongue of a snake bound to it. You will be powerful in making factions and friendships. A woman’s pubic hair does the same.


Top image: Fulvio Roiter, Turkey, 1968.
Second image by Takashi Nagoya.

[Mateusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book mainly for the integumentum, the allegory and the exposition of theology that justified the mechanics of the laws of magick contained therein. This was done in order to enjoy the meta-structure of theurgy and compare with various other structures of magic as performing art as in Khemetism or Neoplatonic Theurgy. The book draws on Aristotelean logic extended to phantasmata, the doctrine of similia similibus and analogia entiis, yet the theology is wholly neoplatonic if not for post-Ismaili reasoned monotheistic thought. Omitting most recipes for consecrating and scrying spirits into various substances, morals or ethos aside - a true magician was ready to manipulate the substance of godbody, citing Porphyry, "God does not contradict nature". Although most recipes seem to be outrageously naive and dangerous, supported only by pure faith in the operation, a true Magi, as cited, whom "united microcosm with the macrocosm" in degree of perfection of his soul and intellect and will extending to the Divine may as well turn faeces into gold, or perform weather-inducing miracles, given the right configuration of forces and powers. When the book is stripped of recipes, a solid meta-magickal structure emerges, which may be used for the keen-minded. As a modern practicioner, I never abhorred neither grimoires nor ceremonial techniques from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance - there are a form of a "Glass Bead Game" of ideas (Hermetic Game of Herman Hesse, I beg you read it!) . As for astralistic and astrological knowledge, it is much more defensible than the "recipe" parts. Beware, there are traps in this book everywhere, read with a Baphomet's head (Il-Fihamat, head of the wise), divide, unite, sow and reap what there is to harvest.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Attrell and David Porreca have produced a valuable contribution to the study of the Latin Picatrix in English. While they depend upon the same primary sources and prior translations as the earlier version of this text by Greer and Warnock - and, indeed, make frequent reference to that work in their annotations - their interpretive and editorial choices often differ in subtle yet substantive ways. Likewise, as a reference tool, this edition makes certain formatting choices (paragraph numbering, block-indentation of the invocations), in addition to its voluminous endnotes and indices, which recommend it over that of Greer and Warnock, though conversely the latter does indicate the present Book and Chapter in each page header (Attrell and Porreca give only the Book) for ease of reference, as well as clarificatory and informative footnotes. Overall, this edition is an excellent presentation of a foundational text of medieval astral magic, a welcome addition to any library concerned with the topic, and no less so alongside Greer and Warnock's rendition.

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid translation that helps illustrate the mindset of medieval magicians. Not as helpful for modern practices of course but useful as a primary source.

[Hannahcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I derived the most value from the cultural analysis at the beginning of the book.

Being a spellbook, the Picatrix itself is repetitive. It's a lot like reading through recipes in a cookbook for things you never have any reason to cook. Here and there, though, there are little anecdotes from Picatrix's perspective, which are very interesting to read. I skipped most, if not all, of the rote lists of magical rituals and instead scanning for Picatrix's stories and 'evidence' of these spells working. They're very entertaining from a modern perspective, definitely the stuff of fairy tales and legends.

The book's translated text exhorts the reader to learn everything they can, and trust rationality over opinions. Then it gleefully skips off into instructions on how to scare mice away with engravings on tin during favorable star signs, so take it all with a grain of salt if you're not a historically-focused reader. Many of the spells are legitimately dangerous to try because they have been booby-trapped with toxic ingredients, so please be careful if you choose to pick up a ritual from the Picatrix for personal/home veneration, or maybe don't do it at all. Just mentioning because not everybody who'd be interested in this would be doing it for historical fiction's sake, heh.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introductory context and analysis at the beginning of this translation is incredibly valuable - and was easier for me to understand after having read the work itself. Illustrates just how different the world of the Picatrix was to my own.

There are some interesting differences in the translation of the botanicals than from the Greer and Warnock translation. For my own work, I will consult both.

The language in this edition is less archaic (less ornate, clearer) for lack of a better term. For variations of prayer or incantation, I will probably refer to Greer Warnock more, but use this edition to verify procedural instruction.

This edition uses endnotes and not footnotes (which is a pet peeve.) Paragraph headings are also in italics, rather than bolded, which is less readable/useful to someone who might look to it often. This edition does number the psragraphs, which is handier for academic reference.

[May Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This is an older Tomb on Astrology and I'm down in some ways, but in others, I'm not into it.

This book is a part of the Heremtic Tradition and it has a great intro for those still trying to understand how Astrology connects with the hermetic tradition. On Page 84, Chapter 5, you do see a discussion about three sciences provided by Hermes, and that includes 1) the science of magic 2) the Science of the stars (astrology) and the third 3) The science of "suffumigations, incantations, and words, particularly appropriate to those things.

Today, item 3 would all be inclusive of vibrational arts. I've done most work - in order on items 2&3. This book connects item 1 and 2 in later chapters. TBH, I'm not a huge fan of it at this particular juncture. too much of what is going on here doesn't seem like it's completely light work. And in fairness, the book does have an understanding of light and dark work and appears to be trying to write almost entirely in light work.

But at times I was like, woah... I can see why this would have been a controversial tomb. Misused, I'm not comfy with this. Given there aren't a lot of light worker practitioners of 1 that I can easily find, I'm likely not going to recommend this book to most, if at all. That's why I gave it 3 stars. That plus the fact that it's mostly 1&2 vs 2&3 bothers me.

So what exactly is 1&2 science or magic (depending on how you think of it). It's the use of astrologically infused sigals. I'm actually not disputing that this exist or that this book is a starting place for it. I'm suggesting that even if you were to use this book, if you're not far enough along in your heremtic learning it's too easy for this book to get dark really fast and that is what all hermetic learners should avoid. Truly. Dark learning, particularly without a mentor can take you to a very bad place.

There is a section on dreams and astrology. but it's very short.

Finally, in case it's not clear, if you decide to read it, cool. You do you. But consider just reading it to know such a thing exists and that there is a group that likely has gone far down the rabbit hole here. Come back to it when your light is completely fortified from any potential for corruption.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great English translation of a medieval treatise on astral magic. It contains examples of medieval intellectual theories and ritual practices (suffumigations, prayers, creating talismans, etc.). This text is thoroughly researched with an exceptional introduction on this history, content, and translation of the Picatrix. Information can be found on plants, stones, animal sacrifice, images, deities, symbols, philosophy, and magic.

[Wayne Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attrell and Porecca produced a great translation with plenty of footnotes. this translation makes the Picatrix available to the Western world for both academics and magical practitioners.

The text is a must read in terms of understanding the basic of medieval astrological magic. If starting an academic journey into the field, it's a great read alongside Agrippa. Both texts work together and build a philosophical and practical basis for magic while drawing on many sources themselves.

5/5.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done edition with a wealth of details and historical background. Be warned, the book itself is spooky and weird enough that it doesn't qualify as a light read.

[Jeeabyh · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💓💓👍

[Sue Dounim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second printing incorporates a handful of minor corrections. Besides the superb introduction and content, the book is a pleasure to handle, in these days of indifferent, print-on-demand, or worse, products.
Apropos not specifically of this work: today's wealth of scholarly works on medieval magic in English translation; published by university presses, would have astonished the 1970s-80s me. I mean there was very little at that time: like Lynn Thorndike's "History of Magic and Experimental Science" -- even that was scarcely available even in public libraries.

[a duck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This translation by Dan Attrell (historian, St. Jerome's University) and David Porreca (historian, University of Waterloo) provides a much-appreciated way for scholars to access the Picatrix. The introduction contains critical information explaining the context and history of the text.