Il Drago Rosso

by Tarl Warwick (Editor), Anonymous, Claudio Rocchetti (Editor)

The Red Dragon has been variously treated as a grimoire, a piece of folk literature, and a joke manuscript; it comprises one part of what is loosely termed "The Grand Grimoire"- a collection of magickal works from the Renaissance such as the Black Pullet and Lesser Keys of Solomon.

The Red Dragon however bears the title "Grand Grimoire" on its own. Multiple editions of it exist, some with material tacked on. It takes the form of a long ritualistic ceremony designed to secure communication with a demon known as "Lucifuge Rofocale" followed by various invocations and incantations and spells.

The contents are heretical in the extreme, from rituals involving boiling a black cat to the use of toxic substances in ritual form. Small wonder, that this text has gained so much notoreity.

Genres: Occult, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Alchemy, Magic, Magick

107 pages, Hardcover

First published January 9, 2015

About the author

Tarl Warwick is a writer, illustrator, occultist, blogger, and avid gardener from the state of Vermont. Active in multiple online communities, he was administrator for the Times of Pol, a short-term news website and platform for activism, and has participated in dialogue with numerous pagan and occult orders.

Originally a student of plant biology at the University of Vermont, he has also studied archaeology and religion at Castleton State University.

Reviews

[Dianas^Records · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've always wanted to read a Grimoire to see what kind of mysteries are written inside. So of course I had to take up the offer when it was sold for 1 euro on Amazon Kindle (lol).

I expected more. However, I did laugh my ass off with different "rituals" such as boiling a black cat for 24 hours and using its bones to gain invisibility (however weird that is). It was fine to read something different than ordinary.

This book, in particular, was mostly made up of dialogues on summoning spirits and a few rituals. If you want to see what a Grimoire is like, go ahead, it's definitely entertaining in a weird way. But it will be a disappointment if you grew up thinking that grimoires will show you how magic and all the supernatural. (At least not in this one).

Although you also have to know that the full version of the book is kept enclosed in the Vatican and only the most "irrelevant" and "safe" stuff has been published, so this book is very short.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is not the version I have, the version I have is just titled The Red Dragon. A few scholars, including Owen Davies, have mentioned that this book is a later version of The Grand Grimoire--in this case, that statement is true. I have Paul Summers Young's translation of The Red Dragon and Gretchen Rudy's translation of The Grand Grimoire. Between the two, I like the spacing, larger text, ribbon marker, and striking red binding of The Red Dragon; otherwise, the translations are pretty similar. In any case, it's fun having another historically condemned and blasphemous book on my shelf--I certainly have no need for fake scary books decor during Halloween.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would recommend

I read this actually a little faster than I though. This book is really stepping out of my comfort zone, but books are books so I don't mind reading it at all. The only thing with this work is that the book has a lot of stuff that isn't in English, and I don't speak any other language so I felt a little useless reading those parts.
Still, good book. I feel a little bad for the animals even though I eat them.

[Mason Cantwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wasn't aware that men of God tried to summon demons/spirits to obtain secret treasures. Kind of interesting. It was a super quick read.

[Slicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The darkest of all weird spellbooks. The Lucifuge woodcuts look like something out of a Led Zeppelin fan fic.

[Eliza]

Just research, so I won’t be rating or reviewing.

[Andre' Delbos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tal Warwick edition. Slim and heretical volume of Magick secrets collected from Renaissance texts such as the Black Pullet and Lesser Keys of Solomon. Summon Lucifuge or boil a cat and chew the bones to make one’s self invisible. Latin prayers and orations make this fun for the whole family. Fulminating wand not included.

[aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second grimoire edit I've read from Tarl Warwick and I really like the way he approaches these works. This one was almost less of a grimoire and more of a collection of things during the time of the originals. I think I'm gonna keep getting these grimoires because they are an interesting study!

[Cat47123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book but definitely could get someone in trouble. The thing I have a problem with is that they give on page 24 “the names and offices of the spirits” or a hierarchy of demons. There is no hierarchy in hell they are just fallen angels suffering in hell. And I do think the Latin in this book should be translated into my language, English.

[Dan Hobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining read

wether you believe or not it is a bit of history which may well have been altered over the years in places. Interesting to read some of the old remedies and superstitions of the time

[Markos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cheap occult book that lacks a bit in built quality but does not disappoint in terms of content. Great for those who search for a cheaper alternative or for those who just want to peak in to the occult.

[Morgoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistery of Misteries

Very interesting for the student of the Occult, also for any other historical/cultural field.
There is only one way to know if those methods described here works...

[Jesse Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of fascinating, even for a non-believer. I'm most struck by the contrast between the strict ritual in the main portion of the book, and the haphazard random spells at the end.

[Oslly Prz]

aprender cosas nuevas

[Revrend Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was pretty interesting and fun!

[AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent translation and printing (I read the English 2nd print).

[Leonmususa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Kiira · Rating 4 out of 5]

was so funny 🤣

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating work, yet somewhat lacking in comparison to the Grimorium Verum. An effective text, yet perhaps of greater curiosity value than as a pure occult text. The main criticism of the work would be that it feels as if it is only a part of a larger work. One may only wonder what may have been lost or hidden. Worth the time and investment for the collector or serious practitioner, yet the petty-dabbler need not apply.