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Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon: A Medieval Treatise on Angelic Magic and the Art of Memory
A new translation of the classic magical text from the original Latin
• Learn how medieval magicians conducted the rituals of angelic magic for quickly learning scholastic knowledge by means of prayers and figures
• Provides a complete translation of Ars Notoria , both the short and long versions based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition
• Includes the first translation of The Work of Works ( Opus Operum ), The Short Art ( Ars Brevis ), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art ( Ars Paulina )
• Presents all of the original figures ( notae ), essential for inspection during ritual
The 13th-century magical treatise Ars Notoria offers a secret account of the angel Pamphilius revealing the sacred magic to King Solomon by which he gained his famed wisdom and learning, thereby expanding upon the biblical narrative in which Solomon received a vision of God. Solomon’s writings were transmitted to the first-century philosopher, Apollonius of Tyana, who provided a commentary entitled the Golden Flowers ( Flores Aurei ), which is contained within Ars Notoria .
The magical text presents a complete system of angelic magic consisting of prayers addressed to angels, using figures called notae, for the purpose of acquiring scholastic and heavenly knowledge. Due to its rising popularity among university students, the magical ritual was reworked time and again, producing five treatises, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries; The Work of Works ( Opus Operum ), the Book of Flowers of Heavenly Teaching composed by the French Benedictine monk named John of Morigny, The Short Art ( Ars Brevis ), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art ( Ars Paulina ), thereby establishing an entire notorial art tradition.
In this new and complete translation of Ars Notoria , based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition, translator Matthias Castle presents the classic magical text, both short and long versions, including four of the later treatises. Castle explains how these theurgic ritual practices were performed, giving special attention to all the original pictorial figures ( notae ), and how the art of memory relates to angelic magic. Providing practical instruction, extensive commentary, and in-depth background research and annotations, Ars The Notory Art of Solomon is an essential sourcebook on angelic magic for scholar and magician alike.
• Learn how medieval magicians conducted the rituals of angelic magic for quickly learning scholastic knowledge by means of prayers and figures
• Provides a complete translation of Ars Notoria , both the short and long versions based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition
• Includes the first translation of The Work of Works ( Opus Operum ), The Short Art ( Ars Brevis ), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art ( Ars Paulina )
• Presents all of the original figures ( notae ), essential for inspection during ritual
The 13th-century magical treatise Ars Notoria offers a secret account of the angel Pamphilius revealing the sacred magic to King Solomon by which he gained his famed wisdom and learning, thereby expanding upon the biblical narrative in which Solomon received a vision of God. Solomon’s writings were transmitted to the first-century philosopher, Apollonius of Tyana, who provided a commentary entitled the Golden Flowers ( Flores Aurei ), which is contained within Ars Notoria .
The magical text presents a complete system of angelic magic consisting of prayers addressed to angels, using figures called notae, for the purpose of acquiring scholastic and heavenly knowledge. Due to its rising popularity among university students, the magical ritual was reworked time and again, producing five treatises, dating from the 13th to 15th centuries; The Work of Works ( Opus Operum ), the Book of Flowers of Heavenly Teaching composed by the French Benedictine monk named John of Morigny, The Short Art ( Ars Brevis ), the abridged version attributed to Thomas of Toledo, and The Pauline Art ( Ars Paulina ), thereby establishing an entire notorial art tradition.
In this new and complete translation of Ars Notoria , based on Julien Veronese’s critical Latin edition, translator Matthias Castle presents the classic magical text, both short and long versions, including four of the later treatises. Castle explains how these theurgic ritual practices were performed, giving special attention to all the original pictorial figures ( notae ), and how the art of memory relates to angelic magic. Providing practical instruction, extensive commentary, and in-depth background research and annotations, Ars The Notory Art of Solomon is an essential sourcebook on angelic magic for scholar and magician alike.
896 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 28, 2024
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 02/28/2024.
This is a book review that has taken a LONG time to come to fruition. And that’s because every now and then Inner Traditions gifts me with such an EPIC chunk of occult book porn that it takes some serious time to take it all in. (wink, wink) Today I’ll be discussing the massive 896 page “Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon; A Medieval Treatise on Angelic Magic & the Art of Memory” as translated by Matthias Castle.
What is the “Ars Notoria?” The answer belies the complexity of Castle’s work. Simply put, the “Ars Notoria” contains the secret rituals used by King Solomon to gain his legendary wisdom and aptitude with magic. In medieval times it was considered a short cut to the sum total of knowledge. The text’s lineage starts in the mythical and flows into the verifiable, beginning as some of the most ancient Hebrew texts that Solomon compiled, evolving into Solomon’s “Liber Florum Doctrinae Caelestis”, leading to “Flores Aurei” by Apollonius, which then spawned, I kid you not, “Ars Notoria” version A, A2, and B. Those three versions prompted noteworthy texts that branch from them.
This book contains “Ars Notoria” version A, the version A supplement (aka, A2), version B, along with assorted fragments of others “Ars Notoria” texts. Castle describes the complete ritual procedures, analyzes the figures found throughout the texts, and explains the importance of the art of memory. All of Castle’s explorations show that “practitioners of the “Ars Notoria” operate within a Hermetic-Christian worldview inhabited by heavenly angels.”
The book, just like its subject matter, is not an easy lift. And at a suggested retail of $195, it packs quite a punch to the wallet. I was gifted the copy I read for this review however, the question is, who spends this level of cash on “Ars Notoria?” I can’t be certain, but this seems like it will be the definitive English language publication of “Ars Notoria” for some time to come. If you are interested in the academics of occult history, and the practices of occult traditions, this will be a luxurious, but worthy addition to your library.
This is a book review that has taken a LONG time to come to fruition. And that’s because every now and then Inner Traditions gifts me with such an EPIC chunk of occult book porn that it takes some serious time to take it all in. (wink, wink) Today I’ll be discussing the massive 896 page “Ars Notoria: The Notory Art of Solomon; A Medieval Treatise on Angelic Magic & the Art of Memory” as translated by Matthias Castle.
What is the “Ars Notoria?” The answer belies the complexity of Castle’s work. Simply put, the “Ars Notoria” contains the secret rituals used by King Solomon to gain his legendary wisdom and aptitude with magic. In medieval times it was considered a short cut to the sum total of knowledge. The text’s lineage starts in the mythical and flows into the verifiable, beginning as some of the most ancient Hebrew texts that Solomon compiled, evolving into Solomon’s “Liber Florum Doctrinae Caelestis”, leading to “Flores Aurei” by Apollonius, which then spawned, I kid you not, “Ars Notoria” version A, A2, and B. Those three versions prompted noteworthy texts that branch from them.
This book contains “Ars Notoria” version A, the version A supplement (aka, A2), version B, along with assorted fragments of others “Ars Notoria” texts. Castle describes the complete ritual procedures, analyzes the figures found throughout the texts, and explains the importance of the art of memory. All of Castle’s explorations show that “practitioners of the “Ars Notoria” operate within a Hermetic-Christian worldview inhabited by heavenly angels.”
The book, just like its subject matter, is not an easy lift. And at a suggested retail of $195, it packs quite a punch to the wallet. I was gifted the copy I read for this review however, the question is, who spends this level of cash on “Ars Notoria?” I can’t be certain, but this seems like it will be the definitive English language publication of “Ars Notoria” for some time to come. If you are interested in the academics of occult history, and the practices of occult traditions, this will be a luxurious, but worthy addition to your library.
January 24, 2024
Stunningly great edition of the Ars Notoria! Definitely supersedes all that has come before it. The first section by Castle is over 200 pages giving you everything you'd ever want to know about the Ars Notoria. The research Castle put into this is phenomenal. Then you get Version A, B, a section on other branches and several helpful appendices. There is an in-depth index, which is useful.
I have to say, too, the book is lavishly produced and is a beautiful edition. Full color throughout, very clear renditions of the art and notae. Comes in a nice slipcase. Binding appears sewn; the book lies flat when you read it. Red ribbon bookmark. Generous font size and spacing -- easy on the eyes!
Highly recommended. This edition deserves to be more widely known and appreciated as the definitive edition of this text. If you have any interest in the Ars Notoria, you can't go wrong here.
I have to say, too, the book is lavishly produced and is a beautiful edition. Full color throughout, very clear renditions of the art and notae. Comes in a nice slipcase. Binding appears sewn; the book lies flat when you read it. Red ribbon bookmark. Generous font size and spacing -- easy on the eyes!
Highly recommended. This edition deserves to be more widely known and appreciated as the definitive edition of this text. If you have any interest in the Ars Notoria, you can't go wrong here.
June 17, 2025
I’m not judging the translation but the fabricated concepts in the book. Total BS
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews