Chap. VI 66.
Treating of the Nature, Force and Forms of Charms, Periapts, Amulets, Pentacles, Conjurations, Ceremonies, &c.
1.BEfore Shews before Spirits appear.Appearances are made, after forms of Conjuration are repeated, the Infernal Spirits make various and wonderful shews, noises, and attempts as fore-runners to their appearance: At the first attempts of novices in Conjuration, they are accompanyed with noises, tremblings, flashes, howlings, and most dreadful shriekes, till after further progress and experience therein they approach nearer unto this Elemental nature, till by degrees they can manifestly be apparent unto their Exorcist.
2. When Chiancungi,A Relation of a Magician. and his sister Napala, did first attempt to call up Spirits, they begun with the Spirit Bokim, in the twentieth degree: they hung a vault under ground with black both on the top and bottom, lining it therewith; and having drawn the Circle of the Order of Thrones, with the seven Planets, and their Magical Characters in the Center, they proceeded to the Ceremonies of Conjuration after they had frequently repeated the forms of calling, and nothing as yet appeared; they were grown so desperate therein, that forsaking the Circle, and every defensive Character or Ceremony, they at last betook themselves to the most accursed and detestable branch of Magick, which consists of Compacts, or Confederacy; and having by a solemn League summoned the aforesaid Spirit Bokim, they obtain’d 155. years from the Spirit, Covenanting therewith for body, soul, and works.
His Actions.3. In which damned life they continued exercising strange wonders in every Countrey. By the help of this Magician the Tartars did destroy above 100 sail of Ships belonging unto China; many losses did he bring upon that Kingdom in their Children, Fruits, Corn, Silk, and Navigation; he could frequently transport himself through the Air, and carry in one hand a thousand pound weight, to the astonishment of all that knew him. He had many publick contests with Magicians of other Countries, being tryals of skill in Magical Art, wherein he was said to excel all that ever went before him.
Another Magician.4. Such another was Lewis Gaufridi a French Priest, who had compacted with the Devil, and served him 14 years in these detestable works, sacrificing Infants unto him, worshipping him in a filthy shape, and tempting others to their Magical society or nocturnal Conventions; in which, as it is reported, they did ever feast and junket with varieties and dainties, which though they did seem delectable, were yet notwithstanding gustless and unsavoury.
What Charms are.5. Leaving these relations, something shall be said of Charms and Spells, as they are divided in this following manner; first, such Amulets as being engraven and molded in the fashion of Money, or Coyn, do serve to provoke any one desired unto love and familiarity, being hung about the neck in certain Planetary hours. Secondly, Spells or Charms in Parchment with Magical Characters, as Periapts to Cure diseases; to make one valiant, memorative, and constant. Thirdly, Corselets, which are an ancient Danish Charm of Neck-laces, composed of Thunderstones ingraven with Magical Letters, to resist all noxious influences, and the danger of Lightning.
Pentacles.6. Pentacles are a fourth sort of appendix, which Conjurers, Charmers, and Magicians use, being made with five corners, according to the five Senses, and the operation thereof inscribed upon the corners; the matter whereof they are composed, is fine Linnen doubled, and done with Cere-cloth between. This figure the Magician holds in his hand, lifting it up from the skirt of his Garment to which it is annexed, when Spirits that are raised are stubborn and rebellious, refusing to be conformable unto the Ceremonies and Rites of Magick.
Their force.7. Also by the holding forth of Pentacles, with these words, Glauron, Amor,/ Amorula, Beor, Beorka, Beroald, Anepheraton, 67. repeated at the instant. The evil Spirits that possess the bodies of bewitched people are cruelly tortured and amazed, being by the frequent repetition thereof forced at last to depart by the assistance of the Exorcism of the sixth Cannon for the order of Seraphims.
Telesms.8. When Magicians exercise Conjuration by Moon-light in the Mountains or Valleys, they have another sort of Charm by way of Telesms, which they bury within a hundred paces of the place where the Circle is composed towards the East, West, North, and South; For such spells have the secret power to hinder any living creature for coming near them, till their Exercize be done, except the Infernal Spirit, whose presence they do so ardently desire.
For Diseases.9. Such Spells as are made in some Edible matter, with Characters upon them, are given for Agues, Head-ach, Epilepsie, Mother, &c. Especially being powerful in operation, when the party is ignorant of the Charm taken in; many such I know have taken wonderful effect. But as for Philtres, Potions, and Love-cups, they proceed rather from a natural cause; whether their effects be to afflict with Diseases to Poyson, or to provoke unto Love of a Party whom they disdain: Neither are such to be numbered amongst Charms; because their effect is meerly natural, from a natural cause.
Fumigations.10. But to insist further upon the nature of Conjuration, Magicians do much exercise their time in Fumigations unto those Spirits whom they are about to provoke; their fumes being distributed according to the nature of the Spirit under any of the seven Planets, which the antient Conjurers were very punctual in observing, though in these days it be much forgot, as superfluous, or rather dangerous to insert amongst the Ceremonies of Conjuration. A division of Fumigations according to the Influence of the Planets, and Orders of Spirits, we will here set down in this manner.
For Saturn.11. Fumigations for Saturn are made of Frankincense Trees, Pepperwort Rooots,*[* sic] Storax, and Galbanum; by these the Spirits Marbas, Corban, Stilkon, Idos, &c. And all of the first order in the astringency are appeased and provoked, when the fumes are put upon a Tripod in the hour of Saturn according to the Planetary division. These Fumigations make these Spirits appear like old men, with promiss beards, and meager looks; like Serpents, Cats, Wolves, Badgers, Panthers; like old Men in Armour; like Trumpeters in many ranks and divisions.
Jupiter.12. For Spirits under Jupiter, they take Lignum Aloes, Ashen-Keys, Benjamin, Storax, Peacocks-feathers, and Lapis Lazuli, mixing the same with the blood of a Stork, a Swallow, or a Hart; the brains being also added. The fumes are kindled in Jupiters hour, and in a place appropriate to his nature. And by this sacrifice the Spirits of the next order are called up, like glorious Kings with many attendants, and mighty pomp; with Heralds before them, and Ensign-bearers, Trumpeters, Guards, and all sorts of musical Instruments.
Mars.13. They make Fumigations unto such Spirits of the order of Powers, as are under Mars, in the Planetary division with Aromatick Gum, Bdellium, Euphorbium, Load-stone, Hellebore white and black, and an addition of Sulphur to make them into an Amalgama, with Man’s blood, and the blood of a black Cat; which mixtures are said to be exceeding magical: so that without any other addition, they say, this fumigation is able of it self to make such Spirits to appear before the Exorcist; at their appearance they come with weapons brandishing, and shining Armour, being terrible in their looks; yet of power inferiour to the Spirits of Saturn, though they can likewise shew themselves as Lions, Wolves, Tygers, Bears, and all other cruel or ravenous Beasts.
Sol.14. They do likewise unto the Spirits under Sol, being of the order of Thrones, Suffumigate Saffron, Musk, Laurel, Cinnamon, Ambergriece, Cloves, Myrrhe, and Frankincense, Musk, and the Balsamick Tree mixed up together with the brain of an Eagle, and the blood of a white Cock, being made up like Pills, or little Balls, and put upon the Tripod; their appearances are Castles, Gardens,/68. Mountains, Rivers, Fisher-men, Hunters, Reapers, Dogs, Sheep, Oxen, and other domestick Beasts.
Venus.15. Under Venus are the Spirits of the sixth order in the Powers; their appearances are very stately, like the nature of the Planet; like Courtiers, Ladies, Princes, Queens, Infants, Children, and fragrant smells. The fumigations appropriate unto them are Roses, Coral, Lignum Aloes, and Sperma Ceti made up with Sparrows, brains and blood of Pidgeons to be fumigated with a Song.
Mercury.16. Mercury sendeth Horsemen, Fishers, Labourers, Priests, Students, Servants, &c. Also, Foxes, Serpents, Dogs, Hares, Hyena’s, Hydra’s, and other Monstrous Animals; unto him they fumigate Frankincense, Mastick, Cinkfoyl, incorporated with the brain of a Fox, and the blood of a Mag-Pye.
Luna.17. Spirits under Luna are like Ghosts and shadows, very gastly to behold; though in humane shape sometimes male, sometimes female. Fumigations are offered unto them of Frogs dryed, white Poppy-seed, Bulls Eyes, Camphire, and Frankincense, incorporated with Gooses blood, and the menstruous blood of Women.
Why such Ceremonies are of force.18. These are the divisions of fumigations, neither can it be denyed, but that in many Ceremonies of this kind, there is great inherent virtue according to the Doctrines of Sympathy and Antipathy, whereby every thing is drawn by its like in the Idea, whither by words or actions, according to the saying, In verbis, herbis & lapidibus latet virtus, so that the Ceremonies and Charms, with other circumstances used by Magicians, are doubtless prevalent to the accomplishment of that work which they undertake; to wit, The calling up and Exorcizing of Infernal Spirits by Conjurations.