The Magical Art: Wellcome MS.983, L’Art Magique

An original translation of MS.983, L’Art Magique by Aaman Lamba, with full colour manuscript images from Wellcome MS.983 and redrawn images by S. Aldarnay. 

‘The synthesis of Solomonic rituals, Christian Kabbalah, astrology, divination, early transcendentalism, and spirit evocation, as well as finely drawn seals in an artist’s hand, makes this a comprehensive basis for practical operations and discovery of the magical arts.’ – Aaman Lamba, from the ‘Introduction’

First and foremost, this is a practical work, combining earlier texts to provide a working manual which would influence subsequent works like the Grimorium Verum and Grand Grimoire. Heavily footnoted and with gorgeous colour illustrations, this work is essential reading for practitioners and students of the grimoire tradition.

The value of a grimoire manuscript may be seen in what it continues from the past, and what it adds from its unique synergy of material. Sitting firmly in the Solomonic stream of grimoires, The Magical Art (Welcome MS 983) is an early eighteenth-century French text which includes material from the Heptameron and the Key of Solomon, along with unique material not found elsewhere. The inclusion of the first known examples of material from the Grimorium Verum, one of the most popularly worked grimoires of today, further adds to the significance of this work.

The influence of Christian rather than Jewish Kabbalah stands out as a unique feature, as seen in the use of the Pentagrammaton and the psalm annotations of the German polymath Athanasius Kircher (creator of the modern Tree of Life image). Another significant figure referenced in this grimoire is the French alchemist and magician Arnaldus de Villa Nova. Among the numerous spirits listed is a curious national ‘Spirit of France’, and the archangel Uriel is also found in an operation of onimancy (skrying on the fingernail), harking back to the divinations of the ancient world.

The Magical Art combines earlier texts to provide a working manual which influenced subsequent works like the Grimorium Verum and Grand Grimoire. This work is essential reading for practitioners and students of the grimoire tradition.

“The Magical Art is a wonderful example of the synthesis of material from diverse grimoires into a working manual, drawing from a palette of better and lesser known works. Aaman Lamba has carefully and thoroughly set this book in the context of the tradition, contributing another valuable piece to the expanding grimoire jigsaw.”  – David Rankine, author of The Grimoire Encyclopaedia

“Assembled from multiple sources, some now lost, this important text is crucial to reconstructing and understanding the widely influential and popular Grimorium Verum. Aaman Lamba’s translation from the old French has finally made it accessible to a wide audience.”  – Joseph H. Peterson, founder of Twilit Grotto: Archives of Western Esoterica

“It is a delight to live in this golden age of magical translation. Hermes Hermeneutes, the god of translators, has clearly lent his blessing to this project; it is clear, well-researched, and, most importantly, useful.” – Sara Mastros, author of Sorcery of Solomon: A Guide to the 44 Pentacles of the Magician King

The Magical Art
An original translation of MS.983, L’Art Magique, or The Magical Art
Volume 1
Aaman Lamba
Redrawn manuscript images by S. Aldarnay.
Manuscript images taken from Wellcome MS.983 and are in the public domain.
ISBN 978-1-915933-06-5 (HB)
ISBN 978-1-915933-07-2 (PB)
Official release 28 May 2024.
178mm x 254mm.
192 pages.