Picatrix: The Latin version of the Gh yat al- ak m ( ) [Alchemy]. Studies of the Warburg Institute Vol. 39

First Edition. Hardcover. 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. The original text, Gh yat al- ak m, 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.--Librarycat.org Four books in Latin; Appendices 1-64, Indices Veborum: I Terrestrial Names; II Celestial Names and Magical Words; III Nouns, Verbs, adjectives and some Adverbs. Apparatus Criticus. Foreword, Preface, and a 66 page English-language Introduction surveying The Manuscripts; Excerpts. From the personal library collection of Brian Cotnoir, alchemist, artist and award-winning filmmaker. Author of Practical Alchemy: Guide to the Great Work, The Emerald Tablet, a series of Alchemical 'Zines, Alchemical Meditations, Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter and most recently On Alchemy: Essential Practices and Making Art as Alchemy. He has presented seminars and workshops around the world on various aspects of the alchemy. Khepri Press was started in 2014 as a place to organize and distribute his work. It is a very small press dedicated to alchemical book arts. Some of this work is publishable and others may exist only in manuscript or object form - alchemical results or talismans. Near fine, light shelfwear, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Brown linen cloth with brown title stamping. Large 8vo. lxxx, 326pp. Illus. (18 b/w plates). Pocket at rear contains 7 microfilm slides. Former owner library stamp. Text in Latin. Tabbed by former owner.