This grimoire of Elizabethan magic is a great text for the moderately experienced to advanced practitioners of ceremonial magic. Or witches and cunning folk interested in applying some of it's prayers, conjurations, seals, and ritual methods. The edition I will be referencing for this series is the Joseph H. Peterson, Daniel Harms, and James R. Clark one. I may cross reference parts of this book with other grimoires.
The Book of Oberon (or BoO) is first and foremost a text written to be used in practice. Being an amalgam of information from other occult texts and having some original works. Suggesting that the writer(s) of it were copying this knowledge and collecting it for later use. This work includes prayers and psalms, short rites and experiments in creation illusions, fantasies, acquiring treasure, angelic conjurations, ways of fumigating and blessing ritual tools, talismans, and infernal conjurations. As well as an office of spirits which is reminiscent of the Keys of Solomon or Verum. Making it an excellent addition to any modern magicians library.
This text also blends in bits of fairy folklore into this ceremonial struture. As it includes spirits like Oberon the fairy king, Mycob the fairy queen, and 7 fairy sisters under Mycob. This book seeming to bridge the Oberon of literature with the Oberon seen in this and other occult works. The grimoire gives operations for contacting Oberon, declaring him a spirit of the sun and moon. As well as giving the practitioners a ritual for the spirits within his court.
When I was working from this grimoire, I treated it like a collection of smaller grimoires. I'd try and find patterns in the way things seemed to be collected and connections throughout the book to try and build a ritual praxis. Pulling together different sections for hallowing my tools, laying my circle, and conjuring its various spirits. The way the text is written lends very nicely to this. This text is also very naturally supplemented by other grimoires like the Enchiridion of Pope Loe III, the Grimorium Verum, Keys of Solomon, and others. The BoO also appears to have many Catholic elements and could blend well into the work of a Catholic practitioner.
In this post and others to come, I'll be sharing a way I used this grimoire to create a ritual practice. Focusing on daily angelic conjurations and working with the infernal spirits listed. As well as looking at the operations for conjuring Oberon and his court. This series will focus on making practical use of this grimoire, with methods described in this grimoire and some modifications based on easy of practicality and my experience.
There is so much more to this grimoire than that, but to explore the whole of this text thoroughly would take more spare time than I have. So if any of this sparks your interests please check out this grimoire for yourself. There is a lot to try out and explore.
Basic Tools to Begin Working this Grimoire:
The Garments
Within Oberon there are a few notes about what the magician should be wearing. Suggesting white garments, made of linen, and sometimes having specific symbols marked on it. Or the attire of a priest. Other operations might request the use of a crown, but this won't be something I explore here. The BoO also gives a prayer to be said as the magi puts on his holy vestments.
While putting on the garment say the following:
Ancor, Amacor, Amides, Theodonias, Anitor, by the virtues of your holy angels, 0 Lord, I put on the garments of salvation, that this which I desire I will be able to bring about, through the most holy Adonay, whose kingdom endures for all the ages. Amen.
Should the magician choose they can also adorn the chest or cuffs of the garment with the following names of power to keep them safe from harm: [Note: I use a lamen instead]
+ Emanuell + Saboath + On + Messias + Sother + Agla + Adonay + Yana + You + Tetragramaton + Semephoron + Vay + Any + Eye + Ass + Essereayeey + Adonay + Sabaothe +
with the Hebrew letters "Yod-He-Vau-He."
Holy Water, Fire, Oil, and Incense
Within this grimoire there are various prescriptions for hallowing water, fire, oil, and the suffumigations. In almost all cases this water and oil are used in the consecration of the space and of other tools, the fire for lighting these incenses for suffumigation. So I'll be combing the blessing of these ritual implements into one simple spring of prayers, as well as give a few alternative blessings from the grimoire.
To consecrate the water:
I sprinkle you, O holy water, in the circle and in the place of almighty God, who made you blessed and consecrated, and has given power to his servant, especially to the priests to consecrate in his name, who is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and I bless, invoke, and exorcise you, O water, in the name of God, and Mary his mother, and besides in his name and virtue and of all the saints male and female, with all the celestial assembly, in order that you, O water, may be consecrated through that God who has made you, and ordered you to be consecrated for our protection and defense against all temptations of the Devil, and against his assaults and snares, by the power of the Holy Ghost, who is merciful to us, and may it be deemed worthy everywhere and for everything, through Christ out Lord. Amen.
To consecrate the oil:
I exorcise you O creature of oil, by him through whom all things have been made, that all phantasms may immediately be ejected from you. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ + Be blessed oh creature of oil, and sanctified, through our Lord Jesus. Amen.
For the incense use the following blessing:
O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these creatures of spices, in order that the strength and virtue of their scents may grow, so that no enemies nor phantasms may be able to enter through our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
To exorcise and bless the vessel and fire for incense:
I exorcise you O creature of fire, by him through whom all things have been made, that all phantasms may immediately be ejected from you, so that it will be unable to harm anybody. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Ghost. + Bless of Lord this creature of fire, and sanctify it, for the praise of your holy name, so that no harm may come from bearing or seeing it, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Glass/Crystal/Mirror
The grimoire provides 2 operations for making a magic scrying tool. I prefer the 2nd one for the fact that it's easier and shorter to preform. [Tho the first one is worth looking into as it also begins the work of creating a book for the magi, and to consecrate other necessary tools.] The procedure is for enchanting a scrying tool so that it's spirit provides clearly and honestly all things you want you know. It could be a glass receptacle, a crystal, or a mirror. I have made use of all 3 and found each to be equally as potent when properly enchanted. Once made this tool can be used when conjuring any spirit, but especially angelic ones. As well as for answering questions truly.
To hallow the spirit of a mirror:
Take a clean white cloth and place it on a fine table, atop that set your scrying tool of choice. Then say the following prayer,
0 almighty and eternal God, be present at these mysteries of your great kindness; be present at our devout invocations, so that you may deign to make this mirror worthy to be blessed in your name, which we strive to sanctify, to send out your spirit of blessing, and pour over it your blessed spirit, that what is to be done by our humble ministry may be accomplished by the effect of your power, although we are unworthy to perform such great mysteries. Yet as you do not abandon the gifts of your grace, so incline the ears of your goodness to our prayers, that this mirror which is blessed in your name, by the power of your holiness, may accept and become a perfect receptacle for accepting your angelic creatures in your holy name, to show a demonstration of the past, present, and future of a true and perfect knowledge, that we may be able to call upon your ineffable grace, without ambiguity or accusation, whatever it visibly manifests with rays to our eyes, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Ghost, God forever and ever. Amen.
Then the consecration,
0 God, who permitted this mirror to be made from fragile matter for the use of human kind, in order that he may judge by the illuminating rays, the different multi-layered appearances observed by looking at its different shapes; look kindly on the face of this mirror and multiply your blessings in it, that the inrush of your abundant grace gladdens the soul, as with the command of your greatness, in order that it may obtain grace from your Holy Ghost, which through the holy secret mixture of clarity and light, He (the Holy Ghost) may make this mirror fruitful, that a sanctifying energy being accepted and conceived in it, through your truthful angels, whom we intend to call upon through the power of your name, because of your usual mercy and nature, it may represent by looking at. Therefore O Lord, may all unclean spirits depart from this blessed mirror, most clear and true; may all devilish wickedness, delusions, and deceptions withdraw far from this mirror. May the creature of this mirror be free from all attacks, assaults, and purged of all deceits and immune to all treachery, and may the divine light surround it, so that all doubts and uncertainties are indicated, that your angels may reveal very clear that which is hidden or doubtful, so that anyone who gazes into this mirror may operate it in, O perfect Holy Ghost, and successfully understand what he asks about with certainty. Therefore I bless you, O mirror + by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by the God who has granted you special power for showing appearances, so that being consecrated and strengthened you may accept and retain the power for which we have directed you. Be blessed and consecrated through Jesus Christ his only son our Lord, who has wished you to be consistently translucent and to send in the shapes and to demonstrate through different reflections with invocations to you almighty merciful God, be present with us, and infuse into this mirror the celestial harmony of your good clarity, speak with your mouth the benediction of this stone, so that thought you, for the common use of people, and may your angel be present in it to reliably answer our questions.
Put 5 drops oil on the surface of the mirror in the shape of a cross (4 points and one in the center) then say,
May the power of the Holy Ghost descend into this mirror. May it stir up the knowledge manifested in the mirror, that is may further the effect most gently, so that all doubts are resolved with certainty, so that all people gazing into this mirror may themselves enjoy true knowledge and perfect certainty, and command of the information and demonstration, through you, 0 Lord who lives and reigns and rules forever. Amen.
Now put 5 drops of oil on the right thumb, make a cross on the mirror connecting the prior drops of oil, and say the following,
Through this anointing may this mirror be consecrated, blessed, and sanctified, so that it may have the perfect power we desire for revealing the angels to us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Next blow on the mirror for 5 seconds, then say,
Descend into this mirror so it may be consecrated, blessed, and sanctified, so that this mirror may have the perfect power we desire for revealing the angels to us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Lastly say before the mirror;
I conjure you, O exhalation, by the name (insert name), by the Holy Mother, instilled by the concerns of the phantasm, be filled by the greatest breath, by the best practice, by all the infernal tributes, by the holy Mary Magdalene, by the blessed Margaret, by the head of the holy John the Baptist, by Peter and Paul, by the virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you join this mirror to respond to everything that is asked.
Soon the spirit of the mirror shall appear to you as a voice, saying and will show what you ask. This is also your opportunity to get a spirit seal from this creature before sending them on their way. When you are ready bid the spirit license to depart, request that it comes back whenever called. This is the spirit of the mirror who will aid in bringing forth other spirits and answers when the magi desires them.
The Ring
Various points in the BoO mention the use of a magic ring, and there are various experiments for the construction of a magic ring. For the purposes here I'll be focusing on one specific conjuration for a ring. Instilling the ring to have power over spirits and to aid you in excising them.
It goes as follows:
For 3 days prior to this rite abstain from impurity. You may eat and drink water, but refrain as best as you can from your vices. Place the ring you have chosen for this consecration on your altar. Where you will be celebrating 3 masses [note: I did not hold 3 masses over the ring I use. Instead, I simply prayed over them with psalms]. Then put the ring in a clean place [I wrapped mine in white cloth] and perfume it with fine fragrances.
On the 4th day say over the ring,
Hoccindinos + Osytheon + Stimulamaton + Elioram + Messias + Sother + Emanuel + Sabaoth + Adonay + Panthater + Primellus + Grabaton + by these holy names, and by other names which it is not permitted to name, I humbly urge you, that this ring which is here present, which the wise Solomon prepared and used in his experiments, and obtained effectual power over all demons and evil spirits, and he was able to exorcise them at his pleasure through the power of this ring, and he was able to bind them fast in all his experiments, and may it be salvation and protection to the associates, through you, 0 God, who are the refuge of all, and the virtue, glory, and power, through the eternal ages. Amen.
Lastly recite psalm 120, 112, and 129 over the ring. After this the ring will be ready to be used.
The Sword
Many rituals within the BoO call for the use of a sword. There are no clear consecrations for the sword in the book, so when I worked this grimoire I didn't worry about consecrating my sword. The sword I used was a metal blade sharp enough to cut, but not sharp enough to do any serious damage. Occasionally I substituted my sword for a white or black handled knife per the texts suggestion.
On occasions I do feel called to hallow my sword I use a simple exorcism based on others in the BoO. I would say the following while sprinkling my blade with holy water,
Creature of iron/metal I exorcise and bless thee in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy ghost. Amen. +++
Using holy oil I mark the sword with 3 "+" signs. One on the handle, one where the blade meets the handle, and the last one by the tip of the blade.
The Hazel Rods
These are treasure hunting tools first and foremost, but they can also be used to lead to you anything you wish. So should you find that through working this grimoire you need specific materia these may come in handy.
To make the hazel rods:
On the first Friday of an increasing moon before the sun has risen look for a hazel tree. Find branches that are about a year in age or less. Cut them in 4 stroke while saying,
In the name of the Father, I have sought thee. In the name of the Son, I have found thee. In the name of the Holy Ghost, I do cut thee
Followed by John 1:1, the Pater Noster 3 times, and 7 Ave Marias. Then say,
O Lord by whose providence mankind is increased, and all things have their being, humbly we beseech thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and that thou will grant to us that all things may be brought to good pass that we take in hand, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto thee. Let us pray. 0 Lord, by whose providence the earth and all therein was created, grant grace to these, thy creatures, that they may be unto me aiding, both now and at all other times as when I shall have cause to use them, so that the rather by them I may come to the knowledge of that thing I desire. This grant, good lord, I do beseech thee for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. I conjure you, hazel rods of one year growing this day, by the ineffable names of God + Hely + Helyson + Orca + Tetragrammaton + that you bring me without all manner of deceit and craft unto the place where any treasure is hidden, or any other thing, and that by the virtue of the holy name of God written in you. I command you that you do not rule in vain. I adjure you, 0 hazels of one year's growth, by the three kings of Cullen, Jasper, Melchior, and Balthazar, that, as they being wise and prudent men, were conducted and led by a star where as they found Christ, that so you may bring me into the certain and sure place where any treasure is or metal is hid or hath any being, and that this be done. I bid and command you by the power of God the Father, who hath made you, by God the Son, who hath redeemed me, and by the Holy Spirit who hath sanctified me and all creatures. Amen.
On the first rod write "Arifax + Agla +" 3 times, and on the other write "+ Adonay + Raavarax" 3 times.
Some Talismans and Lamens for Working the Book of Oberon:
These seals were designed for practical use with the spirit of the Book of Oberon. The first is for contacting the 7 angelic rules of the days of the week, and the 2nd for the infernal spirits listed in the office of spirits. They are made with blessed pen and paper. I have personally put these to use.
For contacting the 7 Angels & Protection from Spirits
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| 7 angels and protection |
For compelling infernal spirits
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This combination of seals is taken from the section of the BoO titled, "A collection of talismans". I make use them together because they both relate to controlling and protecting the practitioner from infernal powers, one seal is put on either side of this lamen. When calling infernal spirits it is worn on the chest and displayed for the spirits called.
Consecration of these talismans:
These talismans are to be blessed on the day and hour of mercury for best results. I use the preliminary ritual considerations I posted, then I call on Mercurial spirits (Raphael being the Angel of Wednesday would be who I conjure. Other Mercurial beings could also be called) when it comes to the core ritual conjurations. Once these spirits are present I move forward with the consecrations.
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| For compelling infernals |
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| For compelling infernals |
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