This is one of many spells found in the book A COLLECTION OF MAGICAL SECRETS by Stephen Skinner and David Rankine (Translated by Paul Harry Barron). The book which was found bound with a manuscript of The Key of Solomon (used by the authors as part of their ground breaking work The Veritable Key of Solomon) is a treasure trove of spells, charms and conjurations which shows just how blurred the lines between so called “high” and “low” magic was in the 18th century. It also provides an example of magic as a living tradition in the late 1700’s which makes this a book which is very popular with practitioners of traditional forms of folk magic, witchcraft and magic. You can find out more about the book at http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/221/?page_id=317 – where the book can also be ordered.
This example has been chosen from the many spells concerning love, sex and courtship found in the book. Please note that it is provided here as a historical example only, we are not suggesting you or anyone else actually perform this charm. It does raise interesting points about the ethics of magical work in the past, when the boundaries which exist now in some of the modern traditions in regards to exercising control over another did not exist in the same way, nor do we advocate the killing of any white doves! Love spells are amongst the most popular spells found in Books of Secrets, such as this one.
For Love
On a Thursday, Friday or Sunday, write these names with the blood of a white dove and with a red copper pen, newly bought in the name of the person, whom you desire:
“Rach, Sache, Raram, Amaam”
And then write the name of the woman and her mother on top of these names. Then with this paper, if you touch the bare flesh of the person, you should see a miracle.
Clearly, as with all the spells in this little series of blogs on Love Magic in celebration of Valentine’s Day, this spell is presented here purely for the purposes of historical illustration. We are not suggesting you start chasing around after white doves, injuring yourself in the process and worse of all getting into a fight with a pretty pigeon when it does not volunteer to “give blood”. We can also not guarantee that you will see any miracles if you did decide to perform this spell! But most importantly , please don’t forget – Dove’s have rights too! We are unable to bear any responsibility for your actions, and especially not injuries obtained whilst climbing up Church steeples in your attempts to get at the doves!
Enjoy!
