CLAVIS INFERNI

The Grimoire of Saint Cyprian

sive magia alba et nigra approbata Metratona

the Key of Hell with white and black magic proven by Metatron

By Stephen Skinner and David Rankine

After a long wait, and after many years of pouring over the manuscript whilst working on other projects, Clavis Inferni – The Grimoire of St Cyprian is now available in print, with commentary by Stephen Skinner and David Rankine.

You can order your copy of this limited to 200 edition now from the Avalonia website.

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LIMITED EDITION of 200 Copies

Information:

There have been many grimoires attributed to St. Cyprian of Antioch due to his reputation as a consummate magician before his conversion to Christianity, but perhaps none so intriguing as the present unique manuscript. Although it is highly unlikely that the text is by the historical St. Cyprian, but this does not detract from its extraordinary contents.

This manuscript (unlike the more rustic Black Books of Wittenburg as found in Scandinavia, or the rather Catholic texts disseminated under his name in both Spain and Portugal) is directly in line with the Solomonic tradition, deriving input from the Heptameron, the Faustbooks of Germany, and the Goetia. It is therefore very relevant to our present series of Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic.

It is unique in that instead of being weighed down with many prayers and conjurations, it addresses the summoning and use of both the four Archangels, Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel aas well as their opposite numbers, the four Demon Kings, Paymon, Maimon, Egyn and Oracus (Oriens) in a very direct way. The later are drawn in their animal and human forms along with their sigils, a resource unique amongst grimoires. Metatron appears as an even more powerful archangel than the usual four.

The text is in a mixture of three magical scripts, Greek, Hebrew, cipher, Latin, and reversed Latin with many contractions and shortforms, but these are expanded and made plain by the editors. The title of the manuscript, Clavis Inferni sive magia alba et nigra approbata Metatrona, literally means ‘The Key of Hell with white and black magic as proven by Metatron’.

St Cyprian stands with Solomon and Moses as one of the major attributed writers of magical texts from the Judeo-Christian tradition. Amongst his accredited works is this unique manuscript, Clavis Inferni, which was rediscovered by the authors in 2004 languishing forgotten in a London library. After several years of research, they deciphered the cipher manuscript, which although short, is a treasure trove of some of the most significant practices and ideas found in the grimoires. Clavis Inferni is now available, complete with its translation and contextual information exploring the themes of the demon kings, Metatron, St Cyprian and his alleged works.

For more information, together with information on how to order your copy now, see our website at:

http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/sourceworks/cyprian.htm

[ Please note that this book is a Golden Hoard Press publication.]

“From a Drop of Water…”

A Collection of Magickal Reflections on the Nature, Creatures,Uses, and Symbolism of Water.

“This creation is, in its totality, a drop of Water; man himself has originated from a drop of Water”
Bundahishn 28,2

Edited by Kim Huggens
Contributions by: Yvonne Aburrow, Harry Barron, John Canard, Emily Carding, Diane M.Champigny, Chrissy Derbyshire,Sorita d’Este, Rachel Donaldson, Nina Falaise, Melissa Harrington,Kim Huggens, Payam Nabarz, Maestro Nestor, Magin, Cathryn Orchard, Rodney Orpheus, Andrea Salgado Reyes and Katherine Sutherland

FROM A DROP OF WATER is a unique collection of 17 essays by some of the foremost modern esoteric writers, pagan scholars and magickal practitioners. Each contribution reflects the writer’s own understanding and passion for Water, and in doing so they share their unique insights, experiences and their diverse research on the subject with the reader. The powerful nature of Water as transformer and healer, initiator into the mysteries and bringer of both life and death is emphasised throughout. The multitude of spiritual beings associated with Water are powerful and volatile forces of nature. They include the Undines and Nymphs of European folklore, as well as mythical creatures such as mermaids and krakens, sirens and selkies. The importance of Water is often taken for granted, yet its symbolism connects every religion, spiritual path and philosophy. Many of the earliest creation myths have Water as a central theme, and man has forever been telling tales of the Waters of this Earth, and has since time immemorial gazed up at the Moon who governs the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tides.

Likewise, deities associated with Water often play a central role in myths, legends and practices, and this is explored in many of the essays in this anthology. From Anahita, the Persian Goddess of rain and abundance, to the Afro-Brazilian Goddess Yemanyá, the Egyptian Mother Goddess Isis as portrayed in Dion Fortune’s Sea Priestess and Nimue in the Arthurian Legends, the power of Water is ever present. Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love is born from the foam of the oceans, and many of the Vodou Lwa – including Agwe, Mambo La Sirene, Erzulie Freda, Damballah Wedo and the Simbis also have strong associations with Water which are explored in this collection. Furthermore, the magical qualities and symbolism of Water are explored through examples of meditation, ritual, song and dance. Its magic is manifested through talismans, poetry, art and invocation. Moreover, Living Water as used in the Kabbalah and Grimoires, as well as the role of Water in Baptism are also explored.

This exceptional collection of essays bring together a breadth of experience, which is emphasised through the diversity of traditions they represent. These include Vodou, Thelema, the Western Mystery Tradition, Wicca, Paganism, and English Root Magick, as well as Grimoire Magicians who work the magick of the Key of Solomon and Goetia.

Water both allures and terrifies – just like the stark contrast between the glimmering of moonlight upon the ocean’s surface on a clear night and the hulking gloom in its fathomless depths. But the planet’s oceans and many Waters are vast and unfathomable, and herein lies but a few drops of wisdom in a sea of possibilities.

This exciting new book will be available for preorder from Avalonia very soon!  Make sure to join our mailinglist at www.avaloniabooks.co.uk to be kept informed of new titles.

It would seem like its a week for really amazing feedback on some of our books, they keep flooding in and we hope to find the time soon to update the list of reviews on our website (www.avaloniabooks.co.uk ) to include mention of all the many reviews our books have been receiving.  In the meantime we are very excited to see a mention of HEKATE LIMINAL RITES in “The New Age Retailer” which is a very popular publication in the US.  This is what the reviewer, Richard D. Wright, Tranquil Things, Derby Line, Vt.,  had to say:

“Hekate, a figure in the Orphic mysteries, is “the goddess of the crossroads, of thresholds, of dreams and oracles, of the realms of life and death.” Sources that give recognition to her can be traced back to the ninth century BCE. She is mentioned as a matter of course in Homer’s Odyssey, later in dramas by Aeschylus and Euripides, and still later in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Her worship dates from much further back and is now becoming a part of some contemporary ceremonies. The authors cite 98 literary references and use over 150 sources to bring together “a collection of material which relates specifically to devotional practices, symbols and magical techniques recorded as being associated with the goddess Hekate.” They explain that she is portrayed as the triple goddess with triple images and triple shrines, and that she is both a light bringer and, as queen of the restless dead, the ruler of ghosts.

Although the book draws its material from scholarly studies, it is written for the general reader. Its 30 brief chapters include sections on images, charms, initiations, herbs and poisons, angels, oracles, hymns, animal forms, necromancy, and fusions with other goddesses. It is a good source of background material for anyone involved with modern or ancient rites and rituals, or indeed for anyone simply interested in exploring the mysteries surrounding the worship of the triple goddess Hekate.”

For more information on Hekate Liminal Rites by David Rankine & Sorita d’Este, visit http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/hekate_liminalrites.htm

Cauldron Magazine is one of the most respected occult journals in the UK, established since the 1970’s you can find out more by visiting their website at http://www.the-cauldron.org.uk/ (including subscription info).  It is always both interesting and exciting to find reviews of our publications in magazines, but especially so when they are positive (of course).  In the latest edition of Cauldron several Avalonia titles have received glowing reviews, these include Hekate Liminal Rites, Stellar Magic, The Book of Treasure Spirits and the anthology Both Sides of Heaven.

Both Sides of Heaven – an anthology of essays regarding Angels, Fallen Angels and Demons which was edited by Sorita d’Este and includes essays by some of the best known authors, researchers and mystics of the current occult rennaissance, the contributions include:

Contents:
A Host of Winged Messengers – Sorita d’Este
Fallen Angels and Legends of the Fall – Rufus Harrington
On the Wings of Rebirth – Katherine Sutherland
The Myth of the Fallen Ones – Michael Howard
The Enochians – Aaron Leitch
Madeline Montalban, Elemental and Fallen Angels – Julia Phillips
Azazel & Shemyaza – Diana Allam
Thirteen Unicycles in the Woods – Adele Nozedar
The Salvation of the Sidhe – Emily Carding
The Green Butterfly – Dan Harms
The Fallen Angels and the Goetia - David Rankine
Demons & Devils - Maestro Nestor
Grimoires for Pagans – Jake Stratton-Kent
The Thwarting Angels – Stephen Skinner
Loving Lilith – Melissa Harrington
The Face in the Mirror – Charlotte Rodgers
Between Gods and Men - Kim Huggens
Zoroastrian Angels and Demons – Payam Nabarz

This is what Cauldron thought of this collection:

“This excellent new book from those good people at Avalonia is a collection of eighteen essays exploring the origin, history and magical practices of angles, fallen angels and demons by some of the foremost esoteric writers, occult scholars and magicians (and sometimes all three!) in the field today.  In their essays they contribute their personal experiences, research and insights into this fascinating subject.  The contents range from the occult work of Renaissance magi such as Dr John Dee, Edward Kelley and Dr Thomas Rudd to more recent practitioners like the magus, taromancer and astrologer Madeline Montalban (1910-1982).  There aer also several interesting contributions on the Watchers or fallen angels and their offspring the Nephelim and the magical rites in medieval grimoires such as the Key of Solomon and the Goetia.  After all the New Age nonsense written about angels it is refreshing to get a book that tells the reader exactly what they are.  Very highly recommended.”

Dear All,

We are proud to announce that Odin’s Gateways by Katie Gerrard is now available for preorder from our website. For more information go to: http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/odins_gateways.htm

For those of you nearer to London, who have a keen interest in the Runes or who want to find out more about Runes you are invited to the celebration of the launch of this exciting new book which will be taking place this coming Sunday afternoon at Treadwells Bookshop in Covent Garden (London).

Here’s the details:

Date: Sunday, 22 November 2009

Time: 14:00 – 17:00

Location: Treadwells Bookshop

Street: 34 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden

Town/City: London, United Kingdom

If you wish to attend PLEASE BOOK DIRECTLY WITH TREADWELLS BOOK SHOP 020 7240 8906

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More information

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Odin’s Gateways

By Katie Gerrard

(Avalonia, November 2009)

http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/odins_gateways.htm

Description:

“The runes you must find … Which the mighty sage stained and the powerful gods made and the runemaster of the gods carved out.” (The Poetic Edda, translated by Carolyne Larrington)

The runes are mysterious and powerful magical keys to the primal forces of nature that shaped Norse and Northern European culture. These twenty-four unique and inspiring symbols of the Elder Futhark (first runic alphabet) each possess powerful energies, identities, meanings, and sounds. They are both the gateways and the hidden mysteries beyond the gateways, connecting you to the nine worlds of gods, giants, elves, dwarves and shades. The runes are invoked and harnessed to create change through inspiration, healing, protection, knowledge and divine wisdom from the Norse gods.

Odin’s Gateways is a practical guide to using the runes in our lives, in magic and in divination – a unique journey into the mysteries hidden within the runes, filled with the information and practices necessary to developing a deep personal understanding and relationship with them. By focusing on how to directly harness and channel the energy of the individual runes, the author guides the reader along the path to self knowledge and empowerment. With a deft hand and lucid style, Katie Gerrard cuts to the heart of the runes, combining the wisdom of the Norse Sagas and rune poems with practical advice and techniques gained through living and experiencing their powers.

The practical magic of the runes is demonstrated through numerous examples of Galdr (incantation), bindrunes (composite runic sigils) and spellcraft for purposes such as protection, healing, childbirth, creating a sacred space, fertility, sleep, battle and cursing. The divinatory meanings of the runes are given, with a range of different reading methods, and advice on how to cast and interpret them. Woven amongst the manifold techniques and practices contained in her work, the author also explores the history of rune use, providing the highlights from Tacitus and Snorri Sturluson to the modern European and American rune masters who have revived their use.

You can find more information on this book, as well as the author Katie Gerrard by visiting http://runes.avalonia.co.uk/

The book is now available for preorder from Avalonia – http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/odins_gateways.htm

……. Expanding the Esoteric Horizons …….
www.avaloniabooks.com

For those interested in Hekate, Aphrodite, Artemis, Ritual, Trance, Dance and Magic … 8pm UK time, there will be a live interview on WitchTalk between Karagan and Sorita d’Este – its free, details can be found at — (you will also be able to listen to the archived show afterwards)  — visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchtalk for details of “Dancing at the Crossroads”

Visit for more information on Sorita d’Este visit her website www.sorita.co.uk

For those of you within travelling distance of the amazing city of Bath (UK) you might be interested in a talk on ‘Stellar Magic’ by the author and mystic Payam Nabarz, he will be speaking about his latest book, published by Avalonia, Stellar Magic A practical guide to the rites of the Moon, Planets, Stars & Constellations.
Lecture details:

Host: Omphalos Magickal Moot
Date: Sunday, 08 November 2009
Time: 14:00 – 17:00
Location: Upstairs at the Huntsman Pub
Street: 1 Terrace Walk, North Parade
Town/City: Bath, United Kingdom

For more information on Payam Nabarz, and his book Stellar Magic see http://www.stellarmagic.co.uk

Dear Reader,

Avalonia is proud to announce that Practical Qabalah Magick by David Rankine and Sorita d’Este is now available for order from our website.This book is the third in a series by these authors which brings together original research, source material and original practical rituals, exercises and meditations, following on from the very successful Practical Elemental Magick and Practical Planetary Magick books.

You can order your copy from http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk today for just £14.99. To celebrate the launch of the third book in the series, we are also offering those readers who have not yet read the first two books, Practical Planetary Magick and Practical Elemental Magick, the chance to purchase all three titles together at a discounted price. See http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/offers.htm for details (Offer valid until 30 Nov 2009)

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Practical Qabalah Magick

Working the Magick of the Practical Qabalah and the Tree of Life in the Western Mystery Tradition

By David Rankine & Sorita d’Este

“The Qabalah gives understanding and wisdom through knowledge, strength and mercy through beauty, and a foundation of victory and splendour, crowning the seeker within their own kingdom and raising them to the heights of their own genius.”

The Qabalah is a uniquely lucid and practical path of magical practice and spiritual philosophy. The essence of this ancient wisdom is a spectrum of simple and effective techniques for transforming yourself and your life. Qabalistic practices focus around the glyph called the Tree of Life which weaves together the magick and symbolism of the four elements, the seven classical planets, and the zodiac into a single perfect whole.

In Practical Qabalah Magick, the most effective Qabalistic practices created by the great Qabalists of the past are united in one place with techniques developed by the authors drawing on their own research, and inspired by the rich heritage of the Western MysteryTradition.

The wealth of techniques within this unique and ground-breaking work include how to use your voice to project your intent through the Vibratory Formula and so effectively draw on the power of the Divine Names and other words of power, Unification of the Divine Names to rise up the Tree of Life, the power of effective prayer and how to develop the power of prophecy (Ruach HaQadosh), the temples of the Sephiroth, working with the archangels and angels (including the zodiacal archangels), the powers of the 22 Paths and how to use them, how to draw on the 231 Gates; the Lightning Flash exercise, a new Qabalistic method for consecrating talismans and the Kerubic Prayer Formula, being made publicly available for the first time.

Using the practices contained within this book to explore the beautiful and insightful philosophies of the Qabalah, you may journey through all of the Four Worlds. Practical Qabalah Magick provides the tools to grow with the magick of the Tree of Life and enhance your spiritual, mental, emotional and material lives.

To order your copy now, visit our website www.avaloniabooks.co.uk or www.avaloniabooks.com

Odin’s Gateways

By Katie Gerrard

(Avalonia, November 2009)

Description:

“The runes you must find … Which the mighty sage stained and the powerful gods made and the runemaster of the gods carved out.”  (The Poetic Edda, translated by Carolyne Larrington)

The runes are mysterious and powerful magical keys to the primal forces of nature that shaped Norse and Northern European culture. These twenty-four unique and inspiring symbols of the Elder Futhark (first runic alphabet) each possess powerful energies, identities, meanings, and sounds. They are both the gateways and the hidden mysteries beyond the gateways, connecting you to the nine worlds of gods, giants, elves, dwarves and shades. The runes are invoked and harnessed to create change through inspiration, healing, protection, knowledge and divine wisdom from the Norse gods.

Odin’s Gateways is a practical guide to using the runes in our lives, in magic and in divination – a unique journey into the mysteries hidden within the runes, filled with the information and practices necessary to developing a deep personal understanding and relationship with them. By focusing on how to directly harness and channel the energy of the individual runes, the author guides the reader along the path to self knowledge and empowerment. With a deft hand and lucid style, Katie Gerrard cuts to the heart of the runes, combining the wisdom of the Norse Sagas and rune poems with practical advice and techniques gained through living and experiencing their powers.

The practical magic of the runes is demonstrated through numerous examples of Galdr (incantation), bindrunes (composite runic sigils) and spellcraft for purposes such as protection, healing, childbirth, creating a sacred space, fertility, sleep, battle and cursing. The divinatory meanings of the runes are given, with a range of different reading methods, and advice on how to cast and interpret them. Woven amongst the manifold techniques and practices contained in her work, the author also explores the history of rune use, providing the highlights from Tacitus and Snorri Sturluson to the modern European and American rune masters who have revived their use.

Its always good to see that books we have produced are being well received, and especially so with the anthology Priestesses Pythonesses and Sibyls, as we know how unique it is and how much the material in this book has already helped men and women who follow a path of Priesthood, and who through their roles as Priestesses (or Priests) also engage in trance work with the Gods and Goddesses.

The magazine WICCAN REDE (English / Nederlands quarterly, bi lingual and published in the Netherlands) includes the following review of Priestesses Pythonesses and Sibyls in their latest magazine (Samhain 2009):

“this is not the first book Sorita has edited, and she describes this book as follows:

‘Priestesses Pythonesses Sibyls lifts a veils to reveal the mystery of trance as exerpienced by female magickal practitioners today.  Through happiness and sorrow, myth and legend, art and poetry, through ritual and dance each woman expresses her own unique and personal transformative experiences of trance.  Whether through trance possession, mediumship, Drawing Down the Moon, oracular or mantic states, dance, dreams or formal ceremony the experiences and knowledge gained during trance states can bring dramatic changes to one’s life.  The practices represented in this volume are drawn from the experiences and research of more than twenty women from around the world, each providing a unique vision of their own experiences of the Divine.’

In a time when many of us are looking at ways in which we can experience the mysteries first hand this is an invaluable anthology.  Beginning with three essays describing historical figures such as the ‘The Pythia of Apollo in Delphi’ (Caroline Tully) the second part is devoted to recollections of personal experience.

From different traditions the essayists let us peek into their ‘kitchens’.  From Katie Gerrard writing from the Seidh tradition, to Marielle Holman writing as a dancer, to Naomi Ozaniec as a Priestess of Isis.

Each has describe their own highlights and sometimes lowlights.

Naomi in fact raises the question of the reason for sharing experiences.

“I now find myself wondering which personal stories to share and what purpose might be gained in their telling.  The magical injunction: “to be silent” holds much wisdom since intense personal experience is often too intimate to carry a general significance”

Yes it is a dilemma of our times.  When to keep silent?  I think that the art is to describe something of an experience, which can serve to inspire others.  I certainly found this book inspiring and encouraging at the same time.

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For more information on this anthology see Priestesses Pythonesses and Sibyls or visit our website http://www.avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/titles/priestesses.htm We always recommend this book to those interested in trance and related practices, as well as (in particular women, but men would also benefit) those who are training for modern priesthood, whichever tradition – the experiences shared by the women in this volume crosses the boundaries.