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- Essential Books
- Supplemental Magickal Texts
- Historical References and Manuscripts
- Modern Explorations and Experiments
- Additional Books to Explore
Resources are one of the most valuable tools when working with the Goetic spirits from the Lesser Key of Solomon and having the right information is very important. There is a lot of false or unverified information that doesn't point to particular sources for these demons which could cause varying or even dangerous results.
While everyone's experiences and expertise when working with the Goetia will be different, we wanted to compile a list of sources for everyone to be able to reference during their goetic journeys.
It is important to always approach new methods and ideas with skepticism and the resources we provide are here for educational purposes. A lot of books may contain unverifiable resources and techniques that may fundamentally go against a system and should always be treated with caution.
We have also compiled a correspondence guide to the goetic demons for quick and easy reference that was the sourced by a number of the books below.
Experience and understanding Is always the best teacher.Essential Books
Here we want to list our essential books to have for Goetic workings. These books are highly verified and from reputable authors and sources.
Referred to as the standard version for the Goetia and very well researched and edited.
Supplemental Magickal Texts
We wanted to also include text that is tangential to the working of the Goetia that may also provide relevant information and understanding given the history. While some of these may not be directly tied to the 72 demons themselves, some of the rituals, methods and operations provided in these books are a great supplement to the understanding of the Goetia.These books contain valuable information and encouraged reading for any goetic magickal practioner.
Also known as the PGM, this is collection of spells and rituals dating from 100BC-400CE that may have been a heavy influence on magickal systems such as the Goetia.
An updated translation of “The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage” from the 15th century which details some of the goetic demons. Not directly related to Goetia but has tangential references and important ritual workings.
Contains a wealth of source magick from the 15th-16th century and includes important ritual information that was omitted from the Goetia.
An excellent reference book filled with easy to reference tables for a variety of magickal practices including the Goetia. Highly recommend.
Contains all three important Solomonic text of the Lesser and Greater Keys with modernized sigils and the Testament of Solomon which is one of the earliest records of magickal text pertaining to King Solomon from the 1st and 3rd century.
A catalog of spirits and spells including primary chief spirits that have been left out of the Goetia.
An updated and expanded edition to the Grimorium Verum which also contains valuable information into other goetic grimoire texts.
Contains the Book of Offices and Livre des Esperitiz which are early source books to the Goetia. Contains valuable information on clues to information once censored in later texts in the Goetia.
Another excellent edition of work by Joseph H. Peterson detailing the works of the Heptameron that have been a source to goetic workings.
Contains information relating to the four cardinal demon princes along with additional heirarchies of archangels.
A folk grimoire mentioning goetic spirits and a their ruling heirarchy along with spells and a ritual for contacting Lucifuge Rofocale.
Modernized sigils that we are familiar with today, drawings and artwork based on the Goetic spirits with a different take on the viewpoint of what the Goetia could be. Includes a very powerful and important ritual for Goetic workings.
A foundational text to western occultism. The vast majority of our understanding of western magick is laid out in principals in this book.
Other Books in print for Agrippa
A source book for the Key of Solomon containing history and methods of magick.
While not directly about Goetia, it is an excellent handbook to get started on preliminaries and recommended for beginners and seasoned magicians in any practice.
Contains a wide range of practices and references that can be useful in any form of magick.
Historical Reference and Manuscripts
We want to make sure to include historical references and manuscripts to better understand where the texts are referencing and the history behind Solomonic magick.
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Esoterica - Justin Sledge
A scholarly and academic approach into the teachings of magic and esoterism. Highly recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel
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Harley 6483 (1712)
Source manuscript for Dr Rudd's Goetia.
https://www.scribd.com/document/227884089/Harley-6483-Dr-Rudd-s-Salomon-s-Spirits
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Wellcome MS 4665 - Ca 1835
Manuscript of Frederick Hockley on the Goetia.
https://wellcomecollection.org/works/cpgx4wxu/items
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Wellcome MS 3203 - 1828
Manuscript of Henry Dawson Lea of the “Five Treatises upon Magic”, containing sigils and texts pertaining to the Goetia.
https://wellcomecollection.org/works/ec44wsyf/items
Pertaining to the Demons in the Testament of Solomon, contains translations and sigils.
An influence to many newer magickal texts that has shaped the views of demonology.
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Dictionnaire Infernal by Jacques Collin de Plancy (1863)
https://archive.org/details/dictionnaireinfe00coll_1/page/n9/mode/2up
An archival scan of the Dictionnaire Infernal that is a dictionary of various entities including the demons in the Goetia
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The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot (1584)
https://archive.org/details/discoverieofwitc00scot/page/n6/mode/1up
Provides a translation of Johann Weyer’s text of the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum along with other text.
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Pseudomonarchia Daemonum by Johann Weyer (1577)
Early reference containing goetic demons.
https://archive.org/details/ita-bnc-mag-00001533-001/page/n476/mode/2up
Modern Explorations and Experiments
While some of these are not part of traditional methods, these books incorporate new techniques and viewpoints in the practice.
It is important to always be grounded in traditional methods before experimenting with new techniques.
It is also worth noting that the Goetia may not be fully complete, as various manuscripts changed hands over the years, there has been information omitted, changed, lost or mistranslated between the texts. While those that have tried to translate and digitize the text have done so to the best of their ability, some information may have been lost due to manuscripts being in poor or illegible conditions. What we do know is that some of the texts referenced can date back to the 12th -13th centuries which indicate the practice itself is older still, but whether it predates this by decades or centuries is impossible to know.
As scholars and magicians over the years come to acquire the texts, they have most likely incorporated their own findings within to either clarify or sometimes sabotage the workings as a whole.
With that said, we may never really know every facet of the historical system in its entirety, but it is important to understand traditional methods and how they may have been originally practices with before experimenting with something new.
You don't just throw water on an electrical fire.
A different approach to demons, through a practice known as Demonolatry. Provides anecdotes and additions that can be used in regular goetic operations. Particularly the most valuable information is the added demonic Enns that can be used to call the demon during rituals. However we must warn of the lack of scholarly value and resources this book claims.
Reincorporates Dr Rudds method of working with the Shem HaMephorash and older traditions of Scrying Techniques to manifest the Goetia.
Written by Lon Milo Duquette and Christopher S. Hyatt, this includes Aleister Crowleys version of the Goetia along with commentary, quick references and new illustrations for the 72 goetic demons by David P. Wilson.
Additional Books to Explore
There are many other books on Goetia not mentioned here in this list that you can find from various other authors. Always research the authors and keep a healthy amount of skepticism for any new material.
Online References
Sacred-Texts
A collection of ancient grimoires and texts based on magickal practices. An excellent resource tool for referencing.Twilit Grotto - Esoteric Archives
http://www.esotericarchives.com
Joseph H. Petersons website provides a lot of free information to manuscripts, texts and sources pertaining to the Lesser Key of Solomon
Have a recommendation? Leave a comment and we'll consider adding it to the list!
1 comment
Thank you for this wonderful list and the correspondence guide. Your service to the worldwide community of evocationists, summoners, witches, modern-day cunning folk, goes and magisters alike is beyond comparison. I am certain that I shall be not the last one to seek to lengthen your list, but a little. Though let it not be mistaken for petty trifling; rather let my small contribution stoke the towering inferno you have set surely ablaze in the hearts of myriads upon myriads of magicians!… A copy of the Secret Lore of Magic by Idres Shah is an invaluable text that should nary escape the attention of any true seeker of the full breadth of the body of wisdom that is born within the Arte Salomonica.