Anon (Herbert Irwin),
Book of Magic, Society of Esoteric Endeavour 2014, 1st
Edition.
Never previously
published.
Limited edition
consisting of three components held together in slipcase:-
Facsimile of Manuscript. Hardback
in full calf leather binding incorporating skrying mirror. 416pp coloured
pages (of which 209pp are blank) It is
clearly stated to be the book of the Fratres Lucis and is bound to match the
appearance of the book as Herbert envisaged and drew it in the frontispiece of
the manuscript. All edges are hand gilded, thus avoiding the too shiny
gaudiness of machine gilding. Leather joint, decorated endpapers. The front
cover has a real satin silk doublure (a traditional bookbinding device, a panel
of silk set into the inside of the boards). Inset into the doublure on the
front board is a reproduction of a sigil from the book which features an eye
within concentric circles. The actual eye itself if formed with a portion of
paper from the original manuscript, so as to create a magical link with the
original. In a recess of the doublure on the rear board is set a glass magic
mirror, to facilitate the practitioner’s access to the mindspaces from whence
this book arose. The black mirror’s convex design follows Herbert Irwin’s
recommendations in the book. The full colour facsimile is a very high quality
reproduction and is designed to have the same appearance as original
manuscript, rather than modern shiny photographs of it. The manuscript was
completed in 1874 and this facsimile utilises a specifically Victorian binding
method called “gutta percha”, then used for upmarket art books. However, modern
materials are used that solve the longevity issues that resulted in the binding
method being discontinued in the early 20th Century.
Some sample pages
Transcript.
Hardback cloth binding. Typeset as in
the original 408pp (of which 205 are blank),
and also gives translations of the occasional Latin. It also reproduces all the
illustrations so the text can be seen in context, but is in monochrome. There
is no decoration to the cover, so visually it merges with the slipcase. Herbert
Irwin’s handwriting is not always easily read. As can be seen from these
images, the transcript overcomes this issue.
Talismans in Folder.
Talismans from the manuscript. They can be removed from the recesses in which
they are held, for ease of use by the practitioner. As with the transcript, for
aesthetic reasons there is no decoration to the cover. When in position, the
talismans are framed by a gilt border. The manuscript states that the talismans
should be made either of pure gold or drawn on parchment. Inspired by this,
these are blocked in pure gold on vellum (the terms vellum and parchment were
used interchangeably in the 19th Century).
Context
The roots of the Golden Dawn
are complex and have been much debated, and will be much discussed in the
future as new evidence emerges. It is undisputed, though, that Major F.G.Irwin
was an important player in the pre-Golden Dawn occult milieu. One narrative*
has it that Kenneth Mackenzie brought the Fratres Lucis to British shores
founding Temple No.1. Major Irwin then headed the Hermanoubis Temple No. 2 in
Bristol, and then Woodman, Westcott and Mathers founded the No.3 Isis-Urania
Temple in London under the Golden Dawn banner, but with more complex rituals
resulting from the input of Kabbalah, Egyptology and the Cipher Manuscripts.
The very masonic rituals and historical narratives of the Fratres Lucis that
have been published appear quite out of step with the profoundly magical nature
of the Golden Dawn. It is specially interesting, then, that Major Irwin’s son
Herbert should have scribed this Book of Magic which is, very explicitly, the
book of the Fratres Lucis and is highly magical.
* See for example:-
http://www.golden-dawn.com/eu/displaycontent.aspx?pageid=139-biography-of-f.g.-irwin
Some Themes
Skrying using a magical
mirror. Various procedures are described for using the
magic mirror to view and communicate with spirits. One involves a surprisingly
early description of the use of electric batteries for occult purposes. It is
clear that working with the magic mirror is the source of much of the material
of the book. The manuscript is highly visual using coloured inks and numerous
diagrams and images, presumably recording visions received from the magic
mirror. Herbert also talks of letting angels take over his body and guide his
hand. One can spot some book sources (Barrett’s Magus, Key of Solomon) for some
material but much is unfamiliar and is probably the result of such magical
workings.
Contact with the Hidden
Adepts was a crucial aspect of the Golden Dawn and its
members employed various strategies, esoteric and exoteric, to contact the
“Secret Chiefs”. In the Theosophical Society, and thence Crowley’s A.’.A.’. it
was the “Great White Brotherhood” with whom communication was sought. Likewise
in the Fratres Lucis as set forth in this Magic Book by Herbert Irwin.
Communication with Rosicrucian adepts of the Order is embodied in records of
earlier group magical rituals attended by Martinez de Pasquales, Lavater, St.
Germain, Cagliostro and others. These may have been clairvoyantly perceived
through the skrying mirror. Herbert writes of magically attending meetings. The
Order also has inner plane contacts with Knights Templar initiates with two
records of communication with the spirit of Jacques de Molay, one anonymous
(probably Herbert Irwin) and another attributed to Thomas Vaughan.
Hidden
Sun. In a
diagram and associated text it is stated that the sun we see is not the real
sun, but an imperfect and lesser reflection of the light that illuminates other
universes beyond ours. This idea went on to become a dogma of the Theosophical
Society (founded one year after the manuscript was completed) and then gain
notoriety as the notion of the “Black Sun” current in neo-Nazi occult vectors.
The Fratres Lucis, as described in this book, is synonymous with the “Brothers
of the Swastika”
“Non-Euclidian Geometry”
Some diagrams are suggestive of paper being folded multiple times in a manner
that appears impossible to replicate in reality. This and three full page
diagrams that share certain commonalities, pointing to Universes beyond ours
and with compass points awry, is reminiscent of the “non-Euclidian geometry”
imagined by H.P. Lovecraft.
Drugs & Herbs.
In the discussion of herbalism a dozen herbs are dealt with, some very briefly
as medicinal herbs but there is an extensive section on saffron which gives a
lengthy and complex procedure for obtaining an extract, which is stated as
being considered by Fraters of the Rose Cross the most wonderful and useful
herb. The effects described are of an extreme form of rejuvenation, and also a
gentle heat that pervades the frame and gives a sense of liveliness and
strength. Modern users find relatively small doses of saffron akin to a low
dose of Ecstasy, and recent scientific tests supports its psychoactive
potential and also find that it does increase the effects of opiates, which the
Victorians knew as it was a major ingredient of laudanum. Herbert also
discusses the magical uses of opium itself, about which he is ambiguous,
considering it potentially demonic. Never-the-less, he took opium to assist his
skrying and died of an opium overdose. The original codex bears a bookplate
added by his father, with the Fratres Lucis swastika, recording his death and
making the book a memorial to his son. This bookplate, plus the Irwin family
bookplate also present in the original, are reproduced and tipped in to the
facsimile. He may have died whilst skrying mind spaces related to those that
gave rise to this book which is, at least, poignant - and may also have
significant esoteric implications.
An Astral Book made
Manifest An illustration of the Book of Magic forms the
very first page of the manuscript and the glyph of the magic book appears in a
number of the subsequent illustrations. These probably record of visions
received in the skrying mirror. This edition now makes manifest that astral
book. Furthermore, with the eye in the motif set in the front cover being on
paper from the original manuscript, it provides a magical link that is the
basis for the magic mirror set in the rear board to act as the window by which
the practitioner may access the same mind spaces that Herbert viewed to create
the original manuscript. These mind spaces are of the same astral flux that
found manifestation in the Golden Dawn and the Theosophical Society.
5) Complete List of
Headings in the Manuscript
Book
of Magic
[preamble]
Prayer
Second
Part
Of
the Invoking of the Spirits Angelic
Of
the dress of the operator
A
Brief note of the qualities requisite in the Invoker of Angelic Spirits
Of the Angels of Spirits of the Spheres
Of
the Necessary Conditions Rules and laws To be observed by the student of Spiritual
and Angelic things
Of
Diabolic Evocation
Of
the power of the Will in Relation to Magical Things
Of
the making and of the using of Magical glasses, Crystals and Mirrors
Charge
for dismissing the Vision
Of
the Consecration of Magical Mirrors and Crystals
Of
the Virtue and Power of Signs
Of
the forming of Charms
Of
Invocation of Spirits of the Sun, Moon and Eight Planets
Of
the Spirits of the Sun
Invocation
Form
of Dismissal
Of
the Spirit of the Moon
Shapes
familiar to the Spirits of the Sun
Of
the Signs, Pentacles, and Talismans of Spirits
Of
the Talismans of the Spirits of the Sun
Spirits
of the Spheres
The
sign of the good spirits of the moon
Of
the Philosophical Stone Of its making – and of its using
Further Experiments in the Hermetic Art – or revification and of Resurrection
Some
Remarks on the Medical virtues of the herb Saffron
Of
the (vulgo Poppy)
The
Herb Rue
Of
the Herb Taraxacum
The
Herb Vervain
Of
the Marsh Mallow
Of
the Occult Power and of sympathy
Of
Attraction
Of
the operation of casting into the Sleep
Of
Talismans and of Signs By which to accomplish certain ends
Of
the use of many things of sympathy of antipathy of the Nature of things Of the Divining Rod
Of
Sympathy
Of the Cabbala
Of
Divination by Marks
Of
the Division and Government of the Human Race
The Book of the Secret Ritual of Invocation of the Brethren of [the swastika]
Form
for the Invocation of Good Angels
Secret
Ritual
Secret
Ritual Invocation March 20th 1774
Talismans
Of
the Means of obtaining answers From the Inner world
The
Talismanic Science
A
Talisman of Great Power
Of Planetary days and hours and of the Angels
which
govern them
On
the Making of Mirrors
Of
Divination by Dust or Ashes
Of
Charms
Of
the Secret Alphabet of some famous cabbalists
Invocated Spirit
Ordering and Limitation
This is a strictly
limited edition. All copies are deluxe. The print run will be determined by the
number of copies ordered WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Sufficient copies will then be made up to
supply those reservations
Reservations must be
received by:-
MIDNIGHT GMT
SUNDAY 9th
NOVEMBER 2014
.
Then the book will be
declared out of print and no further orders will be accepted. Any subsequent
enquiries will be forwarded to those trade customers who have purchased copies
for resale.
.
Bookplate recording limitation and provenance
The total number of the
print run will be recorded by triangular bookplate blocked in pure gold with an
eye (a significant symbol in the Book of Magic, related to the sun behind the sun).
This will also give, in the hand of a professional calligrapher, the number of
the particular copy. The number will, very strictly, record the sequence of
actual sale, the first person who completes payment receives copy No.1, the
second who completes payment No.2 and so forth.
The original manuscript
bears the ownership inscription of F.L Gardner, an important member of both the
Golden Dawn and Theosophical Society. In recognition of the potential
importance of a particular books provenance the triangular bookplate will also
give the name, magical name, magical motto or trade name of the purchaser
written out by the calligrapher. IF YOU WISH THIS TO STATE “ANON” OR A SPECIFIC
NAME/MOTTO PLEASE SPECIFY SO. Otherwise bookplate will record name of person or
business ordering the book. The bookplate is designed to accommodate the names
of subsequent owners so that, over time, the provenance of each copy may be
recorded. Thus the facsimiles may continue that which commenced with the
original manuscript.
The original bookplates, reproductions of which are tipped in the facsimile.
Limitation
bookplate
Production
The patience of people
ordering Society of Esoteric Endeavour books is truly appreciated. It is that support
that has drawn books into manifestation. Whilst previous publications have been
made in kitchens, conservatories, garages, offices and so forth, this
publication will be largely made in a spacious, well equipped, bindery with
many more hands at work under highly experienced supervision. Accordingly they
will be ready far more quickly than previous publications. Ironically, there is
some regret to be felt concerning this. These human resources and this
specialist equipment and premises are available for this and future Society of
Esoteric Endeavour publications for no other reason that because the British
book industry is in ruins. The personnel, equipment and premises connect back
to the origins of craft book binding in Leicester, the roots of which may be
found in the Arts and Craft Movement.
THIS
BOOK IS NOW OUT OF PRINT
In
all, 196 copies have been ordered, so that is the number of copies of this book
that shall become physically manifest, more than 140 years after the book was
first conceived/perceived.
No
further orders can be accepted.
However,
some copies have been ordered by bookdealers for resale.
Please
email me at ben@caduceusbooks.com for
a list of these dealers