A black book is a magical book. In folklore, a black book provides instructions for trafficking with spirits, Divination, and acquiring and using supernatural powers. In some cases, possession of the black book itself bestows supernatural powers, wealth, or luck upon its owner. However, use of a black book usually backfires with serious consequences. Some black books are said to be written in Blood as a Pact with the devil.
According to a German tale, a black book of unknown origin was passed down through inheritance and came into the possession of some peasants. Its magical powers were released by reading it forward and backward. If anyone failed to read the book backward, the devil was able to take control of them. Once activated, the book enabled people to acquire great wealth and to do terrible things to others without punishment. However, there were consequences to using the black book that caused its owners grief. They tried to get rid of the book but could not do so. They sought help from a minister, who successfully nailed the book into a drawer. Such a tale serves to Demonstrate the power of Christianity over both occult powers and pagan folk magic.
Black books are more than mysteriously empowered things of folklore, however. In practice, many people and families kept black books as guides for living. They included magical cures and healing recipes, prayers, charms, incantations, blessings, rituals for burial, seasonal and agricultural rites, techniques for divination, and ways to ward off evil and bad luck and attract good luck.
The material is a mixture of old folk ways and lore and Christian elements. Some black books credit their origins to Cyprianus of Antioch (Saint Cyprian), who lived in the fourth century c.e. in Turkey. According to lore, Cyprian was a sorcerer who escaped the domination of Demons and the devil by making the sign of the cross. He converted to Christianity and became a bishop. He ended his life as a martyr.
Grimoires are a type of black book, sets of instructions for ceremonial magical rituals for dealing with Demons, angels, and other powers. The Key of Solomon, which calls these powers the Animals of Darkness, gives instructions for making a black book. It should be made of virgin paper. The magician should write in it the conjurations of spirits that will summon them at any time. The book should be covered with sigils and a plate of silver and engraved with pentacles. The book can be used on Sundays and Thursdays.
In other lore, sorcerers, witches, and others who possess magical powers are said to keep the secrets of their powers and their spells in black books. In Wicca, the book is called the book of shadows.
SEE ALSO:
FURTHER READING:
- Butler, E. M. Ritual Magic. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1949.
- Rustad, Mary S. (ed. and translator). The Black Books of Elverum. Lakeville, Minn.: Galde Press, 1999.
SOURCE:
The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Copyright © 2006 by Visionary Living, Inc.