The Gospel of Satan: Grand Grimoire is One of the Creepiest Medieval Manuscripts Out There!

The Grand Grimoire, sometimes referred to as the ‘Red Dragon’ or the ‘Gospel of Satan’, is a medieval grimoire believed to possess immense powers. According to legend, it was written by an apocryphal figure by the name of Honorius of Thebes, who is claimed to have been possessed by Satan himself. The Grand Grimoire is said to be one of the most potent occult books in existence, and contains instructions for the summoning of demons.

This grimoire is often said to have been written during the 16 ^th century. During the 18 ^th century, when there was a ‘cheap grimoire boom’ in France, a version of the Grand Grimoire was produced, and then published in the following century. The original Grand Grimoire (or a copy of the original), however, is said to be kept today in the Vatican Secret Archives, and is not currently available to the public.

Whilst the exact origin of the word ‘grimoire’ is still being debated, it is generally accepted today that it is derived from the Old French word ‘grammaire’. This word, which means ‘grammar’, was used as a reference to books in general, especially those that were written in Latin. Over time, however, the meaning of this term evolved, and eventually became associated with the occult. Therefore, the word grimoire is today the name given to the textbooks used in the occult. The contents of such grimoires normally provide its user with instructions for the creation of magical amulets and talismans, instructions for the casting of magic spells, and even rituals for the summoning of supernatural beings, such as angels and demons.

Grimoires often provided techniques for summoning the dead, as well as invoking angels or demons. "John Dee and Edward Kelly evoking a spirit" (public domain)

One of the Most Potent Grimoires

The Grand Grimoire is often regarded to be one of the most potent grimoires in existence. Many sources claim that this grimoire was written in 1520, and was later discovered in a certain ‘Tomb of Solomon’ in 1750. Furthermore, this grimoire is said to have been written in either Biblical Hebrew or Aramaic. This supposed connection with the Biblical King Solomon, and the ancient language it is rumoured to have been written in, would certainly have enhanced the reputation of the Grand Grimoire as a powerful book of magic.

• Spells, Invocations and Divination: The Ancient History of Magical Grimoires
• Grimoires by a Biblical King? The Magical Treatise of Solomon and the Key of Solomon
• The Book of Abramelin the Mage, Esoteric Grimoire of Kabbalistic Knowledge

The Grand Grimoire is said to be a powerful book of magic (public domain)

The Grand Grimoire consists of four parts, and is supposedly being kept in the Vatican Secret Archives. According to legend, the Grand Grimoire was written by Honorius of Thebes, who is said to have been possessed by the devil. The occult manuscript is said to contain magical spells, as well as a detailed account of how newly-elected popes are slowly corrupted, and then won over by the power of Satan.

One of the most infamous contents of the Grand Grimoire, however, is the instructions that would supposedly allow a person to summon Lucifer or Lucifuge Rofocale. One of the instruments required for this ritual is a Blasting Rod, which would be used to smite Lucifer into submission once he is evoked. After this, a deal with the Devil may be made. Therefore, the Grand Grimoire also contains a section entitled the “Genuine Sanctum Regnum, or the True Method of Making Pacts”. Amongst other things, the person conducting this ritual would require a stone called Ematille, and two blessed candles, both of which would be used to form a Triangle of Pacts, so that he / she may be protected from the spirits that have been summoned.

The Grand Grimoire contains instructions for summoning Lucifer (public domain)

Whilst the original Grand Grimoire (or a copy of it) is held in the Vatican Secret Archive, a version of it was produced during the 18 ^th century, when there was a boom in the production of cheap grimoires in France. This version of the Grand Grimoire was first published in the 19 ^th century, and spread to the different colonies that French had at that time. As a result of this, the Grand Grimoire is still being widely used in Caribbean countries that were once part of the French colonial empire, in particular, Haiti, where it is referred to as ‘Le Veritable Dragon Rouge’.

Top image: Person thumbing through a grimoire. Source: (PlashingVole/ Flickr).

By Ḏḥwty