Picatrix: The Ancient Arabian Book of Astrology and Occult Magic
The Picatrix is an ancient Arabian book of astrology and occult magic dating back to the 10 th or 11 th century, which has gained notoriety for the obscene natural of its magical recipes. The Picatrix, with its cryptic astrological descriptions and spells covering almost every conceivable wish or desire, has been translated and used by many cultures over the centuries, and continues to fascinate occult followers from around the world.
The Picatrix was originally written in Arabic, titled Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm, which translates to “The Aim of the Sage" or "The Goal of the Wise.” Most scholars believe it originated in the 11 th century, although there are well-supported arguments that date it to the 10 th. Eventually, the Arabic writings were translated into Spanish, and eventually into Latin in 1256 for the Castilian king Alfonso the Wise. At this time it took on the Latin title Picatrix. It is composed of both magic and astrology. One highly influential interpretation refers to it as a "handbook of talismanic magic." Researcher David Pingree calls it “the most thorough exposition of celestial magic in Arabic” and describes the Picatrix as “Arabic texts on Hermeticism, Sabianism, Ismailism, astrology, alchemy and magic produced in the Near East in the ninth and tenth centuries A.D.”
A page from the Ghāyat al-Ḥakīm (Picatrix). (alchemical diagrams)
The Picatrix is divided into four books:
- Book I – “Of the heavens and the effects they cause through images made under them”
- Book II – “Of the figures of the heavens in general, and of the general motion of the sphere, and of their effects in this world”
- Book III – “Of the properties of the planets and signs, and of their figures and forms made in their colors, and how one may speak with the spirits of the planets, and of many other magical workings”
- Book IV – “Of the properties of spirits, and of those things that are necessary to observe in this most excellent art, and how they may be summoned with images, suffumigations and other things”
Each books contains several chapters. A small sampling of the contents of these chapters is: magic and its properties; the works of the planets, sun, and moon; the order of natural things; stones appropriate for each planet; figures, colors, garments, and incenses of the planets; confections of the spirits of the planets, and of averting harmful workings, and magic of miraculous effect, and the foods, incense, unguents, and perfumes that ought to be used to work by the spirits of the seven planets; how the vigor of the spirit of the Moon is drawn into things here below; and how incenses of the stars ought to be made, and certain compounds needed in this science. Some say that the division of the book into four parts indicates that it originated from the writings of students who were taking notes during a lecture, although this is merely speculation.
One element that has contributed to the notoriety of the Picatrix is the obscene nature of its magical recipes. The gruesome concoctions are intended to alter one’s state of consciousness, and may lead to out-of-body experiences, or even death. Ingredients include: blood, bodily excretions, brain matter mixed with copious amounts of hashish, opium, and psychoactive plants. For example, the spell for “Generating Enmity and Discord” reads:
Take four ounces of the blood of a black dog, two ounces each of pig blood and brains, and one ounce of donkey brains. Mix all this together until well blended. When you give this medicine to someone in food or drink, he will hate you.
(from Picatrix: The Goal of the Sage, translated by John Michael Greer).
The Picatrix focused on astrology, and viewing the future with the intention of controlling or improving it. There are dozens of spells to bring about desired outcomes, which involve taking certain steps that consider the positions of cosmological phenomena. For instance, the spell to place love between two people reads:
Fashion two images with the 1st face of Cancer rising, and Venus therein, and the Moon in the 1st face of Taurus in the eleventh house. And when you have made these images, join each to the other face to face and bury them in the house of the other . And they will care for each other and have an enduring love between them.
(from The Picatrix Book I, Chapter 5 , translated by Robert Thomas).
Examples of spells include those to win the heart of another, find lost treasure, safeguard travelers, bring friendship, increase crops, expel rodents, increase wealth, health the sick, and many others.
Artist’s illustration in a version of the Picatrix (classical astrologer)
One researcher, Martin Plessner, has suggested that one of the translators of the Picatrix may be responsible for establishing a medieval definition of a scientific experimental method, including the formation of a hypothesis, then the arranging of conditions under which that process may be created in accordance with the hypothesis, and the justification or refutation of the hypothesis. The creation of this method may have occurred as one passage was translated from Arabic to Hebrew. Plessner notes "neither the Arabic psychology of study nor the Hebrew definition of the experiment is rendered in the Latin Picatrix. The Latin translator omits many theoretical passages throughout the work.”
While the Picatrix is an ancient document, it is highly representative of themes that have evolved throughout human history. A fascination with magical powers existed in ancient cultures, and still plays a prominent role in society today. This can both be found as a fascination, or something that elicits extreme fear, such as the fears that led to the Salem Witch trials and executions. The Picatrix remains today as a fascinating example of an ancient text of astrological magic.
Featured image: Left: A scene from Picatrix. Right: Mars & Venus. Picatrix from Eugenio Garin's Astrology in the Renaissance (Source)
Sources:
Picatrix – Wikipedia. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picatrix
10 Ancient Books that Promise Supernatural Powers – Listverse. Available from: http://listverse.com/2014/10/18/10-ancient-books-that-promise-supernatural-powers/
The Picatrix or Ghayat al Hikam: The Premier Grimoire of Astrological Magic – Renaissance Astrology. Available from: http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/picatrix.html
Alchemical Emblems, Occult Diagrams, and Memory Arts – Alchemical Diagrams. Available from: http://alchemicaldiagrams.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/picatrix.html
The Picatrix or Ghayat al Hikam: The Premier Grimoire of Astrological Magic – Muhammad Ali Ben Marcus. Available from: http://muhammad-ali-ben-marcus.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/ghayat-al-hikam-picatrix.html
By M R Reese
Comments
How I can read this book
How I can get it
i've always been fascinated by this grimoir,but alas,have not owned a copy! (i seen one for sale on-line,with gold leaf writing & leather bound for $1500!!!) but if i find it,i will purchase it. i collect ancient books of magick! the description presented here kind of reminds me a bit of the grimoir - the key of solomon the king (translated by Mathers in the late 1800's) cool article though. thank you! :)
i'm new to this site,so feel free to reply!
"what is whispered in dark places will be proclaimed from the roof tops"
Now... Just need to find a monkey brain.
Fascination with the occult will always exist. We are always hoping that there is a way to control life.
Some people do not want to know the future, understandable, if something bad is going to happen, you do not want to know it. But if it were possible to change it into something nice, I think everybody would want to give it a try.
Most of us, however are afraid of the occult, because it is associate with wrongdoings and the devil.
If you can change things for the better, you can also change it for something bad.
For the last few years however I noticed a growing interest in the occult. Paragnosts are working overtime and getting rich. Maybe it has to do with the worldwide crisis and the uncertainty. One hopes things will get better.
Interesting article, I've never heard of this book before .
Sunny Young
Fascinating.
Pages