Penn Library's Ms. Codex 1677 - Ars artium ... [etc.]. (Video Orientation)
Penn collection
Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies (SIMS): Videos
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Angels -- Early works to 1800
Magic -- Early works to 1800
Magic
Spirits -- Early works to 1800
Occultism -- Early works to 1800
Occultism
Spirits
Angels
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Manuscripts Latin
Manuscripts European
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Magic -- Early works to 1800
Magic
Spirits -- Early works to 1800
Occultism -- Early works to 1800
Occultism
Spirits
Angels
Manuscripts English
Manuscripts Latin
Manuscripts European
Other Religion
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youtube
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2022-07-14
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Video Orientation to the University of Pennsylvania Library's Ms. Codex 1677, an occult compendium copied and compiled by Charles Rainsford and mainly comprising prayers, lists of divine names for invocations (p. 180-189), and instructions for conjurations taken from works attributed to well-known occultists such as John Dee and Richard Napier. Practical instructions for conjuring spirits include one experiment for summoning the spirit Askariel so that he appears in a crystal or beryl with a garland of yellow flowers upon his head (p. 52). Another section details preparations to be completed before conducting rituals such as securing a secret room with an eastward-facing window that has been consecrated with frankincense, abstaining from the company of women, eating a spare diet, and dressing oneself in clean clothes (p. 39-40). A note by Rainsford on p. i states that it is an exact copy of a manuscript that he borrowed from a bookseller for the price of one guinea and that the original had the name Dr. Dee written on it, presumably a reference to John Dee, the 16th century occultist. The last section contains notes regarding the personal papers of alchemist Richard Napier which were bequeathed to fellow occultist Elias Ashmole and which are now housed at the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford. This section also occasionally makes references to earlier pages in the manuscript (for example, p. 201 refers back to the use of beryls for conjuration on p. 52). Also includes a partial list of contents (p. 190-191). Written in England in 1787. Digital copies and a full record are available through Franklin: https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9962935463503681