" It is expedient therefore, to make four unequal lines, by the points casually set down; and to joyne together those points; and out of the points which are not joyned together, which do remain in the heads of the lines, (as it is done in Geomancie) extract one figure; and the signe of the Zodiack that answereth to that figure, put for the Ascendent, for the words sake. If Acquisition arise from the heads of those four Lines, let Aries be placed in the Ascendent; if Laetitia, or the lesser Fortune put Taurus in the Ascendent; if Puer or Rubeus, place Gemini; If Albus, Cancer; if Via, Leo; if Conjunction or the Dragons Head, Virgo; if Puella, Libra; if Amissioor Tristitia, Scorpio;ifthe Dragons Tail, Sagittary;if Populus, Capricorn; if Fortuna major, Aquary; if Carcer, then put Pisces for the Ascendent. Aerwards in the second House, let that signe be placed which immediately succeeds the other....."

The Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy, by Henry Cornelius Agrippa and unnamed others, is considered one of the cornerstones of Western magic, and the grimoires it contains are among the most important that exist in the Western tradition. For more than three hundred years, this mysterious tome has been regarded as difficult or even impossible to understand--until now. Occult scholar Donald Tyson presents a fully annotated, corrected, and modernized edition of Stephen Skinner's 1978 facsimile edition of the original work, which was six tracts published as one volume in 1655. For the first time, these classic works of Western magic have been rendered fully accessible to the novice practitioner, as well as occult scholars and skilled magicians. Tyson presents clear instruction and practical insight on a variety of magic techniques, providing contemporary magicians with a working grimoire of the arcane. Astrology History Geomancy Ceremonial Magic The Nature of Spirits, Angels, and Demons Geomantic Astronomy Necromancy Invocation and Evocation of Spirits

The Arbatel of Magick is one of the less enigmatic works within the world of true grimoires. Being neither concerned with "black" magic nor of dubious origin, it can be positively traced to the mid 16th century, although translations made thereof differ greatly in content. The work contains a series of short passages, termed "aphorisms" which detail a rudimentary guide to ay practitioner, giving commands (or advice) on the manner of living a holy life, commanding spiritual forces, and avoiding harm. Unlike some works from this date and later into the 18th and 19th centuries, it is less concerned with rites themselves so much as establishing a philosophy based around holy spirituality.

Edgar Allan Poe called it "a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore." This classic work of Renaissance esoteric-by German magician and alchemist HEINRICH CORNELIUS AGRIPPA (1486-1535), one of the important figures in the occult history and philosophy of Europe-is vital reading for anyone fascinated by the Jewish Kabbalah, Christian mysteries, and other arcane traditions. This replica of an 1897 edition, featuring all the original charts and illustrations, reveals Agrippa's understanding of the mysteries of magic, the elements, the heavens, the natural and occult virtues of all things, and much more.

"To All Ingeniously Elaborate Students, In the most Divine Mysteries of Hermetique Learning." Or so British politician and Freemason ELIAS ASHMOLE (1617-1692) dedicated this curious artifact of the esoteric and spiritual philosophy of alchemy. An avid collector of antiquaries and other oddities (they were, upon his death, bequeathed to Oxford University, which used them to found the Ashmolean Museum), Ashmole counted among his treasures volumes of metaphysical poems available only in private, and fiercely guarded, manuscripts. In 1652, though, he collected many of these writings in this hefty tome, annotated with his own comments. Included are: . "The Ordinall of Alchimy" by Thomas Norton . "The Compound of Alchymie" by Sir George Ripley . "Liber Patris Sapientiae" . "The Tale of the Chanons Yeoman" by Geoffry Chaucer . "The Worke of John Dastin" . "The Hunting of the Greene Lyon" by the Viccar of Malden . "Bloomsfields Blossoms: Or, The Campe of Philosophy" . "Sir Ed Kelley Concerning the Philosopher's Stone" . and much more. Once a resource for such natural philosophers as Isaac Newton, the Theatrum Chemicum Brittannicum remains an astonishing album of arcania.

Agrippa is known for three books: Natural Magic, Celestial Magic, and Ceremonial Magic. Until Donald Tyson translated books 2 and 3 in 1993, Agrippa's work was not available in English. Schrodter has taken portions of these books -- published in German, and added his own notes and research showing that some of the points Agrippa was making are still valid today.