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Libra Esoterica

A compleat system of magick

or, The history of the black-art ...

by Daniel Defoe

  • First published:
  • 18th century
  • Language: English
  • Content type: Primary source

Frontispiece engraved by Van der Gucht after Eberlain Page 253 misnumbered 235 I. the original of Magicians; and how some of them were made kings, as Zoraster, Cadmus, and many others. II. How the ancient Magi, who study'd philosophy, astronomy, &c. were induc'd to turn Wizards and Sorcerers, and deal with the Devil; and how their conversation began. III. The different shapes assum'd by the Devil in his first appearances to Magicians; and whether he is, or has been, allow'd to assume a human-shape. IV. Who first practiced Magick as a diabolical art, and its progress among the Egyptians and Phnecians; by whom it was First openly encourag'd, and of its Present state. V. What the Black-art, really is, the various manner of its practice in different parts of the world, and of the Doctrine of spirits. VI. How far it may be suppos'd there can be an intercourse between Superior and Infernal beings, and whether the Magick-art now subsists. VII. How far the Devil may be raised by Magical operations; and whether it is by their own power, or by mutual concert with the Devil Boston Publiuc Library (Rare Book Dept.) copy incomplete: lacks half title?

Provenance

Why this book is in the catalog

Included because retained bibliographic metadata links this work to Ritual magic and grimoires.

  • Ritual magic and grimoires

    Controlled discovery queries from internet-archive and openlibrary-historical matched “Magic”. Retained metadata contains “magick” in the title, “magick” in the description, “Magic” in the subject metadata, and 1 additional metadata match(es).

    • Magic· via Internet Archive
    • Magic· via Open Library
    • magick· in title
    • magick· in description
    • Magic· in subject
    • magick· in edition title

Membership records how this book met the catalog’s discovery criteria — relevance to a tradition, not a judgment of the book’s claims.

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Editions

One edition cataloged here.

or, The history of the black-art ...

Internet Archive institutional pre-1900 scan

1729London: : Printed for J. Clarke ..., A. Millar...; H. Noorthouck...; T. Green...; J. Pen...; J. Jackson, and Mrs. Graves...; and J. Brindley...; Printed for J. Clarke ..., A. Millar...; H. Noorthouck...; T. Green...; J. Pen...; J. Jackson, and Mrs. Graves...; and J. Brindley...EnglishPublic

Subjects

3 subject headings

Identifiers & provenance

How this record was assembled, and the authority identifiers it carries.

Cataloging notes

  • Contributing institution: Boston Public Library
  • Digitization sponsor: Boston Public Library
  • Discovery required Internet Archive search metadata to report a PDF format; the exact direct-file URL is added only after the item's file listing confirms an unrestricted PDF filename.
  • Internet Archive institutional collection: americana
  • Scanner: scribe3.boston.archive.org
Catalog id
openlibrary-work:OL411490W
Edition coverage
Multi source partial
Retrieved