Customer Reviews

The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus: Of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones, and Certain Beasts, Also a Book of the Marvels of the World

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A wonderful text for the magician and the student of occult texts. Michael Best and Frank Brightman who edited and translated this edition give a scholarly intro and many footnotes along the way which are insightful and accurate. The Book of Secrets which has been translated many times in many languages throughout the years. Totaling 5 books: herbs; stones; beasts; marvels and planets. Each giving their mysterious compenents and each elements use in magic. I speculated the use and reality of some of these 'potions' in which one can make dogs stop barking at you, or turn invisible. However, one cant help but be intrigued and curious about some of these findings. I would guess that, due to its alchemical nature of the volume, that, like alchemy itself and the language of alchemy, it is written in a similar format, one of which is written in code and metaphor than for literate meanings and intents. Each one laid out in a clear and simple formula, what the potion does and what to do to achieve those results. Best and Brightman both argue the authenticity of the book, in that is was probably not written by Albertus Magnus himself who lived in the 1200's, but rather speculated to have been written sometime in the 1600's by a follower, based on the colloquial language of the text, where many books have been attributed to Albertus Magnus for the purpose of selling the book with a popular author. Definately a good book to add to anyones occult and magick library, as well as those that study witchcraft.

Wow! A must have for the dabbler in Metaphysics (Medieval and otherwise).

This is a very enlightening book and truely makes one wonder.