The Picatrix - The Goal of the Wise (Arabic Edition) [Hardcover]

Steven Ashe (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2007

Complete Rendering of The Picatrix or Gayat al-?akim [fi l-si?r] 'The Goal of the Wise [in sorcery]'. This is a grimoire (grammar) of the Art of Magic & Astrological Lore written around 1200 A.D. offering talismanic and astrological guidance. The Picatrix was a primary source for 'alchemic scholars' such as Michael Scot. The book had a major influence on later West European magical thinking from Marsilio Ficino in the 1400s, Cornelius Agrippa, Thomas Campanella, Dr John Dee and Paracelsus in addition to the anonymous authors of magical grammars such as the Key of Solomon. The edition in the British Library passed through several hands: Simon Forman, Richard Napier, Elias Ashmole and William Lilly. Presented in the original Arabic, the talismanic property of this work will be of interest to specialist collectors of seminal grimoires & Golden Dawn source works. Reproduced in the original authentic Arabic.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 436 pages
• Publisher: Lulu Enterprises, UK Ltd (October 18, 2007)
• Language: Arabic
• ISBN-10: 1847537383
• ISBN-13: 978-1847537386
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,133,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Original Format, June 3, 2008

By 

E. Nicol "Virtua" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Picatrix - The Goal of the Wise (Arabic Edition) (Hardcover)

For those who appreciate possessing ornate and rare magical tracts in their original format, this work is a treat. Rosicrucian scholars, Arabists, purveyors of medieval grimoires will be astonished by the care which has gone into the presentation of this work. At the heart of western magic lies the domain of the classical grammars of magic. Western Masters such as Cornellius Agrippa, Peter de Abano (author of the Heptameron), Francis Barrett ( compiler of the Magus) and many more all owe a huge debt to the appearance of the Picatrix - the original Magical Grimoire and a source of concentrated magical power, whose pages Adepts have feared to turn for fear of possession. Great legends surround the ownership of this work. It has been feared, mythologised, revered and been the object of countless questings through the centuries. To own this work is to hold the power of the ancients in the palm of your hand. Many occultists believe the historical Picatrix is the template for Lovecraft's Necronomicon. Certainly this is a work whose talismanic essence provides a gateway for the Elder Powers - whose every detail can provide a valuable focus for meditation and wonder. The original Arabic format of this work provides serious scholars with the opportunity to acquaint themselves with one of the most valuable proto-grimoires in existence. Not for the faint hearted or the intellectually lazy. A work of Serious Essence.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Understand what this edition of Ghayat al Hakim (The Picatrix), November 2, 2008

By 

Christopher Jaeger "regeajc" (Palm Beach County, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Picatrix - The Goal of the Wise (Arabic Edition) (Hardcover)

The version I am reviewing appears to be a prior work reprinted in Arabic with Latin footnotes. This is an odd format as Latin is no longer a language used internationally. Printed in 2007 in the USA, English footnotes would have been appreciated.

As to whether or not the Ghayat al Hakim (The Picatrix) books I,II,III,IV are "correct" according to The Shariah and the Quran (I do not feel this is the case) one cannot examine the text or this question in this print. It is my opinion that this question needs to be answered by reading the translated material in English first then comparing it to the guidance of the Quran. As is now standing, all sources I have personally are second hand. I have to wait for my English Translation by Hashem Attallah.

It is a fine edition, hard cover, nicely laid out in a format that appears "lifted" or photographed from a prior source. This is not an Arabic to English Translated version; Although I am an Arabist and do read (beginners) Arabic and write to a very small ability, I cannot state that this book is a fine work or not. There is no note in English in this edition if this is a complete print of the Ghayat al Hakim (The Picatrix) books I,II,III,IV or limited to books I,II and or III and IV.

A complete translation in English does exist in limited published quantities by Hashem Attallah; they are very expensive "collectors quality" with hand numbered copy.

This particular book edited by Steve Ashe is a very pretty and very handsome edition.

For scholars and those whose interest lay upon investment in books, do try Hashem Attallah's version which will appreciate in value as no doubt this first edition will also.

10 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is in ARABIC only!, August 7, 2008

By 

Mephistopheles 93 (New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Picatrix - The Goal of the Wise (Arabic Edition) (Hardcover)

This book is useless unless you can read arabic. I wish they would have noted that more clearly in the description. There's not even any editorial commentary. Save your money. I will have to patiently await the Ouroboros Press translation of volume 2.