A Treatise on Angel Magic: Maghum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks [Paperback]

Adam McLean (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

From the world’s leading authority on alchemical texts comes a classic facsimile edition of a late 17th century collection of Western esoteric ideas on Angel Magic. This volume is an exact and complete transcription of the original rare manuscript Harley 6482, considered one of the most important occult manuscripts in the British Library. Harley 6482 is one of six volumes in a collection described as "The Treatises of Dr. Rudd." Rudd, a Hebrew scholar, seemed to have had available a broad spectrum of primary sources and a secret tradition about the Enochian Tables of John Dee. In his writing on Angels, Rudd exposes himself as a practicing magician as well as a scholar of esoteric material. He was deeply immersed in the dualistic picture of the spiritual world, which is of great importance in esotericism.

McLean has transcribed the text of Harley 6482 (on Angel Magic) in its entirety, modernizing the spelling in places but remaining as loyal as possible to the style of Dr. Rudd. McLean believes this Treatise was written by Rudd for use by a group of practicing occultists centered around him.

A Treatise on Angel Magic includes detailed sections on the Schemhamphoras, the 72 Angels that bear the name of God; the hierarchies of the fallen angels; rapturous Images of the Mansions of the Moon; evocation of the Natura Spirits; and John Dee’s Enochian system of Angel conjuration. It concludes with Dr. Rudd’s Treatise on the Nine Hierarchies of Angels and their conjuration to visible appearance.

A Treatise on Angel Magic is an outstandingly complex source work on Angel Magic, and a resource that brings together several seminal texts not available anywhere else. Essential for scholars and students of the occult, the book offers not merely one viewpoint on western esoterica but instead encompasses all of the important thinking on these topics present in Medieval and Renaissance times.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Adam McLean is a well known authority on alchemical texts and symbolism. He is the editor and publisher of over 40 books on alchemical and Hermetic ideas. Based in the UK, he has been writing and researching alchemical and hermetic literature for many years. Between 1978 and 1992, he edited the Hermetic Journal and began publishing the Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks, including The Alchemical Mandala, The Magical Calendar, and Rosicrucian Emblems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578633753
• ISBN-13: 978-1578633753
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rare treasure in western esotericism, May 27, 2008

By 

C. J. Allen (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Treatise on Angel Magic: Maghum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks (Paperback)

When I bought this book I wasn't expecting a great deal, even though it was in the bibligraphy section of some notably good authors. Opening the pages however was a very rare treat. Adam Mclean has conjured up to visible appearance six manuscripts written by the seventeenth century magician Dr. Rudd. Not only has he re-produced these fascinating works, Adam Mclean delivers the work in a very elegant and enlightened manner.

He has read between the lies and has not fallen for the trappings of archaic and bothersome duality. In the introduction he reveals to us how and when Christianity cast it's dark shadow over magic. He tells us that although the information contained within Dr. Rudd's manuscripts is profoundly interesting, it is tainted by the dualism which the magicians of the time had been influenced by. A book called, "The Malleus Malleficarum, that tissue of lies and propaganda, dreamt up by two dominican inquisitors to justify their unwholesome imaginings". This book, tells Mclean is the reason why so many magicians (yes, even Crowley) were victims of paranoia, worrying incessantly about 'evil' spirits.

The six manuscripts hold some very interesting and useful information for magicians. Tables and diagrams taken from the original treat our eyes, and information on Enochiana, Schemhamphoras, magical hours, incubi and sucubi, and lots more are contained. At the back we have the original invocations for the nine hierarchies of angels, also contaning their seals etc, and also for the olympian spirits (the spirits of the planets).

It's been quite a while since I read a book on magic as good as this.

Highly recommended!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" resource for anyone interested in angelology, May 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Treatise on Angel Magic: Maghum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks (Paperback)

A Treatise on Angel Magic is a classic, exact, and complete transcription of a rare 17th century volume on Angel Magic. A primary source work of occult manuscripts, illustrated with black- and-white charts and diagrams, A Treatise on Angel Magic includes the hierarchies of fallen angels, evocation of the Nature Spirits, and John Dee's Enochian system of Angel conjuration. Concluding with Dr. Rudd's "Treatise on the Nine Hierarchies of Angels" and their conjuration to visible appearance, A Treatise on Angel Magic is one of the most thorough renditions of ancient manuscripts, and a "must-have" resource for anyone interested in angelology, whether a lay reader or a scholar.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Dr Rudd, May 7, 2008

By 

Zadzaczadlin "[e-mail]" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Treatise on Angel Magic: Maghum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks (Paperback)

The various books published by Adam McLean, mostly on alchemical subjects, were first self-published by the author in Scotland, and sold through his journal and website. Many of them were produced in quite limited runs, were often essentially pictorial in nature, and sometimes even hand-coloured by McLean himself. Much of this work is now reproduced on the Alchemy Website at levity.com. In the USA, these same titles were published by the Phanes Press, at Grand Rapids MI, to a higher professional standard.

The present book is advertised as a complete transcription of a late 17th century manuscript MS Harley 6482 in the British Library. This MS, a magical miscellany, belongs in a group of 6 manuscripts on various magical, astrological and alchemical subjects, copied by Peter Smart from originals owned by Dr Rudd or others of his circle.

The contents of the present volume are as follows:

Ten names of GOD, Anima mundi, Clavis tabulae sanctae, Characters of the 16 figures of geomancy, Seven Enochian tables, Schemhamphoras, Names of some of Solomon's spirits, Hours of the spirits, Angels good and bad, Incubi and succubi, Power and authority of necromancers and witches, Hobgoblins &c, Orders of wicked demons, Clavis Enochi tabularum, Astromantic and geomantic gamahes, Talismans, Clavis magicae (seu Enochi tabularum explanatio), Images of the fixed Behenian stars, Alphabet of the angels, Numbers, Little tables of the planets, Sun and moon, Anima mundi, Intelligences and demons, Mansions of the moon, More hobgoblins, Witches and enchanters, Devil, Dreams, Nymphs &c, Gnomes, Presaging, Nine hierarchies of angels in 6 sections.