The
Necromantic Rings of Solomon,
King of the Jews
Transcription,
translation, notes and graphics by Mihai Vârtejaru, Copyright © 2017. All
rights reserved.
Original images belong to the Leipzig University Library.
Please print freely for
private or academic use. Copying and reproduction of the texts is permitted
only if the source is mentioned. This is a free work, for the benefit of all
people interested and any commercial use is strictly prohibited.
The manuscript:
Leipzig Cod.Mag.35, formerly Num.75 in a previous collection, is a small treatise, written on paper (8 fols of which 1v, 7v, 8r and 8v are blank), bound in green and golden brocart paper.
The language is Italian, with few parts in Latin, using black and red ink throughout.
I have kept the
original lines in transcribing the manuscript, including word separation and noted the pages in the upper left in square brackets.
Unfortunately I was unable, due to editing, to
put the seals in the text itself, so I have added them besides the ring, noting
the place where they are inserted in the text.
As seen in the original
scans, the figures are drawn in red and black ink, but I have omitted this from
the present graphics as they mark only the image of the ring with red while the
names and seals to be engraved remain black.
This transcript spells
out in full the scribal abbreviations and does not retain them, for the sake of
legibility, except in the case of numbers.
Wherever the
translation proved troublesome, I`ve added end notes, and any help from my
colleagues who might be in a position to elucidate their meaning will be
graciously accepted.
A mention must be made regarding the fact that this seems to be a late and incomplete extract from Pseudo-Abano`s treatise of the rings of the 28 mansions of the Moon (Petri de Abano annulorum experimenta, BNF 7337, fols.131-138), which I am also translating currenly. This is quoted by Trithemius in his Antipalus as: liber Petri de Apono [Paduani medici Experimentorum] de annulis mirabilium, secundum XXVIII mansiones lunae. Once complete, this work will shed more light on any lacunae or problems of the current text. Also, a similar work of similar origin is the treatise Douze Anneaux, or Twelve Rings, appearing in a number of French manuscripts. The version in Lansdowne MS 1202 was published by Joseph Peterson and can be consulted Here.
Italian Transcript
[1r]
ANNELLI NEGRO-
MANTICI
DEL SALOMONE
Re de Ebrei
Secondo l`originale che si conserva
fra i manoscritti di Bi,
bliotheca din Vaticano
ROMA.
Num.75, a
[2r]
Anelli Negromantici.
Secondo l`ordine della mensioni della lune farai fare li
Anel,
li et in essi vi porrai le pietre, secondo si dice nel
proprio anello
e lo suffumigerai con il suffumiggio secondo si dice al
proprio anel,
lo li quali suffumaggi si devono porre sopra fuoco
vergine cioê
cavato dal selce, in vaso di terra invetriato nuovo, et
prima che
si suffumiggi si scrive et incide con l`ago de argento
vergine il
nome del spirito, che vuoi scongiurare, et fatto il
scongiuro,
farai il segno o carattere de spirito in luogo mondo, e
netto,
perfectionato, il tutto come sopra porrai detto anello
sopra una
tavola nuova, e poi dirai supra ciascheduno delli anelli
seguenti
negromantici questo scongiuro.
Conjuratio.
Ego talis N. Filius talis N.
conjuro te spiritum per tuum nomen,
per tuum characterem, per tuum
planetam, per tuum principem, per
coelum et terram, per solem,
per lunam, per septem planetas, per
omnes stellas, per quatuor
elementa scilicet per aerem, per ignem,
per aquam, per terram, conjuro
te per pluvias, per turbines, per
tonitrua, fulgura et grandines,
per flammam et ignem, per volucres,
per boves et oves, per lapides,
per herbas, per plantas, per arbo,
res, per flores, per fructus et
septem coelos et abyssos, denique per
[2v]
eum
cui obedire teneris et debes et quandocunque Io con questo a,
nello
faro questo segno [Fig.1] : et farai il carattere: Io feci [Fig.2] et
dirai
la virtu del anello come apresso [Fig.3] cio fatto farai il segno
NB:
Supra d`anelli si nota l`incenso o suffumiggio che si deve ad
operare
quale troverai in ogni uno anello.
Anello Primo
[Fig.4.Daleph. Incenso muschio]
[Fig.5.Seal of Daleph]
Per
vincere ad ogni sorte di gioco et sempere nella prima mansione
della
luna farai fare un anello de argento vivo formato et indorato
vi
porrai una pietra /:occhio di gatto:/ il che fatto scriverai questo
nome
de Daleph con ago et finito lo scongiuro, dirai lo ti comman,
do
Daleph che subito, che io fare questo segno in terra [Fig.5]
sii
vincitore a tutti li giochi et con chi giochero, doppo suffumi,
galo
e fa il segno in luoco, che non possi essere disfato, et duran,
te
quello sarai sempre vincitore.
Anello Secondo
Per andare a vendersi invisibile ad ogni persona.
[3r]
[Fig.6. Astaroth. Pelle di nottola]
[Fig.7.Seal of Astaroth]
Nella
2da mansione della luna, farai fare un anello de piombo,
et
vi porrai una pietra paragone et vi scriverai questo nome
Astaroth,
con ago et fatto il scongiuro dirai: Io ti commando
Astaroth
che farro questo segno in terra [Fig.7]
sia
sempre invisibile a tutte le creature sin tanto, che non dis,
faro
questo segno; et sin tanto che non
disfarai il segno farai in,
visibile,
onde tutti li segni si devano fare, che non si disfacino.
Anello Tertio
Per farsi amare da qualsi voglia femina.
[Fig.8. Surbisach. Suoi capelli]
[Fig.9.Seal of Surbisach]
Nella
3ia mansione della luna farai fare un anello di rame,
e
vi porrai una pietra smaraldo o celeste et a torno scrivi: Surbi,
sach:
et fatto la scongiuro dirai: Io ti commando Surbisach che subito
che
farro con questo anello questo segno [Fig.9] in terra la tale mi ami
in
modo che faci quello ch`io desidero et non ami altro, che me et
quando
sara disfatto il segno cessara l`amore.
[3v]
Anello 4
Per ottenere quasivoglia gratia da qualsivoglia
persona.
[Fig.10.Methe. Scorza di melangola]
[Fig.11.Seal of Methe]
Nella
4ta mansione della luna fara fare un anello di stagno
et
vi porrai Zaffiro, o celeste et scritto Methe, et fatto il scongiu,
ro
dirai: Io ti commando Methe, che subito che faro questo seg,
no
con questo anello [Fig.11] in terra il N. il Principe mi conceda
la
tal grazia e sidere sempre in ogni anello fare il segno dove non
possi
essere disfatto et osserva come sopra.
Anello 5
Per farsi amare da qualsivoglia Principe.
[Fig.12. Fuseriel]
[Fig.13.Seal of Fusariel]
Nella
5. Mansione della luna farai fare un anello di stagno
et
vi porrai pietra Zaffiro et scritto Fusariel et fatto lo scongiuro
dirai,
io ti commando Fusariel che fatto questo segno in terra [Fig.13]
debbe
essere amato dal tale Principe N. et sommamente ben visto
[4r]
et
doppo suffumigalo, come si deve fare de tutti li altri et fa il
segno
il quale desfatto cessera l`effeto.
Anello 6.
Per guarire ogni sorte de infirmita di febre.
[Fig.14.Asmodeus.
Sandalo rosso]
[Fig.15.Seal of Asmodee]
Nella
6. Mansione della luna farai fare un Anello di stagno, et
Vi
porrai pietra Zaffiro, o Zalla et scritto Asmodee et fatto la
scongiuro
dirai: Io te commando Asmodee ch`subito, ch`io faro
con
questo anello questo segno in terra [Fig.15] la tale persona
quanschi
della febra ch`ha et il segno non si deve fare dove
possi
andare cani per che tornarebbe la febre.
Anello 7.
Per pigliare alla caccia di fiere quanto di piace.
[Fig.16. Astafal]
[Fig.17.Seal of Astafal]
[4v]
Nella
7ma mansione della luna farai fare un anello di argento,
e
vi porrai un cristallo, o diamante e scritto il nume di Astafal,
e
fatto il scongiuro dirai, io te commando Astafal, che subito, che
faro
questo segno in terra [Fig.17] possi pigliare tutto quella caccia
che
mi piace in quel giorno, e poi che farai tornato diffarai il
segno
et cessa la virtu del segno.
Anello 8.
Per pigliare quanta caccia di pesce ti piace
[Fig.18.Emes. Radice de Felie]
[Fig.19.Seal of Emes]
Nella
8 mansione della luna farai fare un
anello di argento, e
vi
porrai pietra granata et scritto a torno Emes, et fatto il scongi,
uro
dirai: Io ti commando Emes che subito che faro questo segno
[Fig.19]
in terra et fin tanto che no disfara possi pigliare tutti
quelli
pesci ch`voglio. E tornato dalla caccia si disfara il segno, et
cosi
si deve fare di tutti.
[5r]
Anello 9.
Per fare infermare qualsivoglia persona, che voi.
[Fig.20.Sonotras. Radice di oliviere]
[Fig.21.Seal of Sonotras]
Nella
9. mansione della luna farai fare un anello di piombo e vi
porrai
gemma di colore negro, e scritto il nome Sonotras et fatto lo
scongiuro
dirai: Io ti commando Sonotras che subito fatto questo
segno
[Fig.21] in terra la tale N. persona s`infermi di talo N. male,
ne
possa guarire sin che io non quasto detto segno, e quando vuoi,
che
sara disfarai il segno, come si fa in
tutti li altri et opera
come
sopra.
Anello 10.
Per essere vincitore di tutti li suoi nemici
[Fig.22. Sichel. Fiore di caulo.]
[Fig.23.Seal of Sichel]
[5v]
Nella
decima mansion della luna farai fare un Anello di ferro, e
vi
porrai pietra granata et rossa, et scritto Sichel e fatto il scon,
guiro
sopra tavola nuova dirai. Io ti scongiuro Sichel, che subito
fatto
questo segno [Fig.23] in terra non possi essere vinto in nissuna
occasione,
o tempo da nissuno mio nemico. Et si deve fare il segno
in
luoco che non possi essere disfatto da nissuno come anche tutti
li
altri.
Anello 11mo
Per fare dormire una Persona quanto ti piace.
[fig.24. BINASQVIEL. Specie greta. Hic est
annulus 12]
[Fig.25.Seal of Biqviel]
Nella
11ma mansion della luna farai fare un anello d`argento
e
vi porrai una gemma e scritto Biqviel, e fatto lo scongiuro come
sopra,
dirai io ti commando Biqviel che subito, che sara fatto questo
[Fig.25]
segno in terra con questo anello la tale N. persona si addor,
menti
e dormi sin, che io disfare questo segno
e disfatto restera
di
dormire come farai in tutti li altri anelli.
[6r]
Anello 12.
Per non essere preso da Nemici della Justitia.
[Fig.26. Biqviel. Scorze de salce. Hic est annulus
11]
[Fig.27.Seal of Binas]
Nella
12. Mansion della luna farai fare un Anello di rame
et
vi porrai gemma Smeraldo o verde scritto
binas, et fatto lo
scongiuro
dirai io ti commando Binas che subito ch`io fare questo
segno
in terra [Fig.27] non possi essere preso dalli ministri di Giusti,
cia
et sin tanto, che durerra quell segno non haver mai paura
ma
disfatto sarete preso come prima.
Anello 13.
Da essere amato da tutti, con chi prattichi e
tratti.
[Fig.28. Ramiel. Penne di colomba.]
[Fig.29.Seal of Ramiel ]
[6v]
Nella
13. mansione della luna farai fare un anello di rame e
vi
porrai gemma Smeraldo o verde e scritto a torno Ramiel, e
fatto
lo scongiuro dirai, io ti commando Ramiel ch` subito, che
faro
questo segno in terra [Fig.29.], et sin tanto, che non sara dis,
fatto
tutti, e qualsivoglia persona, che ll segno cessera la benevo,
lenza.
[ll tratta e pratica meco debba amarmi, et disfatto il]
Anello 14.
Per non essere offeso da ni una sorte d`armi.
[Fig.30. Rafan. Seme di genebro]
[Fig.31.Seal of Rafan]
Nella
14. Mansione della luna farai fare un Anello di ferro
et
vi porrai gemma granata, rossa et scritto Rafan et
fatto
lo scongiuro dirai io ti commando Rafan che fatto
questo
segno [Fig.31] in terra nissuna sorte d`armi possi offen,
dermi
et si deve fare dove non possa essere disfatto, come
tutti
li altri, perche cessarebbe la sua virtu.
Fine delli Anelli
negromantici.
Translation
THE NECROMANTIC
RINGS
OF SOLOMON
King of the Jews
After the original that is kept
among the manuscripts of
The Library of the Vatican
ROME
Num.75, a
Necromantic1 rings.
After the order of the mansions of the Moon you will make
the Rings and in these you will set the stones that are mentioned for each ring
and you will suffumigate it with the
suffumigation that is mentioned at each ring, which suffumigation you will put
in a pure fire that is kindled with willow wood, in a new glazed earthen vessel
and prior to suffumigating it you will have written and engraved with the pure
silver needle2 the name of the spirit3 that you want to conjure, and once the
conjuration is made, you will make the sign or the character of the spirit in a
clean and neat place, leveled down, and above this you will place the ring on a
new table and then you will say over each of the following necromantic rings this
conjuration:
Conjuration.
I, N. son of N.4, do
conjure you spirit, by your name, by your character, by your planet, by your
prince, by the heaven and the earth, by the sun, by the moon, by the seven
planets, by all the stars, by the four elements, that is, by air, by fire, by water,
by earth, i conjure you by rains, by tornadoes, by thunders, by lightnings and
hails, by flames and fires, by birds, by cattle and by sheep, by stones, by
herbs, by plants, by trees, by flowers, by fruits and by the seven heavens and
hells and finally by him whome all obey, that whenever5 I will make
this sign [Fig.1] with this ring (and you will make the character) I will make
[Fig.2] and say the virtue of the ring like so [Fig.3] every time I will make
the sign in a plain place6.
NB: Over the rings the incenses
or suffumigation that are needed to operate are noted, which you will find in
each ring.
The First Ring
[Fig.4.Daleph. The incense musk7]
To
win at any sort of game, always.
During
the first mansion of the moon you will make a ring of quicksilver, formed and
goldened8 and you will set in it a stone called `cat`s eye` upon
which you will write this name: Daleph with the needle and when you finish, you
will conjure it, saying: `I conjure you
Daleph, that as soon as I make this sign in the earth [Fig.5] I will be victorious at all the games and with
whom[ever] I will play` and then suffumigate it and make the sign in that
place where it cannot be unmade, and for as long as [it will be there] you will
be always victorious.
The Second Ring
To go about being invisible to any person.
[Fig.6. Astaroth9. Skin of a noctule10]
During
the second mansion of the moon you will make a ring of lead and you will set in
it a paragon stone11 and you will write this name: Astaroth with the
needle and this being done, you will conjure, saying: `I command you Astaroth, that [when] I will make this sign in the earth
[Fig.7] I will be always invisible to
all creatures, for as long as I will not unmake the sign I will be invisible`
where all the signs are to be made, where they will not be undone12.
The Third Ring
To make onself loved by whichever woman you want.
[Fig.8. Surbisach. Her hair13]
During
the third mansion of the moon you will make a ring of copper and you will set
in it the stone emerald or celeste14 and on it`s back15 write:
Surbisach. And this being done, conjure it saying: `I conjure you, Surbisach, that as soon as I make with this ring this
sign [Fig.9] in the earth,
such-and-such will love me in a way in which she will do that which I desire
and will not love another but me` and when the sign will be unmade, the
love will cease.
The Fourth Ring
To obtain whatever favor you want from whichever
person you want.
[Fig.10.Methe.
Orange peel16]
During
the fourth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of tin and you will set in
it a Sapphire or a Celeste stone and you will write: Methe, and once this being
done, you will conjure it saying: `I
command you Methe, that as soon as I make this sign with this ring [Fig.11] in the earth, the Prince N. will do for me
such-and-such favor` and as set always for any ring, make the sign where it
cannot be unmade and observe the rest as above.
The Fifth Ring
To make oneself be loved by any Prince you want.
[Fig.12. Fuseriel17]
During
the fifth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of tin and you will set in
it an emerald stone and write: Fusariel, and this being done, you will conjure
it saying: `I command you Fusariel, that
as soon as I make this sign in the earth [Fig.13] I must become beloved by such-and-such Prince N. and extremely well
regarded` and then suffumigate it as it must be done with all the others
and make the sign that once unmade will cease the effect.
The Sixth Ring
To cure any sort of feverish ailment
[Fig.14.Asmodeus.
Red sandalwood]
During
the sixth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of tin in which you will set
a sapphire or zalla stone18 and write: Asmodee and this being done,
conjure it saying: `I command you
Asmodee, that as soon as I make with this ring, this sign [Fig.15] such-and-such person will quench the fever
they have` and the sign must be made where no dogs may pass because the
fever will return.
The Seventh Ring
To catch in a beasts` hunt as much as you please.
[fig.16. Astafal19]
During
the seventh mansion of the moon you will make a ring of silver and you will set
in it a cristal stone or a diamond20
and write the name: Astafal and this being done, conjure it saying: `I command
you Astafal, that as soon as I make this sign in the earth, [Fig.17] I will be able to catch all the game that I
like on that day` and then when you get back you will unmake the sign and
the virtue of the sign will cease.
The Eighth Ring
To catch as much as much fish as you like.
[Fig.18.Emes. Root of `Felie`21]
In
the eighth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of silver and you will set
in it a garnet stone and write on the back15 Emes, and this being
done, conjure it saying: `I command you
Emes, that as soon as I make this sign [Fig.19] in the earth and as long as I do not unmake it I will catch all those
fish that I will want.` And upon returning from fishing unmake the sign,
and you must do the same with all of them.
The Ninth Ring.
To make whichever person you want sick.
[Fig.20.Sonotras. Root of olive tree.]
During
the ninth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of lead and you will set in
it a black gem and write the name: Sonotras, and this being done, conjure it
saying: `I command you Sonotras, that as
soon as I make this sign [Fig.21] in the earth, such-and-such N. person will
be afflicted with such-and-such N. sickness, not being able to be cured until I
[erase] this here sign, and when I want to unmake the sign` like it is
being done in all the others and do as above.
The Tenth Ring
To be victorious over all one`s enemies.
[Fig.22. Sichel. Cauliflower]
During
the tenth mansion of the moon you will make a Ring of iron and you will set in
it a red garnet stone and write: Sichel, and this being done, conjure
it upon the new table saying: `I conjure
you Sichel, that as soon as I make this sign [Fig.23] in earth, I will be able to not be defeated with any occasion or at
any moment, by any enemy of mine`. And you must make the sign in a place
where it cannot be unmade by anyone, like all the others.
The Eleventh
Ring
To make a person sleep for as long as you like.
[fig.24. BINASQVIEL. Cretan Spice. This is
ring 1222]
During
the eleventh mansion of the moon you will make a ring of silver and you will
set in it a gem23 and write: Biqviel, and this being
done, conjure it as above saying: `I
command you Biqviel, that as soon as I make this [Fig.25] sign in the earth with this ring,
such-and-such N. person will fall asleep and will sleep until I will unmake
this sign` and once unmade, the sleep will cease, like you will do with all
the other rings.
The Twelfth Ring
To not be prosecuted by enemies in Justice.24
[Fig.26.
Biqviel. Willow bark. This is ring 1125]
During
the twelfth mansion of the moon you will make a Ring of copper and you will set
in it an emerald or a green gem and write: Binas, and this being
done, conjure it saying: `I command you Binas,
that as soon as I make this sign in earth [Fig.27] it will not be possible for
me to become prosecuted by the ministers of Justice and for as long as the sign
lasts I shall have no more fear of this` but once unmade you will be
prosecuted as in before.
The Thirteenth
Ring
To be loved by all those with whom you associate and
deal.
[Fig.28. Ramiel. Dove`s feathers.]
During
the thirteenth mansion of the moon you will make a ring of copper and you will
set in it an emerald or a green stone and write: Ramiel, and this
being done, conjure it saying: `I command
you Ramiel, that as soon as I make this sign in the earth [Fig.29] and until I unmake it, all [those with whom
I deal and associate with must love me, and once the sign unmade] the benevolence
will cease.
The Fourteenth
Ring.
To not be harmed by any sort of weapon.
[Fig.30. Rafan. Jupiper seeds]
During
the fourteenth mansion of the moon you will make a Ring of iron and you will
set in it a red garnet gem and write: Rafan, and this being done,
conjure it saying: `I command you Rafan, that when I make this sign [Fig.31] in
the earth, no sort of weapon will be able to hurt me` and you must make it
where it cannot be unmade, like all the others, because its virtue will cease.
End of the Necromantic Rings
Notes.
1.
Necromantic. While the term itself might be
translated etymologically as `summoning of the dead` that is, the use of the
souls of the dead in rituals designed to find information or perform tasks, the
term negromancy (nigromanteia,
nigromancia) is used here in a broader sense of summoning demons or dealing
with infernal powers, much to the same use.
2.
A silver needle, as pure as it may be, would serve
no practical purpose in engraving metals. Since there are hard metals as well
as soft ones prescribed in the treatise, including iron, and precious stones as
well, it`s likely we`re dealing with a steel needle or burin, described in
other works along with its consecration.
3.
The treatise mentions inscribing the name, but not
the character of the spirit, a clear overlook since the images show a stone
engraved with each spirit`s name and one seal on either side of it. Still,
there is a problem about the placement of the name. The designs show them on
the face of the stone, but the text uses the words a torno to refer to the way the names are engraved. In modern
Italian, attorno
is across, but taken separately, a torno means on the back.
4.
N. son of N. In the original, talis means `such and such`
but the formula N.,such and such, son of N. such and such, seemed a bit superfluous.
Here the operator declines his identity by the name of his mother, not his
father, a very common practice in Jewish and Arabic magic. This would suggest
an Arabic origin, much like all the works where there is a great importance
assigned to the signs and the astrological timings (specifically, the lunar mansions).
5.
The whole
conjuration is in Latin up to here, and it continues in Italian with the
charge. This shows both reverence to the original method copied from an earlier
work and lack of a good command of the Latin language, enough to copy a text,
but not enough to formulate the charge to the spirit coherently. This suggests,
despite the title mentioning that the original Italian was housed in the
Vatican, that the manuscript was likely not penned by a cleric, and not even by
a highly literate man.
6.
The phrase is
poorly constructed in the original, the author states the fact that he will
make the sign and spreak the virtue but does not continue to the gain of the
virtue of the ring and its effecs, but reverts to the fact that he is making
the sign.
7.
Muschio means both moss and musk. We could presume that both are likely candidates, and moss
would not be so strange since other materials include animal or bird parts, but
the fact that it is preceded by the indicative incense makes the matter
clearer.
8.
Quicksilver (Hg) being a liquid metal cannot be used
by itself to make anything solid, let alone that object be gilded. I have used
the word goldened instead of indorato because this indicates the use
of an amalgam of gold. Gold amalgam in a low concentration was used by gilders
to apply thin layers of gold to other metals, mainly silver, but if the gold
incorporated in the mercury was plentiful, the whole mass would solidify into a
new metal (amalgam) that could be manipulated safely.
9.
Astaroth is the first well-known demon from the list
of the rings (later we see Asmodeus as well), so there can`t be any ambiguity
as to the nature of the spirits employed. The author not only admits that but
also advertises it in the title.
10. Nottola. The common noctule (Nyctalus noctula), a
type of bat.
11. Pietra paragon. This translation is problematic
as the expressions usually designates a measuring stone.
12. This passage
suggests that the operator does not go about with a ring or two making these
signs where he may, but rather that he has a special place set aside for the
signs made on the earth, kept away from human or animal habitation and
protected from the elements that might disturb or erase them. Furthermore, it`s
likely that he makes more than one ring, conjures them and traces the signs in
his place and keeps the rings for use as needed. The social status of an
individual who can afford copying rare magical works, a secret place for
practice and crafting of bespoke jewelry is likely to be a high one, perhaps
the lesser nobility. This is by no means a description of the copyist of the
manuscript or of the irregular users of its contents, but rather of the ideal
candidate who might engage in regular use and the very author of the treatise.
13. The use of human
products in necromantic operations is nothing to be surprised about, but in such
cases one cannot help but be amused. Obtaining hair from a desired woman was a
task in and of itself, requiring a trusting relationship with the operator`s
target, or at least a well-defined bribe-incented friendship with her entourage.
The hair is used in this procedure since it is a part of the female anatomy
ruled by Venus, the tutelary planetary force of this ring, as the use of copper
and emerald suggest.
14. Celeste stone
might be Celestine (Strontium Sulphate) or another blue or green stone, to be
identified.
15. A torno. The problematic issue of where the
name should be written. Attorno means
Across, while a torno means on the back. It
is possible that the name was engraved on the back of the stone or on the ring,
beneath the stone, being hidden from view, as some recipes for other rings
suggest (Cf. Skinner/Rankine/Barron, A collection of magical secrets, Avalonia,
2009, p.67, the ring of the spirit Merazim)
16. Melangola: Seville or Bitter Orange (Citrus
aurantium)
17.
There
is no suffumigation listed for this ring.
18.
Zalla stone is yet
unidentified, but should be a blue stone, softer and cheaper than Saphire,
perhaps lazulite (Arabic, Al-Zul, The
Heaven)
19.
This
ring does not have a suffumigation either.
20.
As
diamond was extremely hard to cut with ordinary tools, it is not only obvious
that the needle is not a silver one, but the theory that the name is engraved
on the ring beneath the stone seems much more credible. This of course in the
unlikely scenario that someone ever constructed these rings and met with
technical difficulties such as engraving a name on a diamond with a silver
needle.
21.
Felie.
Unable to indentify this plant.
22. Fig.24 has the
name Binas written, with the correction Biquiel, and the seal of Binas on it.
The marginal note says in Latin `This is ring 12` I am unable to tell what Specie Greta is but it is translated as
Greek or Cretan Spice, and might be mastic.
23.
No
mention what sort of gem this might be, but the lunar nature of the ring might
require a white softer stone, different from diamond, crystal or garnet that
are called stones in all the other silver rings.
24. The phrase is
ambivalent and can be translated as `To
not be hindered by the enemies of Justice` meaning to not be falsely
accused of untrue or unfair things in a court of law, or `To not be prosecuted by enemies in Justice` meaning to avoid legal
responsibility in any matters, especially when guilty. The overtone of the
whole work and the conjuration shows us that it is the latter rather than the
former.
25. The ring shown bears
the name Biqviel with the seal of Biqviel and the Latin note `This is ring 11`.
26.
The
portion in square brackets was omitted in the text, but written in the left
margin. I have completed the text for the sake of legibility.
Original graphics of the rings.
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