Anon (Herbert Irwin), Book of Magic, Society of Esoteric Endeavour 2014, 1st PDF

Anon (Herbert Irwin), Book of Magic, Society of Esoteric Endeavour 2014, 1st Edition
Anon (Herbert Irwin), Book of Magic, Society of Esoteric Endeavour 2014, 1st Edition.

Never previously published.

Limited edition consisting of three components held together in slipcase:-

http://www.caduceusbooks.com/description1.htm[8/26/2017 10:08:00 AM]



Facsimile of Manuscript. Hardback in full calf leather binding incorporating skrying mirror. 416pp
coloured pages (of which 209pp are blank) It is clearly stated to be the book of the Fratres Lucis and is
bound to match the appearance of the book as Herbert envisaged and drew it in the frontispiece of the
manuscript. All edges are hand gilded, thus avoiding the too shiny gaudiness of machine gilding. Leather
joint, decorated endpapers. The front cover has a real satin silk doublure (a traditional bookbinding device, a
panel of silk set into the inside of the boards). Inset into the doublure on the front board is a reproduction of
a sigil from the book which features an eye within concentric circles. The actual eye itself if formed with a
portion of paper from the original manuscript, so as to create a magical link with the original. In a recess of
the doublure on the rear board is set a glass magic mirror, to facilitate the practitioners access to the
mindspaces from whence this book arose. The black mirrors convex design follows Herbert Irwins
recommendations in the book. The full colour facsimile is a very high quality reproduction and is designed to
have the same appearance as original manuscript, rather than modern shiny photographs of it. The
manuscript was completed in 1874 and this facsimile utilises a specifically Victorian binding method called
gutta percha, then used for upmarket art books. However, modern materials are used that solve the
longevity issues that resulted in the binding method being discontinued in the early 20th Century.



Some sample pages




Transcript. Hardback cloth binding. Typeset as in the original 408pp (of which 205 are blank), and also
gives translations of the occasional Latin. It also reproduces all the illustrations so the text can be seen in
context, but is in monochrome. There is no decoration to the cover, so visually it merges with the slipcase.
Herbert Irwins handwriting is not always easily read. As can be seen from these images, the transcript
overcomes this issue.



Talismans in Folder. Talismans from the manuscript. They can be removed from the recesses in which

they are held, for ease of use by the practitioner. As with the transcript, for aesthetic reasons there is no
decoration to the cover. When in position, the talismans are framed by a gilt border. The manuscript states
that the talismans should be made either of pure gold or drawn on parchment. Inspired by this, these are
blocked in pure gold on vellum (the terms vellum and parchment were used interchangeably in the 19th
Century).

Context

The roots of the Golden Dawn are complex and have been much debated, and will be much discussed in the
future as new evidence emerges. It is undisputed, though, that Major F.G.Irwin was an important player in
the pre-Golden Dawn occult milieu. One narrative* has it that Kenneth Mackenzie brought the Fratres Lucis
to British shores founding Temple No.1. Major Irwin then headed the Hermanoubis Temple No. 2 in Bristol,
and then Woodman, Westcott and Mathers founded the No.3 Isis-Urania Temple in London under the
Golden Dawn banner, but with more complex rituals resulting from the input of Kabbalah, Egyptology and
the Cipher Manuscripts. The very masonic rituals and historical narratives of the Fratres Lucis that have been
published appear quite out of step with the profoundly magical nature of the Golden Dawn. It is specially
interesting, then, that Major Irwins son Herbert should have scribed this Book of Magic which is, very
explicitly, the book of the Fratres Lucis and is highly magical.

* See for example:-
http://www.golden-dawn.com/eu/displaycontent.aspx?pageid=139-biography-of-f.g.-irwin

Some Themes

Skrying using a magical mirror. Various procedures are described for using the magic mirror to view and
communicate with spirits. One involves a surprisingly early description of the use of electric batteries for
occult purposes. It is clear that working with the magic mirror is the source of much of the material of the
book. The manuscript is highly visual using coloured inks and numerous diagrams and images, presumably

recording visions received from the magic mirror. Herbert also talks of letting angels take over his body and
guide his hand. One can spot some book sources (Barretts Magus, Key of Solomon) for some material but
much is unfamiliar and is probably the result of such magical workings.

Contact with the Hidden Adepts was a crucial aspect of the Golden Dawn and its members employed
various strategies, esoteric and exoteric, to contact the Secret Chiefs. In the Theosophical Society, and
thence Crowleys A..A.. it was the Great White Brotherhood with whom communication was sought.
Likewise in the Fratres Lucis as set forth in this Magic Book by Herbert Irwin. Communication with
Rosicrucian adepts of the Order is embodied in records of earlier group magical rituals attended by Martinez
de Pasquales, Lavater, St. Germain, Cagliostro and others. These may have been clairvoyantly perceived
through the skrying mirror. Herbert writes of magically attending meetings. The Order also has inner plane
contacts with Knights Templar initiates with two records of communication with the spirit of Jacques de
Molay, one anonymous (probably Herbert Irwin) and another attributed to Thomas Vaughan.

Hidden Sun. In a diagram and associated text it is stated that the sun we see is not the real sun, but an
imperfect and lesser reflection of the light that illuminates other universes beyond ours. This idea went on to
become a dogma of the Theosophical Society (founded one year after the manuscript was completed) and
then gain notoriety as the notion of the Black Sun current in neo-Nazi occult vectors. The Fratres Lucis, as
described in this book, is synonymous with the Brothers of the Swastika

Non-Euclidian Geometry Some diagrams are suggestive of paper being folded multiple times in a manner
that appears impossible to replicate in reality. This and three full page diagrams that share certain
commonalities, pointing to Universes beyond ours and with compass points awry, is reminiscent of the non-
Euclidian geometry imagined by H.P. Lovecraft.

Drugs & Herbs. In the discussion of herbalism a dozen herbs are dealt with, some very briefly as medicinal
herbs but there is an extensive section on saffron which gives a lengthy and complex procedure for obtaining
an extract, which is stated as being considered by Fraters of the Rose Cross the most wonderful and useful
herb. The effects described are of an extreme form of rejuvenation, and also a gentle heat that pervades the
frame and gives a sense of liveliness and strength. Modern users find relatively small doses of saffron akin to
a low dose of Ecstasy, and recent scientific tests supports its psychoactive potential and also find that it does
increase the effects of opiates, which the Victorians knew as it was a major ingredient of laudanum. Herbert
also discusses the magical uses of opium itself, about which he is ambiguous, considering it potentially
demonic. Never-the-less, he took opium to assist his skrying and died of an opium overdose. The original
codex bears a bookplate added by his father, with the Fratres Lucis swastika, recording his death and making
the book a memorial to his son. This bookplate, plus the Irwin family bookplate also present in the original,
are reproduced and tipped in to the facsimile. He may have died whilst skrying mind spaces related to those
that gave rise to this book which is, at least, poignant - and may also have significant esoteric implications.

An Astral Book made Manifest An illustration of the Book of Magic forms the very first page of the
manuscript and the glyph of the magic book appears in a number of the subsequent illustrations. These
probably record of visions received in the skrying mirror. This edition now makes manifest that astral book.
Furthermore, with the eye in the motif set in the front cover being on paper from the original manuscript, it
provides a magical link that is the basis for the magic mirror set in the rear board to act as the window by
which the practitioner may access the same mind spaces that Herbert viewed to create the original
manuscript. These mind spaces are of the same astral flux that found manifestation in the Golden Dawn and
the Theosophical Society.



5) Complete List of Headings in the Manuscript

Book of Magic
[preamble]
Prayer
Second Part
Of the Invoking of the Spirits Angelic
Of the dress of the operator
A Brief note of the qualities requisite in the Invoker of Angelic Spirits
Of the Angels of Spirits of the Spheres
Of the Necessary Conditions Rules and laws To be observed by the student of Spiritual and Angelic things
Of Diabolic Evocation
Of the power of the Will in Relation to Magical Things
Of the making and of the using of Magical glasses, Crystals and Mirrors
Charge for dismissing the Vision
Of the Consecration of Magical Mirrors and Crystals
Of the Virtue and Power of Signs
Of the forming of Charms
Of Invocation of Spirits of the Sun, Moon and Eight Planets

Of the Spirits of the Sun

Invocation
Form of Dismissal
Of the Spirit of the Moon
Shapes familiar to the Spirits of the Sun
Of the Signs, Pentacles, and Talismans of Spirits
Of the Talismans of the Spirits of the Sun
Spirits of the Spheres
The sign of the good spirits of the moon
Of the Philosophical Stone Of its making and of its using
Further Experiments in the Hermetic Art or revification and of Resurrection
Some Remarks on the Medical virtues of the herb Saffron
Of the (vulgo Poppy)
The Herb Rue
Of the Herb Taraxacum
The Herb Vervain
Of the Marsh Mallow
Of the Occult Power and of sympathy
Of Attraction
Of the operation of casting into the Sleep
Of Talismans and of Signs By which to accomplish certain ends
Of the use of many things of sympathy of antipathy of the Nature of things Of the Divining Rod
Of Sympathy
Of the Cabbala
Of Divination by Marks
Of the Division and Government of the Human Race
The Book of the Secret Ritual of Invocation of the Brethren of [the swastika]
Form for the Invocation of Good Angels
Secret Ritual
Secret Ritual Invocation March 20th 1774
Talismans
Of the Means of obtaining answers From the Inner world
The Talismanic Science
A Talisman of Great Power
Of Planetary days and hours and of the Angels
which govern them
On the Making of Mirrors
Of Divination by Dust or Ashes
Of Charms
Of the Secret Alphabet of some famous cabbalists
Invocated Spirit

Ordering and Limitation

This is a strictly limited edition. All copies are deluxe. The print run will be determined by the number of
copies ordered WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Sufficient copies will then be made up
to supply those reservations


Reservations must be received by:-

MIDNIGHT GMT SUNDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2014

.

Then the book will be declared out of print and no further orders will be accepted. Any subsequent enquiries
will be forwarded to those trade customers who have purchased copies for resale.

.
Bookplate recording limitation and provenance

The total number of the print run will be recorded by triangular bookplate blocked in pure gold with an eye
(a significant symbol in the Book of Magic, related to the sun behind the sun). This will also give, in the hand
of a professional calligrapher, the number of the particular copy. The number will, very strictly, record the
sequence of actual sale, the first person who completes payment receives copy No.1, the second who
completes payment No.2 and so forth.

The original manuscript bears the ownership inscription of F.L Gardner, an important member of both the
Golden Dawn and Theosophical Society. In recognition of the potential importance of a particular books
provenance the triangular bookplate will also give the name, magical name, magical motto or trade name of
the purchaser written out by the calligrapher. IF YOU WISH THIS TO STATE ANON OR A SPECIFIC
NAME/MOTTO PLEASE SPECIFY SO. Otherwise bookplate will record name of person or business
ordering the book. The bookplate is designed to accommodate the names of subsequent owners so that, over
time, the provenance of each copy may be recorded. Thus the facsimiles may continue that which
commenced with the original manuscript.

The original bookplates, reproductions of which are tipped in the facsimile.



Limitation bookplate



Production

The patience of people ordering Society of Esoteric Endeavour books is truly appreciated. It is that support
that has drawn books into manifestation. Whilst previous publications have been made in kitchens,
conservatories, garages, offices and so forth, this publication will be largely made in a spacious, well
equipped, bindery with many more hands at work under highly experienced supervision. Accordingly they
will be ready far more quickly than previous publications. Ironically, there is some regret to be felt
concerning this. These human resources and this specialist equipment and premises are available for this and
future Society of Esoteric Endeavour publications for no other reason that because the British book industry
is in ruins. The personnel, equipment and premises connect back to the origins of craft book binding in
Leicester, the roots of which may be found in the Arts and Craft Movement.

THIS BOOK IS NOW OUT OF PRINT

In all, 196 copies have been ordered, so that is the number of copies of this book that shall become
physically manifest, more than 140 years after the book was first conceived/perceived.

No further orders can be accepted.


However, some copies have been ordered by bookdealers for resale.
Please email me at ben@caduceusbooks.com for a list of these dealers


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Anon (Herbert Irwin), Book of Magic, Society of Esoteric Endeavour 2014, 1st Edition

http://www.caduceusbooks.com/description1.htm[8/26/2017 10:08:00 AM]

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