The Lesser Key of Solomon

For many years the occult community had to make due with the smattering of titles and partial titles brought out of obscurity by Mathers and Crowley. Today we are literally witnessing a Hermetic Renaissance as more complete titles come forth to replace their partial or unedited folio predecessors. Here we have not just the Goetia, but the entire Lemegeton, put together in a uniquely scholarly fashion. Compiled from original manuscripts and fragments from the British Museum Library, this is the most complete and accurate Lemegeton ever offered to the public. Peterson has done a wonderful job at compiling and editing this work. His continued commentary on derivative works, and analytical comparisons of the variations in the historical manuscripts, is an unprecedented boon to the student. Nearly every page is 20% footnotes and editorial comment, making it particularly valuable for anyone exploring the Solomon cycle. The copious footnotes go to heroic lengths to contrast different readings or additional materials from other editions. Unlike previous editions of the Lesser Key, you really feel like you have the benefit of the British Museum Library at your fingertips. If the footnotes weren't curriculum enough for the aspiring Goetic Magician, then the 55 pages of appendices should fill the bill. Appendix I is a list of addenda from Sloane 2731 and Sloane 3648. Appendix II - Pseudomonarchia Daemonum - Translated to English. Appendix III Comparison of Goetia spirits with Weyer's list. Appendix IV is made up of alternate drawings from other editions of the Lemegeton. There is only one section that I am not fond of. Peterson gives a breakdown of previous editions of the Lemegeton/Goetia (missing a couple along the way) and it seems to me the judgments he hands out here may not be even handed. His primary beef with earlier editions is that none of them were critical, and most rely on a single manuscript, rather that trying to piece together the original tradition from a survey of all fragments at hand. While that is a true observation, I am not sure that any of these earlier works claimed to be anything other than exactly what they were. The incomplete Mathers/Crowley edition which simply contains the first book of the Lemegeton, "The Goetia" is easy enough to attack. After all, it was pretty sloppy with some unexplained material that doesn't even belong to the Goetia. However his treatment of Mitch Henson's edition is a little on the harsh side. He complains that Henson doesn't include the 5th book, "The Notary Art of Solomon". Henson explains his logical omission of this work very well in his edition. In fact Peterson goes on to explain that there is "no one work" by that name. I have to say that last gripe would pass right past most readers, and even the ones that agree with me would find it only the most minor of annoyances. It doesn't take a single star from my review of this monumental and over-due work. The only down side to having so many alternate readings, seals, sigils, and spellings, would be that you are never quite sure again, who you are summoning, and just what he can do once he gets here. Something else that anyone who uses the Mathers/Crowley version of the Goetia will notice, is that these seals are rough, and not inside of a double circle. If you want to augment this book with cleaned up artwork (which means recently altered for production value.) then you might want to also pick up a copy of Mitch Henson's Lemegeton. The seals are all redrawn beautifully. This is truely the new standard edition of the Lemegeton. King Solomon is dead. Long live the king!

Most of the reviews I've read for this book were about the softcover edition, however I purchased the hardcover version. First a few words on the physical book. It is green in color, with a glossy exterior (not a dust jacket which it did not come with,) and black lettering. The book's dimensions are 10 5/16 inches tall, by 7 1/16 inches wide, by 14/16 inch thick. The book feels and appears to be well made, but only time will tell on that point. Now about the book's contents. This book is most definitely not for beginners. If you have no training in evocation whatsoever, neither possess nor have read any of the many books or video courses that teach beginners this art, nor have any occult experience at all, then this book is most definitely not for you. In fact, for beginners this book can be quite dangerous especially if you attempt to follow the directions for evocation presented in the text itself. If you have experience with evocation, have received training in this art, or have read any of the many books or watched any of the numerous videos about evocation that are available, it is difficult to imagine that you have not heard of the Goetia and perhaps even the Lemegeton of which the Goetia is one part so I will proceed with my review with this assumption in mind. I purchased this book to replace a softcover Goetia that has seen better times. I once had a copy of the full Lemegeton but it was lost in a move long ago. I was surprised at the completeness of this edition. Especially good were the appendices which contained information I have seen nowhere else. One major difference between this edition and my old softcover one is that the Goetic seals are not in the same double circle with the name in between like you see in the Mathers/Crowley version. The introduction explains that this was an innovation of Crowley that he likely borrowed from another book which used a similar approach. If you really like the double circle version of the seals keep that in mind. Most practitioners draw their own seals for actual use so if you like the circles and are familiar with them you can always add them at that stage. Strangely in my own work I never drew the circles at all and so the ones in the book look more like what I use. If you are looking for a complete, well resourced, and quality Lemegeton with appendices containing excellent extended material, then I recommend this edition, especially the hardcover one I purchased.

Recently (since 1995) we've had a surge of interest in Solomonic magick and several versions of the Goetia, and even the complete Lemegeton, have become available. Finally we have a definitive edition carefully compiled, annotated and commented upon in a scholarly fashion. It is also handsomely published in hard covers and (at the present reduced price) quite a bargain. Unlike most backyard Goetias and Lemegetons, Peterson does not rely solely on Sloane MS. 2731 but chooses the more complete Harley MS. 6483 as his base text with comparative notes referencing other MSS. He also traces the origins of all the five books in his concise but highly detailed introduction. Several points that Peterson's augmentations from other manuscripts bring forth are of considerable interest--especially to those of us working Solomonic systems. I was happy to see the circle in the center of the Triangle of Art "blacked in" in two other versions of the Goetia besides Sloane 2731, lending more confirmation to our dark mirror theory. I was also happily surprised to discover that Harley MS. 6438 used the Shemehamphorash invocations on the back of their Brass Vessel sigils just as we decided to do (before we were aware of the precedent) in our practice (see *The Book of Solomon's Magick*). Peterson also cites and presents the Almadel type drawing from *Sepher Schelomoh* (that we also displayed) and a similar sketch from a newly acquired (at the Brit. Lib.) Hebrew version of the Almadel. All considered Peterson's *The Lesser Key of Solomon* is probably the best reference Lemegeton we will see for many years to come. But in order to work the system you still need to consult the practical manuals by Steve Savedow, Lon Milo DuQuette and Poke Runyon.

One of the best versions

While lesser (wordplay intended) editions of this text are available for cheaper at a third the price, this is a reliably sourced, well translated, and informative edition of the text. It has good visuals for the sigils, arrangements, diagrams, etc, which is paramount for those looking to practice. I especially enjoy the room in the margins, I use space like that for appending sticky notes. If you want an edition, this is the one you should pick - cough up the extra money, and be rewarded with extra value.

The compilation of different texts as well as the sections written by Peterson are written very straightforward with an academic tone. He clearly states sources as well as discrepancies between them for all of the material presented. While I appreciate the fact that Peterson tried to focus on presenting the compiled source material, I would have like to see more commentary, discussion, and explanation from him in the numerous footnotes.

The Key of Solomon, a famous grimoire attributed to King Solomon. While it's often considered a historical or mystical text, many believe that attempting its rituals can be risky due to their esoteric nature.

It’s a really great book for anyone that is somewhat experienced in this type of magic. But would recommend if you don’t know this art you should study on beginner books and from there work your way up to this book. But oh boy if you know what you are doing this book is like hitting the jackpot of knowledge. I personally use some modifications to my art of summoning since I don’t care to communicate for I want a full summon to bargain contracts. But will warn you a bad summon can cause harm. Years ago when I was a novice in magic I had a bad summon which hurt me physically from who I summoned. But in time I was able to learn more and now on with this book again and been enjoying the wealth of knowledge it provides. But I will say I highly recommend you study who you are trying to contact and the language that individual uses before you attempt to talk to them. But yeah this edition is the best I’ve seen so far and tries it best to stay with the original text so you won’t find modifications as other versions.