Clavis Inferni
Clavis Inferni also known as Key of Hell is a grimoire of ritual magic probably written in 1717.
Name
The book's full name as given on the title page is Clavis Inferni sive magia alba et nigra approbata Metratona (The key to hell or white and black magic approved by Metatron).
Authorship
Although the title page ascribes authorship to M.L. Cyprianus, this is certainly a pseudonym. The name "Cyprianus" was frequently used in conjunction with grimoires originating from Scandinavia. It is a reference to Saint Cyprian of Antioch, who was alleged to have written a book of black magic prior to his conversion to Christianity.
The actual author of the text is unknown.
Date
The title page attempts to list a date of 1717 in Roman numerals, although the author was apparently unfamiliar with the conventions for listing Roman dates because their annotation is incorrect (although readable).
The author listed the date as: MCCCCCCLLXVII
When correct Roman annotation would read: MDCCXVII
Illustrations
Several illustrations appear in the book, mostly relating to the four demon kings of the cardinal directions. They are listed as:
- Paimon - King of the South
- Oriens - King of the East
- Egyn - King of the West
- Amaymon - King of the North
A separate illustration depicts the second coming of Jesus Christ as described in the Book of Revelation.
Content
In addition to the illustrations, the manuscript provides several invocations for summoning spirits such as angels and demons. These invocations are well known from the Lesser Key of Solomon and other grimoires of ritual magic in the tradition of King Solomon.
Manuscript
The handwritten vellum manuscript is 21 pages long, including a longer fold-out page which shows sigils representing the kings of the cardinal direction and their relation to the earth.
It is bound in brown velvet binding over wooden boards within gilt-stamped leather covers with a brass clasp.
The manuscript was purchased at Sotheby's in 1912 for the Wellcome Trust and is now part of the Wellcome Collection with the catalogue number MS.2000.