6,493
edits
Difference between revisions of "Simon Necronomicon"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
In addition to an introduction, the book uses a frame story titled "The Testimony of the Mad Arab". The "Testimony" is in two parts, forming a prologue and an epilogue to the core ''Necronomicon''. The author describes himself as a "Mad Arab". | In addition to an introduction, the book uses a frame story titled "The Testimony of the Mad Arab". The "Testimony" is in two parts, forming a prologue and an epilogue to the core ''Necronomicon''. The author describes himself as a "Mad Arab". | ||
The prologue explains how the Arab first came to discover the dark secrets that he is recording, accidentally witnessing an arcane ritual performed by a cult that worships Tiamat, in which both the [[demon]]s Kutulu and Humwawa are conjured. | The prologue explains how the Arab first came to discover the dark secrets that he is recording, accidentally witnessing an arcane ritual performed by a [[cult]] that worships Tiamat, in which both the [[demon]]s Kutulu and Humwawa are conjured. | ||
In the epilogue, the Mad Arab is haunted by premonitions of his gruesome death. He realizes that the horrors of the ''Necronomicon'' are enraged and seek revenge upon him for revealing their existence to the world. The text is littered with non sequiturs and arcane incantations, presented as indication of his unstable mental state and his desire to protect himself from perceived danger. He is unable to sign his work, and thus remains nameless. | In the epilogue, the Mad Arab is haunted by premonitions of his gruesome death. He realizes that the horrors of the ''Necronomicon'' are enraged and seek revenge upon him for revealing their existence to the world. The text is littered with non sequiturs and arcane incantations, presented as indication of his unstable mental state and his desire to protect himself from perceived danger. He is unable to sign his work, and thus remains nameless. | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
Much of the book is a collection of [[ritual magic|magic rituals]] and conjurations. Many incantations and seals are described. Most of these are intended to ward off evil or to invoke the Elder Gods to one's aid. Some of them are curses to be used against one's enemies. The incantations are written in a mixture of English and more ancient languages, with a few possible misspellings in the romanization of the archaic words. There are also several words that do not appear to be from any known language. | Much of the book is a collection of [[ritual magic|magic rituals]] and conjurations. Many incantations and seals are described. Most of these are intended to ward off evil or to invoke the Elder Gods to one's aid. Some of them are curses to be used against one's enemies. The incantations are written in a mixture of English and more ancient languages, with a few possible misspellings in the romanization of the archaic words. There are also several words that do not appear to be from any known language. | ||
The many magical seals in the book pertain to particular gods and | The many magical [[sigil|seals]] in the book pertain to particular gods and [[demon]]s, and are used when invoking or summoning the entity with which each is associated. In some cases there are specific instructions on how to inscribe the seals and [[amulet]]s, including the materials that should be used and the time of day for their creation; in other cases, only the seal itself is given. | ||
For some rituals, the book mentions that sacrifices should be offered. One ritual in particular describes a human sacrifice of 11 men, needed to enchant a knife that can summon Tiamat. | For some rituals, the book mentions that sacrifices should be offered. One ritual in particular describes a human sacrifice of 11 men, needed to enchant a knife that can summon Tiamat. | ||
Both the introduction and the book's marketing make sensational claims for the book's magical power. The back blurb claims it is "the most potent and potentially, the most dangerous Black Book known to the Western World," and that its rituals will bring "beings and monsters" into "physical appearance". The book's introduction gives readers frequent warnings that the powers it contains are potentially life-threatening, and that perfect mental health is needed; otherwise the book is extremely dangerous. It claims a curse afflicted those who helped publish the book. It also claims that the Golden Dawn methods of magical banishing will not work on the entities in this book. | Both the introduction and the book's marketing make sensational claims for the book's magical power. The back blurb claims it is "the most potent and potentially, the most dangerous Black Book known to the Western World," and that its rituals will bring "beings and monsters" into "physical appearance". The book's introduction gives readers frequent warnings that the powers it contains are potentially life-threatening, and that perfect mental health is needed; otherwise the book is extremely dangerous. It claims a curse afflicted those who helped publish the book. It also claims that the [[Golden Dawn]] methods of [[Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram|magical banishing]] will not work on the entities in this book. | ||
==Textual authenticity== | ==Textual authenticity== | ||