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Phoenixes, Dragons and Pyramids?
Sounds like the material for a Harry Potter Movie, but this is historical imperative at its finest. In conjunction with the release of "The Order of the Phoenix:", Carol Duncan of the University of Newcastle, Australia thought it might be an opportune time to make public an actual real-life manuscript of magic housed in the University's collections.
Bonus points: They've also posted it on the web. For free.
The manual of Cabalistic Magic known simply as "Magical Manuscripts 1704' contains over 500 pages of hand-colored diagrams and arcane symbols including human figures, mythical creatures, Hebrew and alchemical characters, tables of Hebrew and alchemical and astrological symbols. The entire wonder can be downloaded via Flickr. An expert understanding of the Goetia, Keys of Solomon and/or fluent French is a definite plus.
The pictures are extraordinarily well preserved and feature intricate and colorful detail of extant talismanic squares and other sundrious references of interest to the occult student (or HP afficionado). As well as being a unique and well kept specimen of history, it's a visually compelling peek into the mind of a sixteenth century magus.
It is speculated that the manuscript is an eclectic rearrangement of Agrippa's 'Three Books of Occult Mythology", and includes a modest bookplate encribed with the words "Suaviter in modo fortiter in re” (Gentle in manner, resolute in execution).
Its scribe, however, remains a mystery.
