Introduction to the Greater Key of Solomon

The ORDER of THE ILLUMINATI
Its Origins, Its Methods and Its Influence on the World Events

KEYS OF SOLOMON

Introduction to the Greater Key of Solomon

The figure of King Solomon and his wisdom and power exerted an almost hypnotic influence over magicians and esotericists since ancient times. Solomon’s wisdom was seen as extending to astrology and magic, particularly the evocation and binding of spirits. By the Middle Ages and Renaissance a whole variety of grimoires, books of ceremonial magic, were attributed to the authorship of Solomon. One of the most famous was the Clavicula Solomonis or the Greater Key of Solomon. Many different manuscripts of the Greater Key exist and you can see more about the variant versions at Joseph Peterson’s Esoteric Archives. The most famous and widely available translation of the Greater Key is by S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers first published in 1889.

The Greater Key does contain much of interest for astrological magic. For example it provides a whole list of astrologically appropriate times using the planetary days and hours for various activities and types of magic. You can see the Greater Key planetary day/hour timing. The most important use of astrology in the Greater Key of Solomon are the planetary pentacles. These are similar to astrological talismans and are used for invoking the spirits of the planets. The Mathers edition of the Greater Key of Solomon lists forty four different pentacles each with different powers and properties.

There is a certain amount of confusion, probably stemming from the variant manuscripts regarding the proper materials and timing for the pentacles. In Book I, chapter 8, the magician is advised that the pentacles of all the planets should be made on Mercury day (Wednesday) and Mercury hour, with the Moon in an air or earth sign, as well as waxing and on an even day after the New Moon. In addition, colors are given for the pentacles and the instructions make clear that the pentacles are to be constructed of paper and the design written on them. However, in Book I, chapter 18, of the Greater Key of Solomon the standard planetary metals are listed and the magician advised to make the pentacles in the day and hour of the planet itself. Paper is listed as an alternative material.

The consecration of all planetary pentacles in the Greater Key of Solomon is accomplished through one standard evocation found at Book I, chapters 3-7. We use a standard astrological consecration when pentacles are cast and the user is free to either do a full Greater Key Consecration when they receive the pentacles or, as many of our clients do, another standard astrological consecration.

Our practice at Renaissance Astrology has been to increase the power of each pentacle, by not only using the planetary days and hours, but also the full range of traditional astrological elections and the power of astrological magic. This means that each pentacle contains the full power of a standard planetary talisman because of the carefully selected time of casting plus the individual powers ascribed to each pentacle. An astrological chart showing the details of the election for its creation is provided with each pentacle. You can see the currently available Pentacles of Solomon below. The full astrological election is much stronger and more powerful than simply planetary day and hour.

Beware of so called “pentacles” that were not cast according to the timing directions provided in the Greater Key of Solomon. Here are listed some of the more commonly used ones.

The Pentacles of Solomon

SUPREME PENTACLE OF SOLOMON

The Grand or Supreme Pentacle, “…serves to convene all spirits; when shown to them they will bow and obey you.”

PENTACLES OF SATURN

The Saturn pentacles were cast at a time when Saturn was very strong and therefore, combine the power of Greater Key pentacles with the power (long life, occult wisdom, magic & astrology, avoiding bad fortune) of a regular Saturn talisman.

The First Pentacle of Saturn

“This pentacle is of great value and utility for striking terror into the Spirits. Wherefore, upon its being shown to them they submit and kneeling upon the earth before it they obey.”

The Second Pentacle of Saturn

“This pentacle is of great value against adversities; and is of especial use in repressing the pride of the Spirits.”

The Third Pentacle of Saturn

“This should be made within the Magical Circle, and it is good for use at night when thou invokest the Spirits of the nature of Saturn.”

The Forth Pentacle of Saturn

“This Pentacle serveth principally for executing all the experiments and operations of ruin, destruction, and death. And when it is made in full perfection, it serveth also for those Spirits which bring news, when thou invokest them from the side of the South.”

The Fifth Pentacle of Saturn

“This Pentacle defendeth those who invoke the Spirits of Saturn during the night; and chaseth away the Spirits which guard treasures.”

The Sixth Pentacle of Saturn

“Around this Pentacle is each Name symbolised as it should be. The person against whom thou shalt pronounce it shall be obsessed by Demons.”

The Seventh Pentacle of Saturn

“This Pentacle is fit for exciting earthquakes, seeing that the power of each order of Angels herein invoked is sufficient to make the whole Universe tremble..”

PENTACLES OF JUPITER

The First Pentacle of Jupiter

“This serveth to invoke the Spirits of Jupiter and especially those whose names are written around the Pentacle, among whom Parasiel is the Lord and Master of Treasures and teacheth how to become possessor of places wherein they are.”

The Second Pentacle of Jupiter

“This is proper for acquiring glory, honours, dignities, riches, and all kinds of good, together with great tranquility of mind; also to discover Treasures and chase away the Spirits who preside over them.”

The Third Pentacle of Jupiter

“This defendeth and protecteth those who invoke and cause the Spirits to appear. When they appear show unto them this Pentacle and immediately they will obey.”

The Forth Pentacle of Jupiter

“It serveth to acquire riches and honour and to possess much wealth.”

The Fifth Pentacle of Jupiter

“This hath great power. It serveth for assured visions. Jacob armed with this pentacle beheld the ladder which reached unto Heaven.”

The Sixth Pentacle of Jupiter

“It serveth for protection against all earthly dangers by regarding it each day devotedly and repeating the versicle which surrounds it.”

The Seventh Pentacle of Jupiter

“It hath great power against poverty…It serveth furthermore to drive away the spirits who guard treasures and to discover the same.”

PENTACLES OF THE SUN

The First Pentacle of the Sun

The First Pentacle of the Sun, the pentacle of the Archangel Metatron, for Great Divine Power.

The Second Pentacle of the Sun

The Second Pentacle of the Sun, serveth “to repress the pride and arrogance of the solar spirits, which are altogether proud and arrogant by their nature.”

The Third Pentacle of the Sun

The Third Pentacle of the Sun, “…serveth to acquire Kingdom and Empire, to inflict loss, and to acquire renown and glory,”

The Forth Pentacle of the Sun

The Fourth Pentacle of the Sun, “serveth to enable thee to see the spirits when they appear invisible unto those who invoke them; because, when thou hast uncovered it, they will immediately appear visible.”

The Fifth Pentacle of the Sun

The Fifth Pentacle of the Sun, “serveth to invoke those spirits who can transport thee from one place unto another, over a long distance and in short time.”

The Sixth Pentacle of the Sun

The Sixth Pentacle of the Sun, “serveth excellently for the operation of invisibility…”

The Seventh Pentacle of the Sun

The Seventh Pentacle of the Sun, “If any be by chance imprisoned or detained in fetters of iron, at the presence of this pentacle, which should be engraved in Gold on the day and hour of the Sun, he will be immediately delivered and set at liberty.”

PENTACLES OF VENUS

The First Pentacle of Venus

The First Pentacle of Venus, “…to control the Spirits of Venus.”

The Second Pentacle of Venus

The Second Pentacle of Venus, “…also proper for obtaining grace and honor, and for all things which belong unto Venus and for accompling all your desires therein.”

The Third Pentacle of Venus

The Third Pentacle of Venus, “…this if it only shown unto any person serveth to attract love.”

The Forth Pentacle of Venus

The Fourth Pentacle of Venus, “…It is of great power, since it compels the Spirits of Venus to obey, and to force on the instant any person thou wishest to come unto thee.”

The Fifth Pentacle of Venus

The Fifth Pentacle of Venus, “When it it only showed unto any person whatsoever inciteth and exciteth wonderfully unto love.”

PENTACLES OF MERCURY

The First Pentacle of Mercury

The First Pentacle of Mercury, “serveth to invoke the Spirits who are under the Firmament.”

The Second Pentacle of Mercury

The Second Pentacle of Mercury, “the Spirits herein written serve to bring to effect and to grant things which are contrary unto the order of Nature; and which are not contained under any other head. They easily give answer, but they can with difficulty be seen.”

The Third Pentacle of Mercury

The Third Pentacle of Mercury, “This and the following serve to invoke the Spirits subject unto Mercury; and especially those who are written in this Pentacle.”

The Forth Pentacle of Mercury

The Fourth Pentacle of Mercury causes the user , “… to acquire understanding and knowledge of all things created and to seek out and penetrate into hidden things.”

The Fifth Pentacle of Mercury

The Fifth Pentacle of Mercury, “…commandeth the Spirits of Mercury and serveth to open doors in whatever way they may be closed and nothing it may encounter may resist it.”

PENTACLES OF THE MOON

The First Pentacle of the Moon

The First Pentacle of the Moon, “serve to call forth and invoke the Spirits of the Moon; and further serveth to open doors, in whatever way they may be fastened.”

The Second Pentacle of the Moon

The Second Pentacle of the Moon, “This serveth against all perils and dangers by water, and if it should chance that the Spirits of the Moon should excite and cause great rain and exceeding tempests about the Circle, in order to astonish and terrify thee; on showing unto them this Pentacle, it will all speedily cease.”

The Third Pentacle of the Moon

The Third Pentacle of the Moon, “This being duly borne with thee when upon a journey…serveth against all attacks by night and against every kind of danger and peril by Water.”

The Forth Pentacle of the Moon

The Fourth Pentacle of the Moon, “This defendeth thee from all evil sources, and from all injury unto soul or body. Its Angel, Sophiel, giveth the knowledge of the virtue of all herbs and stones; and unto whomsoever shall name him, he will procure the knowledge of all.”

The Fifth Pentacle of the Moon

The Fifth Pentacle of the Moon, “It serveth to have answers in sleep. Its Angel Iachadiel serveth unto destruction and loss, as well as unto the destruction of enemies. Thou mayest also call upon him by Abdon and Dalé again”