The Book of Abramelin—also known as The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage—is one of the most influential texts in Western occultism and Kabbalistic magic. Attributed to Abraham of Worms, a 14th-15th century German Jew, the book offers a detailed magical system for achieving union with one’s Holy Guardian Angel and controlling demonic spirits.
📖 The Story of the Abramelin Book
Presented in the form of an epistolary novel and styled as an autobiography, the book recounts how Abraham of Worms passed his mystical knowledge to his son, Lamech.
Abraham tells of his travels to the Egyptian desert and a town near the Nile. There, he meets an elderly Egyptian mage, who offers him two sacred manuscripts filled with divine and Kabbalistic magical teachings. In return, Abraham is required to swear an oath to serve God and Divine Law—a central theme throughout the book.
🧾 Versions and Manuscripts of the Abramelin Text
The Book of Abramelin exists in multiple manuscript and printed versions. Although its exact origin is uncertain, scholars trace its earliest German manuscripts to around 1608.
Known Versions Include:
- Two German manuscripts (c.1608) – Held in Wolfenbüttel.
- Two more manuscripts – From Dresden, dated 1700 and 1750.
- First printed edition (1725) – Published in Cologne by Peter Hammer.
- Hebrew partial copy (c.1740) – Found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
- French manuscript (18th century) – Located at the Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, Paris.
- Italian version (17th century) – Preserved in the Queriniana Library, Brescia.
These multiple versions reflect the book’s broad European influence and how it was translated, copied, and adapted across languages and magical traditions.
😈 The Demons of the Abramelin Book
A unique feature of the Abramelin system is its hierarchy of spirits. Unlike other grimoires, the spirits here are grouped according to the four cardinal directions and elements: Fire (South), Water (West), Air (East), and Earth (North).
🔱 The Four Chief Spirits:
These are the highest-ranking entities in the system.
- Lucifer
- Leviatan
- Satan
- Belial
Each represents a core spiritual force or energy, often interpreted as aspects of the ego or adversarial powers that must be controlled through divine connection.
🜄 The Eight Sub-Princes:
Each sub-prince rules over legions of spirits and operates under one of the chief demons.
- Astarot
- Magot
- Asmodee
- Belzebud
- Oriens
- Paimon
- Ariton
- Amaimon
These spirits have magical offices, ranging from granting wealth or power to revealing hidden knowledge. The book describes their roles, how to summon them, and how to bind them under divine authority.
🧙 How the Abramelin System Works
The core of the Abramelin operation is not demon-summoning, but spiritual purification and divine alignment. The magician must undergo a strict 6–18 month operation of prayer, fasting, and ritual work to establish contact with their Holy Guardian Angel.
Once contact is achieved, the magician is given the power to bind and command the spirits—never for selfish reasons, but in alignment with the Divine Will.
🛡️ Protection and Responsibility
- Working with Abramelin spirits requires extreme care.
- The magic circle is essential for safety during summoning rituals.
- The operator must be morally and spiritually prepared, or risk spiritual harm or delusion.
🔚 Conclusion: The Sacred Magic of Abramelin
The Book of Abramelin is not merely a grimoire—it is a complete spiritual system rooted in Jewish mysticism and ceremonial magic. Its influence can be seen in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Thelema, and modern occultism.
Whether you’re a serious practitioner or a student of esoteric history, studying the Abramelin text opens doors to a unique blend of Kabbalistic wisdom, divine alignment, and magical mastery.