The Book of Abramelin

Edited by Georg Dehn, translated by Steven Guth.
Ibis Publishing, 2006
ISBN 978-0892541270

The Abramelin grimoire is arguably one of the most important grimoires ever written but up until recently it has only been known from a single edition, the Mather's translation published in the 1890's. This new edition is therefore long overdue. I am pleased to say that it was worth the wait.

The Book of Abramelin is attributed to Abraham of Worms, a 14th century cabalist, who supposedly traveled to Egypt and met a sage called Abramelin, who taught him the true secret of magick. It is a programme of spiritual exercises which culminates in attaining the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. Thanks to the influence of the Golden Dawn and Aleister Crowley it has become the bedrock of Western Magick.

Dehn has worked from four manuscripts to produce a definitive text that is more reliable than the Mather's text. It includes a fourth section, a series of recipes for results magick; complete word squares (the Mather's squares are incomplete); and an eighteen month practice, not six months. The result is a much more comprehensive text, which has been translated into readable English, avoiding the King James prose favoured by Mathers.

Dehn also includes some appendices: an account of his attempt to retrace Abraham's footsteps, speculation about Abraham's identity, and an analysis of some of the word squares, among others. I found this material interesting but of little value.

Overall, this book would make a suberb addition to any magickal library and I have no hesitation in recommending it.