Magickal Seals and the Grimoiric Tradition
The magickal seals you see presented here represent a joint effort between artist and traditional scribe Jackie Williams and author and occultist Michelle Belanger.
Introduction written by Michelle Belanger
The seals are drawn from the predominantly Western European tradition of grimoiric magick, a type of ceremonial magick with its roots in Jewish Kabbalism. This magickal tradition centers mainly around the summoning and compulsion of spirits – angels, demons, and celestial intelligences associated with the seven planetary spheres.
Although the roots of this style of magick are distinctly Jewish, it was taken up by Christian magicians in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Eventually, it evolved into a syncretic system with both Jewish and Christian ritual elements.
Magick seals and sigils are an integral part of this system, and numerous grimoires describe the often pain-staking process by which these must be produced. Tools, pigments, and inks must be virgin (unused) or properlyexorcised prior to use. The parchment – a paper made from animal skin – must be virgin as well. Many of the seals must also be scribed upon a certain hour on a certain day in accordance with their planetary associations. The seals we have chosen here are drawn mainly from the Clavicula Salomonis, or Key of Solomon. The angelic seals were taken from the Grimoire of Armadel. The book known as the Liber Juratus or Sworn Book of Honorius provided the instructions for scribing the complex and visually stunning Seal of God. All seals were produced in accordance with the instructions in their respective texts – with the sole exception of the Seventh Pentacle of Mars. In the Key of Solomon, this seal is supposed to be scribed with the blood of a bat. Although all the seals are scribed upon virgin parchment, we stopped short of killing a bat for the sake of authenticity.
Fifth Pentacle of Saturn |
First Pentacle of Jupiter |
First Pentacle of the Moon |
Fourth Pentacle of Mercury |
Fourth Pentacle of the Sun |
Seal of Archangel Gabriel |
Seal of Archangel Michael |
Second Pentacle of Venus |
Seventh Pentacle of Jupiter |
Seventh Pentacle of Mars |
Sixth Pentacle of Mars |
Seal of God |
