#Pgm

[madmonksandmaenads]

I think this magician got really excited about Anubis partway through writing this papyri and happened to invent my new favorite epithet

[chthonic-sorcery]

The Stele of Aphrodite : an Ancient Greek Love Charm ☆💗☆

Many love spells in the ancient world, particularly in the PGM are that of what are known as fetching charms, or binding spells: love spells targeting specific people. However, there are a number of more generalized love spells, ones with no particular target, such as the Stele of Aphrodite.

The Stele of Aphrodite is Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) spell number IV. 1265-74, and dates back to the late Hellenic period of ancient Greece. It was used primarily for love magic, specifically to invoke the favor and obsession of a desired individual, as well as for favor and success within friendship, popularity and beauty. The stele was believed to harness the power of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, to sway the emotions and actions of whoever sees you in favor of the practitioner.

Step by step instructions on how to create your own below ☆

Read the full article for free here

[bookofforbiddenknowledge]

Magic in Ancient Greece: An Introduction

I have seen some people claim that magic or witchcraft did not exist in Ancient Greece. This is not the case. So, I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce you all to the strange and wonderful world of Ancient Greek magic!

First, what do we mean by "magic"? Radcliffe Edmonds, one of the leading scholars on Ancient Greek magic, defines "magic" as "non-normative ritual behavior." In short, what makes something magic, and not just normal religion, is that people in a given culture think it's weird. The word "magic" itself refers to the magi, Zoroastrian priests — the Ancient Greeks thought they did magic because to them, Zoroastrianism was foreign and weird. They also thought that Ancient Egyptians could do magic for the same reason — what the Greeks thought was spooky magic was just normal religion in Egypt. Within their own culture, magic was basically heteropraxic religion. Magic was not considered hubristic, at least not inherently.

There are multiple Ancient Greek words that refer to magic. The word μάγος, magos, itself means "magician" or "charlatan." There's also γοητεί��, goetia, usually translated as "sorcery." The word most often translated as "witchcraft" is φαρμακεία, pharmakeia, the use of drugs or herbs to transform or influence people. This is what Medea and Circe do.

One of our best sources on Ancient Greek magic is the Greek Magical Papyri, or PGM, a set of magical texts from Hellenistic Egypt. When I first learned about it, I thought it was too good to be true, but here it is: uncorrupted ancient pagan magic! Essentially, the PGM is one of the oldest known grimoires, and the ancestor of the entire Western magical tradition. The papyri contain spells and rituals for almost every purpose: curses, love spells, divination, dream oracles, summoning daimones, necromancy, even full mystical rites. Most of them include invocations to various gods, which are heavily syncretic. Helios/Apollo (treated interchangeably) is invoked the most often. Aphrodite appears pretty often, too. Hekate-Artemis-Selene-Persephone (conflated with a whole bunch of other chthonic goddesses, including Ereshkigal) has her own set of spells. You'll even find the names of Egyptian gods and Hebrew angels in there.

One of the most common features in PGM spells is voces magicae or barbarous names, nonsense words that are supposed to be the secret names of the gods, which give you the authority to call them up. They act almost like a written form of glossolalia. Most are supposed to be spoken or chanted aloud. Some sound like actual names, or are well-known magical epithets like ABRASAX. Some are just strings of Greek vowels. Some of them are palindromic; there's lots of spells that use the "abracadabra" disappearing-letter-triangle format. There's also charakteres, apparently-meaningless magical symbols, the distant ancestor of modern sigils.

Another major source for Ancient Greek magic are defixiones or katadesmoi, curse tablets. They're little lead leafs called lamellae, which are inscribed with curses and then deposited in wells, graves, and other chthonic places. Thousands of them have been found.

Here's the text of a curse tablet that invokes Hekate and Hermes Kthonios (copied from Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World by John G. Gager):

Hermes Khthonios and Hekate Khthonia Let Pherenikos be bound before Hermes Khthonios and Hekate Khthonia. I bind Pherenikos’ [girl] Galene to Hermes Khthonios and to Hekate Khthonia I bind [her]. And just as this lead is worthless and cold, so let that man and his property be worthless and cold, and those who are with him who have spoken and counseled concerning me. Let Thersilochos, Oinophilos, Philotios, and any other supporter of Pherenikos be bound before Hermes Khthonios and Hekate Khthonia. Also Pherenikos’ soul and mind and tongue and plans and the things that he is doing and the things that he is planning concerning me. May everything be contrary for him and for those counseling and acting with…

Another curse tablet, which invokes Hekate to punish thieves, includes a drawing of her and charakteres. This is how she's depicted:

From Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in the Ancient World by John G. Gager

It's supposed to be a woman with three heads and six raised arms, but to me it looks like Cthulhu, which is honestly appropriate.

There was a very fine line between love spells and curses in Ancient Greece. Some love spells in the PGM call upon the spirits of the dead and chthonic gods to torture a poor girl until she submits to the magician. Just as many defixiones attempt to forcefully bind a lover. But there's another, gentler kind of love spell described by Theocritus in Idylls, in which a witch named Simaetha invokes the Moon and Hekate and uses an iynx wheel to make a man love her.

If you want to know how to apply all of this in modern practice, I'm still working that one out. I've found the PGM very hard to adapt, because a lot of its requirements are dangerous or impractical. Many of its spells require gross ingredients worthy of the Scottish play, or plants that scholars can't identify, or procedures that I don't plan on attempting. And if you haven't noticed by now, most of them fly in the face of modern magical ethics. (Don't let anyone tell you that the gods will punish you for doing baneful magic, because that's clearly bullshit.) On the other hand, Crowley adapted his Bornless Ritual almost word-for-word from PGM V. 96—172. So far, the best resource I've found on modernizing Ancient Greek magic is The Hekataeon by Jack Grayle. Its material is clearly historically-inspired, but still doable, and spiritually relevant. I really recommend getting it if you have the means, especially if you have an interest in Hekate specifically. I'm happy to have it as a model for how to adapt ancient magic for myself in the future. To me, it strikes the perfect balance between historically-informed and witchy, which is right where I want to be.

If you can't access that one, here's some other books I recommend:

Drawing Down the Moon: Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World by Radcliffe G. Edmonds III: An introduction to Ancient Greek magic, both scholarly and accessible. It covers the definitions and contexts of magic, curses, love spells, divination, theurgy, philosophy, basically everything you need to know.

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation by Hans Dieter Betz: The definitive English edition of the PGM. A must if you plan to study ancient magic in-depth, especially as a practitioner.

Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in the Ancient World by John G. Gager: An English edition of the texts of many curse tablets.

Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds by Daniel Ogden: a sourcebook of ancient literature concerning magic.

The Golden Ass by Apuleius: A Roman novel about a man who is turned into a donkey by a witch. A very entertaining story, also our source for "Cupid and Psyche" and one of the best sources on the Mysteries of Isis that we have.

Ancient Magic: A Practitioners Guide to the Supernatural in Ancient Greece and Rome by Philip Matyszak: A simple and straightforward introduction to Ancient Greek magic, less scholarly but very easy to follow and directed at practitioners.

[acatnamedafteradog]

Bunny by PGM on twitter

[maeviuslynn]

And when he comes, ask him about what you wish, about the art of prophecy, about divination with epic verses, about the sending of dreams, about obtaining revelations in dreams, about interpretations of dreams, about causing disease, about everything that is a part of magical knowledge.

(PGM I.327–331)

[knightofhylia]

Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) overview videos and online course

Edit: Link updated, they seemed to have deleted their YouTube and moved their videos to their own website!

[ome-magical-ramblings]

An Updated index to my blog

(updated 24-10-2023) (updated 27-05-2024) I figured out people might have wanted a more of a "guide" or "index" to my blog that might be more preferable than just letting someone dig through my blog, I will be updating this blog overtime. I also offer tarot reading and magical spell/ritual service depending on consultation, divination, and figuring out your country's currencies and adjusting my rates and the task at hand, throwing that out of the way if you are thinking about that. I do magical service and readings for pay, you can contact me and ask me about it if you're wondering. Book Review: Greatness of Saturn, A Therapeutic Myth My free publications: Sandalphon: Archangel of Malkuth Sandalphon's spirit portrait by @desdemonasarchives Business and Money Psalms Magic for Traveling Long distance Kefizat Haderech/Tay Al Ard Virtue of Quranic VersesFour Wheels of The Enchiridion

Akshaya Tritiya and A Collecting of folklore Quranic benefits,

Prayers, rituals: Prayer for knowledge/studying(Occult/Mundane Knowledge) Dream Oracle Adam's Prayer Liber Resh PGM-based Qi Ball and Helios Rite Invocation of Light Hagith's Home Sweetening Ophiel's Mercury Retrograde Mitigation Ritual Stick Pad's Divination Affordable 7 days candle where you can't buy it Visualization Advice from Ophiel New Memory Improvement Spell from Grimoire of Pope Leo Prayer of Crowns Arabic Translation The Ladder and Spring for Scrying elemental Kingdoms Kerubic Prayers for 4 stations of the sun. Virtue and Spells to the see the Prophet(Mohammed) Setting Light into the Past, for Spells, Ancestors and Beyond. Magical usage of Prayer of Crowns Incense Series ( Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 ) More new stuff Offering and Salutations to the Teachers practice, outline, and technique. Contacting Ophiel with Pen and Paper.

Praying with Flowers and St Justina

Wish fulfilling power of Verse of Throne

Log and record of practice:

Signs of Witchcraft ( Part 1 , Part 2 )

Spirit Stealing Offerings

Radionics Magical experiments

Elelogap's Purification work

7 Weeks of Arbatel/Olypmic spirits work

Geometric Entities and 3d polygons-like nature spirits.

Daimon of Sodom's Apple ( Part 1 , Part 2 coming soon )

Hagith's Flower

Grimoire of Sixfold star's Series: The Method Elnafi( Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , finale ) Rimori( Part 1 ) halting 44 days of Psalm 119

Scrying The Elemental Kingdoms Method ( Air , Earth , More Air , More Earth , Water! , FIRE ) Meeting Angalaparameshwari! Thoughts and contemplations:

In Praise of Mistakes and Mishaps

craft on oil/consecrated oil

Magical results and time scale.

Variance in magical languages and Pronunciation Circumambulation Magical Rings Closed Practices, Initiation, and gate-keeping practices. "the most powerfull exercise you did", Stacking prayers, and praying with spirits and entities. Concept of Werd/Daily Recitation or prayers.

ABLANATHANALBA's formula breakdown and experiment ( Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 ) At a Crossroad The power of the Cross The Crossing of Magical Currents Purification Practice Sincerity and Severity and advice for spirit communication. Being Hard on oneself and other. Sadness, Disappointment, and 3 of Swords God does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. The Golden Chain, lineages, egregores...and the open secret to initiation Linguistic Breakdown of Prayer of Crowns In Memory of Dr Leon Wright. By Letters, Words, and Names. Prophets, Mounts, and Open Secrets/ initiation To Be Silent and Pearl Clutching. Good Deeds, Virtues don't sell. Lineage of Spirits(A rope from spirits and a rope from people) Enjoy your Practice. Wisdom, Torah, Tear, Tarot. Shem Angels, Guardian angels, and Natal spirits.

Restitutionism: Praying For and with the Spirits.

Love Elemental-astrological Talismans

Chaldean Oracle 147, Gate of Man and Immortals, Cancer/Capricorn and Daniel in the bible. Retrospective: Practice from a length and at a length.

Previously public services: ( I might make more in the future, stay tuned ) St Expedite Work Ganesha's Working ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) St Cyprian and Aratron

[satyrmagos]

Saint-style pendant bearing the image of the lion-headed serpent Chnoubis, a solar gnostic god, sometimes conflated with Abraxas, whose image was used in gemstone talismans of Late Antiquity and the Early Modern period.

The pendant is made from 925 sterling silver.

The back is blank and may be bright, brushed, or hammer finished.

Each piece is hand-made to order in my home studio, with unique variations and defects as a result of the fabrication and casting process.

[asinusrufus]

Brief list of Sēt-Typhōn epithets (from PGM IV. 154—285)

Σκηπτουχος— Scepter-bearing

θεὲ θεῶν — God of Gods

Γνοφεντινάκτα — Disturber of the Dark βρονταγωγέ — Bringer of Thunder Λαιλαφετης — Sender of Storms Νυκταράπτα — Lighting Flasher of the Night Ψυχροθερμοφύσησε — One Who Exhales the Cold and the Heat Πετρεντιυάκτα — Stone-shaker Τινακτως — Shaker, Trembler, Agitator, Disturber. Τειχοσεισμοποιέ — Wall/Earth-quaker Κοχλαζοκύμων — Boiler of the Waters βυθοταραξοκίνησε — One Who Stirs the Depths to Motion

[grimiorething]

OAK GALL INK

I decided to finally make some myrrh oak gall ink. Gall ink is made by combining oak galls and ferrous sulfide (an iron extract of sorts). Gall ink has historically been a popular ink due to its rich black color compared to soot, however the iron content can dissolve fragile parchment. I added myrrh resin (as per the PGM) and gum arabic (to thicken). I also added a little alcohol and some essential oil for scent.

Here is the reaction that occurs when you mix the gall powder and iron solution. The black is striking!

[hellenic-reconstructionism]

Guess what's free to download!

[madmonksandmaenads]

Ough my stomach hurty :(

I know who can help me!

AKEPHALOS

The Headless One with sight in the feet!

[chthonic-sorcery]

"I know everything about ancient Egyptian theology" okay bet

[prairiefirewitch]

This is the Tarot of the Greek Magical Papyri from Jason Augustus Newsone who was a fellow 2nd Cohort class member in Jack Grayle’s brilliant PGM course. Jason crowd funded this deck and I bought the 100 card deck, which came with a beautiful 150 page book and it’s just a gorgeous labor of love from Jason. The drawings are based on black figure pottery and include talismanic renditions from the PGM. It’s available on Etsy. Just an astonishingly layered deck that was so laboriously researched that I love it more every time I use it. 🖤🖤🖤

[acatnamedafteradog]

Tiger by PGM on Twitter

[thesumeriancontrarian]

The core relationship between humanity and the gods in Mesopotamian Polytheism is devotional in nature and we are called upon to perform several principal duties to honor and elevate the name and nature of our deities at regular intervals. Worship techniques are, for the most part, homogenous, meaning the same ceremonies, rites, and rituals can be used for any deity. The following sections outline our general responsibilities. — Provide a sanctuary for our deity within which all acts of veneration can be performed. Historically, sanctuaries were temples maintained by a hierarchy of administrators, clergy, and other workmen, each of whom had a predetermined set of duties. Today, we are expected to fulfill most of those duties. Some of us will specialize in specific curriculums, such as gala/kalû, who recite songs and lamentations in the eme-sal sociolect, or gudu₄/pašīšu, who specialize in the care and feeding of deities. When first beginning a devotional practice it is advised to dedicate a small space to the deity of choice, usually a table or countertop. This will initially serve as a shrine, used to collect objects associated with the deity. During this stage there is no obligation to provide libations or offerings, the goal is to create an image of the deity in your mind and a "feel" for them through the stimulus of objects collected. When you are ready, an oath of service can be sworn to the deity. At this point the shrine expands into an altar, where ceremonies, rites, and ritual associated with the deity will be performed, including the regular presentation of libations, offerings, and sacrifices. At this time it is also necessary to dedicate a larger space to the deity, as our oath of service redefine the relationship between deity and devotee as that of a parent/master to their child/servant. We can, should we choose to, name our sanctuary in the manner of ancient temples. Some examples include: e₂-an-na, “House of Heaven,” for Inana; e₂-kur, “Mountain House,” for Enlil; e₂-ninnu anzud₂-mušen-babbar₂, “House of Fifty White Thunderbirds,” for Ning̃irsu. We can also create our own title based on what kind of service we provide or how the deity has chosen to reveal themselves to us