Mithraic Magazine

King James VI of Scotland’s Daemonologie, first published in 1597, is a unique and pivotal text in the history of demonology and witchcraft. Written by the reigning monarch, it reflects King James’s deep personal interest in theology, the supernatural, and the legal prosecution of witchcraft. What makes this work extraordinary is its dual nature as both a scholarly treatise and a practical guide. It seeks to educate readers on the perceived realities of witchcraft, sorcery, and demonology, while also providing a framework for identifying and prosecuting alleged witches.

James George Frazer’s The Golden Bough, first published in 1890, is a landmark work in the study of mythology, anthropology, and comparative religion. Frazer’s ambitious and groundbreaking text explores the shared themes and rituals of human cultures, tracing the connections between ancient mythologies, folk traditions, and the origins of modern religious practices. By examining concepts such as sacred kingship, fertility rites, and the cycles of life and death, Frazer reveals the universal patterns that underlie humanity’s spiritual and cultural evolution. Its significance lies in its wide-ranging scope and interdisciplinary approach, making The Golden Bough an enduring cornerstone in the fields of cultural, religious, and esoteric studies.

L. W. de Laurence’s edition of The Lesser Key of Solomon: Goetia (The Book of Evil Spirits) is a controversial yet influential work in the realm of Western occultism. Rooted in medieval grimoire tradition, this text serves as a guide to the invocation and control of the 72 spirits of the Goetia, a system of ceremonial magic attributed to King Solomon. De Laurence, known for republishing and commercializing esoteric works, brought this notorious grimoire to a wider audience in the early 20th century, influencing both occult practitioners and popular conceptions of demonology. Its significance lies in its synthesis of mystical, magical, and cabalistic traditions, making it a foundational text for those seeking to understand the darker aspects of ceremonial magic and spirit evocation.

Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, first published in 1577 as an appendix to his De Praestigiis Daemonum, is a seminal work in the history of demonology and Renaissance occult thought. Unlike many grimoires of its time, Weyer—a physician and skeptic of the witch trials—approached the subject with a critical eye, listing and describing 69 demons supposedly summoned through necromantic rituals while simultaneously questioning the validity of such practices. His work served both as a reference for demonological beliefs and as an argument against the persecution of alleged witches, making it a unique blend of occult catalog and proto-Enlightenment skepticism. Its significance endures as both an influence on later grimoires and an important historical document reflecting the intersection of superstition, science, and early rationalism.

Carl Jung’s The Red Book, also known as Liber Novus, is a visionary masterpiece that offers a rare glimpse into the depths of the psychologist’s own unconscious mind. Written between 1914 and 1930, this richly illustrated and highly symbolic work documents Jung’s inner explorations, which later formed the foundation of his theories on the collective unconscious, archetypes, and active imagination. Blending myth, mysticism, and personal revelation, The Red Book is both a psychological journey and a spiritual odyssey, bridging the realms of science and the esoteric. Its significance lies not only in its profound influence on Jungian psychology but also in its status as a singular and deeply introspective work of modern mysticism.