Boring postcard #70: Raton, New Mexico. Gateway to Land of Enchantment. Looking North from 87-85-64
From the book Boring Postcards USA (Phaidon, 2000)
The Grimoire Library
Fourth Book - Authorship is attributed to the occultist Henry Cornelius Agrippa, but the book, supposedly the fourth volume of Agrippa's monumental three-volume Occult Philosophy, was written by an unknown author. It is also known as the Liber Spirituum and is in the opening of the Lemegeton. The Fourth Book appeared after the death of Agrippa in 1535 and rehashes in an informal way much of the material in Occult Philosophy. Weyer, a student of Agrippa, rejected it as a forgery, as did other occultists.
As the Lemegeton does, the Fourth Book gives instructions for communicating with evil spirits. It covers the names of spirits associated with the planets and their characters, sigils, and pentacles. There are rituals for evoking both good and evil spirits and for practicing necromancy.
Waite called the Fourth Book "muddled" and said its lack of precision rendered it ineffective as a manual of magic.
Text from The Encyclopedia of Demons & Demonology (Checkmark Books - 2009) by Rosemary Guiley
The Grimoire Library
Grimorium Verum - Drawn from the Greater Key of Solomon and written in French, this book probably was written in the mid-18th century. Claims were made that it was translated from Hebrew by a Dominican Jesuit named Plaingiere and was published by "Alibeck the Egyptian" in 1517. Its full title is Grimorium Verum, or the Most Approved Keys of Solomon the Hebrew Rabbin, wherein the Most Hidden Secrets, both Natural and Supernatural, are immediately exhibited, but it is necessary that the Demons should be contented on their part.
The Grimorium Verum nearly copies the Key of Solomon in instructions for preparation of the magician and his tools but provides different instructions for the preparation of the virgin parchment and for the evocation and dismissal of spirits. There is an entirely different hierarchy of demons, who number 30 and who report to three leaders, Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Astaroth, who have among them six deputy chiefs.
The material also shows influences from Lemegeton. It includes the "Admirable Secrets" of the pseudo-Albertus Magnus, or Little Albert, which appear in other later grimoires. The Grimorium Verum covers the "Genuine Sanctum Regnum," or the true method of making pacts.
Text from The Encyclopedia of Demons & Demonology (Checkmark Books - 2009) by Rosemary Guiley
On this day:
THE KADA CODEX
On April 1, 1696, in a monastery in North Hungary, doors flew open up and down the corridor as monks, holding lanterns, peered out of their rooms. Someone had knocked on all the doors at once. At midnight the next night, doors were pounded till they shook; the monks sung prayers and hymns in the chapel until dawn, while their chambers were ransacked. Drawers were flung open and their contents scattered about amid spilled ink bottles. Crackling and clicking noises invaded the monastery. Sprinkling holy water could not stop the haunting. The town mayor bravely decided to spend the night in the building and was discovered the next day in his nightclothes, shuddering down the street and hugging his slippers.
The following night, in his room, Father Franciscus Hanacius set up a small table with a burning candle; bowls containing salt, oil, wine, and bread; and a book of Bible stories. He waited. Heavy footsteps signaled the arrival of the invisible visitor, who entered Hanacius's cell. Four nights later the ghost spoke to him in Latin, identifying himself as Bishop Stephen Kada and requesting that mass be said over his grave. To prove he was not a demon, the spirit touched the holy book, and amid rising ribbons of smoke, left a scorched hand imprint in the middle of the volume, affecting only one side of the paper. The Kada Codex, or book, was unfortunately destroyed by a 1952 fire at the convent in Portugal where it had been placed for safekeeping.
Other holy books containing scorched imprints still exist. In Germany, a missal was so marked by a priest to signify the passages he wished read at his funeral. In Austria, there is a sermon book burned through its cover and sixty-four pages by a fingerprint. In Czechoslovakia, a son completing a pilgrimage for his deceased father fell asleep during his morning prayers and dreamed that his father thanked him and left a scorched handprint in his prayer book.
Text from: Almanac of the Infamous, the Incredible, and the Ignored by Juanita Rose Violins, published by Weiser Books, 2009
Prince and the Revolution - Parade (1986)
On this day, March 31st, 1986, Parade, the eighth studio album by Prince, was released. Following the relative commercial and critical disappointment of the neo-psychedelia of 1985’s Around the World in a Day, Parade was not so much a return-to-form as a new vista for Prince. The official soundtrack to the Prince-directed film Under the Cherry Moon, Parade is a kaleidoscope of musical styles and genres. From the gentle tenderness of score piece “Venus de Milo” to the chanson-inspired “Do U Lie?” to the crystalline funk of the US no. 1 hit “Kiss”, Parade re-established Prince among the finest musical talents of the era. A worldwide hit, the album made the top 10 in at least 10 countries as well as a top three showing on the US pop, R&B, and soundtrack charts. One of the best albums of the 80s, Parade also heralded the artist hitting his stride, as Prince’s most acclaimed achievement, Sign o’ the Times, was released almost exactly one year later.
Dusty Springfield - Dusty in Memphis (1969)
On this day, March 31st, 1969, Dusty in Memphis, the fifth studio album by Dusty Springfield, was released. Hoping to add some credibility and reinvigorate her career, Springfield signed with Atlantic Records the previous year. Featuring a who’s who of American R&B musicians and producers, the aim of the album was to back Springfield with an authentic soul sound. However, while the results were spectacular, sales were disappointing, despite featuring of her biggest hits (“Son of a Preacher Man”). Peaking in the US at no. 99 and falling to chart at all in the UK, the album instead caused Springfield’s career to stall. In the decades since, the album’s reputation and stature have steadily risen, and it is now widely viewed as Springfield’s greatest work and one of the best albums of all time. It has become so well regarded, in fact, that in 2020 Dusty in Memphis was selected by the US Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Considering Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien in London, England, that’s quite an achievement.
The Grimoire Library
Grand Grimoire - This French grimoire was probably authored in the 17th or 18th century. The earliest edition of it bears no date or place of publication. One version of it claims to date to 1522. Its full title is The Grand Grimoire, with the Powerful Clavicle of Solomon and of Black Magic; or the Infernal Devices of the Great Agrippa for the Discovery of all Hidden Treasures and the Subjugation of every Denomination of Spirits, together with an Abridgment of all the Magical Arts. The editor, Venitiana del Rabina, said he translated the work from the writings of Solomon himself, which came into his possession.
The Grand Grimoire is a text of black magic. It has the same chief demons as the Grimorium Verum and nearly the same subordinate officers but describes different duties for them. The book is especially significant for its feature of a specific pact between the magician and Lucifuge Rofocale, the prime minister of Lucifer, who makes his only appearance in all literature in this grimoire alone. However, his last name, Rofocale, may be an anagram of Focalor, a demon named in the Lemegeton.
The book also includes instructions for necromancy.
Reblogged
On this day:
THE SLEEPING PROPHET: EDGAR CAYCE
On March 31, 1901, Edgar Cayce of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, put himself into a self-induced hypnotic trance and gave his first medical reading, correctly diagnosing an ailment and prescribing a cure—for himself. Totally lacking in medical training, Cayce nevertheless went on to give over 14,000 readings over the next forty-four years. His recommended treatments— often simple solutions consisting of diet changes, exercise, massage, relaxation, poultices, plasters, and homemade tonics and teas —miraculously healed thousands of people who were without hope.
The first sign of Edgar's abilities showed up when he was nine years of age. Squire Cayce, Edgar's father, frustrated by his inability to teach Edgar simple spelling skills, knocked the boy off his chair. Lying on the floor, Edgar heard a voice say, "If you sleep a little, we can help you." Edgar begged his father for a rest and fell asleep on his spelling books. Upon waking, Edgar could spell every word in the book. The talent stayed with him. As a young man, he worked in a bookstore in Louisville and, having slept on their catalogue, he was then able to refer customers to any book in the store and all related titles. Much to the manager's delight, this ability won the venue the patronage of the richest lady in town.
In 1900 Cayce lost his voice and was told it would never be regained. He worked with two prominent hypnotists, to no avail. At this time, Edgar's sister, Annie, worked in a millinery shop with Al Layne, who was studying osteopathy and hypnosis by mail order. He met with Edgar, who put himself "under" and began to speak in a clear, unafflicted voice, saying, "Yes, we can see the body. He described to Layne the cause of the partial paralysis of his vocal cords and instructions that led to his cure.
Text from: Almanac of the Infamous, the Incredible, and the Ignored by Juanita Rose Violins, published by Weiser Books, 2009
Reblogged
Cryptid of the Day: Hebrides Blob
Description: In 1990, a globster washed ashore on the island of Benbecula, which is a part of Scotland’s Hebrides. Louise Witts found and photographed the carcass, which she described as 12ft long. It wouldn’t be until 1996 that Witts rediscovered the photos that she showed an expert.
Pulp - This is Hardcore (1998)
On this day, March 30th, 1998, This is Hardcore, the sixth studio album by Pulp, was released. Following the success of 1995’s Different Class, Pulp were dealing with internal strife that culminated in the departure of guitarist Russell Senior from the band and frontman Jarvis Cocker’s departure to New York to decompress and write in isolation. After reconciling, the band went into the studio to record. This is Hardcore debuted on top of the UK charts to strong critical reviews, but it sold far fewer than their last effort. While notably more art rock and glam, critics pointed out that album’s consistent and unusual subject matter (midlife oblivion) was arguably more daring than anything they had ever done. In a sense declaring an end to the Britpop era, This is Hardcore is now acknowledged as one of the best albums of the 90s.
PJ Harvey - Dry (1992)
On this day, March 30th, 1992, Dry, the debut album by PJ Harvey, was released. Received with widespread critical acclaim and comparisons to Marianne Faithfull and Patti Smith, PJ Harvey’s debut peaked at no. 11 on the UK charts. The album’s intensity—scorching tone poems set to unaffected power chords and delivered with an uncompromising ferocity—immediately made Harvey’s power trio indie darlings with critics and fans. Now hailed as one of the most notable debuts and albums of the 90s, Dry is considered by many to be among the greatest albums ever made.
Prince - Sign o' the Times (1987)
On this day, March 30th, 1987, Sign o’ the Times, the ninth studio (double) album by Prince, was released. As the follow up to 1986’s Parade and the first release after the dissolution of the Revolution, the new album was originally intended to be a triple album, but Prince compromised to a double with his record company. Supported with four singles, including the socially-conscious title track and the gender bending “If I Was Your Girlfriend”, the album peaked at no. 6 in the US and reached the top 10 in at least seven other countries. Though not nearly as successful as Purple Rain, the album is considered by many to be Prince’s best, most-complete work. Voted by several publications as the best album of 1987, Sign o’ the Times is now widely regarded as one of the best of the 80s and among the greatest albums of all time.