[1] The Clavicula Salomonis, or Key of Solomon the King, consists mainly of an elaborate ritual for the evocation of the various planetary spirits, in which process the use of talismans or pentacles plays a prominent part.  It is claimed to be a work of white magic, but, inasmuch as it, like other old books making the same claim, gives descriptions of a pentacle for causing ruin, destruction, and death, and another for causing earthquakes—­to give only two examples,—­the distinction between black and white magic, which we shall no doubt encounter again in later excursions, appears to be somewhat arbitrary.

Regarding the authorship of the work, Mr MATHERS, translator and editor of the first printed copy of the book, says, “I see no reason to doubt the tradition which assigns the authorship of the `Key’ to King Solomon.”  If this view be accepted, however, it is abundantly evident that the Key as it stands at present (in which we find S. JOHN quoted, and mention made of SS.  PETER and PAUL) must have received some considerable alterations and additions at the hands of later editors.  But even if we are compelled to assign the Clavicula Salomonis in its present form to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, we must, I think, allow that it was based upon traditions of the past, and, of course, the possibility remains that it might have been based upon some earlier work.  With regard to the antiquity of the planetary sigils, Mr MATHERS notes “that, among the Gnostic talismans in the British Museum, there is a ring of copper with the sigils of Venus, which are exactly the same as those given by mediaeval writers on magic.”

In spite of the absurdity of its claims, viewed in the light of modern knowledge, the Clavicula Salomonis exercised a considerable influence in the past, and is to be regarded as one of the chief sources of mediaeval ceremonial magic.  Historically speaking, therefore, it is a book of no little importance.

The First Pentacle of the Sun.—­“The Countenance of Shaddai the Almighty, at Whose aspect all creatures obey, and the Angelic Spirits do reverence on bended knees.”  About the face is the name “El Shaddai”.  Around is written in Latin:  “Behold His face and form by Whom all things were made, and Whom all creatures obey” (see fig. 21).

The Fifth Pentacle of Mars.—­“Write thou this Pentacle upon virgin parchment or paper because it is terrible unto the Demons, and at its sight and aspect they will obey thee, for they cannot resist its presence.”  The design is a Scorpion,[1] around which the word Hvl is repeated.  The Hebrew versicle is from Psalm xci. 13:  “Thou shalt go upon the lion and adder, the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet” (see fig. 22).

[1] In astrology the zodiacal sign of the scorpion is the “night house” of the planet Mars.