17th-Century Anti-Witchcraft Signs

I have already translated a significant number of texts from the Leipzig University Library. Within this vast collection lie versions of the most ancient grimoires, translated from Latin into German and transcribed at a later date. Consequently, I will periodically publish texts from various minor grimoires here.

This article examines the magical codex held in the Leipzig University Library under the shelfmark 120 (Cod.Mag.120). The manuscript is titled:

The Latin portion of the title reads: "Tabula Hermetis smaragdina. Cum duobus characteribus et sigillis," which translates to: "The Emerald Tablet of Hermes with two characters and seals." The German portion is written in Kurrent script and reads: "wider alle Zauberey und Hexerey Unterschiedene Wunder zu würcken." This translates to: "against all sorcery and witchcraft, in order to work various miracles."

Despite the title, this material has no relation to the Emerald Tablet. It provides a brief description of how to craft two pentacles: one featuring the famous Sator square, and another, double-sided, design.

Translation

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes.

The initial letters here carry the following meaning:

Sator: Satan, Angelus Tumens Olympo Rejectus.
Arepo: Adam Ruit Eva Paradysus Obstruebatur.
Tenet: Transtulit Emanuel Necem Exaleo, Tulit.
Opera: Orcum Percutiens Exsurgens Repetit Astra.
Rotas: Rectificans Orbem Tribuens Amara Sinistris¹.

In German², it sounds as follows:

The angel who cast Satan from the heavens for his arrogance, causing the earth to tremble at his fall, also destroyed our progenitors Adam and Eve in the beginning in Paradise through his guile. He drove Adam and Eve from the garden, locked it against the exiles, and commanded a Cherub to stand guard. Subsequently, the beloved Emmanuel took pity on us, captured Death, the Devil, and Hell, crushed and destroyed the Underworld, rose on the third day, ascended into Heaven, and through His Redemption prepared a new world. He removed from our path all sinners and the handwriting that stood against us and hindered supreme grace (tribuit amara sinistris³), rendered all that is bitter to those standing on the left, cast them aside, rejected them, and purged them out.

This seal serves as a potent defense against all manner of witchcraft and sorcery, provided it is engraved upon gold and worn directly against the skin around the neck. It is likewise effective against fever, particularly in cases where one has lost their reason, as it restores clarity.

Two further seals, or pentacles [Pentacula], of similar efficacy follow.

Engrave these pentacles during the new moon, on the day of Pentecost, in the ruling hour of Jupiter.

Specifically: number 1 on one side, and number 2 on the other. The metal used for engraving must be virgin lead⁴, which should be cast into round discs during a waxing moon, while [the Moon] is in Taurus, Libra, or Virgo.

No. 1 is precious and overcomes all nigromantic [Negromantische] machinations. It is effective against all forms of witchcraft and sorcery, ensuring that no sorcerer can harm the bearer. Furthermore, it provides protection against lightning strikes.

No. 2: With this other sign, certain Israelites defeated necromantic Jews, overcame them, and compelled them to answer. Some kept these signs in deep secrecy, for they possess such great power that they can accomplish everything [that the others] can do combined. They alone stand against all evil spirits, against all sorcery, against all witchcraft, and against all magic. They liberate those who have been bewitched; and if inscribed upon the doors of a house, all evil spirits will retreat from it.

Take note: these two pentacles rectify everything a person does against their own will and nature. These two figures⁵ are effective against evil spirits, sorcery, and any magical corruption wrought through ascendants or celestial signs. They are especially potent under the influence of Jupiter and Venus when inscribed upon a wafer and ingested [to counter corruption]. Furthermore, a person [wearing them will be protected] for all 24 hours against any form of witchcraft.

This was discovered and practically tested by Michael von Crom in 1666, using his own body.

The end of these seals.