It has been years and years since I've read it, like you say the only part I've ever really paid much attention to is the first part with the purification process.
Of course, Mathers translated it from a 15th Century manuscript and it is absolutely reflective of those times.
Although that's not quite right, because it's not just about evil spirits, the whole basis of the system is mastery of both the good and evil spirits. Some of the squares pertain to good spirits, some are a mix and some are for the evil spirits. All of the operations regarding the evil spirits are considered to be guided by the good spirits.
It's actually a really interesting work in that even though it talks about commanding spirits in a what seems to be bidding process, what is somewhat different is that rather than the idea being the magician exercising their sheer will the purification process is meant to bring you in alignment with your own higher self (holy guardian angel) and connection with God, so it is theurgic in its essence. Full of warnings against being taken by the "DEMON". Constant warnings against asking for anything for evil purposes.
Needless to say, certainly not for everyone, but an interesting work.
What I do find interesting about it though is that it is unusually accepting. It doesn't try to cast out or want to destroy the evil spirits but instead acknowledge them as a "destructive half" which is also to be treated with respect, and maybe even which could do some good under the right guidance. That is also true of the work of the Key of Solomon. On the one hand you can look at it purely as a commanding of spirits, but with King Solomon it's not like he just found these demons around, he only captured the first one in defense of a young boy. Actually, pretty much all the stories of him capturing demons he does so to aid another.
That being said, Solomon is really more of a cautionary tale that unfettered desire can lead you out of the arms of God, considering his downfall at the end.
Of course, Mathers translated it from a 15th Century manuscript and it is absolutely reflective of those times.
Although that's not quite right, because it's not just about evil spirits, the whole basis of the system is mastery of both the good and evil spirits. Some of the squares pertain to good spirits, some are a mix and some are for the evil spirits. All of the operations regarding the evil spirits are considered to be guided by the good spirits.
It's actually a really interesting work in that even though it talks about commanding spirits in a what seems to be bidding process, what is somewhat different is that rather than the idea being the magician exercising their sheer will the purification process is meant to bring you in alignment with your own higher self (holy guardian angel) and connection with God, so it is theurgic in its essence. Full of warnings against being taken by the "DEMON". Constant warnings against asking for anything for evil purposes.
Needless to say, certainly not for everyone, but an interesting work.
What I do find interesting about it though is that it is unusually accepting. It doesn't try to cast out or want to destroy the evil spirits but instead acknowledge them as a "destructive half" which is also to be treated with respect, and maybe even which could do some good under the right guidance. That is also true of the work of the Key of Solomon. On the one hand you can look at it purely as a commanding of spirits, but with King Solomon it's not like he just found these demons around, he only captured the first one in defense of a young boy. Actually, pretty much all the stories of him capturing demons he does so to aid another.
That being said, Solomon is really more of a cautionary tale that unfettered desire can lead you out of the arms of God, considering his downfall at the end.
Quote:May the Only and Most Holy God grant unto all, the grace necessary to be able to comprehend and penetrate the high Mysteries of the Qabalah and of the Law; but they should content themselves with that which the Lord accordeth unto them; seeing that if against His Divine Will they wish to fly yet higher, even as did Lucifer, this will but procure for them a most shameful and fatal fall.