A Sorcerous Anthology:
Magical and Occult Writings from the Publications of Robert Cross Smith
edited by John Madziarczyk
Robert Cross Smith (1795-1832) was an astrologer, magician, and geomancer. Smith founded the periodicals, “The Straggling Astrologer” and “The Familiar Astrologer”, which published magical material as well as astrological advice. The magical material dealt with topics as varied as alchemy, charms, the virtues of herbs and stones, invoking spirits into crystals, evoking demons, evoking spirits into circles, necromancy, invoking the fairy king Oberion, writings about fairies, geomancy, palmistry, physiognomy, divination by the “Wheel of Pythagoras”, and Behmenist Theosophy.
“A Sorcerous Anthology” collects these writings, plus several pieces from Smith’s other publications, and presents them for the first time in one place. Certain of the writings have not been in print since the 1840s, and none have been presented without the other content of the magazines.
Divided into four parts, “A Sorcerous Anthology” contains sections on Divination, Low Magic, and High Magic, as well as selections on the history of astrology and the powers of the planets, Smith’s original introductions to the publications, and an obituary and horoscope for Smith written by fellow astrologer “Zadkiel”. Smith's life, writings, and place in the history of occultism is examined in the introduction to the volume.
Table of Contents:
Introduction i
Part One: Introductions and Astrology
Biography and Introductions. 1
Astrological Writings. 17
Part Two: Divination
Geomancy 51
Physiognomie and Metaposcopy 173
Palmistry 207
Wheel of Pythagoras 225
Miscellaneous Divination 234
Part Three: Low Magic
Magical Theory 249
Charms 259
Talismans 272
Herbs and Minerals 285
Mysterious Writing 291
Moon lore 295
Fairy Lore 309
Part Four: High Magic
Raising Spirits in General 327
Nature and Appearances of Spirits 356
Incenses and Suffumigations 372
Rituals to Raise Particular Spirits 375
Necromancy 388
Magical Devices 397
Magical Biographies 401
Alchemy and Natural Magic 409
Behmenist Theosophy 431
530 pages
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