The Book of Black Magic is Arthur Edward Waite's magnum opus of occult lore; this edition contains the author's original icons, symbols, seals and drawings. This supreme guide to occultist history, lore, magick, and ceremony is split into two parts: The first is entitled ""The Literature of Ceremonial Magic"". Here, Waite examines the ritualistic traditions which surrounding the occult movement for centuries. He notes various texts, and how these had a bearing upon the practice of the occult and of magical ceremony. The second part, ""The Complete Grimoire"", concerns how those who practice black magic and occult ritual become versed in the craft. The stringent physical and mental requirements, and the need to practice a spiritual attunement and inner ablution, is detailed. Astronomical knowledge of the planets and their movements is a necessity, as is possession of a variety of instruments, plus a deep knowledge of the various symbols and scripts used in occultism.

2011 Reprint of 1911 Edition. Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942) was a scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters, and was the co-creator of the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. As his biographer, R.A. Gilbert described him, "Waite's name has survived because he was the first to attempt a systematic study of the history of western occultism - viewed as a spiritual tradition rather than as aspects of proto-science or as the pathology of religion." "The Book of Ceremonial Magic" is the second edition of a work which in its first edition was titled, more provocatively, "The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts." It is an attempt to synthesize the procedures of all of the famous Grimoires. It draws on the "Key of Solomon," the "Grimorium Verum," the apocryphal Fourth Book of Cornelius Agrippa, and many others, including the famous "Black Pullet," or "Poulet Noir." The result is an unparalleled look at the details of ceremonial magic.