Issue 35 Spring 2017

Anyone who has had the pleasure to browse magic manuscripts in the Magic British Library knows how rewarding the experience can be, particularly if the books belong to collections that have not been made accessible through adequate descriptive catalogues. A case in point are the magic Manuscripts manuscripts once in the possession of John Somers (1651-1716) and Sir Joseph Jekyll (ca. 1662-1738). With the exception of one item in from Somers the Additional collection, 23 of these important sources on medieval and early modern magical practices ended up in the library of the and antiquary Sir (1660-1753), whose books and and Jekyll in artifacts formed the founding collection of the British Museum in 1753.1 Even though the ca. 4,200 Sloane manuscripts are among the richest the Collections repositories on the history of science and worldwide, the printed descriptive catalogues of these manuscripts are notoriously haphazard.2 It is likely, therefore, that members of the Societas Magica working on of the British late medieval and early modern ritual magic in the Sloane collection will be familiar with one or more of the Somers/Jekyll magic manuscripts, Library perhaps unknowingly. Frank Klaassen, for instance, relied on a fair number of these books in his study of late medieval and renaissance 3 László Sándor Chardonnens magic. What is more, several treatises from these manuscripts have Radboud University Nijmegen been published in translation as modern grimoires, and some have been edited on Joseph Peterson’s Esoteric Archives.4 In order to draw attention to these manuscripts not as isolated books but as a corpus of sources on ritual magic, this paper identifies these books and discusses how they entered the collections of the British Library.

My first encounter with magic manuscripts from Somers/Jekyll came Picatrix cont'd magic circles, and instructions for provided a summary table of in the form of Sloane 3853, skrying, and locating treasure and contents here too (fol. 1r-v). This which Scott’s Index to the Sloane stolen goods. Introducing itself as 139-folio composite volume is Manuscripts succinctly describes the Dannel, the second part of the known for its conjurations and as “Tractatus et experimenta manuscript has a similar type of the Liber consecrationum from magica.”5 Though Scott’s contents, but with its preference sixteenth-century , a description is entirely accurate, for brief, vernacular conjurations fifteenth-century Latin version of it fails to capture the full spirit of and lists of spirit names it leans the Kitāb al-Isṭamāṭīs from , Sloane 3853, which is a 268-folio even more towards necromancy and the earliest, fourteenth-century composite manuscript miscellany than does the first part.6 Inspection and sole complete version of the in two parts, compiled by two of the manuscript revealed a Liber iuratus Honorii.7 On the scribes working independently in double table of contents: one was flyleaves preceding the tables of late sixteenth-century England. compiled by the scribe who wrote contents in Sloane 3853 and 3854 The first part of the manuscript the first part of the manuscript and are the comments “Lot 379 of contains the Thesaurus spirituum, covers this part in detail (fols. 3r- Jekyll’s sale, 1739/40,” and “Lot a Liber Razielis-like treatise, 4v); the other is in a later hand and 381 at Jekyll’s sale in 1739/40,” the Liber consecrationum, the deals with the entire manuscript respectively. Needless to say, my Vinculum spirituum, the Speculum in summary fashion (fol. 1r). interest in this Jekyll was raised, quatuor regum, lengthy extracts Upon inspecting the manuscript’s and a week of browsing through from the Liber iuratus Honorii, neighbor, Sloane 3854, it appeared all manner of conjurations and that the same later hand had cont'd on page 3

Magic, Materials and Imagination at the Notes and Museum of Antiquities Tracene Harvey Queries Curator of the Museum of Antiquities at the University of Saskatchewan From February to April 2017 the Museum of Antiquities at the University of Saskatchewan had the pleasure of hosting the inaugural showing of the exhibition Magic Ancient and Modern: Materials and Imagination curated by Professors Frank Klaassen (University of Saskatchewan) and David Porreca (University of Waterloo). This special exhibition, which incorporates material objects related to magic and divination from ancient to modern times in both physical and digital form, was the first of its kind to be featured at this museum. The Museum of Antiquities is best known for its impressive collection of plaster cast replica sculpture of ancient Greek, Roman, Near Eastern and Medieval European art. The opportunity offered by the Magic Ancient and Modern exhibit provided Museum of Antiquities’ staff and volunteers with the unique opportunity to explore and learn how magic artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods could be recreated and disseminated using digital tools.

As the director and curator of the Museum of Antiquities, I was branching out into uncharted territory with this exhibition given my area of expertise in Greek and Roman art and archaeology with a particular specialization in numismatics. Nonetheless, the idea of recreating artifacts pertaining cont'd on page 3

Page 2 Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Somers and Jekyll cont'd a matter of course at the time, the 3821-3822, 3824-3826, 3846- the Sloane magic manuscripts in library became Jekyll’s, so that 3857, and 3883-3885. One other the British Library unearthed many even though Elizabeth survived magic manuscript, not bought by more manuscripts than just these her husband, after Jekyll’s death Sloane at Jekyll’s auction in 1739 two. in 1738 the manuscripts were but by the writer and antiquary auctioned from February 26 to Joseph Ames (1689-1759), was The person referred to in the March 2, 1739 at St Paul’s Coffee acquired by the British Museum Sloane manuscripts is Sir Joseph House in . The remaining in 1902.12 This manuscript is now Jekyll, born ca. 1662, who started book collection was sold in Additional 36674. out as a lawyer associated with January 1740.10 the Middle Temple in London. In The Sloane and Additional 1697 he became chief justice, to Many of the Somers/Jekyll manuscripts can be traced back rise to legal stardom by occupying manuscripts ended up in the hands securely to Jekyll and Somers. The the role of one of the most senior of collectors whose volumes are Sloane manuscripts, for instance, judges in the realm as Master of now part of the British Library, that often feature references on the the Rolls from 1717 until his death is, in the Egerton, Harleian, Sloane, flyleaves to their corresponding lot in 1738.8 Jekyll thanked his quick Stowe, and Additional collections. numbers in the auction of 1739. ascendance to the patronage of Of particular interest to us are the The Additional manuscript has no John Somers, first Baron Somers, 52 “libri astrologici, mathematici, such lot number, and instead has a who became Lord Chancellor in medicinales, philosophici, &c” brief bibliographical note by Ames 1697. At around the same time, sold on the final night of the (fol. 4v), identifying it as a former Jekyll married Somers’s second auction.11 Sir Hans Sloane, who Somers manuscript bought by him sister Elizabeth (1655-1745).9 A was very much interested in these at Jekyll’s auction at St Paul’s career and a wife were not the topics, purchased 23 manuscripts, Coffee House. Somers’s erstwhile only benefits Jekyll enjoyed from among which one volume of ownership of these manuscripts Somers’s patronage, however, medicine, several manuscripts with is evidenced by pressmarks on because upon Somers’s death autographs by renowned British the flyleaves, which correspond in 1716, Elizabeth inherited her astrologers, some theurgic magic, to the items in the catalogue of brother’s extensive library, which and many volumes of necromancy Somers’s manuscripts in London, included several hundred medieval and image magic. These British Library, Harley 7191. The and early modern manuscripts. As manuscripts are Sloane 3677-3679, cont'd on page 4

Notes and Queries cont'd talismans described in the Picatrix, From the start, the highly interactive to seemingly timeless magical which were then 3D scanned and and engaging nature of this exhibit traditions and practices using artistic printed for the exhibit, while a led to its resounding success. This and digital techniques sparked computer science student recreated exhibit employed over twenty- the interests of both museum staff John Dee’s Sigillum Dei, as well as five students, faculty and other and student volunteers. Museums the Holy Almandal using AutoCAD professionals in its creation, and professionals, archaeologists, and software. A digital and interactive resulted in nearly two thousand historians are increasingly turning to version of the Homeric Oracle people visiting the Museum of 3D digital objects for the purposes was designed by a student for use Antiquities over the course of of teaching and research, and this on a tablet much to the delight of its initial run. This success will exhibit gave students and faculty museum visitors. Other students continue to play out during its at the University of Saskatchewan had the occasion to take part in time at the University of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo the molybdomancy, which provided and other venues this coming fall chance to explore and try out some museumgoers with the chance to and beyond due to another key of these techniques on their own. interpret the resulting blobs of to success for this exhibit: it can Student artists recreated astrological magical curiosity on their own. be downloaded, 3D printed, and displayed anywhere.

Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Page 3 Somers and Jekyll cont'd name is mentioned on fol. 2v), and by the latter, who was an avid scribe of this catalogue, probably passed from him by way of several collector of Dee’s writings and a secretary of Somers entrusted others to (1617- those of earlier and contemporary with the library, is also the writer 1692).15 Additional 36679, to give astrologers. Ashmole is also the of the somewhat erratic summary another example, is a composite writer of Sloane 3678, which was tables of contents that appear manuscript compiled in Somers’s produced in the early 1670s and in the Sloane and Additional library but whose component contains copies of a number of manuscripts.13 parts have different origins. The Dee’s writings. The first part of opening parts were once owned the composite manuscript Sloane With the exception of a few by the poet Gabriel Harvey (ca. 3679 is yet another manuscript that fourteenth- and fifteenth-century 1552/3-1631), who annotated them reached Somers through Ashmole, items, the manuscripts were of throughout.16 Harvey identified the as David Pingree established. This fairly recent date when Somers physician John Caius (1510-1573), is an early seventeenth-century acquired them, some dating to the second founder of Gonville and version of the Picatrix, copied 14 late seventeenth century even. Caius College in Cambridge, as the from an older manuscript owned None of them was, however, original owner of some Agrippan by the astrologer Richard Napier copied by Somers or people in his and pseudo-Agrippan excerpts (1559-1634), who obtained it from direct circle. Internal evidence and in this part of the manuscript Forman. The copy of the Picatrix bibliographical references allow (fol. 23r). Harvey’s part of the passed from Napier to his nephew us to trace all manuscripts back to manuscript also contains the first Sir Richard Napier (1607-1676), before Somers’s ownership. Sloane detailed skrying records, from who donated it to Lilly. Lilly 3851, for example, is an anthology 1567, by a certain H. G., whom subsequently traded the book with of ritual magic in the vernacular, Frank Klaassen surmised may Ashmole against another copy including conjurations, Agrippan have been the adventurer Sir of the Picatrix (probably Sloane and pseudo-Agrippan excerpts, Humphrey Gilbert (ca. 1539- 1305). Henry Mordaunt, Earl and excerpts from The Discoverie 1583).17 Later parts of Additional of Peterborough (1623-1697), of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot 36679 contain autographs by John finally, acquired thePicatrix from (ca. 1538-1599). David Rankine Dee (1527-1609), Simon Forman Ashmole with a number of other posited that the manuscript was (1552-1611), William Lilly (1602- magic manuscripts, and these composed in the 1620s to 1630s by 1681), and Ashmole. These parts then ended up in the possession a certain Arthur Gauntlet (whose are likely to have been assembled cont'd on page 5

The Societas Magica invites proposals for essays to run in future issues of the newsletter.

We are looking for short essays (1500-2500 words) announcing new developments deriving from research in the study and teaching of magic and its related topics. We would be especially interested to see lead articles on modern magic, or periods other than medieval. We are also looking for smaller pieces for our notes and queries column. News about dissertations in progress or completed, manuscript discoveries, or other such items are all welcomed. Please contact David Porreca: [email protected]

www.societasmagica.org

Page 4 Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Somers and Jekyll cont'd is even more difficult to grasp is necromancy are firmly rooted in of Somers.18 Other manuscripts why Somers would collect magic a clerical underworld, as Richard that reached Somers through manuscripts, and why Jekyll Kieckhefer established, but there Ashmole are, for instance, Sloane continued them in his collection. are good indications from the 3822, 3824, and 3846. Ashmole Rankine claimed that Somers was sources that this is changing in dated some of his writings in these “an angel magician who collected early modernity.25 The Liber manuscripts to the 1670s. numerous manuscripts of grimoires consecrationum in Sloane 3854, and magical practices” and that fol. 191r, for instance, calls upon These examples demonstrate Jekyll “shared his [Somers’s] a “mynyster ” or “consecrator” that the magic manuscripts passion for magic” and “gathered who is explicitly not the “master under discussion have a complex a huge collection of magical in this worke” to hallow the custodial history prior to Somers’s manuscripts.”22 Though Somers sword. This might imply that ownership. In some cases this and Sloane corresponded on a the operator is perhaps no history can be traced back to the number of subjects, including longer able to consecrate objects original scribe of a manuscript, the Royal Society, which Somers for magic rituals. Second, in as in the part of Sloane 3846 presided from 1698 to 1703, some early modern Solomonic that contains a version of the there are no strong indications traditions seems to be a growing Liber Razielis that Ashmole said that Somers was involved in preference for hexagrams over was written by William Parry of spirit conjuring in a theoretical pentagrams, while still calling Clifford’s Inn in London (an Inn of or practical capacity.23 The same the magic circles pentacles, for Chancery) in 1564 at the request would seem to apply to Jekyll, instance, in Additional 36674, and of John Gwyne of Llanidloes (fl. who did not go down in history as Sloane 3824, 3849, and 3851.26 1560s), surveyor of North Wales Master of the Rolls-cum-magical The hexagrammatic pentacle is 19 (fol. 128r). In other cases, the operator. In any case, thanks to the a development that Kieckhefer custodial history cannot be traced antiquarian efforts of Ashmole, did not need to discuss when back completely, but whatever the Somers, Jekyll, and Sloane, the cont'd on page 6 origins of a manuscript, we usually British Library is blessed with an have at least the name of an outstanding collection of magic intermediary owner. The key figure manuscripts. 20% Discount in all this seems to have been Ashmole, through whom a good I will not dwell on the contents Members of the Societas Magica number of manuscripts reached of the Somers/Jekyll manuscripts are entitled to a 20% discount on Somers. “Magus, savant, and man so as not to spoil the fun of all books in the Magic in History of the world,” Ashmole is not an making discoveries for others. series put out by the Penn State unlikely person to have owned Instead, I would like to conclude University Press. See your magic manuscripts, and many of with some observations on member home page for discount the Somers/Jekyll manuscripts new features in early modern code to use when ordering books contain additions, notes, and necromancy. Klaassen observed online, by phone (800-326- scribbles in his hand that reveal that there is a growing reliance 9180), or fax (877-778-2665). deep involvement with the contents on the vernacular, a use of printed of these books.20 Whether Ashmole sources, and the introduction of himself performed operations fairy conjuring in the sixteenth from the manuscripts, many of century, and these three features which are overtly necromantic, are indeed borne out by the is a moot point because whereas Somers/Jekyll manuscripts.24 Ashmole supported astrology Yet there are perhaps three more and natural magic, he strongly early modern developments. opposed necromancy.21 Yet what First, medieval practitioners of

Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Page 5 Somers and Jekyll cont'd detail. The electronic catalogue of the Stoklund, “Scandinavian Runes in a Latin he analyzed the iconography of British Library is more reliable than Magical Treatise,” Speculum 58 (1983): magic circles with the help of the either printed catalogue, but since it 419-429; Gösta Hedegård, Liber iuratus too relies on antiquated information, it Honorii: A Critical Edition of the Latin medieval Munich handbook, but should be used with caution. See Explore Version of the Sworn Book of Honorius that apparently emerged in the Archives and Manuscripts, The British (Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell, 2002). early modern period, perhaps under Library, http://searcharchives.bl.uk/ 8 primo_library/libweb/action/search.do? Tim Keirn, “Jekyll, Sir Joseph (bap. the influence of Hebrew Solomonic 1662, d. 1738),” Oxford Dictionary of treatises.27 (The hexagram occurs fn=search&vl(freeText0)=jekyll+sloane, accessed May 1, 2017. National Biography (Oxford: Oxford not just in manuscripts, but also University Press, 2004), online ed., Jan in print culture, as the pentacle in 3 Frank Klaassen, The Transformations of 2008 http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/ the Heptameron demonstrates.28) Magic: Illicit Learned Magic in the Later article/14709, accessed May 1, 2017. Middle Ages and Renaissance (University 9 Third, magic circles in (copies of) Park: The Pennsylvania State University Stuart Handley, “Somers, John, Baron medieval necromantic manuscripts Press, 2013). Somers (1651-1716),” Oxford Dictionary seem to orient themselves most of National Biography (Oxford, Oxford 4 Don Karr and Stephen Skinner, eds., University Press, 2004), online ed., May often to the east–in keeping Sepher Raziel, also known as Liber 2008 http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/ with the etymology of orient–, Salomonis: A 1564 English Grimoire article/26002, accessed May 1, 2017. sometimes to the south, rarely from Sloane MS 3826 (Singapore: Golden 10 Hoard Press, 2010); Don Karr, Calanit Cyril Ernest Wright, Fontes Harleiani: to the west, but not to the north A Study of the Sources of the Harleian (e.g., Sloane 3853, 3854). While Nachshon, and Stephen Skinner, eds., Liber Lunae or the Book of the Moon & Collection of Manuscripts Preserved in preserving a preference for the Sepher ha-Levanah (Singapore: Golden the Department of Manuscripts in the east, magic circles in early modern Hoard Press, 2011); -Albion British Museum (London: Trustees of the necromantic manuscripts allow for MacDonald, ed., De Nigromancia British Museum, 1972), 204, 308-309. the possibility of orienting to the [attributed to] Roger Bacon, Sloane MS. 11 John Whiston, A Catalogue of Valuable north (e.g., Sloane 3851), which is 3885 and Additional MS. 36674 (Gillette: Manuscripts [...] All of which were Heptangle Books, 1988); David Rankine, a marked departure from medieval Collected at the Expence [sic] of the Late ed., The Book of Treasure Spirits: A Lord Somers, and since Belonged to the practices in both cartography and 17th Century Grimoire of Magical Right Hon. Sir Joseph Jekyll [...] (1739). magic iconography. Conjurations to Increase Wealth and Lots 342-352 (octavo), 372-395 (quarto), Catch Thieves through the Invocation and 396-412 (folio) are the manuscripts Endnotes of Spirits, Fallen Angels, Demons and in question. Some preliminary research Fairies (London: Avalonia, 2009); idem, reveals that items not bought by Sloane 1 Arthur MacGregor, ed. Sir Hans Sloane: The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet: A 17th may tentatively be traced to other Collector, Scientist, Antiquary, Founding Century London Cunning-man’s Book collections. Lot 380 (originally between Father of the British Museum (London: of Charms, Conjurations and Prayers what are now Sloane 3853 and 3854), British Museum, 1994). For the early (London: Avalonia, 2011). Joseph for instance, probably survives in a copy development of Sloane’s library, see M. A. Peterson, Esoteric Archives http://www. by Charles Rainsford (1728-1809) as E. Nickson, “Hans Sloane, Book Collector esotericarchives.com, accessed May 1, Alnwick, Alnwick Castle, MS. 588. and Cataloguer, 1682-1698,” The British 2017. For the latter, see Adam McLean, The Library Journal 14 (1988): 52-89. 5 Scott, Index, 331. Alchemy Website http://www.levity.com/ 2 Samuel Ayscough, A Catalogue of the alchemy/alnwick.html, accessed May 1, Manuscripts Preserved in the British 6 Klaassen, The Transformations 2017. Museum hitherto Undescribed [...], 2 of Magic, 161-165; László Sándor 12 Catalogue of Additions to the vols. (London: John Rivington, 1782); Chardonnens, “Necromancing Theurgic Manuscripts in the British Museum in the Edward J. L. Scott, Index to the Sloane Magic: A Reappraisal of the Liber iuratus Years MDCCCC-MDCCCCV (London: Manuscripts in the British Museum Extracts and the Consecration Ritual for Trustees of the British Museum, 1907), (London: British Museum, 1904). the Sigillum Dei in an Early Modern 183-186. Ayscough’s Catalogue is organized by English Grimoire,” Magic, Ritual, and topic, which makes references to magic Witchcraft 10 (2015): 172-198. See also 13 Note in Sloane 3846, between fols. 2 manuscripts easy to find s( .v. magic Alec Ryrie, The Sorcerer’s Tale: Faith and and 3. and witchcraft, II.870-881), but the Fraud in Tudor England (Oxford: Oxford 14 compiler made little effort to describe University Press, 2008), 133-138. Aside from the fourteenth- and fifteenth- the manuscripts systematically or in 7 Charles S. F. Burnett and Marie cont'd on page 7

Page 6 Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Somers and Jekyll cont'd 19 Karr and Skinner, Sepher Raziel, use Somers [...] (London: Clarke and Sons, century items in Sloane 3854 and a this date in Sloane 3846 for the related 1812); John Oldmixon, Memoirs of the fourteenth-century flyleaf in Sloane 3884 vernacular copy of the Liber Razielis in Life of John, Lord Somers (London: J. (fol. 70), the items in the other magic Sloane 3826 (yet another Somers/Jekyll Roberts, 1716). manuscripts that are said to antedate 1500 manuscript), but this seems to me to be 24 a seventeenth-century hand. The John Klaassen, The Transformations of according to the descriptive catalogues Magic, 173-178. are from the sixteenth and seventeenth Gwyne mentioned by Ashmole in Sloane centuries, judging by the scripts and the 3846 may be the same as the Johannes 25 Richard Kieckhefer, Magic in the page layouts (e.g., the Liber Thebit Ben Gwynn who was the recipient of John Middle Ages (Cambridge: Cambridge Corat in Sloane 3846, fols. 88v-95r, and Dee’s alchemical testament in in 1568. University Press, 1989), 151-172. See the Liber imaginum Sebel in Sloane 3847, See Elias Ashmole, Theatrum chemicum also Sophie Page, Magic in the Cloister: fols. 101r-112r). Britannicum [...] (London: J. Grismond, Pious Motives, Illicit Interests, and Occult 1652), 334. 15 Approaches to the Medieval Universe Rankine, ed., The Grimoire of Arthur (University Park: The Pennsylvania State Gauntlet, 23-27. 20 C. H. Josten, Elias Ashmole (1617- 1692): His Autobiographical and University Press, 2013). 16 Catalogue of Additions, 183. Historical Notes, his Correspondence, 26 One exception I have come across is 17 Frank Klaassen, “Ritual Invocation and other Contemporary Sources Relating a hexagram described as a “hexagonus and Early Modern Science: The Skrying to his Life and Work, 5 vols. (Oxford: The Salomonis” in Sloane 3847, fol. 158v. Clarendon Press, 1966), 1.2. Experiments of Humphrey Gilbert,” 27 Richard Kieckhefer, Forbidden in Claire Fanger, ed. Invoking Angels: 21 Ashmole, Theatrum chemicum Rites: A Necromancer’s Manual of the Theurgic Ideas and Practices, Thirteenth Britannicum, 443-447. Fifteenth Century (University Park: to Sixteenth Centuries (University Park: The Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University 22 Rankine, The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet, 26. Press, 1997), 173. William J. Kiesel, Press, 2012), 341-366; Klaassen, The Magic Circles in the Grimoire Tradition Transformations of Magic, 167-173. The 23 I consulted three biographies of Somers (Richmond Vista: Three Hands Press, Key of Solomon that opens Sloane 3847 is without finding a single reference to 2012) does not discuss the emergence of said on the title page to have been copied magic: Richard Cooksey, Essay on the hexagrams either. by yet another H. G. in April 1572. Life and Character of John Lord Somers, 28 Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, De occulta 18 Baron of Evesham [...] (Worcester: J. Holl, David Pingree, Picatrix: The Latin philosophia lib. III. Item, spurius Liber de Version of the Ghāyat Al-Ḥakīm (London: 1791); Henry Maddock, An Account of the Life and Writings of Lord Chancellor cæremoniis magicis [...] (Lyon: Beringos Warburg Institute, 1986), xix-xx. Fratres, n.d.), 561. Societas Magica Activities at the 52nd International Congress on Medieval Studies - Western Michigan University, May 11-14, 2017

Session 41, Medieval Tools (A Rochester Institute of Technology Organizer: Marla Segol, Univ. at Roundtable) Presider: Sean M. Winslow, Buffalo Sponsors: AVISTA: The Univ. of Toronto Presider: Mildred Budny, Association Villard de Honnecourt A roundtable discussion with Research Group on Manuscript for the Interdisciplinary Study of Constance H. Berman, Univ. of Evidence Medieval Technology, Science, Iowa; Carla Tilghman, Washburn Erectile Dys-monk-tion: Monastic and Art; DISTAFF (Discussion, Univ.; Frank Klaassen, Univ. of Uses for the Old Irish Magical Interpretation, and Study of Saskatchewan; Linda Ehrsam Anti-Viagra Textile Arts, Fabrics, and Voigts, Univ. of Missouri–Kansas Phillip Bernhardt-House, Fashion); EXARC; Medica: The City; and Darrell Markewitz, Skagit Valley College– Society for the Study of Healing Wareham Forge. Whidbey Island in the Middle Ages; Research Roots and Shoots: Late Antique Group on Manuscript Evidence; Session 141, Sex Magic: Past and Medieval Models for Societas Magica and Present, Imagined and Real Organizer: Sarah Thompson, Sponsor: Societas Magica cont'd on page 8

Societas Magica Newsletter— Spring 2017 Page 7 Kalamazoo cont'd Devilries”: The Specter of Greek of Waterloo Contemporary Sex Magic Paganism in the Anti-Magic Presider: Frank Klaassen, Univ. Marla Segol Theology of the Russian Orthodox of Saskatchewan Stoglav “Walk Like an Egyptian”: Magic Friday 12 May, evening Jason Roberts Circles in Ancient Egypt from Manuscripts to Materials Mehen to Ouroboros (roundtable + museum exhibit + Saturday 13 May, lunchtime Mark Roblee, Univ. of reception) Societas Magica Business Massachusetts–Amherst Sponsor: Research Group on Meeting Magic Circles: What’s Inside? Manuscript Evidence and Societas What’s Outside? (PGM, Picatrix, Magica Session 437, Occult Capitals of Munich Handbook) Organizer: David Porreca, Univ. Islam David Porreca of Waterloo Sponsor: Societas Magica John of Morigny and His Circle Presider: Jason Roberts, Univ. Organizer: Matthew Melvin- Claire Fanger, Rice Univ. of Texas-Austin Koushki, Univ. of South Carolina– Columbia Practical Magic: Making Magical Session 515, Islamic Magic: Presider: Nicholas G. Harris, Texts and/as Objects Artifacts and Using Them Univ. of Pennsylvania Frank Klaassen, Univ. of Sponsor: Research Group on Saskatchewan Baghdad, the City of Jupiter Manuscript Evidence; Societas Responses: Claire Fanger, Rice Liana Saif, Univ. catholique de Magica Univ.; David Porreca; Marla Louvain (cancelled) Organizer: Liana Saif, Univ. Segol, Univ. at Buffalo What Did it Mean to Be a catholique de Louvain Magician in al-Baqillani’s Presider: David Porreca, Univ. Session 355, Reading Magic Baghdad? The Social Implications of Waterloo West to East of the Discourse on Magic Books as Robots: Authorship and Sponsor: Societas Magica Mushegh Asatryan, Univ. of Agency in Islamicate Alchemical Organizer: Jason Roberts, Univ. of Calgary Manuscripts Texas–Austin Lettrism at Sultan Barquq’s Nicholas G. Harris, Univ. of Presider: Claire Fanger, Rice Court and Beyond: Cairo as Pennsylvania Univ. Occult Capital at the Turn of the Approaching Shams al-maʿarif al- Fifteenth Century kubrá through Early Manuscripts: Eastern Magic in a Western Noah D. Gardiner, Univ. of Home: The Influence of Iberian MSS Arabe 2650–51 in the South Carolina–Columbia Bibliothèque nationale de Translated Ghayat al-Hakim on a “Here Art-Magick Was First Fictional Necromancer Edgar Francis, IV, Univ. of Hatched”: Shiraz as Occult- Wisconsin–Stevens Point Veronica Menaldi, Univ. of Scientific Capital of the Persian Minnesota–Twin Cities Legible Signs? Cyphers, Cosmopolis Talismans, and the Theologies of East to West to East: Reading the Matthew Melvin-Koushki Arabic Alchemical Tradition in Early Islamic Sacred Writing Late Medieval Cracow Travis Zadeh, Yale Univ. Session 489, Magic Circles: Respondent: Noah D. Gardiner, Agnieszka Rec, Chemical Material, Ritual, Social Heritage Foundation Univ. of South Carolina– Sponsor: Societas Magica Columbia “Let em Desiste from Hellenic Organizer: David Porreca, Univ.

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