» Abraham ben: The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage

The invocation of angelic forces, then, is an idea common in works of magic, as also are the ceremonies of pact with and submission to the evil spirits. The system, however, taught in the present work is based on the following conception: (a) That the good spirits and angelic powers of light are superior in power to the fallen spirits of Darkness. (b) That these latter as a punishment have been condemned to the service of the initiates of the magic of Light. (This Idea is to be found also in the Koran or, as it is frequently and perhaps more correctly written, "Qûr-an".) (g) As a consequence of this doctrine, all ordinary material effects and phenomena are produced by the labour of the evil spirits under the command usually of the good. (d) That consequently whenever the evil demons can escape from the control of the good, there is no evil that they will not work by way of vengeance. (e) That therefore sooner than obey man, they will try to make him their servant, by inducing him to conclude pacts and agreements with them. (z) That to further this project, they will use every means that offers to obsess him. (h) That in order to become an adept, therefore, and dominate them; the greatest possible firmness of will, parity of soul and intent, and power of self-control is necessary. (q) That this is only to be attained by self-abnegation on every plane.