WINNER: 2012 Esoteric Book of the Year

*A note on how books are judged.

Books will be judged by the following criteria: binding, materials, design, talismanic intent & method of consecration (if applicable), layout, and editorial rigor.  Unlike last year, this year I have decided to pick from books actually released in 2012 rather than books with a 2012 copyright date.  This is because many books tend to encounter publishing delays.  This is especially common in esoteric publishing for a number or reasons.  For example, a 2011 book may not actually be available until 2012 in some cases.  Books will not be judged by their content.  This may sound strange, but I feel it is unfair and pointless to compare or make value judgments on different magical paths or traditions (like comparing apples to oranges). While I do my best, I am not qualified to judge and assess every single magical system the world has to offer; I very much doubt such a person exists.  Therefore, books will be judged by their craftsmanship,  creativity, and beauty only.  So without further ado Balkan's Arcane Bindings (BAB) is proud to announce its pick for the English language 2012 Esoteric Book of the Year.


The BAB 'Golden Talisman Award' for '2012 Esoteric Book of the Year' goes to....



The Society of Esoteric Endeavor & Treadwell's Books edition of Devils & Spirits by Anon.

When it comes to contemporary publications, I consider this book to be one of the crowning jewels of the entire Balkan collection.  Devils & Spirits absolutely epitomizes the concept of a magical grimoire.  It exudes an aura of hoary mystery, uncommon luxury, and implicit danger.  This is not some re-imagined compendium of spells, nor it is a post-modern attempt at redefining sorcery -- this is a text with historical merit.  Devils and Spirits is a reprint of 17th century spells, charms, and practices as recorded in two anonymous texts; one a grimoire of conjurations, and the other a discourse on the nature of devils and spirits.  Each originally appeared in the appendix of the 1665 edition of Reginald Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft.    This edition includes an introduction by Christina Oakley-Harrington, proprietor of Treadwell's Books of London.

What makes this edition particularly important is that it was created through a collaboration between one of the finest esoteric publishers of our day (TSoEE) and a popular occult bookstore, Treadwell's Books of London.  This, in my opinion, gives Devils and Spirits unique historical significance.  The book is, in essence, an emblematic specimen of the fine occult publishing world at the dawn of the 21st century.  Limited to only 14 copies.

Devils and Spirits is bound in full Spanish leather displaying wonderful natural striations.  Hand tooled border and includes numerous gilt devices.  Decorative, two-tone, gilt-stamped title.  Marbled boards.  Comes with matching marbled paper bookmark.  Printed in two colors (black and red).  Includes felt-lined, lidded, slipcase with marbled lip.  Slipcase lid bound in matching leather.  The craftsmanship is astounding.  Bookbinding at its finest.  Congratulations!

In second place, the BAB 'Silver Talisman Award' goes to...

The Society of Esoteric Endeavor's Experimentum compiled by Frederick Hockely with translation and transcript by Dan Harms.

Yet another exciting release from The Society of Esoteric Endeavor.  Experimentum is made to look as close to the original manuscript as possible.  The pages are full-color giclée facsimiles of the original handwritten pages.  The quality is so good and deceptively realistic that a casual observer may mistake it for an original manuscript.  Dan Harms provides a translation of the text (the handwritten script can be difficult to read at times), a brief essay on the history of the text, provides thorough notes on the text, and includes a bibliography.

The book is half-bound in supple, blue, sheepskin with tooled accents.  Marbled boards are treated with beeswax, making the book water resistant and lending it a soft sheen.  Experimentum comes with a slipcase standard; however, an optional lidded slipcase and/or chemise can be custom ordered.  The chemise is blue cloth, blocked in gilt, and lined with blue suede.  Flaps on each side can be lifted to reveal tipped-in plates.  One is a fascinating full-page image from the book.  It is fully restored with screen-printed metallic inks (gold, silver & copper) to reveal how the original must have looked before the fine detail was obliterated by time.  The lidded slipcase has matching marbled paper on three sides.  The separate lid includes a leather label blocked in gilt.  The chemise and lidded case provide exceptional protection for the book.  Expermentum is limited to 100 copies.

In third place, the BAB 'Bronze Talisman Award' goes to...

Primal Craft's The Scorpion God: Forbidden Wisdom of Belial by Mark Alan Smith (Venom Edition).

I continue to be impressed with the work of Mark Alan Smith and his talented bookbinders.  His previous work, The Red King, won last year's Silver Talisman Award.  His dedication to his chosen path comes through clearly in is writing.  Mr. Smith's books are not simple manuals detailing his unique witchcraft current; they are an essential physical component and direct manifestation of his practice.  The books in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series give the reader the impression that they are almost conscious.  Some talismanic books serve as homes for resident spirits, or 'bottle' for the genie.  In Mr. Smith's case, his books are the actual flesh.

Third volume in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series, The Scorpion God is a hefty tribute to Belial.  Unlike the first two books (The Queen of Hell and The Red King published by Ixaxaar), The Scorpion God is published by Primal Craft, the author's own publishing house.  Size and format match the first two volumes for an attractive uniform set.  It is bound in a beautiful shade of full olive goat (close to the hue of very old vellum) and bears the gold seal of the scorpion.  A delight to touch.  Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  Evocative and dramatic interior artwork by Namtaru Creations.  Each copy (73 total) is consecrated, signed, and sigilized by the author using ink that was ritually infused with his own blood.  A truly talismanic work, one that the author claims will never be reprinted.

2012 Honorable Mentions:

• Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum compiled by Alias Ashmole (Vellum Edition), published by Ouroboros Press.
• Veneficium: Magic Witchcraft and the Poison Path by Daniel Schulke (Deluxe Edition), published by Three Hands Press 
• The Psalter of Cain by Various (Deluxe Edition), published by Xoanon Ltd.
• The Toadman: Lore and Legend, Rites and Ceremonies of Toadmanry and Related Traditional Magical Practices by Nigel Pennick, published by The Society of Esoteric Endeavour.
• The Sacrificial Universe by David Chaim Smith (Deluxe Edition), published by Fulgur Ltd.
• Mandragora by Various (Cthonia Fine Bound Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.

2012 was a very exciting year for esoteric publishing.  A great number of wonderful texts saw publication, making this year's judging extremely difficult.  However, one publisher really stands out:  Ben Fernee of The Society of Esoteric Endeavour really had a spectacular year with a number of showstoppers, much like Scarlet Imprint did in 2011.  Mr. Fernee has really taken esoteric publishing to a new level (or one not seen in centuries) by offering optional lidded slipcases and chemises with his most recent publications, a feature rarely seen in the publishing world these days regardless of genre.  Many thanks, Mr. Fernee.

2012 saw the publication of a number of nicely bound and inspired magical texts and insightful essay collections; the The Book of Azazel by E.A. Koetting (Special Reserve Edition) from the new publishing house Nephilim Press and Scarlet Imprint's At the Crossroads (Compassed Edition) come to mind. The year also saw the release of a few books destined to become modern classics, such as Daniel Schulke's Veneficium: Magic Witchcraft and the Poison Path from Three Hands Press (the Deluxe Edition bound in snakeskin and Shantung silk is particularly beautiful -- see pic) and Liber Falxifer II: The Book of Anamlaqayin by N.A-A.218 and published by Ixaxaar.

While we didn't experience a Mayan apocalypse, we did see a significant number of classic magical texts that were discovered, reprinted, and saved from obscurity.  The 2012 Silver Talisman award recipient, Experimentum, is a perfect example.  2012 also saw the publication of another important classic work, Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum, thanks to Ouroboros Press.  Their sturdy vellum and leather editions will ensure this work sticks around for a few more centuries.  A dear friend remarked that the stunning white vellum edition (complete with white ribbon closures) looked like a wedding registry book (see pic).  Amused, I responded, "It is... a chymical wedding".  If I were to judge books by their esoteric content, Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum would likely take this year's gold.  There's a reason why Sir Isaac Newton owned a copy.  It is a masterpiece.

Lastly, another very noteworthy reprinted manuscript that may have flown under the radar of many of my readers in 2012 is Der Freund in der Noth - Or - The Friend In Need: An Annotated Translation of an Early Pennsylvania Folk-Healing Manual by Johann Georg Hohman, translated (for the first time in English) and annotated by Patrick J. Donmoyer.  It is published by The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center.  This is an extremely obscure and primary source work relating to the American folk-magic tradition know as Pow-wow, a.k.a. Braucherei.  It is now available for the first time since 1813.  Previously unknown or forgotten charms and practices can now be accessed and utilized by modern practitioners, further enriching the tradition.  It is a sturdy, albeit humble, book (much like the tradition).  The Friend is Need includes an impressive amount of scholarly research, facsimiles of the original text (with English translation on the opposite page), and commentary by Mr. Donmoyer who has a particularly keen understanding of this fascinating tradition.

As we look forward into 2013, there are already a number of highly anticipated books on the horizon:

• The 'Mor Edition' of Exu and the Quimbanda of Night and Fire by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Scarlet Imprint) should arrive any day.  This massive goatskin tome is bound to make a deep and lasting impression within some circles.
• Ixaxaar has plans to release a pair of diabolic texts penned by Johannes Nefastos, The Catechism of Lucifer and FOSFOROS.  
• Three Hands Press shall release the long-awaited ARCANUM BESTIARUM by Robert Fitzgerlad.  This will include 55 original woodcut illustrations by Liv Rainey-Smith.  I am a great admirer of her work.
• Salamander & Sons is rumored to release a new limited work in the Golden Dawn tradition within the near future.  
• Also be on the lookout for The Book of St. Cyprian by Humberto Maggi from Nephilim Press.  
• And of course we mustn't forget the 2013 Esoteric Book Conference scheduled for next September.  

Have a great year, dear readers.

Sincerely,

B. Balkan

The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei by C.R. Bilardi

Pendraig Publishing  548 pages.  Black & white illustrations.  Octavo.  2009

Standard Edition:  Trade Paperback

Special Edition:  Hardcover, limited to 100 copies.  Includes personalized himmelsbrief.

The Red Church or The Art of Pennsylvania German Braucherei: The Traditional Blessed Healing Art for the Good of Man and Beast is a massive collection of charms (both verbal and written), prayers, formulae, herbal lore, folk medicine nostrums, and other magical operations that fall within the Pennsylvania German charming tradition known as Braucherei (pronounced BROW-ker-eye; meaning, to try).  It is also commonly called 'Pow-Wow' from the Algonquin word 'Pau Wau' which was used to describe medicine men or spiritual leaders.  The Red Church is one of the most comprehensive collections of Braucherei practices ever assembled and is arguably the most important book the tradition has seen since Lee Gandee's 1971 autobiographical classic Strange Experience: The Secrets of a Hexenmeister.

Author Chris Bilardi, a recently ordained Pastor of the Lutheran Orthodox Church, begins the book with a thorough history of the tradition and the rural culture in which it developed.  Bilardi isn't just a historian, he's also a Braucherei practitioner, known as a Braucher or Pow-Wow Doctor (more sorcerous types are sometimes called Hexenmeisters).  His stated goal is to preserve this rather obscure folk magic tradition and dispel misconceptions that have arisen in recent years.

One such misconception is the tenancy for some to erroneously link Braucherei to Pagan traditions.  He believes the Paganizing of Pow-Wow by modern revisionists obscures the tradition's basic tenets and threatens its historical authenticity.  There is a legitimate Germanic Pagan practice found in Pennsylvania called Urglaawe (pronounced OOR-glawe-veh; meaning,  primal faith), but it is distinctly different from Braucherei, as Braucherei is essentially a Christian folk magic system.

It is true that there has always been plenty of cross-pollination within folk magic traditions, and some Braucherei charms can be traced far enough back in European history to possibly have Pagan roots, but the tradition itself and its core belief structure are solidly Christian.  Brauchers believe that their power does not originate within them; rather, they are conduits of Divine force.  This is why when asked if they can help or heal someone they simply respond, "I can try", as ultimately it is not up to them; it is up to the Divine.

It's understandable why Bilardi is protective of Braucherei's heritage considering it nearly disappeared completely during the early 20th century due to the highly sensationalized 'Hex Murder' case in 1928.  What remained went underground.  Fortunately it is still holding on here and there and even beyond Pennsylvania with known Brauchers practicing quietly in Kentucky and Wisconsin.

Like most folk magic traditions, Braucherei utilizes concepts of 'contagous magic' and 'sympathetic magic', much like its southern counterpart: Hoodoo.  It is also the Yankee cousin of English Cunning-craft, though Braucherei is exclusively a protective and healing tradition.  You will never find a Braucher willing to hex or harm, as they feel they will lose their ability if abused or used for ill.  They are the antithesis of the malevolent witch.  Brauchers are summoned to heal injuries and alleviate sickness (including animals), break hexes, protect homes and property, and charm items to increase their potency -- all done at no charge.  An example of the latter is a charm to make firearms shoot straight and always find their mark.

 Another well-known Braucherei charm is the himmelsbrief, or 'heaven's letter'.  It is a long written charm which is said to have been originally composed by God.  Different versions exist.  The most famous is the 'Magdeburg Letter' which reportedly fell from the sky in 1783.  It is believed that a himmelsbrief hung in one's home will protect the household from danger and sinister forces.  If carried in a pocket it will protect the owner from harm.  Bilardi  provides examples of himmelsbriefs and also includes diagrams of talismans, reduction spells like the ABAXACATABAX charm, and magic squares like the ubiquitous SATOR.

Himmelsbrief circa 1850s.
 Part of the Balkan collection.

Notably absent in The Red Church are the iconic barn stars or 'hex signs' of the Pennsylvania Germans.  This is a somewhat controversial topic among Brauchers and historians.  Some feel hex signs were used to focus and localize the powers of sacred geometry.  They may have been used as protective wards or 'painted prayers' to encourage fair weather for crops.  Chris Bilardi does not believe they had a specific magical intent, but were instead  just simple barn decorations.

'Triple Protection' Hex Sign 
created by legendary Braucher, Lee Gandee 

I respectfully disagree (in part) with Mr. Bilardi on this one point.  While I'm certainly not a Pennsylvania historian, considering the known Hermetic influences in the state's early history, I think it is fair to assume that some early hex signs were used for magical purposes.  It's also likely they were copied by the uninitiated and reduced to a type of folk art by those who were ignorant of their original purpose and symbolic meaning.  Regardless, even if hex signs did not originally have magical intent, the point may be a moot one, as hex signs certainly are used magically now.  Braucher Lee Gandee used them for magical purposes over 50 years ago.  Nor are they  going unnoticed by today's practitioners, including those who follow the Urglaawe path, as can be seen at the hex sign site Zaubereigarten.

Also included are lunar, planetary, zodiacal, and qabalistic charts to assist in magical timing.  A complete Braucherei herbal is provided to instruct the reader on the proper use of magical and medicinal plants.  New World practitioners will welcome this, as all the plants are native to North America (or long since naturalized).  It is a pharmacopeia of indigenous alternative medicine.

Chris Bilardi is nothing if not thorough.  The Red Church includes four Appendices: Glossary of Terms, Use of the Psalms and Names of God from Scripture, Pennsylvania German & Standard German Pronunciation Guide (PA German is its own dialect), and Table of Planetary Hours.  He also includes a lengthy Bibliography and extensive Index.

Physically the book is rather ordinary and what one would normally expect from a standard hardcover.  It has slate blue cloth boards.  Title and author are gilt-stamped on spine.  A cream-colored dust-jacket sports the title in blackletter script and includes a heart with tulip design in the fraktur style of the Pennsylvania Germans.  The back includes an image of a distelfink perched on a branch representing 'good luck'.  While the jacket may seem somewhat lackluster and monotone, it perfectly reflects the humble yet artful spirit of the Pennsylvania Germans.  It should be noted that the cover of the hardback differs from the trade paperback.

I'm puzzled why the title is printed uncomfortably close to the top edge of the dust-jacket on both the spine and cover, leaving almost no margin.  It's a rather unfortunate placement and aesthetically unappealing.  I can only assume it was an overlooked mistake.  Other unfortunate oversights include several typos and the chart for the Zodiac Influences is rather blurry (at least in my copy).  These are easily avoidable (if not obvious) mistakes that should have been caught by Pendraig Press' editors.  Even so, at a cover price of $46 The Red Church is a steal, minor flaws or no.

The book includes a tipped in bookplate with a Bible verse handwritten by Chris Bilardi, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:5 KJV)  Others may vary.  What makes this book special and truly talismanic is that it also includes a himmelsbrief designed by the author.  It comes enclosed in a red envelope bearing the owner's name.

Braucherei books themselves are often considered physical talismans.  The tradition's most famous charm book (other than the Bible) is The Long Lost Friend by John George Hohman that famously includes the magical statement:

 "Whoever carries this book with him, is safe from all his enemies, visible or invisible; and whoever has this book with him cannot die without the holy corpse of Jesus Christ, nor drowned in any water, nor burn up in any fire, nor can any unjust sentence be passed upon him. So help me."

The Red Church continues this time-honored tradition by including 'The Binding and Blessing':

"Whoever takes possession of this book is bound to do good alone, to the glory of God and for all the well-being of Man and Beast.  No part of this work of mercy shall be abused.  All who make proper use of the contents of this book shall be blessed and held in Adonai's protective hands, safe from enemies seen and unseen, and from all malign witchcraft.

Anyone who abuses this work shall be bound: this book and its contents shall be forever closed and sealed to him."

Thus the book itself acts as a protective ward for those worthy of its blessing.  Brauchers take these magical declarations very seriously.

Readers will notice the frequent mention and use of the color 'red', the book's title being the most obvious.  Bilardi writes:

"Red is the most common color used in Braucherei; it is also the most mentioned color in Braucherei charms and prayers.  The symbolism is very plain and obvious, if dual: red is heat; therefore, it is also 'fire' and 'life' and 'blood' ... In Christian symbolism it is the color of redemption ... it can either impart an action and energy, or it can be used as a sympathetic 'sponge' to remove a condition..."  

It is not too difficult to notice the alchemical symbolism at work here, most notably the intense focus on the perfected rubedo phase.  Undercurrents of Western Esotericism should not be surprising, as some theorize that Braucherei is a folk magic manifestation of Rosicrucianism -- magic come full circle, as it were.  Indeed Pennsylvania has a long and colorful early history of resident alchemists, qabbalists, and astrologers, such as George de Benneville, Johann Gotfried Seelig, and Johannes Kelpius, the latter two were part of the Mystics of the Wissahickson who, if not formally, certainly had Rosicrucian leanings.

This uniquely American grimoire is a folk magic tour de force.  My hope is that it will ensure that Braucherei remains a living tradition for at least a few more generations.  Perhaps The Red Church will be as important to the tradition as the Pow-Wow classic Long Lost Friend was over 150 years ago.

It should also be noted that Dan Harms, author and mastermind behind the wonderful blog Papers Falling from an Attic Window, has a highly anticipated 'Definitive Edition' of Long Lost Friend in the works.  I met Mr. Harms briefly in Providence, RI back in '99.  He was friendly and extremely knowledgeable in his area.  I am very much looking forward to reading his research on Long Lost Friend.

Beautifully restored Long Lost Friend by JRR Bookworks

Note*  For those interested in learning more about the history of Braucherei (Pow-Wow) beyond this book (particularly from an academic perspective), I would highly recommend Powwowing Among the Pennsylvania Dutch: A Traditional Medical Practice in the Modern World by David W. Kriebel (2007) and Pennsylvania Dutch: Folk Spirituality by the late Richard E. Wentz (1993) who, sadly, just passed on September 25h.

As my readers have probably noticed by now, this blog doesn't play favorites; esoteric Christian theurgical texts are reviewed right along side diabolical tracts of infernal pacts.  Whether rustic charm books about toad-bone rites or Freemasonic treatises on sacred geometry, I hope everyone finds something of interest or perhaps a new path worthy of further exploration.  Thanks again.

B. Balkan

Egyptian Secrets or White and Black Art For Man and Beast, attributed to Albertus Magnus

Egyptian Publishing Company.  208 pages.  Octavo.  1930  (Press and year not stated)

(Revisiting an old classic)

Hardcover with dust jacket.  Translated from the original German.

Egyptian Secrets is a classic among folk magick practitioners, especially among those who practice Hoodoo and Pennsylvania German Pow-wow, a.k.a. Braucherei.  Its charms and herbal remedies have been used for generations to stop blood, charm firearms, heal animals, break hexes and many other practical uses.  The majority of spells and charms included tend to focus on treating domesticated animals and curing minor personal ailments such as wart removal, ointments for burns, and treatments for gaut and jaundice.  Thus, the charms and remedies therein are interesting indicators, as they represent the needs and concerns of a mostly rural society at a time when doctors were very scarce, leaving many to fend for themselves.  In many ways it is comparable to the American folk magick grimiore, The Long Lost Friend, by John George Hohman.

The book itself consists of three parts.  No reason is given why the book is divided thus.  Each part contains seemingly random charms and remedies without following a pattern or theme.  Additionally, each section contains its own separate index.  Thus, if one needs to look up a particular charm one would need to check all three indexes.  This makes the book somewhat difficult to use efficiently, especially considering that, as in the case of blood-stopping, speedy retrieval of a charm would be essential.  One wonders at the logic of this.  At least the indexes list the charms alphabetically.  I suspect copies of Egyptian Secrets often contained many inserted bookmarks or dogeared pages to assist in locating particular charms.  Seventeen blank pages are included at the rear, presumably for notations.

Occult scholar, Joseph H. Peterson, has traced the history of Egyptian Secrets back to the early 18th century.  The book has no connection to the famous Dominican bishop Albertus Magnus (1193 - 1280).  His name was likely added for name recognition to boost sales, an early form of spurious celebrity endorsement or 'star power'.  The title is somewhat of a misnomer.  In this case 'Egyptian' refers to Gypsies (or the Roma).  This is due to the erroneous belief that Gypsies had an Egyptian origin.  Further, there is also little evidence that these charms are of Roma origin.

Physically the book is not terribly impressive and is printed rather cheaply, as is common of the era. The dust jacket sports a Faustian figure summoning or commanding imps (black & white).  The same image is printed on tan canvas boards.  Pages are medium weight pulp paper and have darkened significantly over time due to acid content, though they remain in fairly good condition.  I have treated each page with a de-acidification spray called Archival Mist from Preservation Technologies.  With a bit of luck, this will stop (or at least slow down) the book's deterioration.