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

WINNER: 2011 Esoteric Book of the Year

Balkan's Arcane Bindings (BAB) is proud to announce its pick for the English language 2011 Esoteric Book of the Year.

The BAB 'Golden Talisman Award' for '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year' goes to....

Scarlet Imprint's Crossed Keys translated by Michael Cecchetelli (Sable et d'Or Edition).

This book is simply jaw-dropping.  Bound together for the first time are two complimentary Late Renaissance works, the Enchiridion of Pope Leo III and The Black Dragon.  Contents range from spirit summoning to folk charms.  It is appropriately bound in scale-patterned, black, goatskin with inset dragon figure on marbled background.  Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  It is lavishly presented in a golden leather case with ribbon closures.  Amazingly, the Sable et d'Or Edition of Crossed Keys sold out in a single afternoon.  To meet the incredible demand, a handful of extra copies were added to the print run (totaling 55), and were quickly snatched up. It is sure to become a legend.  Mr. Cecchetelli has done a tremendous service for grimoire magic by introducing a new generation of magicians to these historic (and more importantly, useful), texts.

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


Ixaxaar's The Red King by Mark Alan Smith (Thaumiel Edition).

Second volume in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series, The Red King is as regal as its name implies and a fitting tribute to Lucifer.  It is bound in full crimson goat and bears the 'Cardinal Crown of Thaumiel'. Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  Fascinating and powerful interior artwork by Namtaru Creations.  Each copy (66 total) is consecrated, signed, and sigilized by the author using ink that was ritually infused with his own blood.  They say authors put a little bit of themselves into their work.  In this case, Mark Alan Smith did so quite literally.  A truly talismanic work, one that the author claims will never be reprinted.

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


Scarlet Imprint's Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Rainha da Figueira do Inferno Edition).

The Rainha de Figueira do Infero Edition is a feast for the eyes.  With its rich silk boards, speckled crimson quarter-leather binding, and end papers marbled in dark rose and gold, the book reflects the sensuous trappings of a bordello.  Gilt edges and ribbon bookmark.  Its assertive and luxurious presentation, as well as the unrestrained bawdiness of some of the content, perfectly captures and honors the nature of Pomba Gira.  A demure presentation would have been completely inappropriate.  Thus, Scarlet Imprint's artisans chose wisely when deciding on its rather burlesque design.  Limited to 70 copies.  Keep an eye on Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold; he is quickly becoming one of the most important voices in occult publising.

2011 Honorable Mentions:

• Children of Cain by Michael Howard (Special Edition), published by Three Hands Press.
• The Grimoire of Arthur Gauntlet edited by David Rankine (Hardcover), published by Avalonia.
• Coagula: A Graphic Grimoire by Orryelle Defenistrate-Bascule, published by Fulgur Ltd.
• Magic Secrets translated by Philippe Pissier, published by The Society of Esoteric Endeavour.
• Liber Falxifer II: The Book of Anamlaqayin by N.A-A.218, published by Ixaxaar.
• Lux Haeresis - The Light Heretical by Daniel A. Schulke, published by Xoanon Limited.

Stay tuned for full reviews of this year's winners.

Considering this blog did not exist a year ago, and because 2010 was such an amazing year for esoteric books, I have decided to retroactively award three very special books with the awards they deserve.

The Golden Talisman Award for the '2010 Esoteric Book of the Year' goes (retroactively) to:

 Geosophia - The Argo of Magic (2 volumes) by Jake Stratton-Kent (Draco Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.

The 2010 Silver Talisman Award goes to:

The Occult Reliquary: Images & Artefacts of the Richel-Eldermans Collection edited by Daniel A. Schulke (Special Edition), published by Three Hands Press.  See my full review of this book here.

The 2010 Bronze Talisman Award goes to:


Gullveigarbok by Vexior 218 (Deluxe Edition), published by Fall of Man.  See my full review of this book here.

2010 Honorable Mentions:

• XVI: Bringing Down the House of God edited by Alkistis Dimech & Peter Gray (Kill All Kings Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.
• Queen of Hell by Mark Alan Smith (Trident Edition), published by Ixaxaar.
• Restorations of Masonic Geometry and Symbolry by Henry P.H. Bromwell (Quarter-Leather), published by Lovers of the Craft.
• A Gathering of Masks by Robert Fitzgerald (Deluxe Edition), published by Three Hands Press.
• Palo Mayombe: The Garden of Blood and Bone by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Mayimbe Edition), published by Scarlet Imprint.
• Sepher Raziel transcribed by Stephen Skinner and Don Karr (Leather Edition), published by The Golden Hoard Press.

I apologize in advance to authors and publishers of books I may have overlooked.  Within a classification as broad as 'Esoteric' there are a LOT of exceptional books published each year, making it impossible to evaluate them all.  Thus, some will inevitably elude me by 'flying under my radar', as they say.  If an unknown and exemplary title is discovered at a latter date I will add an additional category titled, 'Year's Overlooked Gem' and give credit where due.

I want to thank the authors and publishers for their incredible efforts in the world of talismanic publishing.  Thanks to them, the grimoire tradition is truly experiencing a new Golden Age.  Already 2012 looks to be another very promising year for esoteric books with the forthcoming release of Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum from Ouroboros Press; Mark Alan Smith's third book in the 'Trident of Witchcraft' series, The Scorpion God, published by Primal Craft; Threshold: Black & Shattered Geometry by Ryan Anschauung & the Temple of THEM, published by Fall of Man.  Last but not least, be sure not to miss David Chaim Smith's The Sacrificial Universe, to be published by Fulgur Ltd.  Having some familiarity with Mr. Smith's graphic work, I expect this to be a very important book of  kabbalistic and alchemical revelation.  It is my opinion that David Chaim Smith is the Dionysus Andreas Freher of our day.  I am in awe of his artistic ability and vision.

The Occult Reliquary: Images & Artefacts of the Richel-Eldermans Collection edited by Daniel A. Schulke

Three Hands Press  2010  224 pages.  Illustrated: many full-color. Quarto.

Standard Edition: Scarlet cloth with dust jacket, limited to 700 copies.

Deluxe Edition: Quarter burgundy morocco over cloth boards with slipcase, limited to 250 copies.

Special Edition: Full scarlet morocco with slipcase, limited to 100 copies.

The Occult Reliquary was created in association with The Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall.  It collects for the first time previously unpublished works of occult artwork relevant to the traditions of witchcraft, ceremonial magic, and Freemasonry.  Included works are part of the Richel-Edlermans collection, a significant collection donated to the Museum of Witchcraft by the late Bob Richel of Amsterdam.  Much of this collection (over 2000 pieces) could have been lost or divided up and scattered around the world if not for Richel's decision to contact The Museum of Witchcraft for preservation.

Within this large folio one will find diagrams and illustrations of charms, magic circles, fetishes, magical implements, talismans, herbs, and full-color photos of actual handcrafted pieces.  The age of the pieces ranges from antiquity to the mid 20th century.  They were originally collected by Richel's father-in-law, J.H.W Elderman (b. 1904), who Richel described as a "heks" (witch).  He was also a Magister in a lodge of the A:.A:. in The Hague.  It is not know if this refers to the 'Argentum Astrum' or the 'Ars Amatoria', as both magical orders are represented within the collection.

The editor made the wise decision to make The Occult Reliquary a mutus liber (silent book), or a book without commentary.  Limited footnotes, titles, and index numbers are given, but by and large viewers are forced to contemplate the images and arrive at their own meaning or surmise an object's intent.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words -- even more so when dealing with the esoteric.  The images are revelatory for those with eyes to see.

Many images have been executed using the detail of a draftsman, with some talismans shown from multiple perspectives to clarify their meaning, design, and method of use -- in some cases almost instructing the viewer.  The book is filled with illustrations of hag stones, witches knots, protective seals, divination tools, poppets, stangs,  mandrakes, alchemical apparatuses, and fertility charms.  It is a veritable cornucopia of occult symbolism and witch-lore.

Foreword is provided by Daniel A. Schulke.   Introduction is written by Graham King, curator of The Museum of Witchcraft.  The book concludes with an index providing description and medium of each image, of which there are over 275, and 130 in full color on glossy paper.  Back and white images (scanned from the originals) are sharp and printed on smooth & high-quality paper.

The Special Edition is bound in full morocco.  The leather has a gorgeous raspberry hue and is highly textured.  It is an absolute delight to hold and exudes the usual aroma of fine leather but with additional spicy notes of tonka bean.  The cover contains a gilt-stamped lunar enneagram device, and opens to black, leather-textured, end-papers.  The spine has four raised bands and is gilt-stamped with title and magic seals.  The book is finished with red & gold head/tail bands and a black, satin, ribbon bookmark, and comes housed in a sturdy slipcase covered in black linen.

Whether you're an Alchemist, Goetic magician, Freemason, Thelemite, Cunning Man, Rootworker, or Pennsylvania German Hexenmeister, you're likely to find something of great interest among these images.  Three Hands Press has done an amazing job and has treated the subject matter with the respect it deserves.    Please also remember that these precious and important images would have been lost if not for the efforts of The Museum of Witchcraft.  So, if you're looking for an important cause in which to donate to in this new year, please consider donating to The Museum of Witchcraft here, so that more irreplaceable works may be saved to further enrich our magical heritage.

Coming soon: Balkan's pick for '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year'

As this winter solstice approaches, soon I will announce my pick for the BAB '2011 Esoteric Book of the Year' (along with second and third places).  I may also retroactively award a 2010 pick, as this blog did not exist a year ago.  It was quite a year for talismanic texts and should be acknowledged.  Winners will be announced sometime in the next few weeks.

Books will be judged by the following criteria: binding, materials, design, talismanic intent & method of consecration (if applicable), layout, and editorial rigor.  Eligible books must have a 2011 copyright date.  I will  not judge books by their content, as it is unfair and pointless to compare 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 craft, creativity, and beauty only.

I am still waiting for a few possible last-minute contenders for 2011, such as Scarlet Imprint's Pomba Gira and the Quimbanda of Mbumba Nzila by Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold (Rainha da Figueira do Inferno edition), The Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn's Golden Dawn Rituals and Commentaries by Pat Zalewski (Deluxe Leather edition), and Three Hands Press' The Children of Cain by Michael Howard (Special full black goatskin edition).

Thank you all for taking the time to read this blog and for all the positive messages I have received.

Sincerely,

B. Balkan

Magic Secrets attributed to Guidon (Translated from Norman French by Philippe Pissier)

The Society of Esoteric Endeavour  2011 (Orig. circa 1670).   88 pages.  Illustrated (some colored).  Decimo-octavo (Eighteenmo).

Paperback, limited to 180 copies.

Magic Secrets is a collection of Norman folk-magic charms and remedies alleged recorded by a 17th century Cunning Man.  The book states that it was originally published in 1670, though dates and authors were often exaggerated or fabricated in the grimoire tradition to imbue them with an air of authority or legitimacy.  Its first known appearance was in the appendix of The Grimoire of Pope Honorious.   In many ways it is perhaps a precursor to other small charm books, such as the Romanus Buchlein (1788) and Johann Georg Hohman's Long Lost Friend (1820).  Like RB and LLF, Magic Secrets includes practical charms for the protection of livestock, charming of firearms, blood-stopping, reducing fevers, and instructions for creating protective wards and talismans.  The vast majority of the book's charms are related to animal husbandry, such as charms for protecting sheep, or healing horses.  This follows an earlier publication from The Society of Esoteric Endeavour, Society of the Horseman's Word, a book of equine charms detailing the practices of the legendary Scottish 'Horse Whisperers'.  Magic Secrets also includes anonymous commentary discussing the history of the book and background of some of the charms.

The charms in Magic Secrets are largely written from a Christian perspective and often call upon the favor of Christ and angels.  Considering the time and place of origin, this is hardly surprising.  However, like many European grimoires, the book occasionally walks a fine line between piety and blasphemy.  Blasphemous passages are written in Latin, presumably to hide their true meaning from others when spoken, as it would have certainly raised a few eyebrows, if not a few pyres.  Sudden heretical statements, intended to deliver a shock, were occasionally used as a magical healing technique to perhaps scare or chase away unwanted malign spirits.  One might compare it to wearing frightful masks to scare away evil spirits, especially on Halloween.

'The Peddler'  17th century France

As much as I love the recent wave of beautiful and fine-bound talismanic books, it is also refreshing to see a publisher willing to pay homage to the inexpensive, paperback, occult books that were circulated around Europe for hundreds of years, such as the Bibliotheque Bleu books.  These were the spell books of the common folk.  Even the illiterate valued these works, as they would often infer their own meaning from the book's printed symbols and diagrams or feign understanding when in front of clients.  These books are as much a part of occult history as the expensive, leather, tomes treasured by the educated and wealthy.  It should also be mentioned that Scarlet Imprint and Hadean Press have also continued this tradition by publishing inexpensive, paperback, occult works in their Bibliotheque Rouge and Guides to the Underworld series, respectively.  This flies in the face of those who claim specialty occult publishers only market to high-end collectors.  In the end, it's the content that matters.  It is my opinion is that a combination of both approaches best ensures the survival of the material.  Paperbacks (and even e-books) reach a far wider audience, keeping traditions alive, while sturdy bindings can almost guarantee a book's survival for generations, that is, barring any future book-burning crazes.  Unfortunately history is filled with many, and magical grimoires in particular have proven to be especially susceptible to the torches of zealots. 

In order to be historically accurate, the book is issued in paper wraps and has a somewhat rough-hewn binding.  The cover is printed with a talismanic design and is waterproofed using an age-old method that involves rubbing the cover with beeswax and then burnishing it with a smooth stone, all done by hand of course.  The paper is intentionally designed to have a rustic look and feel, much like the charms contained within.  It is given a yap binding (an overlapping cover, often seen in older Bibles) and has clipped corners.  According to the publisher, "Hahnemahle Medieval Laid 130 gsm paper" was chosen, as it closely resembles 17th century paper created with the mould-made production method.  The linen texture of the paper is amazing.  It feels very organic, and is flecked with natural fibers.  Pages have a natural deckle edge at the top.  The majority of copies (copies 1-154) have uncut pages, leaving it up to the reader to slice open each page with a pen-knife.  Further adhering to tradition, the publisher chose to print Magic Secrets using lead type, an admirable but expensive decision.  Though the publisher uses impressive printing methods and materials, the overall presentation of the book is very practical, including its size; it can easily be carried in a jacket pocket.  This book isn't intended to be a show piece -- it's designed for use.

I have a tremendous respect for Ben Furnee, the mastermind behind The Society of Esoteric Endeavour's publications.  His love for books and remarkable attention to historical detail, no matter how humble, comes through in each binding.  When one holds one of his hand-bound books one also experiences his passion, conveyed powerfully through the the magic of the bookbinder's art.  But be warned: his enthusiasm is contagious.

Gullveigarbok by Vexior 218

Fall of Man  2010  242 pages.  Illustrations by Helgorth and Vexior.  Octavo.

Standard Edition: Maroon cloth, limited to 500 copies.

Deluxe Edition: Full maroon leather, limited to 62 copies.

Gullveigarbok is a grimoire devoted to the understanding and adoration of Gullveig, the highest feminine principle of darkness within Norse mythology.  She is often described as a giantess and is considered the mother of werewolves and of the black arts.  Gullvieg has three feminine forms: mother, maiden, and crone.  This triumvirate of feminine principals, along with her association to witchcraft and darkness, is somewhat akin to the three-faced aspect of the goddess Hecate.  However, one should not consider them one and the same.

Much of the book is devoted to exploring the Norse sagas (The Elder and Younger Eddas), particularly their darker points.  It's clear that Vexoir 218 has extensive knowledge of The Eddas.  The author invites the reader to put themselves into the mindset of early Scandinavians to better understand how they may have looked at their physcial and spiritual world.  One of the central tenets of Gullveigarbok is that Gullveig represents an anti-cosmic force, or as the author calls it, "Chaos-Gnosticsim".  In this sense the book falls somewhat under the Luciferian (as personified by Loki) banner as it deals primarily with acausal energies.  According the Norse myth, Gullveig comes from Niflheimr, a world of mists, darkness, and black ice.  The black ice, called 'rime', represents a kind of frozen or static chaos.  In modern terms we might consider this anti-cosmic and symbolic substance something like dark matter.  Niflheimr is also the land where the Rime-thurses (creatures of darkness and cold, or shadowy ice giants) originate.

In addition to exploring the magical underworld of the Eddas, Gullveigarbok also provides incantations/songs and unique examples of bind-runes and staves for working runic divinations and practical magick .  The author also describes a type of meditative trance-work, called 'seta', which can be used as a method of astral travel to the underworld.  Vexior 218 chose to retain the original spelling of many Norse names and terms rather than Anglicize them.  This can make reading a bit more laborious for some, but considering the context of the book, I believe this was a wise decision.  Respect for tradition is a central theme throughout the text.  Fortunately the author has provided a pronunciation guide for readers in the Introductiion.  Also included are extensive footnotes further elaborating upon key elements of Norse myth and passages from the Eddas to back up claims.  There is also an Appendix and much-appreciated Index.  One final additon is a beautiful fold-out chart of the Norse Underworld.

The Deluxe edition is a true work of art.  It is hand-bound in rich, maroon, leather.  The mysterious 'LYKYL' bind-rune, which according to the author symbolizes 'Loki within Gullveig', is embossed into the cover.  This bind-rune is comprised of three 'Ansuz' runes, looking like three keys.  The 'Ansuz' rune means: transformation, breath, animating-spirit, and communication.  The three runes joined could also represent the three-fold aspect of Gullveig. The spine includes two raised bands and a raised runic title that is very striking.  The outer edge of the book's cover is decorated with fine tooling -- little hatch marks that lend delicate texture to the book's edge.  The scent of the leather is remarkable.  If I close my eyes I could almost swear I'm sitting in a Ferrari.  The book opens to black textured endpapers.  It is further decorated with a red satin bookmark and finished red head/tail bands.

Gullveigarbok is printed in very high-quality heavy paper.  It is smooth,  fairly rigid, and of a medium cream color.  Text is crisp and precise.  Chapter headings are printed with maroon ink.  Sixteen marvelous pen & ink drawings are contained within its pages (many full-page).  The plates 'Gullveig, Heidr, and Aurboda ascend from Nifelheimr', 'Heldrasill', and the chapter heading art for 'Gullveig in Aldna' are particularly well done and striking.  The rear of the Deluxe edition has a black envelope fixed to the inside cover.  Inside sits a black card with a LYKYL bind-rune hand-drawn in silver ink and signed by Vexior 218.  What I find most amazing is that Gullveigarbok is the first release by Fall of Man.  Never have I seen such a fine debut title from esoteric press.  They've certainly set the bar high right from the start.  Keep an eye out for their next release, Threshold: Black Magic and Shattered Geometry.