Conjure Codex II

‘The Three Purifiers: Asperging Herbs in the Grimorium Verum’ in Jake Stratton-Kent, Dis Albion and Erzebet Carr (eds.), Conjure Codex II (Hadean Press, 2013).

This essay focuses on the three purifying herbs of the Grimorium Verum - marjoram, mint, and rosemary - used in asperging ritual tools, spaces, and the operator themselves. It traces the world history of these three herbs in medicine and magic.

‘Alexander Cummins, writing on the purifying herbs of the latter grimoire, demonstrates further inter-relatedness while his articulate commentary sets a benchmark for other authors.'
 - Hadean Press

Purchase Conjure Codex II here.

Alexander Cummins

“Necromancer (necromantes) he that practises that wicked Art, a Master of the Black Art, one that seeks to the dead; or consults with Satan in the shape of a dead man. The Hebrews describe him thus; he made himself hungry, and then lodged among the Graves, that the dead might come to him in a dream, and make known to him that which he asked, &c. Others there were that clad themselves with cloathes for that purpose, and spoke certain words, burned Incense, and slept by themselves, that such a dead person might come and talk with them in a dream.”
- Thomas Blount, Glossographia (London, 1661)