The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage

The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage is a work of ceremonial magic and Western esotericism traditionally attributed to Abraham of Worms, a Jewish mystic believed to have lived during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Presented as an account written by Abraham for his son Lamech, the book describes a spiritual journey in search of divine wisdom and magical knowledge. During his travels, Abraham encounters Abra-Melin, an Egyptian mage who teaches him a system of sacred magic based on prayer, purification, discipline, and devotion to God.

The central teaching involves a demanding period of spiritual preparation intended to establish contact with one's Holy Guardian Angel. According to the text, this divine connection grants the practitioner the knowledge and authority necessary to perform magical operations. The work also introduces magical squares composed of letters, believed to possess powers for accomplishing various supernatural purposes.

Combining religious devotion, mystical philosophy, and detailed magical instructions, The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage became an influential text in modern Western ceremonial magic and occult traditions. Its teachings had a particularly significant impact on the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later occultists, including Aleister Crowley.

"LAMECH, if thou wishest to know the reason wherefore I give unto thee this Book, it is that if thou considerest thy condition, which is that of being a last-born Son, thou shalt know wherefore it appertaineth unto thee; and I should commit a great error should I deprive thee of that grace which God hath given unto me with so much profusion and liberality."

The text was translated into English by S. L. MacGregor Mathers and first published in 1898.