Picatrix. Ghayat al-hakim. The Goal of the Wise (Vol. I)

189 Pages·2002·6.36 MB·English

by  Hashem Atallah (Transl.)

PICATRIX
~GHAYATAL-HAKIM~

PICATRIX
..~GHAYAT AL-HAKIM~..
The Goal of the Wise
TRANSLATED FROM THE ARABIC
BY
HASHEM ATALLAH
EDITEDBY
WILLIAM KIESEL
VOLUMEI
OUROBOROS PRESS
2002.SEATTLE
Copyright©2000byOUROBOROSPRESS.
Allrightsreserved.
FIRSTENGLISHEDITION2002.
Library ofCongressCard Number: 97-92174
ISBN: 0-96629500-5(Library)
ISBN: 0-9662950-1-3(TradeCloth)
OUROBOROSPRESS
214 First AvenueSouth, Suite B13
Seattle, Washington98104
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: [phone]
Thiseditionislimited to one thousandnumbered
copies ofwhich thisis number:
FIRSTEDITION
Manufacturedin the UnitedStates ofAmerica

CONTENTS
VOLUMEONE
Acknowledgments ix
Translator's Preface xi
Introduction xv
PlCATRIX
O. Prologue 1
BookI
1.TheVirtue ofWisdom 7
2. The Essence ofMagic 11
3.TheEssenceand Reality ofAstrology 15
4. The UseofAstrologicalRatios in
MakingTalismans 19
S. Examples ofRequired Astrology Ratios
to MakeTalismansfor CertainFunctions 31
6. The ImportanceofMankindisComparable
to Thatofthe Universe 49
7. TheVague MeaningofBeingHas
BeenConcealedby Philosophers S9
BookII
1. HowThisKnowledge CanBe Obtained 65
2. TheConstellationFiguresand the Functionof
Their Symbolsin the MotionofPlanets 69
3.TheEffectoftheHighPlanetsandtheBad
OmenoftheSunand the Moon 75
4.TheMotionofTheStars(planets) 89
5. DistributionofThisScienceAmongNations 91
6.TheCharacteristicsandContributionsof
Planetsand HowTheyAdapttoTheir
Functions 99
7.ThePositionofPhrasesinTalismansand the
DirectionofInsertingTheminTalismans 109
8.TheOrderofNaturalMattersandTheir
Supplements 115
9. PictureExamplesof fixed Planet
Configurations 119
10.Planets'StonesandPictureDrawings 123
11.TheFrontViewofConstellationsandTheir
Functions 143
12.DragonPictures,TheirFunctionsand
InfluencesonHow to ReflectandAttract
CelestialPowersas Depicted inthe Indian
SchoolofThought(with) Examplesoftheir
MagicWorks 153
Bibliography 169
Patrons& Subscribers 173
+S{Acknowledgments~
Tremendous thanks is due to James Nobles for his generous
help in the early stages of this work. Had James not shown an
interest in the project, it may never had gotten off the ground.
Congratulations to Hashem Atallah for the fine work on the
translation. Without his interest and unfailing patience the
Picatrix in its present form would not be available. Thanks also
toJames Bannerfor puttingmein touchwith the translator.
Joel Radchffe, of Ars Obscura Bookbinding, provided the
original Arabic for this volume and has given excellent advice
during the long process of pubhcation. I appreciated especially
Jeffery Gould's encouragement and service as well as the local
history of this book. Jeffrey selflessly came to the rescue in the
eleventh hour, thereby avoiding further delay in the project.
Richard Brzustowicz kindly provided information on existing
editions ofPicatrix, many ofwhich are currently out ofprint.
Special thanks to the Warburg Institute for their Arabic,
Germariand Latineditions.
The combined efforts of these people have brought us the
first Enghsh translation of the Ghayat AI-Hakim. Any mistakes
hereinare the responsibility oftheeditor.
W.J.Kiesel
ix