Maggi’s The Book of St Cyprian
"The Book of St Cyprian: The Great Book of True Magic"
Humberto Maggi
After a handful of years of slow building, starting with Jake Stratton-Kent's groundbreaking "The Testament of Cyprian the Mage" in 2013 (as well as Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold's excellent chapbook "St. Cyprian & the Sorcerous Transmutation" later that same year) there seems to now be a full blown Cyprianic Renaissance taking place. After the recent publication of Jose Leitao's "Book of St Cyprian" it seems the sky is now the limit on incredible research into the complex history of the various Cyprianic traditions.
Which brings us to Humberto Maggi's incredible "The Book of St Cyprian: The Great Book of True Magic" published as a 700 page tome by Nephilim Press. Maggi goes beyond mere translation to provide a composite volume that represents the best of the Portuguese and Spanish publications under the historic title of the "Book of St Cyprian."
In the introduction Nicholaj De Mattos Frisvold makes the following observation:
"There is no left hand or right hand in the spells and conjurations carrying the ink trail of Cyprian. There is only knowledge raging up and down on the ladder of wisdom. To heal a child from spiritual sickness or take diabolic power by virtue of a black cat's bone was not subject for discrimination - but for knowledge and the wise discernment of wisdom."<.em>
That is to say that the magics of the Cyprian literature are beyond the binary of black and white magic clung to so long by late 19th century magicians. They are a thing born of necessity, to a powerless people seeking leverage against the mighty tide of brutal life.
The two main themes of the Cyprianic traditions of Iberia center around a hybridization of ceremonial magic of the grimoire tradition, and the folk magic of rural village people. These two sets of variables fit together in a roughshod way throughout most of the past three centuries or so of published Cyprian texts, yet Maggi makes them fall into place side by side in a comprehensive and thoroughly readable way.
Much guidance was, according to Maggi, received from the famed Cyprianic scholar and occult book collector Félix Castro Vicente. Vicente provided Maggi with access to rare copies of early Cyprianic literature, including manuscripts, and guidance as to the timeline of their publication and authorship. (For an excellent overview of the various books within the Cyprianic tradition there is an article by Félix Castro Vicente on Dan Harms' blog from 2010 that I highly recommend - https://danharms.wordpress.com/the-books-of-saint-cyprian )
Maggi creates, in "The Book of St Cyprian", a complete rendition of this historic text. Full of orisons and prayers, ceremonial rituals for conjuration, folk remedies and spells, instructions for amulets and treasure hunting. "The Book of St Cyprian" is an epic journey through the history of Iberian magic and the Cyprianic roots of Brasilian Quimbanda. It provides an encyclopaedic overview of the tools and practices of the Cyprianic path and is an incredible addition to the library of those seeing to understand this legendary figure who serves with both hands.
Nephilim have done a wonderful job with this volume, bound in a handsome faux leather with gold stamped text and a toad bone sigil to the front the binding features illustrated decorative endpapers. Its a thick book, over 3 inches solid, filled with images of amulets, sigils, and illustrative plates with pages from original documents. Overall a handsome addition to the bookshelf as well.
Get your copy at Nephilim Press
"The Book of St Cyprian: The Great Book of True Magic" - Humberto Maggi
