The Red Angels of Mars
Medieval magic often attempted to harness the power of the stars.
This page from a 15th-century manuscript, an English translation of the Sworn Book of Honorius, a Latin book of magic written in the early 14th century.
The text explains how to summon heavenly intermediaries to do your bidding, with the page above discussing the service of the angels of the seven spheres.
Accompanying this passage are illustrations of the red angels of Mars, Samahel, Satyhel, Ylurahyhel and Amabyhel, whose 'nature is to cause and stir up war, murder, destruction and mortality of people and of all earthly things'.
Alongside them are the friendlier golden angels of the Sun, Raphael, Cashael, Daryhel and Haurathaphel, whose nature is to 'give love and favour and riches to a man and power also to keep him hail and to give dews, herbs, flowers and fruits in a moment'.
The text emphasises that this magic is entirely Christian and virtuous, asserting that the spirits would never answer the requests of the wicked.
