Bibliotheca Mundana
The Historical Library – A selection of historical tomes, and a theological risk analysis of them, that the covenant in OriginalMadman's long-running Rhineland Saga has managed to procure.
This is a translation of my troupe's actual library documentation.
© 2026 OriginalMadman. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Note that most of these tomes were listed in the theological risk analysis I shared a while back here (so refer to that for the risk analysis of these, I just never shared the book writeups I had): Handout: Theological Analysis in Preparation for the Inquisitorial Visit
Mundane Summae
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Canon of Medicinae by Avicenna (Abu Ali Sina, 980-1037). The author of reputedly hundreds of books on philosophy and a major figure in Islamic intellectual development. His only influential book in the West is the Canon of Medicine, which has become the authoritative text on Medicine following its translation into Latin by Gerard of Cremona. Medicine, level 6, quality 9.
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The Fountain of Life (Meqor Hayyim in Hebrew, Fons Vitae in Latin) by Avicebron (Solomon ibn Gabirol, c. 1021–c. 1058). An Andalusian Jewish poet and philosopher, who was an early teacher of Platonism, and whose Fountain of Life, when translated into Latin, had a large impact on the Scholastic philosophical movement. This work contains no internal evidence that its writer was a Jew. Philosophiae, level 4, quality 11.
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Elementa by Euclid (c 300 BC). A Greek mathematician who taught at Alexandria, Euclid’s work are the foundation for the study of geometry. 13 books that act as a summa on Artes Liberales, level 4, quality 8.
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Institutione grammaticae by Priscian (6th century AD). A Roman-born teacher at Constantinople, Priscian wrote a detailed, systematic approach to the Latin language. Comprised of 16 books that form a summa on Artes Liberales (grammar), level 5, quality 9.
Footnote: Raising a level with the help of this book forces the specialization "grammar" (it replaces any other specialization… until level 6). -
"Decretum Gratiani", also known as Concordia discordantium canonum or Concordantia discordantium canonum, or simply as the Decretum, is a collection of Catholic canon law compiled and written in the 12th century as a legal textbook by the jurist known as Gratian. It forms the first part of a collection of six legal texts, which together came to be known as the Corpus Juris Canonici. [Historical note: It was used as the main legal source by canonists within the Catholic Church until the decretals, issued by Pope Gregory IX in 1234, came into force. After that it was the cornerstone of the Corpus Juris Canonici, which remained in force until 1917.] Civil & Canon Law summa, Level 5, Quality 11
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"The Sentences, or Books of Sentences" (Latin: Libri quatuor sententiarum, "Four Books of Sentences", commonly called Sententiæ) is the principal work of the medieval philosopher Peter Lombard. It is a comprehensive theological compilation, written around 1150.
Theology summa, Level 5, Quality 10, and Dominion Lore summa, Level 4, Quality 9 (choose one or split) -
"On the Pleasing Art of Conversation" by Humbert de Cavirac.
Etiquette summa, Level 4, Quality 16
Mundane Tractatii
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Categories & On Interpretation (the Logica Vetus, Categoriae and De Interpretatione) by Aristotle (384-322 BC) and commented by Averroes (Ibn Rushd, 1126-1198). The Categories places every object of human apprehension under one of ten categories (Latin: praedicamenta). Aristotle intended them to enumerate everything that can be expressed without composition or structure, thus anything that can be either the subject or the predicate of a proposition.
De Interpretatione covers the relationship between language and logic in a comprehensive, explicit, and formal way. If it is true that there will be a sea-battle tomorrow, then it is true today that there will be a sea-battle. Thus a sea-battle is apparently unavoidable, and thus necessary. Philosophiae, quality 11. -
Know Thyself (Scito te Ipsum). An ethical tractatus on sin by Pierre Abélard (Petrus Abaelardus, 1079-1142), a french scholastic philosopher, leading logician, theologian, poet, composer and musician. Educated at Paris and Chartres before becoming one of the most controversial masters of the twelfth century, Abelard set the standard for the scholastic method. He was branded a heretic by Bernard of Clairvaux and condemned by pope Innocentius II, forced to renounce his theories and burn some of his work. In Catholic theology, he is best known for his development of the concept of limbo, and his introduction of the moral influence theory of atonement. Philosophiae, quality 13.
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The Reckoning of Time (De Temporum Ratione) by Bede. An Anglo-Saxon era treatise written in Medieval Latin by the Northumbrian monk Bede in 725. The treatise includes an introduction to the traditional ancient and current view of the cosmos, including an explanation of how the spherical Earth influences the changing length of daylight, of how the seasonal motion of the Sun and Moon influences the changing appearance of the new moon at evening twilight, and a quantitative relation between the changes of the tides at a given place and the daily motion of the Moon. Artes Liberales, quality 10.
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De Temperamentis, a work by Galen on the subject of the different temperaments and their uses. The book was written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. This work is a treatise on Medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11.
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"The Consolation of Philosophy" is a translation of an older Latin text written by Boethius. The translation is said to have been made by Alfred the Great himself. The book is a tractatus on Philosophiae with a Quality of 9.
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"De Alimentorum Facultatibus", or "On the Properties of Foods", is a work by Galen on the effects of a proper diet on health and well-being, written in the 3rd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on this subject. Tractatus Medicinae, Quality 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Anatomicis Administrationibus", or "On Anatomical Procedures", is a work by Galen on anatomical procedures. It was written as a reaction to a work by Erasistratus and composed in the 3rd century. Together with other works by Galen and the surviving works of Hippocrates, it forms the authority on the subject of Medicine. The book is a tractatus on Medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Dignotione ex Insomniis", or "On Diagnosis from Dreams", is a work by Galen dealing with techniques of diagnosis through analysis of the patient's dreams, written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. The book is a tractatus on Medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus, possible bonus for dreams)
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"De Medendi Methodo", or "On Methods of Treatment", is a work by Galen on therapeutic methods, written in the 3rd century. Together with other works by Galen and the surviving works of Hippocrates, it forms an Authority on the subject of Medicine. The book is a tractatus on Medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Motu Thoracis et Pulmonis", or "On the Movement of the Chest and Lungs", is a text by Galen on the subject of respiration and breathing, written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. The book is a treatise on Medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus or Auram bonus)
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"De Ossibus" is a work by Galen on the subject of human bones, written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. The book is a treatise on medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Remediis Paratu Facilibus" is a work by Galen dealing with various easily prepared remedies that are effective in treating ailments. The book was written in the 2nd century AD, and Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. This work is a treatise on medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus or Herbam bonus)
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"De Temperamentis" is a work by Galen on the subject of the different temperaments and their uses. The book was written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. This work is a treatise on medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Usu Pulsuum" is a work by Galen on the subject of the human pulse and its use. The book was written in the 2nd century AD. Galen's collected works, together with the surviving works of Hippocrates, form the authority on the subject of medicine. This work is a treatise on medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"De Venæsectione, Adversus Erasistratum" is a work by Galen on the subject of bloodletting, written as a response to a work by Erasistratus and composed in the 2nd century. Together with other works by Galen and the surviving works of Hippocrates, it forms the authority on the subject of medicine. The book is a treatise on medicine, written in Latin, with a Quality of 11. (Possible Corpus bonus)
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"The City of God" (Latin: De civitate Dei) is a work from the early 5th century by the Christian church father Augustine. It deals with Augustine's view of Christianity in relation to competing religions and its place in the Roman Empire. The work was written after the Visigoths' sack of Rome in 410, which had led many Romans to question Christianity's position as the state religion. One of the most influential elements of The City of God is its argument that Christianity should focus on spiritual matters. Augustine portrays world history as a conflict between the worldly and the divine, and argues that the divine will ultimately prevail. This dualistic outlook has its background in Augustine's earlier adherence to Manichaeism, though in The City of God he condemns Manichaeism as heretical. The work consists of 22 books that can be divided into two overarching parts, which in turn can be divided into two and three parts respectively. Church Lore, Quality 12, and Theology, Quality 10 (choose one focus or split).
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"Commentary on Isaiah and Jeremiah" is a theological tractatus written by Father Tino of Gradara, a Catholic priest whose works have won popularity within the Order. The work is an exposition of the books of the two prophets in the Old Testament and reflects the allegorical and typological methods of interpretation of the time, in which the prophecies are read as foreshadowings of the life of Christ and the fate of the Christian Church. The work is well suited as an introduction to theological thinking rather than as in-depth research. Note that Tino's collected works include one further text, Expositio Sybillae et Merlini, a more dubious work that mixes Christian prophetic interpretation with predictions connected to Merlin. Theology tractatus, Quality 10.
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"The Alexiad" is a medieval historical and biographical text written by the Byzantine princess Anna Komnene, daughter of Alexios I Komnenos. When Anna Komnene entered a convent in 1137, she began to devote herself to scholarly and literary work, which resulted in the Alexiad. The work is strongly panegyrical. Inspired by the ancient epics, she depicts her father Emperor Alexios's relationship with the crusaders, and the intrigues and coups that marked his time in power. Leadership tractatus, Quality 10.
A Few Special Books
Note: These are mainly tomes the players haven't investigated yet, so quality and potential effects aren't known.
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Testamentum Verum Regis Salomonis. "King Solomon's True Testament". An extensive tractatus that is apparently written in four languages: Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Chaldean. It seems to contain some form of pre-Christian magical prayers, strange geometric figures made up of Roman numerals, odd animal heads, distorted images of men, depictions of the Tree of Life, and several patterns of interlinked circles and knots. The various sections, which you can read in Latin and perhaps Hebrew, seem to praise God, Solomon, the various faculties of an educated mind, the liberal arts (Artes Liberales) and the mechanical arts (Artes Mechanicae). According to legend it is also supposed to contain the exalted art, the Ars Notoria, but only for someone who can read it clearly in all the languages. We have no one at the university who is capable of that. It seems to be an odd breviary of very high quality, and obviously unorthodox but not visibly heretical in our view.
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De Operationes Daemonum Dialogus. One of several works by the Byzantine philosopher and theologian Michael Psellos (died 1079). The work was written around 1050 and was given the honorific title "The Little Golden Book" by the scholar Barthius. The work is interesting as a literary curiosity, since it is extremely rare, and also for its subject, about which humankind has generally shown great curiosity. It is further interesting because it describes in detail the extraordinary secret practices of the Euchites, otherwise called the Massalians (which must be admitted to be a scarcity in academic literature), concerning "the six powers", and it has established an interesting and descriptive classification of these. It seems to establish the true meaning of the expression "doctrines of demons". Oddly, the work has apparently been copied by many different hands. An exciting curiosity, as said. Personally, I found the use of the various elements in the classification somewhat far-fetched. The exception is the fourth kind, the water-borne demons that dwell in lakes and rivers, full of wrath, unrest and deceit.
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Liber Apologeticus. An exceptionally well-written tractatus on Christian theology, asceticism and how it relates to magical theory, by the Manichaean preacher, ascetic and later bishop Priscillian of Ávila, who was executed in 385 on the orders of Emperor Maximus. Some of the pages seem to have been cut out of the book, but it seems mostly intact, and it is not obvious what is missing, if anything important.
Personally, I am almost the most curious about this volume, and it seems exceptionally insightful and beautiful. See for example the following passage in pleasant prose:
"The 'spiritual' understand and judge all things, since they are 'children of wisdom and light'. The difference between flesh and spirit, darkness and light, Moses and Christ, and 'the prince of this world' and Christ is emphasized. In asceticism three degrees are distinguished, but hope of forgiveness is not denied to those who cannot attain complete perfection. The perfect in body, soul and spirit are celibate or, if married, continent." -
De Initio Creaturae. The British theologian Ælfric of Eynsham (died 1010; "Alfricus" in your text) was an English abbot and a pupil of Æthelwold of Winchester, and an accomplished, prolific author of hagiography, homilies, biblical commentaries and other genres. He is also known under various names such as Ælfric the Grammarian (Alfricus Grammaticus), Ælfric of Cerne and Ælfric the Homilist. According to colleagues at the university he was "a man comparable, both in the quantity of his writings and in the quality of his mind, even to Bede himself", and represented "the highest peak of the Benedictine Reform and Anglo-Saxon literature". In the preface to Genesis, Alfricus comments on what we do not find in the first book of the Old Testament: "The book is called Genesis, that is 'the Book of Creation', for it is the first of the books and speaks of every creation (but it does not speak of the creation of the angels)." Although he goes on to explain what is in the first verse, he notes that creation "in the beginning" refers both to the literal act of creation and, "according to spiritual understanding", to Christ through whom all things were created, but he makes no further comment here about the angels.
In other works, where the subject could be introduced more fittingly, Alfricus engages eagerly with the problem of the history of the angels. His sermon Interrogationes Sigewulfi, the Exameron, the Letter to Sigeweard and the Letter to Wulfgeat all contain accounts of the creation and fall of the angels. Since Alfricus was an author actively engaged in orthodoxy and sound doctrine, we do well to ask carefully why he has such an interest in the angels, about whom an authority such as Bede would say almost nothing, and to examine exactly how and from which sources he presents their extra-biblical history.
In this work, De Initio Creaturae, from the eleventh century, he puts forward that Lucifer's rebellion left a gap in the heavenly host, since he took his entire choir of angels with him, leaving only nine choirs instead of the perfect ten. This gap threatens the harmony of creation, so God created man as a replacement, so that the saints, issuing from humankind, might take the place of the fallen in heaven. -
Ghayat al-Hakim – The Goal of the Wise
Unknown book written in Arabic (turned out to be the Ghayat al-Hakim, historically not available in Europe at the time, in campaign the magi solicited university help in 1226; see #85 and campaign Handout: De Vises Mål).The work is divided into four parts or books [see handout]. Cursory investigation can judge that it is a summa for Philosophiae (Astrology), Artes Liberales (Astrology), Magic Theory (Astrology) and Lore (Mystery Cult: Ancient Astrologers), and that it potentially also contains mysteries that can be initiated:
Minor virtues (TMRE):
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Planetary Magic
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Astrological Magical Focus (Astrological House)
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Periapt Horoscope
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Spell Mastery Ability: Ceremonial Casting
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Names of Power (Planets)
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Major virtues:
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Astrological Magical Focus (Sign or Planet)
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Celestial Magic [seems to potentially give access to new Durations, including the Hyperborean 19-year cycle: "Every nineteenth year, at the time when the stars complete their courses (the time of the spring equinox, at the rising of the Pleiades), Apollo Phoebus leaves his temple and goes among the people of the Hyperboreans. During this time he sings, dances and plays the harp, bestowing his blessings upon the faithful."]
Spells and effects: Sense the Hour (InVi 10), Hearing the Silent Chorus (InIm 15), Sight of the Astrological Hour (InVi 20), A Comparison of the Positions of the Fixed Stars (InVi 25), Divine Heaven's Aspect (InVi 30), Craft the Mechanism: Armillary Sphere (Cr(In)Te 35, Ritual), Craft the Noble Mechanism: Armillary Sphere (Cr(In)Te 45, Ritual), Duplicate the Mechanism (Cr(In)Te 35, Ritual), Duplicate the Noble Mechanism (Cr(In)Te 45, Ritual), Know the Heavens (InVi 29, effect), Track the Heavens (ReTe 28, effect), Name of Power (Planet) (MuVi Gen, Special)
[Note that a truly skilled craftsman with the right knowledge could potentially make an Armillary Sphere without using the magical rituals described for the purpose.]
Now that they has read the book, the magi know the levels:
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Lore (Mystery Cult: Ancient Astrologers), Level 4, Quality 5
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Philosophiae (Astrology), Level 5, Quality 5
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Artes Liberales (Astrology), Level 6, Quality 5
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Magic Theory (Astrology), Level 7, Quality 5
Handout: Ghayat al-Hakim – The Goal of the Wise
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, whose guidance broke the darkness of ignorance. By His divine decree miraculous events are brought about, and to Him all shall return. By His decree day and night were made different. He creates things out of nothing. He creates all beings and assigns them their allotments. He is the perfect original designer of every creature. He neither treats things unjustly nor abandons them. Attributes are not sufficient to describe Him, and injustice is incompatible with Him. Words cannot adequately describe Him, and events cannot befall Him. May Allah grant salvation to the Lord of the Messenger and the Seal of all Prophets, to whom the Qur'an was revealed in the unambiguous Arabic language. May Allah also grant salvation to His last Prophet, who has been recorded in the ancient psalms, and to his pure and righteous family. May peace be upon him until the Day of Judgment.
To those who are inspired to immerse themselves in the science of the philosophers, to search for their secrets and seek out their miracles, I would say that my motive for writing this book, which I titled The Aim of the Wise, is what I came across when writing the earlier book titled The Rank of the Wise. I began writing this book in the year 343 when I finished editing The Rank of the Wise, and I completed it in the year 348. I was encouraged to write this book by the widespread interest of our generation in the book in which I spoke of talismans and the art of various kinds of magic, even though they were not aware of what they were looking for or which approach to follow. They tried desperately to find what had been made inaccessible to them by the ancient philosophers, who prevented them from discovering it and deliberately hid it, made it vague and veiled it with unreadable symbols because of the destruction it would bring to the world.
But Allah, who protects His World, forbids this from happening! To this end temples were built and images sculpted on them as signs for those seeking knowledge and clues for scholars. They left many books filled with symbols, secrets and unreadable writings that can only be understood by philosophers like themselves.
Therefore I tried to make it known and to explain to the people the obscured path that leads to this divine conclusion, and to point out what the philosophers have hidden concerning the magical, which I strove to do in developing this result. I have divided this work into four books, as I did in The Rank, and each book is divided into several chapters:
The first book consists of seven chapters because the first planets are seven. The first chapter is about the Virtue of Wisdom. In the first book I discuss the astrological relations and the pattern of these relations in making talismans, and how planets cast their light on other orbiting planets. In addition, in the first book I present the vague meanings that have been withheld and hidden by the philosophers.
The second book is about the astrological images and their functions, and it explains the secrets the philosophers have hidden about these functions. This book is also about the patterns of borrowing magic in the world of generation and corruption, invoked by the elite philosophers. In addition, it explains why Plato urges the finding of these images.
The third book is about the fates of the planets from the three generative origins, and it explains that nothing remains in the world of generation and corruption that corresponds to such functions. Reactions are impossible because of their transience and susceptibility to interaction, and consequently nothing remains. I also mention their temperaments in dealing with one another to achieve the required magical function through the effect of the original or natural heat, or both, either by spreading incense or through prepared food or drink that can be taken into the stomach.
The fourth book speaks of the magic of the Kurds, the Nabataeans and the Abyssinians, and examples of the magical tricks considered the best kind of magic. I complete this purpose without withholding or hiding anything. I call upon Allah's help to assist me in completing this undertaking. He is my supporter, and with trust in Him I hereby begin, insha'Allah.
Table of Contents:
BOOK I
The spheres of the heavens and the effects they cause through images made under them.
Chapter 1. The virtue of wisdom and how to understand one's place in the universe
Chapter 2. What the essence of magic is and in what its properties consist
Chapter 3. The essence and substance of the celestial spheres
Chapter 4. The general theory and properties of the heavens, and their compositional ratios for depicting the mansions of the lunar sphere in talismans
Chapter 5. Practical examples of specific astrological ratio functions, and what is needed to make magical images and talismans
Chapter 6. The significance of man and the degree to which the lesser world consists, and how it relates to the universe of the greater world
Chapter 7. The vague meaning of being and how everything in the celestial spheres and the universe is related. The revelation of deep knowledge hidden by the wise philosophers
BOOK II
The figures of the heavens in general, and the general motion of the spheres and their effects in this world
Chapter 1. How it is possible to learn this science
Chapter 2. The figures of the celestial spheres and their symbolic secrets in motion
Chapter 3. The effects of the high planets and the bad omens in the works of the sun and moon
Chapter 4. The general motion of the celestial spheres and the fixed-star spheres
Chapter 5. The distribution of this science among peoples, and how different peoples possess different parts
Chapter 6. The power of images, and in what ways it can be obtained. How images can receive the power of the planets, and this is the root of the science and of images
Chapter 7. How to work dialectically with these secrets in images and talismans, and what part this should have in the science
Chapter 8. The natural order, and how to initiate this science
Chapter 9. Figures of planetary configurations, and the forms of talismans that call on the assistance of the planets
Chapter 10. The stones of the planets and their adaptation per planet in image-making
Chapter 11. The face figures of the planetary signs and their functions and effects
Chapter 12. The signs of the dragons, on the figures and degrees of the signs and their effects according to the opinion of the Hindus, and how this follows from the considerations of this science, and in what way the mighty spirits of the upper world are attracted by the virtues of bodies, according to the wise who possess marvelous secrets. Examples of magical works.
BOOK III
The properties of the planets and signs, and their figures and forms made in their colors, and how to speak with the spirits of the planets, and many other magical works
Chapter 1. The constituents of the planets that pass into plants, animals, minerals and many other things, which is an explanation of the virtues of the planets and of doing what one wishes with their seals
Chapter 2. On the parts of the signs in the three existences (plants, animals and minerals), so that each sign has its properties in things, first Aries and then the other signs
Chapter 3. On the figures, colors, clothes and incense of the planets, and on making the correct pigments for their seals
Chapter 4. How secrets hidden in this science can be understood from familiar things, but only a little at a time
Chapter 5. The demonstration of the proper virtues in animals and noble things necessary in this science, and how the spirits of the planets are attracted by figures and incense
Chapter 6. The magisterium for attracting the spirits of the planets through natural things, and how such an image can possess this power
Chapter 7. Attracting the powers of the planets, and how it is possible to speak with them, and how this is done for each planet, including the figures, sacrifices, prayers, incense, proportions and the state of the celestial spheres necessary for each planet
Chapter 8. What kind of prayer the Nabataeans prayed to the Sun and Saturn, and how they conversed with them and their spirits, and the effects achieved
Chapter 9. How to attract the powers of each planet and the powers of their spirits, and name them according to their parts, and how to achieve this by correctly pronouncing their true names
Chapter 10. Examples of confections of the planets' spirits, and on averting harmful effects, and magic of miraculous effect, and the food, incense, ointments and perfumes to be used in working with the spirits of the seven planets, and the proper effects of the planets, and on works performed only through appearance
Chapter 11. On the effects of images in various things, and on changing appearances so that things seem other than they are, and also on how to poison through sleep, gaze or work, and their remedies
Chapter 12. The rules that are strictly necessary in this science
BOOK IV
The properties of the spirits, and the things necessary to observe in this most excellent art, and how they can be called with images, suffumigations and other things
Chapter 1. Whence the power and strength of the spirits come, and what the properties, bodies, senses, intellects and souls of the spirits are, and what differences there are between them
Chapter 2. How the power of the lunar spirit is drawn into things in the nether world, and through which the seven planets should be invoked
Chapter 3. In which it is told what the Chaldeans knew of the depths and secrets of this science, and what was taught by them
Chapter 4. On the images and reasonings that greatly advance this science
Chapter 5. The ten sciences necessary for this art, and how they help this science, and what the scientific root of magic is
Chapter 6. How the incense of the stars should be prepared, and what compositional mixtures are needed in this science
Chapter 7. On the parts of the art of magic found in the book on the Nabataeans' use of the earth, which Abudaer Abemiaxie translated into Arabic from the Chaldean language
Chapter 8. The virtues of other things that Nature does through its own properties
Chapter 9. Images with miraculous virtues, discovered in a book found in the temple of Coredib and in Queen Folopeda's book, and also on certain specific corrections of rules necessary when working with magical images
"O Master of sublime name and great power, supreme Master; O Master Saturn: You, the Cold, the Sterile, the Sorrowful, the Harmful; You, whose life is sincere and whose words are sure; You, the Wise and Solitary, the Impenetrable; You, whose promises are kept; You who are weak and weary; You who have greater cares than anyone else, who know neither pleasure nor joy; You, the old and cunning, master of all craftsmanship, deceitful, wise and judicious; You who bring prosperity or ruin, and make men happy or unhappy! I conjure you, O Highest Father, by Your great benevolence and Your generous bounty, to do for me what I ask."
Notes:
- The years 343 and 348 are Hijri dates (about 954–959 AD).
- The later Latin name for the work is Picatrix. You may want to use it (I skipped), or keep "Ghayat al-Hakim" and "The Goal of the Wise" side by side. The Latin tradition also gives "The Aim of the Wise" and "The Rank of the Wise" (Rutbat al-Hakim).
- Picatrix - Wikipedia