In the furthest murky corner of the grimoiric corpus – that sum total of all the arcane tomes, spellbooks, and manuals of spirit conjuration which we call grimoires –  we might imagine a shelf of especially denigrated works housing those texts considered, well, dodgy even by the darkest of black magicians…

It is on this imaginary shelf we can envisage we would find The Black Pullet, an especially folkloric text bearing very little  resemblance on first inspection to more formal systems of grimoiric  sorcery. Cataloguing and disclosing the uses of a variety of talismanic signs and magic rings, the Black Pullet frames itself as a first-person account from a French soldier fleeing a Napoleonic conflict in Egypt who is taken in by an old Turkish man living in grand secret chambers beneath the pyramids to be taught the ancient secrets of “Ptolemy’s library”.

Yet despite the fanciful nature of this framing, and the apparent lack of many of the usual features of a grimoire, might we still usefully explore and even implement the ‘science of magical talismans and rings’ which thePullet purports to instruct? In this class, contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic Dr Alexander Cummins will attempt to answer this question in the affirmative.

For in its emphasis on an unfolding narrative of events, consequences, and lessons learned by the Pullet’s protagonist we find rich comparisons with one of the oldest texts considered truly grimoiric – the Testament of Solomon ­­– which likewise strings its operations, secrets, and spirit catalogue along a thread of mythic storytelling. And in the Black Pullet’s appeal to ancient yet protected wisdoms thought otherwise lost to time we have a foregrounded sense of a common grimoiric literary device; of transmitting the potent arcana of the past, unearthed and made operable today. Finally, we will offer some comparison to other traditions of magical ring construction, consecration, and use to see just how “unworkable” this grimoire truly is.

So join us for this exploration and discussion of what makes a working grimoire, how we might approach one typically considered to be more fanciful than efficacious, and in what fruitful ways we can engage with the teachings of the Old Man and the Black Pullet.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Alexander Cummins (@grimoiresontape) is a  professional diviner, consultant sorcerer, &  historian of magic.  His work focuses on grimoires, divination, & folk necromancy. He co-hosts Radio Free Golgotha, & can be booked for talks, workshops, readings, coaching & consultation at www.alexandercummins.com/. His recorded classes can also be obtained from The Cauldron Black archives.

THIS CLASS IS ONLINE ONLY! The class link will be emailed to you in your registration confirmation. The class recording link will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days of the conclusion of the class and will be available to you for 30 days after the conclusion of the class.

By purchasing this ritual you agree to the following Non Disclosure:

This Agreement is between The Cauldron Black (“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class.  (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT.  The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the  mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:  I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose  INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class.  B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from  copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or  use  of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.