Pentacles of Les Vrais Clavicules

These images show pentacle drawings and guides for use in Les Vrais Clavicules. 34 pages of this grimoire are devoted to pentacle drawings and guides to their use. While the book describes magic that can be performed without the use of pentacles, these pentacles were described as an essential part of performing a more difficult and demanding, but perfect magic. These pages, with their rich illustration and detailed instruction, reveal the wide range of uses for which magic and the pentacles were used.

Many use the power of certain angels, like D'adnachiel, angel ruler of Venus and Sagittarius, and were designed to obtain the obedience of the spirits one summons. Image 1 shows two pages primarily devoted to love spells, typically performed on Fridays. There were many different spell and pentacle options a reader could choose from to achieve a similar outcome, with differing designs and supplemental ingredients, like perfumes and herbs. The detail of the instructions for use accompanying the pentacles varies, but overall, instructions were clearly explained step by step. Image 2 shows pentacles designed for obtaining honor and wealth, to escape from prison and chains, and to protect oneself from venemous animals and poison. Many of the pentacles in Image 3 are designed to protect one, particularly travelers, from natural dangers like earthquakes or ocean storms.

These capture just a small snapshot of the variety of uses at which spells were aimed in this grimoire, but they provide insight into what people cared about or felt they needed magic for at this time. For example, they show the fear and danger that accompanied travel during this period from the natural world, a world that many today may not feel posed such a threat.