Munich Manual of Demonic Magic: Signs and Sigils (Pt. 1)

This is a handy companion guide to our podcast series on the Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, a 15th century grimoire of necromancy. Please use this guide to follow along with the spells in our episodes.

We have split these images into two posts: one for the circles and symbols for most of the spells, and one specifically for the signs associated with Spell 38: A Guide to the Magic of Stars and Planets, which is extensive in its own right. The spells listed are only those which have corresponding images and circles, and not every spell in the manuscript.

Important note about these spells: the symbols alone are NOT ENOUGH to correctly replicate these spells. Equally important are the instructions that go along with them, which are not pictured here, but are covered in our series. Note also that numbering may differ between translations; make sure that you're using the right circle for your spell. Incomplete knowledge of magic (both academic and practical) is dangerous.

If you're interested in learning more about the Munich Manual and other types of medieval magic, please check out our episodes, and the fabulous work of Richard Kiekhefer: Forbidden Rites: A Necromancer's Manual of the Fifteenth Century.

The images here are reproduced from a facsimile of the manuscript and are under the creative commons license. You can explore the entire manuscript here, courtesy of the digital collections at the Munich DigitiZation Center (Bavarian State Library).

Spell 1: For the Acquisition of Knowledge

Spell 2: To Invoke Madness

Spell 3: Arousing Love in a Woman (1)

Spell 6: Summoning a Feast

Spell 7: To Obtain a Castle

Spell 8: To Obtain a Ship

Spell 9: To Obtain a Horse

Spell 10: Animating the Dead

Spell 11: For Invisibility

Spell 12: Arousing Love in a Woman (2)

Spell 13: To Restrain Someone or Something

Spell 15: Summoning a Flying Throne

Spell 16: To Discern Something in a Dream

Spell 18: The Mirror of Floron

Spell 22: Detecting a Thief or Murderer Via a Bowl

Spell 23: The First Mirror of Lilith

Spell 26: The Key of Pluto

Spell 37: An Invocation of the Spirits

Spell 39: Discerning Theft Via Fingernail

Spell 40: Discerning Information Via Fingernail

Spell 41: Discerning Information Via Fingernail (III)

Spell 44: For Invisibility