A spell for impoverished book-lovers

[smokingboot]

For no reason other than that it has been a small intense gem of a day, I am inspired to write out a spell: This is from Charles Leland’s Gospel of the Witches, first published 1899, based on his studies of Italian witches and the cults of Diana and Aradia. It’s supposed to help in the finding and buying of anything, but it has been written particularly for those of literary slant.

Both invocation and spell instructions seem to be written as one. Leland warns it should be done with faith of heart, and it will turn ill if treated as a jest. I have never tried it so can’t offer comment, but I think it’s rather charming – more so in Italian, though I can’t imagine anyone appreciating me writing out the original.



Tis Tuesday now and at an early hour
I fain would turn good fortune to myself,
Firstly at home and then when I go forth,
And with the aid of beautiful Diana
I pray for luck ere I do leave this house!

First with three drops of oil I do remove
All evil influence, and I humbly pray,
O beautiful Diana, unto thee
That thou will take it all away from me,
And send it all to my worst enemy!

When the evil fortune
Is taken from me,
I’ll cast it out into the middle of the street:
And if thou wilt grant me this favour,
O beautiful Diana,
Every bell in my house shall merrily ring!

Then, well contented
I will go forth to roam,
Because I will be sure that with thy aid
I shall discover ere I return
Some fine and ancient books,
And at a moderate price.

And thou shalt find the man,
The one who owns the book,
And thou thyself will go
And put it in his mind,
Inspiring him to know
What tis that thou wouldst find
And move him into doing
All that thou dost require.
Or, if a manuscript
Written in ancient days,
Thou’lt gain it all the same,
It shall come in thy way,
And thus at little cost.
Thou shalt buy what thou wilt
By great Diana’s aid.