The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: Texts

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation is one of the most fascinating texts I’ve ever read. It doesn’t present magic as abstract theory or symbolism—it’s practical, direct, and often shockingly specific. The rituals, invocations, and formulas feel immediate, like instructions meant to be used, not just studied. What stands out most is the rawness of it. There’s no attempt to soften or modernize the material. You get the full complexity of the ancient worldview—Greek, Egyptian, and other influences blending together in ways that feel fluid and alive. The names of deities, the voces magicae, the ritual actions—it all carries a weight that’s hard to describe until you experience it. Some parts are strange, some are intense, and some are genuinely unsettling, but that’s exactly what makes it valuable. It doesn’t fit neatly into modern categories of religion or spirituality. It shows you something older, more experimental, and far less concerned with consistency or comfort. The translation itself is solid and readable, which is crucial given how dense and varied the material is. The structure allows you to move between spells and sections without getting completely lost, even when the content becomes complex. This is not a casual read. It’s something you return to, study, and sit with over time. But if you’re interested in ancient magic, ritual practice, or the deeper layers of religious history, this is absolutely essential. Overall, an incredible and deeply impactful text—challenging, strange, and unforgettable.

This collection of magical procedures from Graeco-Roman Egypt is powerful and fascinating. This is serious magic, and potentially dangerous; caution is advised to those who would work many of these operations. Shortly after my wife acquired the magical papyri, I studied the spells and formulae for a research project I was involved in. Strange things began to happen. A wine bottle containing sacred water to be used in an upcoming ceremony suddenly and spontaneously shattered. Now, my theory was that the setting sun had been shining on the enclosed bottle and caused it to explode, but I still felt an occult force at work, and immediately a name jumped into my mind: Typhon/Set. Then I noticed an invocation adressed to Set as the Typhonic being who "shatters all things", to be recited at sunrise and sunset. I found a hymn to Selene - beautiful, evocative, terrifying - that expressed perfectly the essence of the Gorgon which, that very night, was guarding my doorway under the majestic and severe light of the full moon. Magical symbols began appearing to my mind's eye, and I drew one to show my wife, who was reading the papyri at the time; when I gave her drawing, she showed me the page she was reading, and there was the very same symbol. Once again, a very powerful book, an excellent source for those researching the pagan occult arts, and not to be approached by the frivolous.

This book is truly one of the most important books in all of Greco-Egyptian magic, relgion, alchemy, and theurgy books out there and not out there, I'm sure. Though some translations are debated, the book is immensely powerful insomuch that it illusrates, from an etic point of view, how some rituals and common rites (like the basic gathering of magical herbs and plants) were performed during the time of writing. You absolutely want this book.

Great gift for those into Greek mythology.

I am a Black Man. I can read pretty well. However the magic words threw me for a loop. I recited them as best as I could. The magic of the spells I selected came in my sleep, clear as day. I got one better for you! I am so good, that all I have to do is selected a spell situation in the index, without reciting a word, and it works!! I am, and have always been a good person. The magic I summon will destroy all my enemies, because they will destroy them selves. As they so, so they will reap. I picked a second spell in the index and the following happened. I was taken to one of the 2012 Mayan Pyramids in a vision, fought with 13 flying green flying serpents in a caged pyramid encloser, it was supposed to be to the death, me or them! I managed to corner them one by one. As I placed them on the top of a large mantle on top of the caged structure, They asked me not to hurt them. They were trembling like frighten children. I rubbed each one and let them go. The Dome cage opened I was taken in a clestial vehicle and brougt back to my home a placed in my bed. My third eye has opened. The pineal gland has activated.

I originally purchased a different book for Planetary Invocations back in 2013, but I lost it traveling out of state. Since it's loss, I began printing the Greek Magical Planetary Rites from the internet websites that posted them free to the public, but I finally decided this year to purchase this book on Amazon instead of replacing my original Planetary Invocation book. The Greek Magical Papyri arrived a little later than I expected, but it was worth the wait. I haven't looked at every spell, but I recognized some of the material from 'The Mithras Liturgy' in respect with Mithras, whose various complex and unique names of divine light and divine fire were replaced in this Papyri to a lesser differentiated and aggregate collective name of 'Apollo' or 'Sol', and possibly to the angelic name of 'Michael'. I am, however, elated at owning it at last... I recommend its study along with 'The Papyrus of Ani' and the ' The Mithras Liturgy'. The three should be purchased together. I recommend purchasing The Mithras Liturgy edition that is paraphrased in Greek so that these divine names can be studied in its respective language.

This is a great interpretation of this ancient grimoire. This book is NOT something you simply sit down and read cover-to-cover, though. Treat this book more like an encyclopedia. It has a great number of rituals and spells for all kinds of workings, dedicated to many of the ancient gods of antiquity.

the book is very good, it is a combination of natural plant and natural aminal parts which is the best practices of black magic, I hope to get another ancient book like this one, however, I will relocate to Africa, Nigeria to specific where I would find those plants and animal to put it practices step by step to achieve my set objectives

the book was in good condition and quality, recommended

I really just got this. So excited to read it.

Good one

この本に、いっぱい、儀式書いて有った、安くて良い物です！是非買って下さい！

This is one wild journey. The ancient world can teach us so much. A fascinating look into the past and beautifully preserved. Absolutely incredible read.