Lucus Tenebrarum: A Manual and Testament of Witchcraft

Robin Artisson’s lengthy studies of the Scandinavian Black Books, particularly the Black Books of Elverum, led to the 2019 publication of The Dalix Working, which was released recently by Serpent Hall Press in a revised and expanded chapbook edition.

Now, the interior fires of the Black Books of Elverum have come to life in a greater, more potent way. A spell from within the first book, called “Releasing the Angels from Hell” has been brought to the modern world with great strength, alongside its two companion spells. Four more spells from the Elverum Black Books join them to create the core of this work.

Beyond those seven historical treasures, fourteen more spells from Early Modern sources have been curated and gathered together, making Lucus Tenebrarum a fully realized grimoire of the historical Dark Arts, with an approach to spell-work that is organic, relatively fast, and deeply impactful.

This book is arranged in four parts:

I. Exposition: in which is discussed the nature of true good and evil and the parallel nature of Witches and Witchcraft, and how that relates to modern practitioners. A discussion is contained on the historical and occult truth behind the figure of Lucifer, who is the great spiritual being called upon in the Black Books of Elverum to gain the special empowerment that makes many feats of sorcery and Witchcraft possible.

II. Power Gaining and Seership: in which is given an accessible and historically-founded criteria for beginning or advanced practitioners of Witchcraft who wish to master the Art, guiding them through workings of needful protection, a working of summoning a teaching and familiar-granting spirit to endow them with otherworldly strength, and guiding them into the use of two historical oracles for the purpose of discovering who the “chief” or ruling spiritual powers are who operate in the areas, lands, or locales wherein they live. All needed materials and instructions are given for these feats, and these oracular workings can be used for any other act of “finding things out” that the reader may desire, as well.

III. Ritual: in which is given instructions for creating a powerful Witch-Ring or working area well suited for the spiritual forces described in the book, as well as guidance on Sabbat gatherings (if one is fortunate enough to work with like-minded others), and notes on gaining lucid dreams and feats of spirit-flight.

IV: Spellwork: in which is given a collection of twenty-one historical spells, including the all-important Releasing the Angels from Hell working, and its two companions: Using the Power of Releasing and Sending Down Evil Spirits. Each spell is explained clearly in every aspect of its usage. This, the heart of the book, gives every practitioner access to an excellent collection of practical and easy-to-perform spells for influencing the hearts and minds of other people, protecting oneself from all manners of harm, and inflicting harm just the same. A few other spells serve to accomplish other practical ends.

Lucus Tenebrarum also contains an Afterword in which certain matters are discussed relating to the chief cosmological powers interlaced throughout the spells and rituals of this book. It has an Appendix containing an essay describing the Black Book magical tradition (particularly the Elverum Black Books) which also analyzes the cultural and personal politics of theological versus folkloric “Devils”, and further explains how the author adapted the three chief Black Book spells mentioned above into Lucus Tenebrarum, giving the full historical versions of the spells from the source texts. Lastly, a Sources section is given showing the various historical sources from which all of the spells and ritual techniques in this book were derived.

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Readers have requested for years that Artisson write a basic treatise or manual of Witchcraft, something that would be accessible to more readers. But true and historical Witchcraft is of a nature that scorns such an attempt; Witchcraft does not give itself well to being accessible to “just anyone.” It requires much of people, and makes demands from a level beyond the ordinary or the rational.

Lucus Tenebrarum is written to be brief and concise, yet information-filled; it contains the virtual essence of the spirit of true Witchcraft from our common past. It is for beginners and adepts alike. It is, in effect, the world’s newest Black Book, and it contains historical sorcerous instructions that will be controversial and off-putting to some. There is no softening of the traditional amatory and coercive workings described within, nor the natures and realities of the daimonic beings who have been companions, teachers, and empowerers to Witches in every age of humankind. But mature and discerning readers will find it an invaluable practical companion of the Witching Art.

128 pages, trim 7.5 inches by 5 inches, heavy light green craft cover, 70 lb. cream interior paper, made from 100% recycled materials. Richly illustrated, with artwork by Molly McHenry.

The first handmade print-run edition of Lucus Tenebrarum has been finished.

You can purchase Lucus Tenebrarum from an affiliate printer here.

Any second handmade editions of Lucus Tenebrarum will be available from Serpent Hall Press, and announced at a future date.