PRE-ORDER: The Canterbury Pentacles by David Rankine
Description
The Canterbury Pentacles, A study and translation of the early thirteenth century Canterbury Amulet, the oldest known grimoire pentacle manuscript.
The Canterbury Pentacles provides the first English translation of a unique early manuscript, including all of the images contained within it, and accompanied by a Latin transcription of the text.
Dating from the period 1200-1250 CE, the Canterbury Amulet fits into the category of rolls which are themselves physical protective devices, worn or carried on the body, in contrast to books containing charms to be copied and activated. Its power lies in the accumulation of a wide range of charms, both image and text, which could be activated by word or sight, or a combination thereof.
The manuscript consists of twenty-one pentacles, twenty-three seals, two ornate crosses and thirty-two textual charms. The early date of the pentacles places them centuries before the pentacles found in popular grimoires like the Key of Solomon, and they are also stylistically different from later grimoire pentacles, with an emphasis on the power of the Trinity. The textual charms draw on early Christian themes including the Sleepers of Ephesus, Celestial Letters (Jesus to King Akbar, and Pope Leo to Charlemagne), Longinus charms and contractions of Biblical verses.
The translation from the Latin along with the transcription has been provided by Brian Johnson, and the pentacles and seals have been redrawn in excruciating detail by Rosa Laguna, who also assisted with the paperback cover design. Our thanks also go out to Fr Robert Nixon who was of great help with some of the translations and in understanding the symbolism of the pentacles and seals.
While academic in focus, The Canterbury Pentacles will also be of great use to the practitioner who wishes to utilise these medieval charms for their own protection.
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