Three Forbidden Books: Which One Would You Dare to Open?

 Good evening my friends, come in, have a seat and some refreshment. Lady Cora Cat and Mouse are on a mission, somewhere in the Scriptorium there is of great importance, a purple fish covered in catnip. 

This evening we have a very interesting and sometimes uncomfortable topic:

Forbidden Books.

What do forbidden books mean to you? Do you think of banned books? Or do you think of books that are morally corrupting? Too disturbing to be placed in respectable libraries.

Well, sit back and let’s discuss this over a glass of something cold.

The Library Door Is Open

I am always fascinated by grand old houses and their libraries. Particularly very old houses, sitting on estates that were isolated near the sea, or hidden away beside a forest. I always wonder what books those libraries have.

In my own library, I have many books that would raise a well shaped eyebrow or two. As a dark academia gothic writer, I love writing topics that send shivers down the spine, so when I am plotting a new story or series, I like to do deep research into the subject and read as many books as possible by authorities on the subject. 

However, there are some books that I have had more than a passing interest in, and a few of which I own copies. 

So, when friends catch a glimpse of these books they shiver and ask, am I not afraid of having them on my bookshelf.

Let’s take a look at three of them.

The Lesser Key of Solomon: A Key to the Unseen

The Lesser key of Solomon, or its proper title, Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis. This is a truly fascinating book, The book itself isn’t written by King Solomon, the author is anonymous and it dates from the mid-17th century. 

It’s intriguing in the subject matter as it is about sorcery, mysticism and magic. The book is made up of five books. Probably the most famous part of the Lemegeton is the Ars Goetia with its 72 demons, which it outlines details of rank and supposed attributes. 

Anyone with an interest in the occult, will certainly find it very interesting. The Lesser key Of Solomon though never formally ‘banned’, books on the occult, and demonology have certainly faced destruction and suppression throughout history. 

For me that fascination comes from the history of the book itself, and the boundary that it occupies between folklore, religion, and literary history.

The Codex Gigas: The Manuscript That Became a Legend

Written in the 13th century in Bohemia, it is the largest medieval book of its kind that has survived. Standing at 92cms tall and it weighs about 75kgs. It’s famous for several reasons, one being that it has that infamous image of the devil contained within the pages.

The Codex, or the Devil’s Bible, became legendary because a monk, who broke his vows, was sentenced to be buried alive in a wall. To escape his fate, he promised to write a book that had all human knowledge. Legend has it that the Benedictine monk, Herman, realised that he couldn’t complete the book in one night, so in return for help, he sold his soul to the devil.

If you believe the story or not, it does add another level of darkness to this book.

There have been many stories about the curse of the Codex and mysterious fires. The book survived a massive fire in 1697 where it survived but the Tre Kronor palace was devastated by the fire. The Devil’s Bible was thrown from an upper floor, and it is said to have injured a person below. 

During the fire at the castle, the Codex was damaged and it wasn’t until 1819 that it was repaired. The location of the book today is Stockholm, in the National Library of Sweden.  

The Codex Gigas in Tempus Lunae Sanguinis

When I was researching my book, Tempus Lunae Sanguinis, I wanted the Tempus Militibus to investigate something that was considered extremely dangerous and had an extraordinary history. 

I had read about the Codex Gigas, and the legend about the last three missing pages, and according to folklore they are said to have instruction on how to raise Lucifer. 

The more that I researched it, I got terribly excited. As a gothic fantasy writer, the Codex was a perfect fit for my gothic fantasy series. It had everything that I was looking for, history, an imposing physical presence with a sinister reputation, that the legends surrounding it have grown over the centuries. 

I have seen the famous image from facsimile pages, and it is, shall we say, rather grim as an illustration.

I think that that is why the Codex Gigas has continued to fascinate us, it’s more than just a book. It has become a legend.

The Grand Grimoire: When Knowledge Comes at a Price

Now we come to the book that puts the ‘F’ in fear. 

The Grand Grimoire or Le Dragon Rouge, as it is known. It’s another famous work on occult literature.

It is divided into two books, the first gives instruction along with the tools to raise demons and one demon in particular.

It’s a black magic geotia and demonology work. It is believed to have been published in the 18th century, but parts of the grimoire are said to date back to the sixteenth century.

Like so many grimoires its history is tangled between questions of authorship, publication dates, along with folklore and legend.

The Grand Grimoire is highly regarded today by historians and scholars, also by practitioners of the occult.

I think the fascination about this book is that it has a certain allure because it is forbidden and therefore it whispers: Do Not Open Me. So, a natural curiosity replies: Why not?

 Which One Would You Dare to Open?

These three books are just a sample of what is written and what are considered dangerous and forbidden books, and which are possibly too unsettling for polite company. 

All of these books are available for the curious reader in online retailers, libraries, and reproductions. 

However, I would advise caution if you are sensitive to the subject matter, as these works delve deeply into demonology, magic and the occult traditions. This is where some people may feel uncomfortable. 

That in itself raises a couple of interesting questions. What makes a book forbidden? Is it because it challenges beliefs of the time?

As I mentioned for research purposes, I have facsimiles of the Codex Gigas, and I do have copies of the Grand Grimoire and the Lemegeton in my collection. Grimoires have held a fascination for people for centuries. Along with other unusual and mysterious books which have captured the imagination. 

One such book, is the famous Voynich Manuscript, with its unusual illustrations and undeciphered writing. It has inspired endless speculation about who wrote it, where it’s from and why it was written. It is definitely worth perusing. 

So, my friends, of the three books discussed this evening, which one would you dare to open?

Would you choose The Lesser Key of Solomon? The legendary Codex Gigas?

Or would you be brave enough to open the Grand Grimoire?

Perhaps you wouldn’t open any of them which is OK too. Maybe, like me, you would place them carefully on your bookshelf and wonder just what secrets those pages hold.

I hope that you enjoyed tonight’s discussion and that you will join me next time in the Scriptorium.

Until then, keep the library door open…

Anna