Planetary and Manuscript Sets

Harley 5596: the Twenty-Four Sigilla

The Harley text places twenty-four seals and names on prepared parchment worn at the chest. Its surrounding preparations include abstinence, new white linen garments and entry into the circle when the Moon is opposite the Sun. [1]

Harley MS 5596

Names and seals carried at the chest

The Greek passage specifies parchment from an unborn male calf, prepared with the knife of the art. The twenty-four seals are written with the accompanying names in the ink of the art and carried at the chest. Delatte places his notice of the seal group at folio 31 of Harley 5596. [1]

New white linen clothing and an unused head covering are prepared for the same undertaking. A separate series of names belongs on the head covering. Later, the practitioner takes the phylactery in hand to place it on the chest before entering the circle.

[1]

Lunar preparation and the circle

The account begins its abstinence from the first lunar day, including sexual intercourse, meat, wine and fish. When the eleventh lunar day arrives, it prescribes a three-day fast with only bread. Bathing, anointing and the new garments follow. [1]

The next page describes four new earthen pots for incense and places entry into the circle when the Moon is opposite the Sun. The conjurations address the four quarters of the world. The text says that spirits will arrive in human form with their king, to be sworn to perform the requested undertaking. [1]

Delatte’s reference to the Athens seals

At the folio 31 position, Delatte marks the group with the Latin phrase “Viginti quattuor sigilla”, meaning twenty-four seals. Note 16 directs the reader to printed pages 19–20, where his edition gives the twenty-four drawings from Athens MS 115. Note 17 also compares the accompanying names with the Athens passage on page 18. [1]

The Athens account likewise places names and seals on an unborn-calf parchment phylactery worn at the chest. Its fast includes bread and water, while the Harley passage specifies only bread. [1]

Sources and editions

A. Delatte, Anecdota Atheniensia I
A. Delatte, Anecdota Atheniensia I (1927), Greek texts from Athens MS 115 and Harley MS 5596. Harley MS 5596, f. 31 and surrounding preparation account: printed pp. 425–426, p. 425 notes 16–17 (facsimile PDF pp. 438–439); Athens MS 115 parallel, printed p. 18 and seal plates pp. 19–20 (PDF pp. 31–33).
Delatte prints the Harley preparation text and explicitly refers to the Athens drawings and names.

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