the devil will always take you back

Gnosticism study lvl 2: Okay there are three main branches the Sethians (the earlier more Platonist ones), Valentenians (the more Christian ones) and Jeuians (the wierd ones with a different Sophia).

Gnosticism study lvl 3: Oh also maybe the mandeans and the bogomills and the cathars.

Gnosticism study lvl 4: actually gnosticism doesn't exist

In a lot of Hellenic magic, it was common to use a young boy as a medium for spirit possession, as they were considered especially spiritually pure, and thus easy for the spirits to speak through.

This spell, PGM IV 850, is a solomonic rite that involves the invocation of hundreds of spirits. This spell is notably more syncretized with lay-Judeo-Christian magic, and thus doesn't necessarily call for a boy. You can use a boy. Or a man. Whatever you choose.

A lot of the PGM is a catalogue of spells that have gaps for [insert your name here]. The idea being that a ritual practicioner would carry around a book of incantations with little spaces for whoever the subject of the rite would be. Thats what the "NN" means. It means [Add subject name / problem / subject here.]

The Tower and The Devil