The magic ring, from a handbook of magic, Egypt, 4th century: Papyrus 46, f 5v
The other important way to harness the demon's power was to connect them physically with the victim.
A 4th-century Greek magical handbook, Papyrus 46, currently on display in Harry Potter: A History of Magic, provides an excellent illustration of how this might be achieved.
This handbook records detailed instructions on how to compel the demons to bind someone not to do something, by using an iron ring to establish a physical bond with the target of the magic.
The curious recipe reads as follows:
'Take a papyrus and an iron ring, put the ring on the papyrus and draw the outlines of the ring with a pen, inside and outside.
On the area outside the ring write the name and invocation of the demon, on the inside the following: “Let whatever I wish not take place OR let so-and-so not get married forever”.
Then put the ring on its outline, wrap it up with the papyrus until it is completely covered.
Bind the package with cords and throw it into an unused well or dig it into the grave of someone untimely dead and say the following, “Spirit of the dead …”'
We don't know anyone who has ever tried this spell, and we can't guarantee its success.
It's fascinating, nonetheless, to see this practical application of 4th-century magic.
The papyrus itself is presently on view in London.
Source: Medieval manuscripts
Abn Iiblis
