Grimorium Verum, or The True Grimoire, belongs to the European tradition of practical grimoires: books concerned with the preparation, symbols and procedures of ceremonial magic. Closely related to the Solomonic magical tradition, it combines methods of conjuration with catalogues of spirits, their seals and the operations traditionally associated with them.

The work presents itself as a translation from Hebrew by a figure named Plaingière and bears the striking imprint “Memphis, 1517,” published by “Alibeck the Egyptian.” This date should not be taken literally. Surviving bibliographical evidence places the familiar Alibeck edition much later, commonly in 1817, and the work circulated in several French and Italian versions during the nineteenth century. The false or backdated imprint is characteristic of the deliberately mysterious publishing histories surrounding many European grimoires.

At the centre of the text is a hierarchy of spirits headed by Lucifer, Beelzebuth and Astaroth, followed by lesser spirits associated with particular powers and offices. The grimoire provides their characters or seals alongside instructions concerning their invocation. It also discusses the preparation of magical instruments, ritual materials, talismans and other requirements of ceremonial practice.

The later portions move into collections of particular magical operations and “secrets”, reflecting the mixture of ceremonial magic, folk practice and practical recipes characteristic of the grimoire tradition. Its relationship with The Key of Solomon is particularly important: Grimorium Verum draws heavily upon Solomonic material while presenting a more condensed system centred upon specific spirits and their powers.

Rather than evidence for an ancient book written by Solomon or an Egyptian magician, Grimorium Verum is best read as part of the complex transmission of European magical literature. Its combination of Solomonic ritual, demonological catalogues, seals and practical operations has secured its place among the better-known historical grimoires.