Magical Spell

Unknown

11th Century

Chapter for [finding] hidden money that no one knows where it is buried—he should take a white rooster and feed it old wine for seven days, and then write [the names] on a slate, and tie it to its right wing, and bury it in the place where the creature goes to dig. And these are the names you should write: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel…

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This Hebrew fragment appears to come from a collection of magical formularies and contains parts of three different spells: the first for uncovering lost money, the second to protect against forgetfulness, and the third to attain love. The Aramaic phrase “Ratzaphatzpha and his ten sons” suggests that the author borrowed it from an earlier Aramaic tradition, though the meaning of “Ratzaphatzpha” is unclear. Ellipses indicate lacunae in the manuscript.

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Related Guide

Early Medieval Magic and Divination

6th to 12th Century

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