Ralfi Pagan was a Puerto Rican-American singer and musician who rose to fame during the 1970s. He was born on February 13, 1947, in The Bronx, New York City. Pagan's smooth and soulful voice captivated audiences and earned him a loyal following. His unique blend of Latin and R&B influences set him apart from other artists of his time. Pagan's music often incorporated elements of salsa, bolero, and doo-wop, creating a distinct sound that resonated with listeners. One of Pagan's most notable releases was his album "I Can See," which featured the hit single "Make It with You.

(with S. Torallas Tovar), The Greco-Egyptian Magical Formularies: Libraries, Books and Individual Recipes (submitted to Michigan University Press)

Extended abstract and cover photos of the book by Prof. Dr A. Maravelia on ancient Egyptian magic and religion. The abstract is in English; the book has been written in Greek, with two extended abstracts in both English and French.

Journal of the American Oriental Society

Manuscripts and Texts, Languages and Contexts: the Transmission of Knowledge in the Horn of Africa. Proceedings of the conference Hamburg, Hiob Ludolf Institute for Ethiopian Studies, 17-19 July 2014

This work critically examines every one of the spells and rites translated in Hans Dieter Betz's "Greek Magical Papyri in Translation" and Daniel & Maltomini's "Supplementum Magicum" (plus texts drawn from a number of other lamellae, amulets, etc) with a view to identifying the precise magical technique used in each case. This categorisation is done on the basis of the original Greek or Demotic headwords or key words rather than upon the translation or later imprecise descriptions. The result is an identification of 40+ magical techniques such as autoptos, systasis, agoge, niketikon, oneiropompos, etc, rather than a simple but unhelpful identification each passage as a 'spell' or 'charm'. This is fully tabulated with line count for every single rite, presenting the full panorama of Graeco-Egyptian magic in the form, and with the structure, that the original scribes or magicians would have used. This enables ready access to all of the passages relevant to any one technique. It also removes the difficulties presented by varying translations of a specific Greek technical term by a range of different English approximations (such as 'love spell' for more than 7 different processes). Each of these techniques is then expanded upon showing where they influenced later systems of magic or remained unique in the Graeco-Egyptian world.

Health was a constant concern in life and even the deceased needed extra care so that they would be at their prime when enclosed in the sarcophagus; and in the possession of magical ‘weapons’ so that when they reached the Afterlife, they would be in complete possession of all their physical abilities. Medicine in ancient Egypt was trying to restrain all malefic beings from action and to preserve the well-being of the individual. Through this work, all descriptions and conceptions observed in the existing legacy of ancient Egypt will lead to conclusions that attest this unique duality: its main aim is to synthesize information from ancient Egyptian daily life; everything that has been written upon it and analyzed until today, throughout the world, in different perspectives and several languages, thus giving a contribution for international research and also possible future contributions for medicine and Egyptology. This work is divided into four chapters: Chapter 1: Sources of Information; Medical and Magical Papyri; Chapter 2: Heka –“the art of the magical written word”; Chapter 3: Pathological types; Chapter 4: Medical-magical prescriptions and their ingredients; this list is a description that contemplates from the global perspective to details, revealing all, from general existing sources to particular ingredients used in prescriptions.

Getting it Right: Performative images in Graeco-Egyptian magical practice

A Survey of the use of drawings in magical Papyri and Graeco-Egyptian curse-tablets in the later Roman period.

Related Papers

Studies in the History and Anthropology of Religion 7

The study of magical texts of the Classical, Greco-Roman and Late Antique World has experienced a remarkable impulse since the last decades of the twentieth century until today. The so-called "material turn" in philological studies has promoted an evergrowing interest in the study of the materiality and other non-textual components of ancient documents, which has favored interdisciplinary studies aimed at a holistic approach to ancient texts. From this perspective, the articles collected in this volume offer a series of in-depth case studies of images and other paratextual elements of magical artifacts. Comparative studies, statitical analyses, image-text interconnections, and other analytical possibilities are applied to achive a greater understanding of the magical objects in queestion, as well as of the belief system in which they were produced. The book illustrates the importance of iconographic analysis as a fundamental part of understanding Antiquity, its ritual texts, and its magical objects.

The scientific journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels- Alexandria University (JFTH)

Everything in daily life of ancient Egyptians associated with magic for example, shapes, papyrus, gods, childhood etc. Ancient Egyptians used different concepts of magic such as HQA, Hri-tp. The idea of magic had a long history in ancient Egypt with the relationship between religion and magic in ancient Egypt. It can be analyzed historically and philosophically. In ancient Egypt magic was practiced as legitimated and part of religious worship. Magic was seen a powerful force that worked with the gods and protection. The aim of magic was to divine the future and give power to the deceased. Magic was conceived differently in different ancient Mediterranean societies such as in Greco Roman Egypt. This paper provided a general review to the practice of magic in ancient Egypt. Magic in ancient Egypt can be characterized as an impersonal force that is available for the use of both gods and men. Magic offered a means of communication with the gods and the cosmos as a whole and to influence the desired outcome of an obstacle.

Guide to the study of ancient magic

This chapter offers an overview of the magical papyri from Roman Egypt, preserved in both Greek and Demotic.

This work critically examines every one of the spells and rites translated in Hans Dieter Betz's "Greek Magical Papyri in Translation" and Daniel & Maltomini's "Supplementum Magicum" (plus texts drawn from a number of other lamellae, amulets, etc) with a view to identifying the precise magical technique used in each case. This categorisation is done on the basis of the original Greek or Demotic headwords or key words rather than upon the translation or later imprecise descriptions. The result is an identification of 40+ magical techniques such as autoptos, systasis, agoge, niketikon, oneiropompos, etc, rather than a simple but unhelpful identification each passage as a 'spell' or 'charm'. This is fully tabulated with line count for every single rite, presenting the full panorama of Graeco-Egyptian magic in the form, and with the structure, that the original scribes or magicians would have used. This enables ready access to all of the passages relevant to any one technique. It also removes the difficulties presented by varying translations of a specific Greek technical term by a range of different English approximations (such as 'love spell' for more than 7 different processes). Each of these techniques is then expanded upon showing where they influenced later systems of magic or remained unique in the Graeco-Egyptian world.

Shaul Shaked, Yuval Harari, Gideon Bohak (eds.), Continuity and Innovation in the Magical Tradition (Jerusalem Studies in Religion and Culture 15; Brill Academic Publishers; Leiden 2011) 85-117.

The main source about magic in Late Antiquity is offered by the Greek Magical Papyri, a group of texts that that have been considered a kind of handbook for magicians. The "recipes" of the papyri require the use of plants, food and beverages for the rituals, but also of particular objects such as rings and gems, lanyards, wax figurines, cups, lamps, tablets with inscriptions. If no trace obviously remains of the objects made of perishable materials, with very few exceptions, we can recognize the function of some archaeological items that could also be used for magic purposes like bricks, lamps, pottery, figurines and, above all, amulets and curse tablets. Strictly linked to the Magical Papyri are in particular the so-called magical gems, semiprecious stones engraved with figures of various deities. If the question of the relations papyri-gems has been variously discussed by many scholars, the relationship between texts and other classes of archaeological materials is generally less investigated. My aim in this paper is to present some papyri texts with references to objects used by magicians in their rites and some archaeological objects that have been interpreted in relation to the magical texts.

Uncorrected proofs from Bild und Schrift auf 'magischen' Artefakten, ed. by Sarah Kiyanrad, Christoffer Theis, and Laura Willer

This essay considers the relationship between texts and images in magical works produced in the thirteenth-century scriptorium of Alfonso X, El Sabio - The Wise, King of Castile, Léon, and Galicia (1221–1284). With the upsurge of translations from Arabic in the twelfth century, the Christian West discovered a vast amount of new material relating to a broad range of knowledge, ranging from medicine, law, and philosophy to astrology, alchemy, and magic. One of the most important new genres of learned magic introduced into the West during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries is that of “Image Magic”

Dr. Stephen Skinner

Let me assure you that 'edited by' does not mean 'cut,' but instead includes many helpful elucidations of what may at first sight appear to be impenetrable, as Crowley often loads his writing with numerous cross references to his other writings, and very seldom begins at the beginning. Written between 1904 and 1929, this book contained within this collection make up one of the most ground-breaking works on the practice of magick ever written. Their influence on alternative western thought and philosophy cannot be exaggerated.

Also known as Book Four, or Liber ABA, the four parts bring together many rituals, received texts, theorems and unequalled insights into the practice of magick, culminating in The Book of the Law, the central, sacred text dictated to Crowley by the preternatural entity Aiwass. Anyone interested in yoga, ceremonial magic, esoteric thought, invocation, divination and beyond, or those looking to delve into the fascinating, playful and illuminating writings of a unique man, will find this book an inspiration.

For the first time, one of the world's leading experts on Western esoteric traditions and magic, Dr. Stephen Skinner, introduces the text, sharing his insights into Crowley's take on yoga, ceremonial magick and Thelema. His long involvement with magic, both as an academic and as a practitioner, enabled Dr. Skinner to highlight the differences between the psychological and the spirit-orientated approaches to magic, and to show how that dilemma shaped Crowley's practice and his founding of Thelema, enlightening the reader to many previously unknown connections.

Publisher: Watkins Publishing

* Book ISBN : 978-1-78678519-0

* Book Price : �45.00 / US$65

* Ebook ISBN : 978-1-78678609-8

* Ebook Price : �7.99

* Hardcover: 748 pages

* Dimensions: 18.8 x 6.27 x 26.64 cm. 1.4 kgs

* Published: 12 October 2021

Stephen Skinner

This popular book on Western geomancy has look up tables for the answers to many typical questions. This is resolutely a practical book, with hundreds of answers to a range of practical questions.

It provides you with the resolution of every possible combination of the last three Figures, two Witnesses and one Judge, and how they should be interpreted.

A large section on the practice of Astro-geomancy links geomancy with astrology.

Publisher: Golden Hoard

* Book Price : US$16.40

* Ebook Price : US$9.99

* Published: 1977, 1986, 2021

Edited and Introduced by Dr Stephen Skinner

"In its influence, dissemination, length, and complexity the Ars Notoria is
the most important surviving treatise of ritual magic." - Sophie Page.

The Ars Notoria is a mediaeval grimoire which was widely distributed and very popular in the 13th-16th century, but virtually unknown until recently. Version B (MS Biblioth�que Nationale Lat. 9336.) is a commentary on the Method which has never been published in English before. The present text is a reorganisation of that commentary into subject order without the loss of any practical detail. All the notae and the full invocations/orations are included, but most of the Latin prayers have been omitted as they do not contribute to the method's effectiveness.

The Ars Notoria is still very relevant in the 21st century because it contains detailed techniques to enable the practitioner to absorb whole subjects very rapidly, and to understand very complex subjects on first reading, as well as remembering whatever has been read.

Like many magic manuscripts this work was attributed to famous individuals including Solomon (who reputedly received the book directly from God via the angel Pamphilius), which was translated into Greek by the magician Apollonius of Tyana, along with input from Euclid of Thebes, the father of Honorius of Thebes the author of The Sworn Book of Honorius (Liber Juratus) and Mani, the prophet.

Solomonic grimoires are concerned with the evocation of spirits or demons, but the Ars Notoria stands alone as angel magic concerned only with memory and the ability to understand and absorb whole subjects rapidly, making it a veritable student's grimoire, a key to obtaining knowledge rapidly.

Despite its popularity and enduring history the Ars Notoria has never been printed in its complete form. After its early Latin appearance there was only one incomplete English translation by Robert Turner in 1657, and that omitted the most vital component for its operation, the notae, a set of complex pictorial illustrations, without which the system just does not work. It also abbreviated most of the orations/invocations. The present edition contains all the notae matched with all the complete invocations/orations, and instructions for their use.

Volume 12 in the SWCM series

CLOTH EDITION

* Price : US$80.00 (� 60.00)

* Pages: 433 pages, 8" x 10"
* 161 illustrations, most in full colour

* Published: 8th May 2021

There is no plan at present to publish a LIMITED LEATHER EDITION
owing to production restrictions imposed by Covid.

Translated by Robert Turner
Edited and Introduced by Dr Stephen Skinner & Daniel Clark

"In its influence, dissemination, length, and complexity the Ars Notoria
is the most important surviving treatise of ritual magic." - Sophie Page.

The Ars Notoria is a mediaeval grimoire, or magician's manual, which was widely distributed and very popular in the 13th-16th century, but virtually unknown today. It is however still very relevant in the 21st century because it contains detailed techniques to enable the practitioner to absorb whole subjects very rapidly, and to understand very complex subjects on first reading, as well as remembering whatever has been read.

Of all the grimoires attributed to the Solomonic tradition of magic, one of the oldest and most enigmatic is the Ars Notoria. Like the many magic manuscripts this work was pseudepigraphically attributed to several famous individuals ranging from Solomon (who reputedly received the book directly from God via the hand of the angel Pamphilius), through its supposed translation by the magician Apollonius of Tyana who called it Flores aurei, or the Golden flowers, to Euclid of Thebes.

The Ars Notoria stands alone in its own category of angel grimoires, for while most other Solomonic grimoires are concerned with the evocation of spirits or demons, the Ars Notoria instead was concerned only with memory and the ability to understand and absorb whole subjects rapidly. It offered to grant almost instant proficiency in any of the seven Liberal Arts, making it a veritable student's grimoire, a key to obtaining knowledge rapidly.

Yet despite its popularity and enduring history the Ars Notoria has never been printed in its complete form. From its early published Latin appearance in Agrippa's Opera Omnia to the first and only English translation by Robert Turner in 1657, all published versions of this work have omitted the most vital component of its operation, the notae, a set of complex pictorial illustrations that are the heart of its system. That is however until now. The present edition contains all the notae which have always been left out of other printed editions, without which the system just does not work.

For the first time ever the Ars Notoria is presented in its complete form. In this edition we present not just one but five complete sets of notae taken from various manuscripts, alongside a corrected edition of Turner's English translation. We also present a complete facsimile of Yale University's Beinecke MS Mellon 1 in full colour, the earliest known manuscript of this work, with a complete copy of the 1620s printed Latin text. Detailed commentary is provided on its origins, content, possible authors, owners, methods of use, and practical considerations as well as comprehensive tables of the almost 100 notae variants. The progress of the Ars Notoria is traced from its Greek origins, via its flourishing 13th century monastic life to its supposed inclusion in the Lemegeton.

Volume 11 in the SWCM series

CLOTH EDITION

* Price : US$96.00 (approx £ 64.00) plus US$25.00 P&P airmailed

* Pages: 433 pages, 8" x 10"
* 161 illustrations, most in full colour

* Published: 31st August 2019

LIMITED LEATHER EDITION

* Price : US$144.00 plus US$25.00 P&P airmailed

* Strictly Limited to 150 copies
* Pages: 433 pages, 8" x 10"
* 161 illustrations, most in full colour
* Hand Bound Leather Collectors' Edition in half leather
* Published: 30th September 2019

Only available direct from
Golden Hoard Press.

by Rabbi Solomon translated by Ebenezer Sibley

Introduction by Dr Stephen Skinner & Daniel Clark
[ with additional material by Frederick Hockley, etc ]

This manuscript grimoire contains magical formulae and procedures dating back to 1520, which were brought together in 1789 by Dr. Ebenezer Sibley. After his death in 1799 copyists like Frederick Hockley continued to add chapters and even whole 'books' to the manuscript. Finally in the 19th century this particular copy was made by a master calligrapher. Although there are a number of other manuscript copies of the Clavis or Key to Unlock the Mysteries of Magic located in libraries spread around the world (14 at last count), this one is totally unique. It is 45% longer and more complete than any other copy, and illustrated with a large number of pentacles from the Key of Solomon, featuring 8-12 for every one of the 7 planets.

There are a range of detailed methods for evoking spirits and binding them, with an explanatory commentary by the editors which is not directed towards just theory and history, but to practical usage. Specific spirits, such as Birto, Agares, Vassago and Bealpharos and the methods for invoking them are explained, with illustrations of the form the spirits usually appear in. As you might expect, there is a whole section on skrying in the crystal, and the use of the magic bell, which explains the differences between evoking the spirit outside the circle in a triangle and seeing its image in a crystal.

Methods involving the use of the Demon Kings to compel the lesser spirits, which have never appeared in any other published grimoires, are explained in detail. As well as the pentacles there are many talismans for very practical purposes, such as compelling a thief to return your stolen goods, causing destruction to your enemies, creating love between two people, or just for casual 'amorous intrigues,' curing some diseases, and for defending your home against both burglars and malicious spirits. This extraordinary grimoire marks the high point in Victorian illustrated grimoires.

CLOTH EDITION

* Price : US$96.00 (approx £ 74.00)
* plus US$50.00 P&P airmailed (its a very heavy book)

* Pages : 524 pages, 8" x 10"
* Hundreds of illustrations
* Full colour printed on art paper

* Published: 8th January 2019

LIMITED LEATHER EDITION

* Price : US$164.00
* plus US$50.00 P&P airmailed (its a very heavy book)

* Limited to 150 copies
* Hand Bound Leather Collectors' Edition in half leather with Sibley's armorial crest

Only available direct from
Golden Hoard Press.

by Dr. Stephen Skinner

Solomonic magic is a major part of the grimoire tradition. This volume is about the methods of Solomonic magic used in Alexandria and how they have been passed via Byzantium (the Hygromanteia), to the manuscripts of the Latin Clavicula Salomonis and its English incarnation as the Key of Solomon. Jewish techniques like the use of pentacles, oil and water skrying were added along the way, but Solomonic magic (despite its name) remained basically a classical Greek form of magic. Amazingly, this transmission has involved very few changes and the 'technology' of magic has remained firmly intact. The emphasis in this book is upon specific magical techniques such as the invocation of the gods, the binding of demons, the use of the four demon Kings, and the construction of the circle and lamen. The requirements of purity, sexual abstinence, and fasting have changed little in the last 2000 years, and the real reasons for that are explained. The use of amulets, talismans and phylacteries or lamens is outlined along with their methods of construction. The structure of a Solomonic evocation puts into perspective the reasons for each step, the use of thwarting angels, achieving invisibility, sacrifice, love magic, treasure finding, and the binding, imprisoning and licensing of spirits.

The facing directions and timing of evocations have always been crucial, and these too have remained consistent. Practical considerations such as choice of incense, the timing of the cutting of the wand, utilisation of rings and statues, use of the Table of Evocation, or the acquisition of a familiar spirit are also explained. Techniques of Solomonic Magic is thus a follow on book from Techniques of Graeco-Egyptian Magic. This volume is based on the magicians' own handbooks rather than the opinions of theologians, historians, anthropologists, sociologists or legislators. The emphasis is on what magicians actually did and why. Tools used by magicians in 7th century Alexandria, 15th century Constantinople and 19th century London are very much the same. More than 70 illustrations (many in colour) of magical equipment like the wand, the sword, wax images and magical gems, drawn from a wide range of manuscripts are reproduced and examined. This is the most detailed analysis of Solomonic magic, from the inside, ever penned.

Partial List of Contents

The Relationship between Magic and Religion
Sources of the Solomonic Magical Tradition
The Input of Jewish Magic to the Clavicula Salomonis
Byzantine Solomonic Magical Texts
Manuscripts of the Hygromanteia
Stephanos of Alexandria
Analysis of the Contents of the Hygromanteia
The Transmission of Byzantine Greek texts to the Latin West
The Clavicula Salomonis
Transmission of Techniques from the Hygromanteia to the Clavicula Salomonis
Similarity of Method in the Hygromanteia and the Clavicula Salomonis
The Hierarchy of Spiritual Creatures
The Hierarchies of Spirits, Angels and Daimones
The Gods
Preliminary Procedures and Preparations
Locations for the Operation
Orientation and the Four Demon Kings
Timing
Purity and Sexual Abstinence
Fasting and Food Prohibitions
Protection for the Magician
The Circle
Triangle of Art and Brass Vessel
Phylactery, Lamen or Breastplate
Amulets
Talismans and Pentacles
Conjuration of Angels
Evocation of Demons and Spirits
Nomina Magica

Historiola and Commemoration
License to Depart
Transmission of Equipment from Hygromanteia to Clavicula Salomonis
Table of Evocation
Wand
Sword
Black-handled Knife
Virgin Papyrus or Parchment
Pen, Quill, or Reed
Ink
Garments
The Symbola of the Gods
Magical Statues or Stoicheia
Magical Rings and Gemstones
Wax and Clay Images
Incenses and Herbs
Major Magical Techniques
Love Spells
Invisibility
Sacrifice
Necromancy
Treasure Finding
Imprisonment of Spirits in a Bottle
The 'manteiai' or Evocationary Skrying Methods
Lekanomanteia - Evocationary Bowl Skrying
Hygromanteia - Evocationary Water Skrying
A Short Outline of Astral Magic
Manuscripts of the Hygromanteia
Manuscripts of the Clavicula Salomonis
Text-Groups of the Clavicula Salomonis
The Classic Solomonic Method

REGULAR EDITION

* 378 pages, 30 Tables, 68 Illustrations (many in colour), hardback with dust wrapper

One of Pagan's most notable releases was his album "I Can See," which featured the hit single "Make It with You." The song became an instant success, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971. Pagan's soulful rendition of the Bread classic showcased his vocal range and ability to connect with his audience on an emotional level.

Despite his promising career, Pagan encountered personal struggles that impacted his success in the music industry. He battled drug addiction and faced legal troubles, which hindered his ability to maintain a consistent presence in the spotlight. Despite these challenges, Pagan continued to perform and release music throughout his life. Tragically, Pagan's life was cut short when he was murdered on May 10, 1978, at the age of 31. His untimely death shocked and saddened his fans, who mourned the loss of a talented artist with immense potential. Pagan's legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans old and new. In conclusion, Ralfi Pagan was a talented and influential singer whose unique style and soulful voice left a lasting impact on the music industry. Despite the challenges he faced in his personal life, Pagan's music remains a testament to his undeniable talent and artistry. His contributions to Latin soul and R&B music will forever be remembered and appreciated..

Reviews for "Ralfi Pagan's Impact on the Boogaloo Movement: A Fusion of Latin and African-American Sounds"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I listened to "Ralfi pagan rust one of your lisses" and I have to say, it was quite underwhelming. The music lacked depth and originality, and it felt like I was listening to generic pop tunes. The lyrics were cliché and didn't resonate with me at all. Overall, I found the album to be forgettable and I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for something more innovative and thought-provoking.

2. Emily - 3/5 stars - I didn't hate "Ralfi pagan rust one of your lisses," but I also didn't love it. It was an average album with nothing exceptional to offer. The songs were decently catchy, but they lacked a certain spark that would make me want to listen to them again. The production quality was fine, but there was nothing that stood out to me as particularly impressive. If you're looking for some background music, it might suffice, but if you're searching for a memorable musical experience, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

3. Mike - 2/5 stars - I found "Ralfi pagan rust one of your lisses" to be a disappointment. The songs lacked originality and seemed to blend into one another. There was no diversity in the sound or style, making it difficult to distinguish one track from the next. The album failed to capture my attention, and I found myself getting bored and disinterested after a few songs. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity for the artist to showcase their talent and creativity. I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone seeking a unique and captivating musical experience.

Ralfi Pagan: Keeping the Essence of Latin Soul Alive