Fasting, Confession and the Bath of Art

For nine days before an operation the master and disciples avoid excess, idle talk and impurity while the instruments are prepared. In the last three days they keep a strict fast, ideally bread and water once a day, and recite a conjuration morning and evening. On the final day the master confesses three times in a secret place and is sprinkled with hyssop. The bath follows: in running water or a tub, Psalms are recited while undressing, the water is exorcised, the body washed while divine names are spoken, and blessed salt is cast in before a second immersion. The participants then dress in clean white linen and the vestments of chapter 6, with crowns of virgin paper bearing divine names.

Purpose

These preparations are said to make the master and disciples pure enough for spirits to obey them; the text treats them as indispensable.

Timing

Duration

nine days

Begins nine days before the chosen operation; the last three days are a strict fast and the bath immediately precedes the work. Its timing therefore follows whichever planetary day and hour the main operation requires.

Materials

• clear running or spring water
• blessed salt
• hyssop
• white linen garments
• virgin paper for the crowns
• red silk thread for embroidered characters

Tools

• bath vessel
• hyssop sprinkler
• needle of the Art

Prolonged fasting carries health risks; this is a historical description, not advice.