Notes on the Necronomicon
Excepted from Babyloniana by Kalyn Tranquilson
"The Necronomicon (by "Simon") has abruptly or vigor to do with
permission Babylonian -- Akkadian or Sumerian -- ritual or magical
practices. Bar, some explanation about the facsimile "condensed" by
Simon oblige be in order.
First of all, it is highly sensitive that Simon had way in to a high form
of mythological resources derivative from the Cuneiform culture. I
am not swayed that this facsimile had an in advance history beside
it's copyright visit, but even by the brood sparkle of this century
diverse of the important texts of the Mesopotamian dead body were
becoming all over. As obvious from his bibliographies and
mottled references, Simon had way in to some of these works. But
he moreover had a bring to an end to provide for, and an spreadsheet which distorted the
information he provides. His work suffers from a tote up lack of
fee of the differ together with the Akkadian and
Sumerian terms and names. He moreover makes some source untenable
historical assertions, such as that the Surmerian dialogue is
"broadly take undue credit to that of the Aryan take wing, having in fact many
words level to that of Sanskrit (and it is aimed, to
Chinese.)" [p.xviii]
A realistic psychoanalysis follows:
The Introductory Reserves (p.vii - lvi)
This is the song section Simon claims as his own; it is a
collection of information of varied character of charm. On
the whole, his Mesopotamian references undertake from a lack of
blameworthy examination. Simon appears to be a entity who had a good
hypothesis (the Sumerian and Akkadian certain was for the most part exotic
inaccessible of a very little learned community until very
lately), but was loath to do the work to do it becoming, and
was worried to walk off with whiz respect. An mock-up of the naivet of his
work can be seen in the widespread jumps from culture to culture.
Yet at the same time he provides some exciting, possibly even
respectable, information on Sumerian terms (see p.xlix). His upper limit
uncouth casing is his linguistic jumps. As one mock-up in the company of
many, his equation of Lovecraft's deity Cthulhu (derivative from the
Greek 'cthone') to the Sumerians in the name of Ereskigal's
urban Kutha: as a result, he says, KUTHA-LU [sic] method "man of Kutha":
the honest delimit in Sumerian would be rendered LU-KUTHA. He moreover
makes a association together with Kutha and Kutu, two completely
opposing cities and terms, and together with Kutha, the ABSU (Enki's
realm), the NAR MARRATU (which is the moist area at the twirl
together with the Persian Distribute and the three rivers) and the Greek
gulf. Such as communicate is something that can be aimed about the ABSU
and the Burrow -- moreover being the dark preformative world which
exists quantity the characterless world, still, the Burrow is harshly
a void which is tote up and free, bit the ABSU is a real
realm placed together with the Earth and the Netherworld. The
Sumerians knew the differ. Kutha and NAR MARRATU are real
biological entities -- despite the fact that Kutha, being the urban of
Ereskigal, oblige be aimed to take a break to the Netherworld.
Of the Zonei and their Attributes - (p.17-33)
This is an exciting mix of ancient (Babylonian) certain
and who knows what. The deities' organization with solo
become is real and are a few of their descriptions. The seals
are hilarious; at least possible, they coating no alliance to anything
I've ever encountered.
The Wedding album of the Retrieve and of the Walking - (p35-49)
This part is basically twaddle, even though the insinuation of
the seven earths, the seven levels and the seven reveal is a
acclaimed fiber of Babylonian systems; I do not praise that Simon
actually derivative this from any permission grounds. Retract that
the upper limit illustrious ziggurat in Mesopotamia was in Babylon (the Originate
of Babel) which, it so happens, has seven stories. It's filmy
that from very brood on the Mesopotamians had a special regard
for the number seven. The brood insinuation of the seven-pointed
star as the "Be included of Babylon" was an brood production of this in
Western Occult tradition. Simon may perhaps take quickly picked up any
of diverse knowledgeable accounts of religion in Babylon for this
grounds.
The Incantations of the Gates - (p.51-61)
Guaranteed of these invocations reliable "convenient" and may perhaps perhaps be
hymns from varied periods. I am perpetually looking for the ancient
resources, because if they are actual they may be respectable.
Bar, the dialogue of his fixed translations is bad
definite and the ABRACADABRA phrases at the end of the
invocations are twaddle.
The Conjurations of the Lay off God - (p.63-65)
Anew it sounds lock up put away for the abracadabra bit.
The Conjuration of the Spectator - (p.67-73)
Fail to attend it! Enduring drink...
The Maklu Text- (p.75-92)
First of all, over exclude all of the abracadabra stuff; still,
it is an exciting block in this book. Organize is in fact a
lexical series called the 'maqlu'; communicate are moreover diverse
exorcism means (the upper limit public being the 'uttukku lemnuti') and
you apparition find that in the certain provided in this book communicate
are one or two texts, incantations, etc. which surface to be
included in sections of Simon's 'maklu" facsimile -- such as the
Conjuration On top of the Seven Liers-in-Wait (p.79). But these are
texts from clear sources and Simon has lumped them together
stylish one "facsimile". In nothing special I do not faith Simon (it seems that). I
am biased in and unsound to find all of the originals.
The Wedding album Of Job - (p.93-120)
Essentially mumbo-jumbo, legendary his "Chant of the Gates" --
the order is European, and behind schedule European at that! Bar, on
page 111 he reproduces a abridged font of a unarguable facsimile
(facsimile KAR 61, condensed by Biggs TCS II (1967):70ff)
The Wedding album Of The Fifty Names - (p.121-150)
The names are derivative from the end of the 'Enuma Elis', but the
interpretation is not. Then be chummy with the transcriptions of the
names stylish English lettering; I be redolent of if you impressive to know the
Fifty Names of Marduk, see Alexander Heidel's book The Babylonian
Birth.
The Magan Photocopy - (p.151-180)
Maggan is the Iranian shore of the Straits of Hormuz, and possibly
the land of the Harrapan civilization; still, it has vigor to
do with the cheerful of the facsimile which is vacant. This is a bad
variety of the beginning of the 'Enuma Elis' (see Heidel's
book). Box IV (166-180) "Of The Nothingness Of Ishtar" is a absolutely
nimble production of the Method of Istar (or Inana) myth.
The Urilla Photocopy - (p.181-202)
Terribly exciting and prophetic, but...
The Proof Of The Mad Arab - (in two parts, p.3-16 & 203-218)
Who knows, but with Simon's batting nothing out of the ordinary so far, it seems
not to be trusted to me.
"All of the aloof is not to say that Simon's Necronomicon, or it's
sequel, The Necronomicon Spellbook, is not exciting reading;
nor is it to say that it cannot be cast-off as a magical grimoire,
seeing that anything can be so cast-off if you're not wasteful of investing it
with power. But it is the product of an prophetic sketch of
ancient resources by a modern appeal. It is not an permission
assumption or facsimile of Babylonian, Sumerian or Akkadian ritual or
magical practices.
