Arthur Edward Waite writes The Book of Ceremonial Magic as a newer and more accurate edition of his previous title The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts, written in 1898. As most ancient texts on magical literature are rare and hard to come by, it becomes very difficult for modern scholars to ascertain an accurate knowledge of ancient spells and rituals. Waite responds to this lack of accessible literature and approaches this text as a methodical and systematic account of magical procedures of the past. He remains faithful to the original sources before making any conclusions by way of his thorough research methods.

Part I provides the reader with essential passages from leading magical texts from the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Part II is a more systematically organized version of these ancient texts, adapted by A.E. Waite to the ways of the modern academic. This volume remains one of the best sources of magical procedure, touching on such topics as gods, costume, and the planets and their relation to the supernatural. Although disapproving of the application of magic and the black arts in his introduction, Waite nonetheless defends those victims persecuted throughout history because of their participation in these superstitious beliefs. He also speaks positively about astrology and alchemy, noting them as more important categories of the magical arts. Through this volume, the contemporary reader can finally begin to understand the beliefs in the black arts that were so deeply rooted in our civilization's past.

INTRODUCTION, PART I The Literature of Ceremonial Magic CHAPTER I THE ANTIQUITY OF MAGICAL RITUALS CHAPTER II THE RITUALS OF TRANSCENDENTAL MAGIC CHAPTER III COMPOSITE RITUALS CHAPTER IV THE RITUALS O F BLACK MAGIC PART II The Complete Grimoire CHAPTER I THE PREPARATION OF THE OPERATOR CHAPTER II THE INITIAL RITES AND CEREMONIES CHAPTER III CONCERNING THE DESCENDING HIERARCHY CHAPTER IV THE MYSTERIES OF GOETIC THEURGY ACCORDING TO THE LESSER KEY OF SOLOMON THE KING CHAPTER V CONCERNING THE MYSTERY OF THE SANCTUM REGNUM, OR THE GOVERNMENT OF EVIL SPIRITS; BEING THE RITE OF CONJURATION ACCORDING TO THE GRIMORIUM VERUM CHAPTER VI THE MYSTERIES OF INFERNAL EVOCATION ACCORDING TO THE GRAND GRIMOIRE METHOD OF MAKING PACTS CHAPTER VII THE METHOD OF HONORIUS CHAPTER VIII MISCELLANEOUS AND MINOR PROCESSES CHAPTER IX CONCERNING INFERNAL NECROMANCY