*LIVE REMOTE ONLINE OFFERING* SAINT CYPRIAN: A PATRON SAINT OF BLACK MAGIC

PLEASE NOTE: This class is not an in-person class. This class is being offered as a LIVE ONLINE-ONLY OFFERING. The zoom link will be attached to your receipt. Please check your junk folder in your email if you do not receive a receipt. If you have not received one please email learn@ritualcravt.com. Please register ahead of time to ensure that you make it to the online session on time! (Class times are in MDT time zone)

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St Cyprian of Antioch is an infamous figure of Catholic hagiography. Said to have been a pagan love sorcerer of the fourth century CE who converted to Christianity once his wicked sorceries were defeated by the pious counter-magic of Saint Justina, generations of nigromancers have asked themselves: did Cyprian really convert and, like Prospero, drown his black books of magic? Or did he just add to his magical arsenal with a host of potent Christian spell-crafts?

In this class, contemporary cunning-man and historian of magic Dr Alexander Cummins will explore the myths, magics, and mysteries of this alleged patron saint of black magic. We shall examine the Sorcerer Saint’s appearances in Iberian folk sorcery and treasure-hunting, and in particular trace some of the sources and influences of the Spanish and Portuguese versions of the Ciprianillo – Cyprian’s darkest books of black magic, sometimes supposed to be learned from the Devil himself. We will consider the historical spread of Cyprianic magics throughout Europe and into the Americas, including the Scandinavian Cyprianuses and wider Svartkonstböcker (“Black Art Books”) traditions.

And we will pay particular attention to the manners in which Saint Cyprian appears in the early modern English grimoiric corpus: such as appearing in invocations of magical lineages of dead magicians, being cited offering practical ‘Instructions’ and specific advice on summoning demons, and indeed patronising the core spirit catalogues and spellbooks of early modern goetic magic.

Dr Alexander Cummins is a contemporary cunning man and historian. His magical specialities are the dead (folk necromancy), divination (geomancy) and the grimoires.
His published works include An Excellent Booke of the Arte of Magicke (Scarlet Imprint, 2020) with Phil Legard, A Book of the Magi: Lore, Prayers, and Spellcraft of the Three Holy Kings (Revelore Press, 2018) and as well as editing and contributing to Cypriana: Old World (Revelore Press, 2016), along with contributions to collections by Three Hands Press, Hadean Press and Scarlet Imprint. He is a frequent speaker on the international circuit, co-hosts the podcast Radio Free Golgotha, and is a founding editor of Revelore Press’ Folk Necromancy in Transmission series. Dr Cummins’ work, classes, and services can be found at www.alexandercummins.com