The Book of Saint Cyprian with José Leitão

After King Solomon, the legend of Cyprian of Antioch looms quite large in the Western Magical Tradition. A spirit conjurer and occasional summoner of the devil, Cyprian later converted to Christianity and became a Bishop before being martyred. This legend had quite some traction, as many grimoires evoked the name of Cyprian within their pages and in the title of the Grimoire itself particularly in Iberia. Taking the listeners through the Book of Saint Cyprian, is the scholar of Portuguese esotericism and author José Leitão!

José Leitão is a scholar of Portuguese esotericism who is currently finishing his PhD at the University of Coimbra. Books of Cyprian are his speciality and since 2014, having finished translating The Book of Saint Cyprian: The Sorcerer’s Treasure, he has continued to translate more texts as well as research inquisitional records to investigate the esoteric and magical in Portugal’s past. Be sure to check out José’s YouTube Channel, read some of José’s papers at Academia.edu and be sure to give José your support on Patreon!

This is José pictured at the Cueva de San Ciprián in Salamanca Spain.

Show Notes & Book Recommendations

• O Grande livro de S. Cypriano ou o thesouro do feiticeiro – Here’s a scan of a contemporary Portuguese Book of Saint Cyprian
• Confession and Martyrdom of Cyprian of Antioch
• Golden Legend – Read Online Here – Buy Copy here
• The Books of Saint Cyprian – A somewhat comprehensive introduction essay by Félix Francisco Castro. MUST READ!!!
• Introduction to the Study of the Book of Saint Cyprian from José’s YouTube – MUST WATCH!!!
• De Nigromancia – Complete Grimoire which contains the Mass of Saint Cyprian – Man, I hate that they used the font that they did for this translation. If there is one grimoire I wish would be given a proper translation and update, it’s this one
• The Book of Saint Cyprian: The Sorcerer’s Treasure by José Leitão – I adore this book! Grab it.
• Opuscula Cypriani: Variations on the Book of Saint Cyprian and Related Literature by José Leitão – Amazing work!
• The Coimbra Book of Saint Cyprian by José Leitão
• Clearing the Waters: A Monograph on Saint Cyprian Divination from the 17th to the 19th Century by José Leitão
• The Immaterial Book of St. Cyprian by José Leitão – I really enjoyed this book. Tiny and amazing
• The Book of St. Cyprian: The Great Book of True Magic by Humberto Maggi – Many parts of both Spanish and Portuguese Books of Saint Cyprian are collected in this volume. Great stuff
• Cypriana: Old World – A great collection of Cyprian essays including those of Jake Stratton-Kent, Alexander Cummins and José Leitão
• The Grand Grimoire – Many Spanish Book of St. Cyprian have rituals and spells straight from this Grimoire – Buy Copy here
• Pre-Contemporary Books of Saint Cyprian: Reports and Manuscripts from José’s YouTube
• The Book of St. Cyprian: An Unknown Treasure in the General Library of the University of Coimbra from José’s YouTube
• The City Between Heaven and Hell: Urban Folk Magic and Contextual Catholicism from José’s YouTube
• The Saint and the Minister of Hell: Treasure Stewardship and Dispensation in Cyprian Literature from José’s YouTube
• The Book of Saint Cyprian – Sam Block has translated a Jonas Sulfurino Spanish Book of Saint Cyprian. This is awesome!
• Vademecum Cypriani – Sam Block has collected many Prayers and Novenas to Saint Cyprian and Justina. Also awesome!
• 10 things you might not have known about St.Cyprian
• The Testament of Cyprian the Mage by Jake Stratton-Kent- I love this book. But be sure to grab Jake’s first two entries in the Encyclopædia Goetica Trilogy as well
• The Art of Cyprian’s Mirror of Four Kings by Dr. Alexander Cummins
• Cyprianic Cartomancy by Erzebet Barthold
• Saint Cyprian’s Deck of Cards by Natalia Lee Forty
• The New World of Saint Cyprian by Humberto Maggi
• Wine of the Dead – Vinhos dos Mortos
• Magic in the United States Podcast
• The Black School of St Cyprian classes by Jason Miller
• The Magic of Saint Cyprian

I also released an introductory Patreon Episode about Saint Cyprian. It deals with the legends of Cyprian and Justina as well as how Cyprian is viewed and interacted with these days by contemporary Magicians, myself included. I think it’s one of the best episodes I’ve ever done, as Cyprian is near and dear to me and my personal magical practice.