The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus

In order to attract readers, it was not uncommon for magical texts of the 16th century to take on the name of a notable figure. Such is the case with "The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus", whose secrets are, in fact, a compilation from a number of different sources by an anonymous author who was, [...]
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In order to attract readers, it was not uncommon for magical texts of the 16th century to take on the name of a notable figure. Such is the case with "The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus", whose secrets are, in fact, a compilation from a number of different sources by an anonymous author who was, according to editors Best and Brightman, probably one of Albertus Magnus' followers. Though it "...pretends to be a product of his experimental school among the Dominicans at Cologne", for the most part it has a more colloquial voice than that of Albertus Magnus and so provides a far more accurate portrayal of the magical culture that predominated in the 16th century. The secrets contained are divided into five distinct parts: Of the Virtues of Herbs, Of the Virtues of Stones, Of the Virtues of Beasts, Of the Planets, and The Marvels of the World.