This French occultist calendar illustrated in the Art Nouveau style by Italian artist and designer Manuel Orazi (1860 – 1934) was printed in an symbolic edition of 777 copies to commemorate magic for the coming year of 1896.
Each double page uses the Christian calendar (name days, iconography), but this year of magic is rooted in Judaic and pagan symbolism. There are references to occult ceremonies, horoscopes and tarot on the calendar’s 16 leaves featuring 13 full-page lithographs heightened in gold.
The accompanying text is not by a master of the dark arts, but penned by French journalist and food writer Austin de Croze (1866-1937). Which makes you wonder how authentic a document of magic and alchemy it really is? “The document is at once a spoof and an attempt to chart the year of magic,” says the curator of the exhibit “The Fantastic in Art and Fiction” at Cornell.
This idea that the book is a bit of fun is supported by de Croze, who writes on the final page: “The Devil is only the symbol of Evil, as God is the symbol of Good.”
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Astrological & lunar chart : Sorciere
Intro / Witch Within Magic Circle
Solar system / January 1896 – Sabbat
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Sun compass : February
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Imprecation : March
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Horoscope : April
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Love potion : May
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Once upon a time, I was promised a beautiful : June
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Transmutation, the Alchemist : July
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 Black Mass : August
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 The Harvest of Herbs : September?
Manuel Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895 The Sorcerer : October; Evocation
Bewitchment : November Orazi – (Magic Calendar) Mil DCCCXCVI, 1895
Judgment of Sorcerers / December; End of Wizards
All things good or bad for each day
O You who leafed through these pages / MDCCCXC
Via Cornell University Library.
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