A lengthy purification rite is no exception to Solomonic practices. That being said there are some very heavy and intricate purification rites. By comparison, the purification rite of the Heptameron is not one of them. We are told specifics in the example of the Heptameron found below. But the predecessor (Elucidarium) states explicitly to refer to the Clavicula for how to be confessed and fast. It should be noted however that all references to the Key are highly fragmented. According to Joseph Peterson, Aub 24 appears to be the most similar version of the Clavis at the time of the creation of the Elucidarium (mid to late 15th century).We are told what the method of purification requires in two separate locations in the text:
“The Operator ought to be clean and purified by the space of nine daies before the beginning of the work, and to be confessed, and receive the holy Communion. Let him have ready the perfume appropriated to the day wherein he would perform the work. He ought also to have holy water from a Priest, and a new earthen vessel with fire, a Vesture and a Pentacle; and let all these things be rightly and duly consecrated and prepared.”
A lot is actually being said here. Firstly we should note we’re told for the entirety of the 9 days that we are to be clean. This implies daily baths as well as consideration to what labors may dirty us. We need to be confessed and receive communion. We’re then told a slew of specifics to the working which basically implies we are to take this time to prepare the items needed for the working.
Then we are told,
“The Master therefore ought to be purified with fasting, chastity, and abstinency from all luxury the space of three whole dayes before the day of the operation.”
This specifically applies to the final 3 days of the purification rite in addition to the other previously noted practices. We are to fast, we are to control sexual appetite (not necessarily to abstain from it, especially if married aka Chastity) and to abstain from all luxury for the whole day before the day of the operation. We also really need to note the emphasis on “whole day”. This nine day purification rite therefore means nine days excluding the day of the operation, or rather 10 days if you include it.
All 9 Days:
• Stay Clean
• Be Confessed (at one point)
• Receive Communion (at one point)
Final 3 Days (in addition to the above):
• Fast (eating only fruits, vegetables, and legumes daily but nothing on the final day)
• Control sexual appetite (Chastity)
• Abstinence from luxury