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The Lesser Key of Solomon or Lemegeton, erroneously called Clavicula Salomonis (the Key of Solomon or Clavicula Salomonis is a previous book on the subject) is an anonymous grimoire, one of the most popular books on demonology.
It appeared in the 17th century, but it seems to have been inspired by an earlier compilation from the 16th century, some mediaeval grimoires, and the real Key of Solomon. It is also possible that books written by Jewish kabbalists and Arab alchemists were also an inspiration, and perhaps (or almost surely) Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, by Johann Weyer, too.
The book attests it was originally written by King Solomon. However, the titles of nobility assigned to the demons were unknown in his time, as were the prayers to Jesus and the Christian Trinity, also mentioned in the book.
The book contains detailed descriptions of seventy-two demons (often called spirits), the conjurations needed to invoke and oblige them to do the will of the conjurer (referred to as "exorcist"), the protective signs and rituals to be performed and the curses to prevent demons from gaining control, the preparations prior to the invocations, and instructions on how to make the necessary instruments for the execution of these rituals. There are also allusions to the thirty-one aerial spirits invoked and constrained by King Solomon.
Several editions of this grimoire exist, and it is widely available in print.
The Lesser Key of Solomon is divided into five parts:
