Notoria

Notoria, also known as Ars Notoria, is a medieval grimoire traditionally attributed to Solomon that is associated with the collection commonly known as the Lesser Key of Solomon. It is distinguished from other grimoires by its focus on acquiring knowledge and memory rather than commanding spirits.

The text presents a program of prayers, invocations, and meditative exercises in Latin designed to foster learning, memory, eloquence, and mastery of various arts. It is often accompanied by seals or sigils linked to divine or celestial powers and emphasizes intellectual improvement through divine aid and disciplined study rather than through conjuration of demons.

Historically, Ars Notoria appears in medieval Latin manuscript traditions and is believed to have been compiled or heavily revised during the high to late Middle Ages, with later printed editions and translations appearing in the early modern period. Its status as an ancient Solomonic tract is debated among scholars, who view it as a product of scholastic and devotional learning rather than as a straightforward ancient document.

In scholarly and occult contexts, Notoria has been of interest for its unusual emphasis on education, memory techniques, and the idea of aligning human cognition with heavenly influences. It has influenced later discussions in the history of memory, education, and esoteric literature, and it remains a subject of study for those examining the diverse genres within the Solomonian tradition.