The book of natural and talismanic magic known as the Kyranides is one of the most important works of technical ermetica, the practical magical, astrological and alchemical works attributed to the sage Hermes Trismegistus. Kyranides or Cyranides is a compilation of several earlier works, notably the treatise of Harpocration, that deal with the occult and magical properties of birds, animals, plants and stones. The is truly an ancient text, dating to between the 2nd and 4th centuries A.D. The eminent scholar of Hermeticism, Garth Fowden, describes the as the most important source for the Hermetic doctrine of the occult virtues and powers. The Kyranides is divided into four books, loosely organized by the letters of the Greek alphabet. Each chapter contains the magical and occult properties of animals, birds, plants and stones beginning with that letter, plus the first book includes instructions for talismans using the appropriate plants, animals and stones. This translation of the was made in 1685 and is the only complete translation available in English of this key Hermetic text.