Explore the impact of occult philosophy over the past 500 years, the first English translation of 'Occult Philosophy' by Cornelius Agrippa, Agrippa's influence on modern ritual magic, the life and work of Giordano Bruno, alternative uses of the Bible, and reflections on completing the series.
Agrippa's three books of occult philosophy have had a significant influence over the past 500 years since their original publication, contributing to the 19th-century occult revival and enduring presence in modern Western esotericism.
Agrippa's ideas were present throughout history, even during periods of decline in magical practices, demonstrating the lasting impact of his works on subsequent generations of occultists and scholars.
Deep dives
Influence and Legacy of Agrippa's Occult Philosophy
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's three books of occult philosophy have had a significant influence over the past 500 years since their original publication. The fourth book of occult philosophy, which appeared 30 years after Agrippa's death, caused controversy as his student Johann Weyer denounced its authenticity. However, it remains a remarkable volume, filled with ritual instructions and usually packaged alongside other famous occult works. The first English translation of occult philosophy came out in 1651, over a century after its initial publication, and included an introductory poem by Thomas Vaughn, a Welsh Rosicrucian. English magician Francis Barrett, in 1801, published "The Magus," a book of ritual magic heavily influenced by Agrippa's work. Barrett's influence extended to prominent figures such as Eliphas Levi and Edward Bulwer Lytton, contributing to the 19th-century occult revival. Agrippa's material continues to influence modern Western esotericism, found in books filled with tables of correspondences, like Alistair Crowley's "777" and Stephen Skinner's "The Complete Magician's Tables."
Agrippa and Sporadic Influence in History
During the 120 years between the original publication of Agrippa's occult philosophy and the 1651 English translation, Agrippa's work was evident in various contexts. John Dee, the famous philosopher, drew repeatedly from Agrippa's works in his own "Mysteriorum Libri: Queene Quads." Additionally, Giordano Bruno, a Dominican friar and philosopher, used Agrippa's occult philosophy as a major source for his book, "De Magia." It is fascinating to note how Agrippa's ideas were present throughout history, even during periods of decline in magical practices. The influence of Agrippa's works endured, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent generations of occultists and scholars.
Agrippa's Influence in Modern Occultism
Agrippa's three books of occult philosophy solidified his position as the godfather of modern ritual magic within the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Latter-day occultists still find inspiration in Agrippa's works. L.W. de Lawrence published "The Great Book of Magical Art," "Hindu Magic, and East Indian Occultism" in 1915, which extensively drew from Agrippa's occult philosophy. Delorence aimed to make his version more mysterious by replacing Hebrew names with a pseudo-Sanskrit script. Agrippa's influence is felt in contemporary occult practices, particularly in books featuring tables of correspondences, such as Alistair Crowley's "777" and Stephen Skinner's "The Complete Magician's Tables." Agrippa's enduring presence in modern Western esotericism testifies to the timeless relevance and impact of his work.
Agrippa's Influence on Bruno and Their Contributions
Giordano Bruno, a philosopher and heretic, was born a few generations after Agrippa. While their lives did not overlap, Bruno drew inspiration from Agrippa's works, mainly in the context of memory techniques and magical systems. Bruno sought to reform magic back to its ancient roots and develop a unified theory of how the cosmos worked. While Agrippa's worldview revolved around a geocentric model, Bruno's beliefs incorporated heliocentrism and an infinite unfolding of God's creation. Though Bruno's works were flowery and dense, like Shakespeare's, his book "De Magia" explores magic in the context of the intellectual and spiritual world. The influence of Agrippa on Bruno's magical endeavors highlights the interconnectedness and progression of magical thought and practice during this period.
Welcome to the final episode of our in-depth exploration of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Since this is the final episode of the series, don't start listening here. Catch up on all of the episodes in this series on the podcast's website.
We have been all over Occult Philosophy, and explored everything from its historical context to its complex cosmology and fascinating theories on divine light. We will look at the influences that Occult Philosophy has had in the nearly 500 years since its original publication.
In all of the previous episodes, I have suggested chapters in Occult Philosophy that could be read to accompany your listening experience. But not this time! My guests and I will be mentioning quite a few books that have resulted from Agrippa's influence, however, and I will make sure to list them in the show notes. They will make excellent additions to your winter reading list!
Many thanks to R.A. Priddle and Scott Gosnell for their insights into the influence of Three Books of Occult Philosophy.
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