Not Just the Tudors John Dee's Angels
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May 29, 2025 Garry J. Shaw, an Egyptologist and author of 'Cryptic', joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to delve into the fascinating world of John Dee, an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. They explore Dee’s mystifying interactions with angels through his diaries and the attempts to communicate with the celestial. Topics include the complex partnership with alchemist Edward Kelly, the creation of Enochian magic, humorous celestial conversations, and the dramatic fallout from a scandalous wife-swapping order. This discussion uncovers a rich tapestry of mysticism and intrigue.
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John Dee’s Polymath Pursuits
- John Dee was a polymath who sought to understand the cosmos through science, navigation, astrology, and occultism.
- He operated largely independently, advising the court but lacking a formal royal position, often seeking patrons and ways to earn money.
Dee’s Turn to Divine Contact
- Dee reached a point where conventional knowledge was insufficient and turned to contacting the divine directly through a scryer.
- Edward Kelly, a gifted or possibly deceptive scryer, became Dee’s key medium for angelic communication starting around 1583.
Kelly as the Angelic Medium
- Dee himself did not witness supernatural visions; all angelic conversations were perceived and described by Kelly.
- Dee meticulously transcribed everything Kelly dictated, trusting the authenticity of these channeled messages.