#142 - Smuggling Arabic Hermetica in Medieval Lapidaries with Vajra Regan
Oct 15, 2023
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Medieval scholar Vajra Regan discusses smuggling Arabic esoteric knowledge into Europe through medieval lapidaries. They explore the significance of lapidaries in introducing Arabic magic and talismans to Europe, delve into planetary associations in the Lieber-Sajalorum, and uncover unexplored lapidary literature containing hidden mysteries. They also discuss ancient magical rings and the impact of Arabic esoteric literature on European culture.
Lapidaries were instrumental in the transmission of Arabic esoteric knowledge to Europe in the Middle Ages.
The Libra Sigilorum, a famous and influential text of magic, was adapted from an Arabic book of astral magic and spread through lapidaries.
Deep dives
Medieval lapidaries as vehicles for the transmission of Arabic esoteric knowledge into Europe
Medieval lapidaries were catalogs of precious gems and stones in the late Middle Ages. However, they were much more than catalogs. They served as books of amuletic magic, containing instructions for creating and using amulets. Despite the conventional narrative that magic was a marginal activity, lapidaries were incredibly popular and spread widely in the late Middle Ages. They played a crucial role in transmitting new Arabic magical knowledge to Europe. This new learning, which had been translated in the 12th and early 13th centuries, was integrated into lapidaries and diffused throughout Europe. The popularity and acceptance of lapidaries, particularly among the medical community, helped preserve and spread the Arabic esoteric knowledge that they contained.
The hermetic origins of the Libra Sigilorum of Tekel
The Libra Sigilorum, or Book of Sigils, is one of the most influential and famous yet relatively unknown texts of magic. It is embedded in lapidaries and contains information about engraved gems and their magical amuletic properties. Recent research reveals that the Libra Sigilorum was adapted directly from the Latin translation of an Arabic book of astral magic known as the Libra Plannitarum or Libra Satorne of Hermes. This finding demonstrates the hermetic origins of the Libra Sigilorum and highlights how Arabic esoteric knowledge was smuggled into Europe through lapidaries. The text became immensely popular in the late Middle Ages and continued to survive and influence European culture, even though many of its original sources were eradicated.
The role of lapidaries in the transformation of Western magic
Lapidaries, which were catalogs of precious gems and stones in the Middle Ages, played a pivotal role in the transformation of Western magic. They became vehicles for the transmission of new Arabic magical knowledge to Europe. Through lapidaries, this new learning was assimilated into European culture and influenced the Latin translations of the material. Despite the conventional narrative that magic was marginal and conducted underground, lapidaries were widely popular. They were embedded with amuletic magic and served as a cover for preserving and spreading the Arabic esoteric knowledge in a mainstream intellectual culture. The acceptance of lapidaries, especially among physicians, contributed to the integration of Arabic magical practices into Western magic.
The importance of further exploration in medieval lapidaries
Despite the significant role that lapidaries played in the transmission and transformation of magic in the Middle Ages, they remain largely unexplored. Many lapidaries contain hidden treasures of knowledge and insights yet to be uncovered. The complexity and intertwining nature of these texts require collaborations among scholars with expertise in various fields such as languages, paleography, art history, and esoteric studies. Further research into lapidaries has the potential to shed light on the continuities and transformations of magic in the Middle Ages and expand our understanding of the transmission and reception of Arabic esoteric knowledge in Europe. It is essential to delve into these often overlooked texts to uncover valuable information that can fill the gaps in our knowledge of medieval magic.
How did medieval lapidaries smuggle Arabic esoteric knowledge into Europe? What was the Arabic Hermetica corpus found in Europe 100 years before the Picatrix (Ghayat al-Hakim)? Vajra Regan - medieval scholar, author and researcher - shares about his latest research and new article published in The Journal of Medieval Latin earlier this year.
