Three Books of Occult Philosophy

TO THE READER.

A decorative woodcut drop cap 'N' depicting a small figure, possibly a putti or a child, clinging to the framework of the letter.I DO NOT DOUBT that the title of our book, On Occult Philosophy original: "de Occulta philosophia", or On Magic, will by its rarity attract very many to read it. Among these, some will approach with minds weakened by biased opinions, and many also with malicious intent, ungrateful toward our talent. These people, in their rash ignorance, taking the name of magic in a bad sense, will cry out—barely having seen the title—that we are teaching forbidden arts, sowing the seeds of heresy, and acting as an offense to pious ears and a scandal to noble minds. They will call me a sorcerer, superstitious, and demonic, simply because I am a magus Agrippa uses "magus" here in its original sense of a "wise man" or "priest," though his critics used it to mean "black magician.". To these critics, I would respond that among learned men, the word "magus" does not imply a sorcerer, a superstitious person, or one possessed by demons. Instead, it signifies a wise man, a priest, and a prophet. The Sibyls Prophetic women of the ancient world whose oracles were later interpreted by Christians as foretelling the birth of Jesus. were "magae" [female magi], and they prophesied most clearly about Christ. Furthermore, the Magi The "Three Wise Men" from the Gospel of Matthew who followed the star to Bethlehem. recognized the birth of Christ, the author of the world, through the world's wonderful secrets, and were the first of all to come and worship Him. The very name of "magic" is accepted by philosophers, praised by theologians, and is not unwelcome even to the Gospel itself.

I believe these critics of such stubborn arrogance would sooner forbid themselves from the Sibyls, the holy Magi, and even the Gospel itself than take the name of magic back into their good graces. They are so careful of their own conscience that neither Apollo, nor all the Muses, nor an angel from heaven could rescue me from their curse. To these people, I now advise that they neither read our writings, nor understand them, nor remember them: for they are harmful, they are poisonous; the gate of Acheron original: "Acherontis ostium". Acheron was a river in the Greek underworld; here used to signify the entrance to hell. is in this book. It "speaks stones" A Latin idiom meaning to speak in a harsh, dangerous, or stunning manner.—let them beware lest it knock out their brains.

You, however, who come to read with a fair mind, if you apply as much wise discernment as bees do when gathering honey, then read securely. For I think you will receive no small amount of utility and a great deal of pleasure. But if you find things that do not please you, pass them by and do not use them; for I do not advocate those things to you, but merely report them Agrippa is using a common scholarly defense: he is a "reporter" of ideas rather than a "believer" in every specific detail.. Do not, however, reject the rest for that reason; for even those who look into the volumes of physicians happen to read about poisons alongside antidotes and medicines.

I confess, moreover, that magic itself teaches many superfluous things and curious wonders for the sake of display; leave these aside as vain, yet do not remain ignorant of their causes. But those things which can be done for the utility of humans—to avert bad events, to destroy evil spells original: "maleficia", to cure diseases, to drive away phantoms, to preserve the well-being of life, honor, and fortune, without offending God or injuring religion—who would not judge those to be as necessary as they are useful?

But because I have warned you that I have written many things by way of reporting rather than asserting—for it seemed necessary to do so lest we omit too few things—moreover, we have followed many of the opinions of the Platonists and other pagan philosophers where they suggested an argument for our plan of writing. Therefore, if there is an error anywhere, or if anything is said too freely, forgive my youth; for I composed this work when I was less than a young man, so that I may excuse myself and say—