Three Books of Occult Philosophy

E P I S T L E.

...for they would have either vindicated it Magic from the crime of impiety, or handed it down to us purely and sincerely. Indeed, those more recent writers whom I have seen—Roger Bacon original: "Rogerium Bachonem," a 13th-century English friar and philosopher, Robert the Englishman original: "Robertum Anglicum," a medieval astronomer, Pietro d'Abano original: "Petrum Apponum," an Italian physician and astrologer, Albert the German original: "Albertum Teutonicum," better known as Albertus Magnus, Arnald of Villanova, Anselm of Parma, the Spanish Picatrix original: "Picatricem Hispanum," a reference to a famous Arabic grimoire of astrological magic, Cecco d’Ascoli of Florence, and many other writers of obscure name—when they promise to deliver magic, they have provided nothing but certain delusions backed by no reason, or superstitions unworthy of all honest men.

Hence my spirit was stirred within me, and because of both admiration and indignation, I too wished to philosophize. I did not think I would be performing an unpraiseworthy work—I who from an early age have always been a curious and intrepid explorer concerning the operations of wonderful effects and those full of mysteries—if I were to restore Magic itself (that ancient discipline of all wise men) ransomed from the errors of impiety, purged and adorned with its own reasoning, and vindicate it from the injury of slanderers.

Although I have long deliberated this with myself, I never until now dared to descend into this arena. However, after the conversation shared between us at Würzburg original: "Herbipoli" regarding these matters, your surpassing skill and learning, and your burning encouragement, added boldness and spirit to me. Therefore, having selected opinions from philosophers of proven faith, and having purged the introductions of the malicious—those who, lying with feigned knowledge, taught that the traditions of the Magi were to be sought from the very rejected books of darkness as if from the very inner shrines of wonderful operations—having discussed the darkness, I have composed in these recent days three books concerning magic, gathered into a brief compendium.

I have inscribed them with the less offensive title On Occult Philosophy. I now submit these to your examination, you who possess the most complete expertise in these matters, to be corrected, judged, and evaluated. Thus, if anything has been written by me in them which might tend toward an insult to nature, an offense to the heavenly beings, or an injury to religion, you may condemn the error. But if the scandals of impiety are dissolved and purged, you might defend them by the tradition of truth. May you wish to act in this way with these books of ours, and with magic itself: that nothing which might be beneficial be hidden, nor anything approved which can do nothing but harm. By this means, these books, approved by your examination, may at last be worthy to go forth into public one day under happy auspices, and not fear to undergo the judgment of posterity.

Farewell, and be indulgent of these bold undertakings.