Natural Magic

magic original: "μαγεία"

...the other [natural] kind, which everyone venerates and honors as something unsurpassed; nothing is more worthy of applause for students of good literature. Nor do they consider it to be anything other than the fulfillment of natural philosophy and the highest form of knowledge. Possessing great power, it overflows with hidden mysteries and provides the contemplation of things lying concealed, along with their qualities, properties, and the knowledge of all nature, standing as the very peak and summit of all philosophy. It teaches how to perform works through the assistance of things and their mutual and timely application—works which the common people regard as miracles, exceeding all wonder and human understanding. For this reason, it flourished most especially in
India, Ethiopia

India and Ethiopia, where there was an abundant supply of animals, herbs, stones, and other materials pertaining to it. Hence, you who approach to see these things should believe the works of Natural Magic to be nothing other than the works of nature; the art is merely its servant and diligently follows nature’s lead. Whenever it recognizes something lacking in a natural kinship, it restores it at the appropriate times through vapors, numbers, and qualities. Just as in agriculture Nature herself brings forth herbs, seedlings, and crops, while art prepares them. Thus, Plotinus Plotinus (c. 204–270 AD) was a major Hellenistic philosopher; he viewed the world as a single living organism where all parts are interconnected rightly calls the Magician the servant of nature, not its creator. What sort of duty this servant of learning performs, we intend to demonstrate in the following section.

On the Education of a Magician, and what kind of person

a professor of natural magic ought to be.

CHAPTER II.

Now it is right to make known those things which a Magician must remember and know throughout this entire work, so that, being fully prepared in every way, he may begin to attain the hidden and wonderful effects of Nature. Already [he must understand] the active and absolute portion of natural philosophy...