HENRY

CORNELIUS AGRIPPA

Knight of the Golden Spur, and Doctor

of both laws The laws mentioned are Civil and Canon (Church) law, the standard advanced degree for scholars of the time., Councilor

and Archivist to his

Sacred Imperial

Majesty,

on

OCCULT PHILOSOPHY

BOOK ONE.

A large decorative drop-cap 'C' featuring an ornamental design with foliage and a bird, possibly a hawk or eagle, perched within the curve of the letter.Since there is a triple world—elemental, celestial, and intellectual—and each lower world is governed by the one above it and receives the influence of its powers, it follows that the Archetype original: "archetypus," referring to the divine blueprint or the mind of God. and Supreme Creator himself pours out the virtues The word "virtues" here means "powers" or "spiritual essences" rather than moral qualities. of his omnipotence into us through angels, heavens, stars, elements, animals, plants, metals, and stones. For our service, he founded and created all these things. Magicians believe it is not unreasonable that we can ascend through these same steps, through each individual world, to that same Archetypal world: the creator of all and the primary cause from which all things exist and proceed. They believe we can not only enjoy these powers which already exist in the more noble things, but can also draw down new powers from above. Hence, the elemental...