Inaugural Physico-Medical Dissertation on the Magnetism of the Macrocosm and Microcosm

who does not see that paintings concurred in this work of nature objectively, but nature herself concurred effectively? Therefore, the work remains that of the efficient nature, not of the painting that merely moves externally. In a similar way, painters move various affections in men at least objectively by their images, but the imagination and the will effectively produce them. The multi-colored rods of Jacob performed the same thing when cast into the troughs to mark the flocks of the Patriarch. But natural Magnetism presupposes an effective principle; it is not enough to be merely externally moving.

§. 8. What is to be said about Signatory and Characteristic Magnetisms is plain. In these, either whole names or various characters, taken from different languages, are ascribed a singular virtue to perform various things; if, namely, they are worn on the neck when inscribed on paper or carved on plates, or used in any other different way. By this pact, soldiers strive to arm their flesh, lovers to reconcile the love of others to themselves, and others to cure various diseases, and I know not what else they perform. You will find many such things in Paracelsus and the Authors cited above. Of this same chaff are all Cabalistic magnetisms; for there is no natural power in words and letters, in whatever way they are written, carved, or in whatever time, order, and—I know not what—fantastic whirling of letters they are often transposed. But if circumstances are added to the above-mentioned futile and laughable magnetisms, as are ceremonies, with which they are often invested under more than most foolish pretexts, we declare them to be rejected with better right. Unfold Mizaldus, and every single page will inculcate the observance of such futile circumstances: Cornelius Agrippa carries cartloads of Ceremonial Magnetisms, which are suspicious even by their very name, indeed reproved. Fantastic, Intentional, or Ideal Magnetisms remain, which, for the very reason that a natural principle or genuine cause is lacking in them, are by right and merit to be marked: regarding them, however, a richer opportunity to speak will return below concerning the second criterion, to which we also reserve them.