Agrippa occult philosophy, also known as "De Occulta Philosophia," is a seminal work in the field of Western occultism. Written by the German scholar Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim in the early 16th century, this book explores a wide range of esoteric and mystical topics. Agrippa's occult philosophy is deeply rooted in the tradition of Hermeticism, a philosophical and religious movement that emerged in the Hellenistic period and contributed to the development of alchemy and astrology. Hermeticism emphasizes the unity of all things and the belief in a hidden, divine wisdom that can be uncovered through the study of nature and the spiritual realm. In "De Occulta Philosophia," Agrippa explores various branches of occult knowledge, including astrology, natural magic, and divination. He delves into the cosmological principles behind astrology, arguing that celestial bodies influence human affairs and can be used to interpret and predict events.
Agrippa, Henry [Heinrich] Cornelius, von Nettesheim. Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Translated by James Freake. Edited by Donald Tyson. St. Paul, Minn., 1993. A complete reprint of the 1650 English translation of De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres (1531 – 1533), with some corrections and many notes, the latter unfortunately somewhat unreliable. There is no other complete translation into English. Pico della Mirandola, Giovanni. Syncretism in the West: Pico's 900 Theses (1486): The Evolution of Traditional Religious and Philosophical Systems. Translated and edited by S. A. Farmer. Tempe, Ariz., 1998. An excellent critical edition and translation of the complete text, with an interesting but problematic introduction-monograph.
Overall, the connections of this primarily early modern phenomenon with both earlier magic and later occult and esoteric movements remain untouched, and much basic material is still in manuscript. While occult philosophy does usually accept this concordance theory, it is importantly inclusive; that is, whereas in esotericism the concordance approach often entails cutting away supposed mistakes or accretions, occult philosophers generally try to appropriate as much as possible of the system in question.
He delves into the cosmological principles behind astrology, arguing that celestial bodies influence human affairs and can be used to interpret and predict events. Agrippa also discusses the practice of natural magic, which involves harnessing the natural forces and elements to affect change in the physical world. He describes various magical rituals, talismans, and symbols that can be used to manipulate these forces and achieve desired outcomes.
OCCULT PHILOSOPHY: NATURAL MAGIC, Agrippa - Grimoire Mysticism Alchemy - 1897
Title : THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY OR MAGIC: BOOK ONE — NATURAL MAGIC, Which Includes the Early Life of Agrippa, His Seventy-four Chapters on Natural Magic, New Notes, Illustrations, Index, and Other Original and Selected Matter
Author : Henry Cornelius Agrippa; Edited by Willis F. Whitehead Publisher: Ernest Loomis & Company
City: New York
Year: 1897
Binding Style: Hardcover
Pagination: 277, with "The Magic Mirror" (by direction of The Brotherhood of Magic), and several pages of Loomis advertisements at end
Illustrated: Yes
Book Details + Condition: THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY OR MAGIC: BOOK ONE — NATURAL MAGIC, Which Includes the Early Life of Agrippa, His Seventy-four Chapters on Natural Magic, New Notes, Illustrations, Index, and Other Original and Selected Matter . Scarce edition from 1897. Shelf wear to boards: bumped corners, slight lean to book, and (old) clear tape to binding of first blank pages. Last blank page and endpaper are glued together. Please see pictures. School of Practical Psychology stamp on first blank page. Pages are clean and free of interior writing, otherwise. In 1509-1510, Cornelius Agrippa, known in his time as a magician, gathered together all the mystic and magick lore he had obtained, and compiled it into the elaborate system of Magic, in three books, known as Occult Philosophy. The first book — Natural Magic — constitutes the present volume. Partial List of Contents includes:
Book Details + Condition: THREE BOOKS OF OCCULT PHILOSOPHY OR MAGIC: BOOK ONE — NATURAL MAGIC, Which Includes the Early Life of Agrippa, His Seventy-four Chapters on Natural Magic, New Notes, Illustrations, Index, and Other Original and Selected Matter . Scarce edition from 1897. Shelf wear to boards: bumped corners, slight lean to book, and (old) clear tape to binding of first blank pages. Last blank page and endpaper are glued together. Please see pictures. School of Practical Psychology stamp on first blank page. Pages are clean and free of interior writing, otherwise. In 1509-1510, Cornelius Agrippa, known in his time as a magician, gathered together all the mystic and magick lore he had obtained, and compiled it into the elaborate system of Magic, in three books, known as Occult Philosophy. The first book — Natural Magic — constitutes the present volume. Partial List of Contents includes:
Furthermore, Agrippa examines divination, the art of obtaining knowledge of the future or hidden through supernatural means. He discusses different divinatory methods, such as astrology, geomancy, and necromancy, and explores the philosophical and theological implications of these practices. Throughout "De Occulta Philosophia," Agrippa emphasizes the importance of a virtuous and ethical approach to the study and practice of the occult. He warns against the misuse and abuse of these esoteric arts for personal gain or malevolent purposes, emphasizing that true wisdom and spiritual power should be sought for the betterment of oneself and society. Despite its significance as an early work on occult philosophy, "De Occulta Philosophia" faced considerable controversy and criticism during Agrippa's time. The book was even condemned as heretical by the Catholic Church, leading to its inclusion in the Index of Forbidden Books. Nevertheless, Agrippa's occult philosophy has left a lasting impact on the development of Western esotericism. It has influenced numerous subsequent occultists, including figures such as Francis Barrett, Eliphas Levi, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. In conclusion, Agrippa occult philosophy, as presented in "De Occulta Philosophia," is a comprehensive exploration of various esoteric practices and beliefs. It embodies the Hermetic tradition and provides valuable insights into the nature of the universe, the power of magic, and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom..
Reviews for "The Role of Visualization in Agripoa Occult Philosophy"
1. John123 - 1/5 stars - I found "Agripoa occult philosophh" to be incredibly confusing and difficult to follow. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without any clear organization or structure. The language used was also overly complex and convoluted, making it hard to understand the concepts being discussed. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Booklover89 - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Agripoa occult philosophh," but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their extensive knowledge rather than providing practical insights into occult philosophy. The book lacked clarity and failed to provide clear instructions or explanations for the reader. It felt more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a cohesive guide. While it might appeal to some avid scholars of the occult, I found it to be a frustrating and unfulfilling read.
3. DisappointedReader - 1/5 stars - "Agripoa occult philosophh" was an absolute chore to get through. The author used overly complex language and convoluted sentence structures that made understanding the content a near-impossible task. The book lacked clear explanations and failed to provide any practical applications for the concepts discussed. It felt like reading a jumbled mess of esoteric ramblings rather than an accessible guide to occult philosophy. I would strongly advise against wasting your time and money on this book.