Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Female pre-eminence, or, The dignty and acvellency of that sex above the male. 1529.
"But to proceed; as in order and place, so also in matter of her Creation, Woman far excells Man. things receive their value from the matter they are made of, and the excellent skill of their maker: Pots of common clay must not contend with China-dishes, nor pewter utensils vye dignity with those of silver. […] Woman was not composed of any inanimate or vile dirt, but of a more refined and purified substance, enlivened and actuated by a Rational Soul, whose operations speak it a beam, or bright ray of Divinity.“ "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Female pre-eminence, or, The dignty and acvellency of that sex above the male. 1529.
"I confess that Magic teacheth many superfluous things, and curious prodigies for ostentation; leave them as empty things, yet be not ignorant of their causes. But those things which are for the profit of men -- for the turning away of evil events, for the destroying of sorceries, for the curing of diseases, for the exterminating of phantasms, for the preserving of life, honor, or fortune -- may be done without offense to God or injury to religion, because they are, as profitable, so necessary."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Three Books of Occult Philosophy or Magic. 1533.
"Magic is a faculty of wonderful virtue, full of most high mysteries, containing the most profound contemplation of most secret things, together with the nature, power, quality, substance and virtues thereof, as also the knowledge of whole Nature, and it doth instruct us concerning the differing and agreement of things amongst themselves, whence it produceth its wonderful effects, by uniting the virtues of things through the application of them one to the other."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Three Books of Occult Philosophy or Magic. 1533.
"Rabanus also, a famous Doctor, composed an excellent book of the vertues of numbers: But now how great vertues numbers have in nature, is manifest in the hearb which is called Cinquefoil, i.e. five leaved Grass; for this resists poysons by vertue of the number of five; also drives away divells, conduceth to expiation; and one leafe of it taken twice in a day in wine, cures the Feaver of one day: three the tertian Feaver: foure the quartane. In like manner four grains of the seed of Turnisole being drunk, cures the quartane, but three the tertian. In like manner Vervin is said to cure Feavers, being drunk in wine, if in tertians it be cut from the third joynt, in quartans from the fourth."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Three Books of Occult Philosophy or Magic. 1533.
"Seeing there is a three-fold World, Elementary, Celestiall, and Intellectual, and every inferior is governed by its superior, and receiveth the influence of the vertues thereof, so that the very original, and chief Worker of all doth by Angels, the Heavens, Stars, Elements, Animals, Plants, Metals, and Stones convey from himself the vertues of his Omnipotency upon us, for whose service he made, and created all these things: [...] "
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Book 1, Part 1, Chapter 1. 1531.
"Now I will shew you what some of the Sorceries are, that by the example of these there may be a way opened for the consideration of the whole subject of them. Of these therefore the first is menstruous bloud [blood], which, how much power it hath in Sorcery, we will now consider; for, as they say, if it comes over new wine, it makes it soure, and if it doth but touch the Vine it spoyles [spoils] it for ever, and by its very touch it makes all Plants, and Trees barren, and they that be newly set, to die; […] "
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim Of Occult Philosophy. Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 42. 1531.
"We must now speak of the Characters and Seals of spirits. Characters therefore are nothing else then certain unknowable letters and writings, preserving the secrets of the Gods, and names of spirits from the use and reading of prophane [profane] men, which the Ancients called Hyeroglyphicall [hieroglyphical], or sacred letters, because devoted to the secrets of the Gods only. "
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim Of Occult Philosophy. Book 3, Part 3, Chapter 29. 1531.
""Nothing is concealed from the wise and sensible, while the unbelieving and unworthy cannot learn the secrets." "
"„[The 'law of resonance reads:] All things which are similar and therefore connected, are drawn to each other's power." "
"Only for you, children of doctrine and learning, have we written this work. Examine this book, ponder the meaning we have dispersed in various places and gathered again; what we have concealed in one place we have disclosed in another, that it may be understood by your wisdom."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Quoted in: Eco, Umberto. Foucaults Pendulum.1531
"Again thou must consider, that the vertues of things are in some things in the whole (i.e.) the whole substance of them, or in all their parts, as that little fish Echeneis, which is said to stop a ship by its meer touch, this it doth not do according to any particular part, but according to the whole substance. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XX. 1531.
"The like vertue is there in the eyes of some Wolfes [wolves], which if they see a man first, make him amazed, and so hoarse, that if he would cry out, he hath not the use of his voice: Of this Virgil makes mention, when he sings,
Moeris is dumb, hath lost his voice, and why?
The Wolf on Moeris first hath cast his eye."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XX. 1531.
"And there is in mans body a certain little bone, which the Hebrews call LVZ, of the bigness of a pulse that is husked, which is subject to no corruption, neither is it overcome with Fire, but is alwaies preserved unhurt, out of which, as they say, as a Plant out of the seed, our Animall bodies shall in the Resurrection of the dead spring up. And these vertues are not cleared by reason, but by experience. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XX. 1531.
"If you take a heart newly taken out of an Animall, and whilest it is yet warm, and hang it upon one that hath a quartane feavor [fever], it drives it away. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXI. 1531.
"Moreover there be some properties that remain after death: and of these the Platonists say, that they are things in which the Idea of the matter is less swallowed up, in these, even after death that which is immortall in them, doth not cease to work wonderfull things. So in the Hearbs [herbs], and Plants pulled asunder, and dryed, that vertue is quick, and operative which was infused at first into them by the Idea. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXI. 1531.
"It is manifest that all things inferiour are subject to the superiour, and after a manner (as saith Proclus) they are one in the other, viz. in inferiour are superiour, and in superiour are inferiour: so in the Heaven are things Terrestriall, but as in their cause, and in a Celestiall manner; and in the Earth are things Celestiall, but after a Terrestriall manner, as in an effect. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXI. 1531.
"But in reference to these it is necessary to know how mans body is distributed to Planets, & Signes. Know therefore that according to the doctrine of the Arabians, the Sun rules over the brain, heart, the thigh, the marrow, the right eye, and the spirit; also the tongue, the mouth, and the rest of the Organs of the senses, as well internall as externall; also the hands, feet, legs, nerves, and the power of imagination. That Mercury rules over the spleen, stomack [stomach], bladder, womb, and right ear, as also the faculty of the common sense. That Saturn rules over the liver and fleshy part of the stomack [stomach]. That Jupiter over the belly, and navill [navel], whence it is written by the Ancients, that the effigies of a navil [navel] was laid up in the temple of Jupiter Hammon. Also some attribute to him the ribs, breast, bowels, blood, arms, and the right hand, and left ear, and the powers natural. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXI. 1531.
"Moreover the whole Orb of the Earth is distributed by Kingdoms, and Provinces to the Planets, and Signes: For Macedonia, Thracia, Illyria, Arriana, Gordiana, (many of which countries are in the lesser Asia) are under Saturne with Capricorn; but with Aquarius, under him are the Sauromatian Country, Oxiana, Sogdiana, Arabia, Phazania, Media and Æthiopia [Ethiopia], which Countries for the most part belong to the more inward Asia. Under Jupiter with Sagittarius are Tuscana, Celtica, Spaine, and happy Arabia: [...] "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXI. 1531.
"Which ancient wise men considering, such as laboured much in the finding out of the occult properties of things, did set down in writing the images of the Stars, their figures, Seals, Marks, Characters, such as nature her self did describe by the rayes of the Stars, in these inferiour bodies, some in stones, some in Plants, and joynts, and knots of boughs, and some in divers members of Animals. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXIII. 1531.
"Now if thou desirest to receive vertue from any part of the World, or from any Star, thou shalt (those things being used which belong to this Star) come under its peculiar influence, as Wood is fit to receive Flame, by reason of Sulphur, Pitch, and Oile. Nevertheless when thou dost to any one species of things, or individual, rightly apply many things, which are things of the same subject scattered amongst themselves, conformable to the same Idea, and Star, presently by this matter so opportunely fitted, a singular gift is infused by the Idea, by means of the soul of the world. I say opportunely fitted, viz. under a harmony like to the harmony, which did infuse a certain vertue into the matter. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXIV. 1531.
"It is most evident, that in the inferiour nature all the powers of superior bodies are not found comprehended in any one thing, but are dispersed through many kinds of things amongst us: as there are many Solary things, whereof every one doth not contain all the vertues of the Sun: but some have some properties from the Sun, and others othersome. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXV. 1531.
"So the tree Ebeny [ebony] is one while wood, and another while stone. When therefore any one makes a mixtion of many matters under the Celestiall influencies, then the variety of Celestiall actions on the one hand, and of naturall powers on the other hand, being joyned together doth indeed cause wonderfull thing, by ointments, by collyries, by fumes, and such like, which viz. are read in the book of Chiramis, Archyta, Democritus, and Hermes, who is named Alchorat, and of many others. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XXXV. 1531.
"The force of Sorceries is reported to be so great, that they are believed to be able to subvert, consume, and change all inferiour things, according Virgils Muse.
Moeris for me these hearbs [herbs] in Pontus chose,
And curious drugs, for there great plenty grows;
I many times, with these, have Moeris spide [spied]
Chang'd to a wolfe, and in the woods to hide:
From Sepulchres would souls departed charm,
And Corn bear standing from anothers Farm."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLI. 1531.
"And such as Apuleius tells of concerning Pamphila, that Sorceress, endeavouring to procure love; to whom Fotis a certain maid brought the haires of a goat (cut off from a bag or botle [bottle] made with the skin thereof) instead of Bæotius a young mans haires: Now she (saith he) being out of her wits for the young man, goeth up to the tyled rough [tiled roof], and in the upper part thereof makes a great hole open to all the orientall, and other aspects, and most fit for these her arts, and there privately worships, having before furnished her mournfull house with sutable furniture, with all kinds of spices, with plates of Iron with strange words engraven upon them, with sterns of ships that were cast away, and much lamented, and with divers members of buryed carkasses [buried carcasses] cast abroad: here noses, and fingers, there the fleshy nailes of those that were hanged, and in another place the blood of them that were murdered, and their skulls mangled with the teeth of wild beasts; "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLI. 1531.
"Now I will shew you what some of the Sorceries are, that by the example of these there may be a way opened for the consideration of the whole subject of them. Of these therefore the first is menstruous bloud [blood], which, how much power it hath in Sorcery, we will now consider; for, as they say, if it comes over new wine, it makes it soure, and if it doth but touch the Vine it spoyles [spoils] it for ever, and by its very touch it makes all Plants, and Trees barren, and they that be newly set, to die."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLIII. 1531.
"The ashes of menstruous clothes, if they be cast upon purple garments that are to be washed, change the colour of them, and takes away colours from flowers."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. in:Of Occult Philosophy, Chapter XLII 1531
"Thus much Pliny writes. Also it is said that the sword, with which a man is slain, hath wonderfull power in Sorceries: For if the snaffle of the bridle, or spurs be made of it, they say that with these any horse, though never so wild, may be tamed, and gentled: and that if a Horse should be shod with shooes [shoes] made with it, he would be most swift and fleet, and never, though never so hard rod [rode], tire. But yet they will that some Characters, and names should be written upon it. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLII. 1531.
"Some Suffumigations also, or perfumings, that are proper to the Stars, are of great force for the opportune receiving of Celestiall gifts under the rayes of the Stars, in as much as they do strongly work upon the Aire, and breath. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLIII. 1531.
"Now the sight, because it perceives more purely, and cleerly [clearly] then the other senses, and fastening in us the marks of things more acutely, and deeply, doth most of all, and before others agree with the Phantastick spirit, as is apparent in dreams, when things seen do more often present themselves to us then things heard, or any thing coming under the other senses. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLV. 1531.
"In the fire a certain naturall liveliness infused into it by the heavens. And lastly in men, it is a clear discourse of reason, an knowledge of divine things, and the whole rationall: but this is manifold, either by reason of the disposition of the body, as the Peripateticks will have it, or which is more true, by reason of the good pleasure of him that bestows it, who gives it to every one as he pleaseth. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLIX. 1531.
"And we shall afterwards speak of some colours, which are the lights of the Planets, by which even the natures of fixed Stars themselves are understood, which also may be applyed to the flames of Lamps, and Candles. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter XLIX. 1531.
"They say that certain acts, and observations have a certain power of naturall things, that they believe diseases may be expelled, or brought thus, and thus "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LI. 1531.
"They say that by Wood stricken with lightning, and cast behind the back with ones hands, any disease may be cured, and in quartanes a piece of a naile from a Gibbet, wrapt up in Wooll, and hanged about the neck, cures them; also a Rope doth the like, that is taken from a Gallows, and hid under ground, that the Sun cannot reach it. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LI. 1531.
"Also they say that a mans eyes that are washed three times with the water wherein he hath washed his feet, shall never be sore or bleer [bleary]. It is said that some do cure diseases of the groin with threed [thread] taken out of the Weavers Loom, being tyed [tied] in nine, or seven knots, the name of some Widow being named at every knot. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy, Chapter LI 1531.
"The Urine of a green Lizard cures the same disease, if it be hanged up in a pot before the patients bed-chamber, so that he may, as he comes in and out, touch it with his hand. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LI. 1531.
"These things Pliny recites. It is said also in gathering roots and hearbs [herbs], we must draw three circles round about them, first with a sword, then dig them up, taking heed in the mean time of a contrary wind. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LI. 1531.
"For there are gestures resembling Saturne, which are melancholy, and sad, as are beating of the breast, striking of the head: also such as are Religious, as the bowing of the knee, and a fixt look downwards, as of one praying, also weeping, and such like, as are used by an Austere, and Saturnine man, such an one as the Satyrist describes, saying,
With hang'd down head, with eyes fixed to the ground,
His raging words bites in, and muttering sound
He doth express with powting [pouting] lips -----"
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LII. 1531.
"Amongst which Auguria, and Auspicia are the chiefest, which were in former time in such esteem amongst the Romanes, that they would do nothing that did belong to private or publique [public] business without the counsell of the Augures: Cicero also in his Book of Divinations largely declares, that the people of Tuscia would do nothing without this art. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIII. 1531.
"Bees are a good omen to Kings, for they signifie an obsequious people. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"The Stork is a bird of concord, and makes concord. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"Cranes gives us notice of the trechery [treachery] of enemies."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"The bird Cacupha betokens gratitude, for she alone doth express love to her Dam [mother], being spent with old age."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"Amongst the smaller birds, the Pie is talkative, and foretels [foretells] guests."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
" A Bat meeting any one running away, signifies an evasion: for although she have no wings, yet she flies. A Sparrow is a bad omen to one that runs away, for she flies from the Hawk, and makes hast [haste] to the Owl, where she is in as great danger: yet in love she is fortunate, for being stirred up with lust, couples seven times in an hour. Bees are a good omen to Kings, for they signifie an obsequious people. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"Flies signifie importunity, and impudency, because being oftentimes driven away, they do yet continually return. Also domestick birds are not without some Auguria's, for Cocks by their crowing promote hope, and the journey of him that is undertaking it. Moreover Livia the mother of Tiberius, when she was great with him, took a Hen-Egg and hatched it in her bosome, and at length came forth a Cock chick with a great comb, which the Augures interpreted that the child that should be born of her should be King. And Cicero writes that at Thebais Cocks, by their crowing all night, did presage that the Bætians would obtain victory against the Lacedæmonians: and the reason is according to the Augures interpretations, because that bird when he is beaten is silent, but when he himself hath overcome, crows. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"In like manner also omens of events are taken from beasts. For the meeting of a Weesel [weasel] is ominous, also meeting of a Hare is an ill omen to a traveller, unless she be taken. A Mule also is bad, because barren. A Hog is pernicious, for such is his nature, and therefore signifies pernicious men. A Horse betokens quarrellings, and fightings: whence Anchises seeing of white Horses, cries out in Virgil. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"But when they are joyned together in a Chariot, because they draw with an equall yoke, they signifie that peace is to be hoped for."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"An Asse is an unprofitable creature, yet did Marius good, who when he was pronounced an enemy to his country, saw an Asse disdaining provender that was offered to him, and running to the water, by which Augury, he supposing he saw a way of safety shewed to him, intreated the aid of his friends, that they would convey him to the Sea; which being granted, he was set into a little ship, and so escaped the threats of Silla the Conqueror. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"If the Foal of an Asse meet any one going to an Augury, he signifies labor, patience, and hinderances. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"A Wolf meeting any one is a good sign, the effect whereof was seen in Hiero of Sicilia, from whom a Wolf snatching away a book whilest he was at school, confirmed to him the success of the Kingdom: but yet the Wolf makes him speechless whom he sees first. A Wolf rent in pieces a Watchman of P. Africanus, and C. Fulvius at Minturn, when the Romane Army was overcome by the fugitives in Sicilia. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"Also he signifies perfidious men, such as you can give no credit to: which was known in the progeny of Romanes. For the faith which they long since sucked from their mother the Wolf, and kept to themselves from the beginning, as by a certain law of nature, passed over to their posterity. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"To meet a Lion, seeing she is amongst Animals the strongest, and striking terrour into all the rest, is good. But for a woman to meet a Lionesse, is bad, because she hinders conception, for a Lionesse brings forth but once. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"To meet Sheep, and Goats is good. It is read also in the Ostentarian of the Tuscians, if this Animall shall wear any unusuall colour, it portends to the Emperour plenty of all things, together with much happiness. "
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"It is good also to meet Oxen treading out Corn, but better to meet them plowing, which although breaking the way hinder thy journey, yet by the favour of their Auspicium will recompence thee again."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"A Dog in a journey is fortunate, because Cyrus being cast into the woods was nourished by a Dog till he came to the Kingdom, which also the Angel, companion of Tobit did not scorn as a companion. The Castor, because he bites off his Testicles, and leaves them to the Hunters, is an ill omen, and portends that a man will injure himself."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
"The Brutian souldiers [soldiers] fighting against Octavius, and M. Antonius, found an Aethiopian [Ethiopian] in the gate of their Castle; whom though they did slay as a presage of ill success, yet they were unfortunate in the batle [battle], and Brutus, and Cassius both Generals, were slain. Meeting of Monks is commonly accounted an ill omen, and so much the rather, if it be early in the morning, because these kind of men live for the most by the sudden death of men, as Vulturs [vultures] do by slaughters."
Heinrich Conelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Of Occult Philosophy. Chapter LIIII. 1531.
