Recently I have began exploring the works of Cornelius Agrippa (compliments of the esoteric archives) and wanted to share my readings as of so far as a way to give back for the help this forum has granted me.
From Occult Philosophy or Magick
Book 1: Natural Magick
After scanning through the first book, I took the time to delve into 2 of the chapters listed here:
Chap.x. “Of the Occult Vertues of things”
Chap.xi. " How Occult Vertues are infused into the severall kinds of things by Idea’s, through the help of the Soul of the World, and rayes of the Stars: and what things abound most with this Vertue.
Chapter 10(x) discusses what an occult quality is and my connection between this and magick is as follows:
whence also they being little in quantity, are of great efficacy; which is not granted to any Elementary quality. For these vertues having much form, and litle matter, can do very much; but an Elementary vertue, because it hath more materiality, requires much matter for its acting.
So breaking this down, I read that something little in physical quantity has greater efficiency in use whereas something comprised of elementality (fire, air, earth, water) is much less efficient because you require more effort it order to utilize it.
What I mean by this in being “little in physical quantity” is magickal rather than a physical action.
“And they are called occult qualities”
Which brings me to the next chapter:
Chapter xi discusses the link of Platonism in this context:
Essentially focuses on the perfection of ideas
“All inferior bodies are exemplified by superior ones”
Whereas everything in the physical world is only a shadow of the idea that created it, a Platonist would consider ideas the seminal (original, foundational) form of everything created. Plato also spoke about the Anima Mundi or the “Soul of the world” which in Plato’s perspective was the mixture of the sameness and (relative) differences which created a totally harmonious entity.
Continuing on, the chapter states this:
Hereunto may be added, that in the Soul of the world there be as many Seminal Forms of things, as Idea’s in the mind of God, by which forms she did in the Heavens above the Stars frame to her self shapes also, and stamped upon all these some properties; on these Stars therefore, shapes, and properties, all vertues of inferiour species, as also their properties do depend; so that every species hath its Celestiall shape, or figure that is sutable [suitable] to it from which also proceeds a wonderfull power of operating, which proper gift it receives from its own Idea, through the Seminal forms of the Soul of the world.
So what I can gather from this excerpt is that:
All inferior (materialistic/physical) souls are linked or have attachments via the soul of the world, which links all inferior to celestial bodies/forms
What I mean by this is we all have a direct link to higher or original forms of ourselves through the soul of the world, which as the passage states, is basically connected to celestial things.
It also mentions the Wonderfull gift of operating because of our seminal connection to celestial forms which grants us gifts through ideas.
So my summarization is this:
All inferior (Physical) forms on earth have foundational connection to the celestial beings as we are spawned from their ideas which makes us a shadow of them as stated by Platonism. However, because we have this link to our higher self, we have incredible power hidden (occult) within us that we can utilize through The wonderfull gift of operating through ideas because that is our proper gift we receive through the soul of the world.
Book 2: Celestial Magick
From Chapter xxi "What numbers are consecrated to the Gods, and which are ascribed, and to what Elements."
I compiled this list of the numbers associated to the planets as well as their intelligence (Spirits of the second hierarchy according to the scale of the number 5 seen earlier in the text) and the spirit associated with the planet:
Sun: 1 3 4 12
Intelligence: Nachiel / Spirit: Sorath
Moon: 2 9 12
Spirit of the spirits: Schedbarschemoth Scharthathan / Spirit: Hasmodai
Mercury: 5
Intelligence: Tiriel / Spirit: Taphthartharath
Venus: 3 6
Intelligence: Kedemel / Spirit: Seraphim
Mars: 2
Intelligence: Graphiel / Spirit: Barzabel
Jupiter: 3 8
Intelligence: Johphiel / Spirit: Hismael
Saturn: 2 7
Intelligence: Agiel / Spirit: Zazel
Neptune: 12
(No intelligence or spirit listen within the book)
(Sigils listed above are what is called Kamea Sigil Making, I would heavily recommend trying it when working with demons)
I am still exploring these books and I do plan to post more regarding them!
AND PLEASE REMEMBER that all the information provided is from the content I am reading mixed with my personal interpretation of them, and everyone’s opinions is valid!
(Unless it’s just completely wrong)