written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim Completely Annotated, with Modern Commentary The Foundation Book of Western Occultism Translated by James Freake Edited and Annotated by Donald Tyson Occultism / Western Magick The Single Most Important Text in the History of Western Occultism The Three Books of Occult Philosophy's vast store of magical lore has been so influential that occultists have been drawing upon it for the past five centuries. This classic work was first published in 1531, and translated into English in 1651, but it has never since been reprinted in its entirety. Now—for the first time in 500 years—editor Donald Tyson presents these writings as Agrippa intended them to appear; wholly complete and free from the hundreds of errors made in the original translation. The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the most complete repository of pagan and Neoplatonic magic ever compiled. This book is packed with material you will not find elsewhere, including copious extracts on magic from obscure or lost works by Pythagoras, Pliny the Elder, Cicero, Ptolemy, Plato, Aristotle, and many other authorities. Donald Tyson's detailed annotations clarify difficult references and provide origins of quotations, even expanding upon them in many cases in order to make Agrippa's work more accessible to the modern reader. As well as providing extensive insight into the foundations of the Western Esoteric tradition, the Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the ultimate "how-to" for magical workings. It describes how to work all manner of divinations and natural and ceremonial magic in such clear and useful detail that it is Still the guide for modern techniques. And the extensive supplementary material—including biographical and geographical dictionaries and appendices—provides quick reference to many previously obscure matters in classical magic. The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is an essential reference tool for all students of the history of ideas and the occult tradition. Discover what the Renaissance scholar Explore the practical Kabbalah, geo- knew about the Astrology, Medicine, mancy, the magic squares, the ele- History, Herbs, Geography, Animals, ments, the humors, and the Soul of the Angles, Devils, Witches, Charms, the World Weather—and a host of other subjects • Consult the Biographical Dictionary • Gain immediate reference to a vast for background on each of the hun- amount of arcane but completely an- dreds of writers and historical figures notated magical material referred to by Agrippa • Find corrected drawings of seals, sig- • Consult the Geographical Dictionary ils, and magic squares, and correctly for data on referenced rivers, moun- represented geomantic figures tains, nations, cities—many of which now carry different names 3N T?A-D-A75M2-A35-1 $49.95 US > $57.95 CAN Llewellyn Worldwide Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.llewellyn.com PRINTED IN THE USA The Foundation booh of UJcsreRn Occalrisml The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the single most important text in the history of Western occultism. Occultists and magicians have been drawing upon its vast storehouse of magical lore for five centuries, although they seldom if ever credit their source. For example, Francis Barrett's Magus is a wonderful book only because it is made up of a direct plagiarism of part of the Occult Philosophy, with some additional material attributed to Agrippa (the apoc- ryphal Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy) thrown in at the end. The Golden Dawn systems of the Kabbalah, geomancy, elements, and seals and squares of the planets are all taken in large measure from Agrippa. Though countless writers have borrowed from the text, the Occult Phi- losophy has never been reprinted in its entirety, except in limited facsimile editions, since 1651. The reason the book has not been made into a new edition is simple—it required a her- culean effort to correct the hundreds of errors, most of which were reproduced in both the Eng- lish edition of 1651 and the Latin edition in the Opera of around 1600. These errors could only be corrected by understanding the material completely: not only what was present in the text, but what should be, and should not be, present. For the first time in 500 years (first Latin edition, Antwerp, 1531), the seals, sigils, and magic squares of the planets, which are universally used in modem magic, are correctly given, and their structure and construction fully explained. For the first time the complex Hebrew tables of the practical Kabbalah are accurately drawn. For the first time the geomantic figures are corrected and truly represented. Agrippa drew upon the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arabic and Jewish writers who had gone before him. The Occult Philosophy is the most complete repository of Pagan and Neoplatonic magic ever compiled. The countless references to magic in, and exhaustive quotations from, classical literature lead the careful reader through the ancient world of the occult and provide the basis for what amounts to a doctoral degree in classical occultism. This book is the source, and represents the crossroads between the ancient and modern worlds of magic. In addition to the value of Agrippa's text, the copious notes make difficult references under- standable, give the origin of quotations, and expand upon many of them, so that Agrippa's work is not only available but accessible as well. All the herbs, stones, beasts, monsters, gods, spirits, places, stars, symbols, ancient writers, and occult practices mentioned by Agrippa are set forth in the notes using the same sources that were available to Agrippa himself to illuminate them. In this way the reader is given valuable insights into the thought processes of Agrippa. An extensive set of appendices on such subjects as the elements, the magic squares, the practical Kabbalah, geomancy, the humors, and the Soul of the World provide background on the more important matters treated in the text. The Biographical Dictionary gives a short biog- raphy of each of the hundreds of writers and historical figures referred to by Agrippa, and the Geographical Dictionary does the same for the rivers, nations, cities, mountains, and other places, many of which no longer exist or now carry different names. The General Index will prove invaluable to all serious readers, as it allows immediate reference to every topic touched upon in the text, notes and appendices. All occultists and magicians need this book, because the corrections contained in its pages render obsolete many of their magical names and sigils. Without it they cannot know if they have accurately drawn a square, or correctly spelled the name of a spirit. Likewise, it is a necessary reference tool for all scholarly students of the Renaissance, Neoplatonism, and Western Kabbalah, the history of ideas and sciences, and the occult tradition. A.6our rhe AuthoR Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career. Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice, His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it. "Co UJRire ro rhe AuchoR If you wish to contact the author or would like more information about this book, please write to the author in care of Llewellyn Worldwide and we will forward your request. Both the author and publisher appreciate hearing from you and learning of your enjoyment of this book and how it has helped you. Llewellyn Worldwide cannot guarantee that every letter written to the author can be answered, but all will be forwarded. Please write to: Donald Tyson c/o Llewellyn Worldwide 2143 Wooddale Drive, Dept. 978-0-87542-832-1 Woodbury, MN 55125-2989, U.S.A. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for reply, or $1.00 to cover costs. If outside U.S.A., enclose international postal reply coupon. LLEWELLYN'S SOURCEBOOK SERIES HhRee Books op Occutr Phitosophy u j R i r r en 6y l l e n Ry C o R n e C i us A g R i p pA op N c r r c s h c im C o m p t e r e ty AnnorAred, cuirh OOodeRn ComiDenrARy C he P o u n d A r i on B o ok op C J J e s r e Rn O c c u t r i sm T^RANSCACED 6Y )ATTICS [^RCAISC Gdired And AnnorAced 6y D o n d td T x j s on Llewellyn Publications Woodbury, MN Three Books of Occult Philosophy Written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa ofNettesheim. Copyright © 1993 by Donald Tyson. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publica- tions except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. FIRST EDITION Eleventh Printing, 2009 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Agrippa von Nettesheim, Heinrich Cornelius, 14867-1535 [De occulta philosophia. English] Three books of occult philosophy / by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim, completely annotated with modern commentary ; translated by James Freake ; edited and annotated by Donald Tyson. p. cm. — (Llewellyn's sourcebook series) "The foundation book of western occultism." Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN 13: 978-0-87542-832-1 ISBN 10: 0-87542-832-0 1. Magic—Early works to 1800. 2. Occultism—Early works to 1800. I. Tyson, Donald, 1954- . II. Freake, James. III. Title. IV. Series. BF1600.A3613 1992 133—dc20 92-33147 CIP Llewellyn Worldwide does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business transactions between our authors and the public. All mail addressed to the author is forwarded but the publisher cannot, unless specifically instructed by the author, give out an address or phone number. Llewellyn Publications A Division of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. 2143 Wooddale Drive, Dept. 978-0-87542-832-1 Woodbury, MN 55125-2989 www.llewellyn.com Llewellyn is a registered trademark of Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. Printed in the United States of America Llewellyns SouRcebooh Series Llewellyn's "Sourcebooks" are designed to be resource files for esoteric technicians. For some readers, it may at first seem strange to apply the word "technology" to the concept of esotericism. Technology is basically how-to knowledge, and esotericism (by whatever name) is True Sacred Living. We publish many practical books that teach the read- er "how to" in many areas of the esoteric sciences. These are the techniques, the practical programming, the procedures to follow in working toward a particular accomplishment, the modus operandi. But the technician of the Sacred needs more than the knowledge of the method of oper- ation. He or she also has to have basic information about the materials that will be utilized, or about the beings that will be invoked, or the tools to be used. And this information must be organized and presented from a sound, esoteric foundation. Sourcebooks may be presented in the form of dictionaries, encylopedias, anthologies, or new editions of classical works. Always, we produce these to actually meet the needs of the esoteric practitioner and student. They bring to the reader what he or she needs to know in order to apply the how-to knowledge gained from text and guide books. A sourcebook is the distillation of factual knowledge from dozens of books and sources (sometimes veritable libraries) compounded with the practical experience of the author. No one can do an adequate job of gathering such factual knowledge unless they are themselves expert in the field represented. As publishers, we seek to provide the student with three out of the four vital elements essential to the sacred life: theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge, and factual knowl- edge. The fourth element can only come as the student brings these together, and gains experiential knowledge. These four kinds of knowledge then become the pillars of wisdom. AcUnooiledgemenrs I wish to sincerely thank all those authors and publishers who have allowed me to use quotations from works still under copyright. These have made the notes far more lively and useful than would otherwise have been the case. Acknowledgement is due for extracts from: The Odyssey of Homer translated by Richmond Lattimore. Copyright ® 1965 by Richmond Latti- more. Reprinted by permission of Harper Collins Publishers Inc. The Iliad of Homer translated by Richmond Lattimore. Copyright ®1951 by The University of Chicago. Reprinted by permission of the University of Chicago Press. Kabbalah by Gershom Scholem. Copyright ©1974 by Keter Publishing House Jerusalem Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Keter Publishing House. The White Goddess by Robert Graves. Copyright ©1948 and renewal copyright ©1975 by Robert Graves. Reprinted by permission of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc. Pharsalia by Lucan, translated by Robert Graves. Copyright ©1961 by Robert Graves. Reprinted by permission of A. P. Watt Ltd. on behalf of the Executors of the Estate of Robert Graves. Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos translated by F. E. Robbins. Reprinted by permission of The Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1940. Mathematics Useful for Understanding Plato by Theon of Smyrna, translated by Robert and Debo- rah Lawlor. Copyright ©1978 by Wizards Bookshelf. Reprinted by permission of Wizards Bookshelf. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstacy by Mircea Eliade, translated by Willard R. Trask. Bollingen Series LXXVI. Copyright ©1964 by Princeton University Press. Reprinted by per- mission of Princeton University Press. Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries by George E. Mylonas. Copyright ©1961 by Princeton Univer- sity Press. Reprinted by permission of Princeton University Press. The Survival of the Pagan Gods: The Mythological Tradition and Its Place in Renaissance Human- ism and Art by Jean Seznec, translated by Barbara F. Sessions. Bollingen Series XXXVIII. Copyright ©1953 by Princeton University Press. Reprinted by permission of Princeton Univer- sity Press. Ancient Astrology Theory and Practice by Firmicus Maternus, translated by Jean Rhys Bram. Copy- right ©1975 by Jean Rhys Bram. Reprinted by permission of Noyes Press. The Letters of the Younger Pliny translated by Betty Radice. Copyright ©1963 by Betty Radice. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. The Early History of Rome by Livy, translated by Aubrey de Selincourt. Copyright ©1960 by the Estate of Aubrey de Selincourt. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. Guide to Greece by Pausanius, translated by Peter Levi. Two volumes. Copyright ©1971 by Peter Levi. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. The Voyage of Argo by Apollonius of Rhodes, translated by E. V. Rieu. Copyright ©1959, 1971 by E. V. Rieu. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. The Conquest of Gaul by Caesar, translated by S. A. Handford. Copyright ©1951 by the Estate of S. A. Handford. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. Hesiod and Theognis, translated by Dorothea Wender. Copyright ©1973 by Dorothea Wender. Reprinted by permission of Penguin Books Ltd. The History of Magic and Experimental Science by Lynn Thorndike. Eight volumes. Volumes I-IV copyright ®1934; volumes V-VI copyright ©1941; volumes VII-VIII copyright ©1958. Reprint- ed by permission of Columbia University Press. Conrenrs To the Reader, by Donald Tyson xiii Life of Agrippa xv On the Occult Philosophy xxxix Note on the Text xliii Three Books of Occult Philosophy xlv An Encomium on the Three Books of Cornelius Agrippa, Knight, by Eugenius Philalethes xlvii The Life of Henry Cornelius Agrippa, Knight xlix To the Reader, by Henry Cornelius Agrippa li To R.P.D. John Trithemius liii John Trithemius, Abbot of Saint James ... to His Henry Cornelius Agrippa lvii To the Reverend Father in Christ... Hermannus, Earl of Wyda lix Judicious Reader! by James Freake lxi To ... Robert Childe, Doctor of Physic, by James Freake lxiii An Index of All the Chapters Which are Contained in This Work lxv BOOK I 1 To the ... Most Illustrious Prince, Hermannus of Wyda 229 BOOK II 231 To the Most Renowned and Illustrious Prince, Hermannus of Wyda 435 BOOK III 439 To the Reverend Father ... Aurelius de Aquapendente 679 Unto the Same Man 681 Henry Cornelius Agrippa sendeth greeting to a certain friend of the King's Court 683 Of Magic in General 689 Of Natural Magic 690 Of Mathematical Magic 692 Of Enchanting Magic 693 Of Goetia and Necromancy 695 OfTheurgia 699 Of Cabalie 700 Of Juggling and Legerdemain 705 Appendix I—Emerald Tablet 709 Appendix II—The Soul of the World 713