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| Medieval Magic |
Medieval Magic
It does not appear that what may be called ‘‘medieval magic’’ took final and definite shape until about the twelfth century. Modeled after the systems in vogue among the Byzantines and Moors of Spain, which evolved from the Alexandrian system (see Neoplatonism), what might be called ‘‘Oriental’’ magic gained footing in Europe and superseded the earlier magic based on paganistic practice and ritual. There is evidence that Eastern magic was imported into Europe by persons returning from the Crusades, and magic was disseminated from Constantinople throughout Europe, along with other sciences.
Witches and wizards and professors of lesser magic clung to paganism, whereas among the disciples of Oriental magic were the magicians, necromancers (fortune-tellers), and sorcerers (practitioners of malevolent magic).
The tenets of the higher branches of magic changed little from the eighth to the thirteenth century. There also appears to have been little persecution of the professors of magic. After that period, however, the opinions of the church underwent a radical change, and the life of the magus was fraught with considerable danger. Paracelsus, for instance, was not victimized in the same manner as the sorcerers and wizards, but he was consistently baited by the medical profession of his day. Agrippa was also continually persecuted, and even mystics like Jakob Boehme were imprisoned and mistreated. (Magicians were subject to persecution both for possible acts of sorcery and for allegiance to a heretical religious system.)
It is difficult to estimate the enormous popularity that magic experienced, whether for good or evil, during the Middle Ages.
Although severely punished if discovered—or if its professors became notorious enough to court persecution—the power it seems to have conferred upon the practitioner was coveted by scores of people.
Two great names in the history of European magic are those of Paracelsus and Agrippa, who outlined the science of medieval magic. They were also the greatest practical magicians of the Middle Ages—apart from pure mystics, alchemists, and others—and their thaumaturgic and necromantic experiences were probably never surpassed.
It does not appear that what may be called ‘‘medieval magic’’ took final and definite shape until about the twelfth century. Modeled after the systems in vogue among the Byzantines and Moors of Spain, which evolved from the Alexandrian system (see Neoplatonism), what might be called ‘‘Oriental’’ magic gained footing in Europe and superseded the earlier magic based on paganistic practice and ritual. There is evidence that Eastern magic was imported into Europe by persons returning from the Crusades, and magic was disseminated from Constantinople throughout Europe, along with other sciences.
Witches and wizards and professors of lesser magic clung to paganism, whereas among the disciples of Oriental magic were the magicians, necromancers (fortune-tellers), and sorcerers (practitioners of malevolent magic).
The tenets of the higher branches of magic changed little from the eighth to the thirteenth century. There also appears to have been little persecution of the professors of magic. After that period, however, the opinions of the church underwent a radical change, and the life of the magus was fraught with considerable danger. Paracelsus, for instance, was not victimized in the same manner as the sorcerers and wizards, but he was consistently baited by the medical profession of his day. Agrippa was also continually persecuted, and even mystics like Jakob Boehme were imprisoned and mistreated. (Magicians were subject to persecution both for possible acts of sorcery and for allegiance to a heretical religious system.)
It is difficult to estimate the enormous popularity that magic experienced, whether for good or evil, during the Middle Ages.
Although severely punished if discovered—or if its professors became notorious enough to court persecution—the power it seems to have conferred upon the practitioner was coveted by scores of people.
Two great names in the history of European magic are those of Paracelsus and Agrippa, who outlined the science of medieval magic. They were also the greatest practical magicians of the Middle Ages—apart from pure mystics, alchemists, and others—and their thaumaturgic and necromantic experiences were probably never surpassed.
