More Notes on Medieval Magic: 2/19/2022

SCHOLASTIC ANALYSIS OF MAGIC

Scholasticism and the Church

• Magic has almost universally been banned by the church
• Yet magic thrives in the medieval world
• Thats the Clerical Necromantic Underground Babey
• “Rodger Bacon: “Christianity had two major competitors: Magic and Philosophy”
• How did magic work? What did it mean to them?
• Well, a lot of stuff. Many that disregard magic as a whole, but, upon closer inspection, appear to plumb its depths

Scholasticism - A medieval method of learning marked by:

• Commitment to Catholicism
• Dialectical reasoning
• Rigorous Conceptual Analysis
• Careful Drawing of Distinctions
• The use of formal debate or Disputation

St Augustine

• Vacillated a lot, but eventually became the architect of christian theology for the latin west
• [Da mihi castitatem et continentiam sed noli modo]
• Primary analysis of magic comes from [De civitate Dei contra paganos] (On the City of God)
• [De Divinatione Daemonorum] (on the divination of demons)
• Redraws much of the classical ideas of magic set down by Porphyry and Iamblicus
• Goetia (bad magic) vs Theurgia (good magic)
• Augustine argues that they differ in name only, both are “Entangled in the rites of demons who masquerade as good angels”
• Lesser demons can be controlled via being threatened with more powerful demons, he was first on that idea
• Actually argues that necromancers are doing way more wonders than christians praying, but christianity will trumph in the end
• How does magic work: Demons
• Demons are old and have keen senses, allowing them the apparent ability to predict the future, and manipulate unseen forces. Their bodies are made of a fine ethereal matter, which allows them to travel with incredible speed, apparently allowing them to manipulate things at a distance.
• Demons lead the magician to believe that they are accusing the marvels
• Magic is a trap, set to delude humans
• “Lord make me chaste, but not yet.”

Isidore of Seville - (560 - 636)

• [Etymologiae] sort of the central text for a ton of knowledge in the middle ages
• MAgic was invented by zoroaster and expanded by democritus
• Promulgated to the rest of the world by “evil angels”
• Divides practicioners into Auguries, Divinations, Oracles, Necromancers, etc
• Also mentions Maleficus, translated as witchcraft, as those who disturb the elements, the minds of people, and slay without poisons, using the power of spells alone
• Accomplished by Elemental divination, Astrology, The casting of Lots, etc
• Notably, draws a distinction between Superstitious Astrology, and Non-superstitious astrology, but never really elaborates on what the difference is.
• Its possible he was referring to Casting Nativities, what is now known as Natal Astrology
• The point of mentioning this ambiguity, is that astrologyers of the future can always claim that they’re doing the correct version
• Also mentions Illusioners, but this could refer to jugglers
• Magic was accomplished by “Pestilential alliance between humans and evil angels”
• Many of the early scholastics would repeat this. Abilard, st hugh of victor.

John of Salisbury (1110 - 1180)

• First real account of magic following Isidore
• Most can be found in [Policraticus II]
• Demons can effect dreams
• Actually most dreams are demons
• References Episcope, where women are said to travel to witches sabbaths at night to do,, something
• John, and the cannon, take this to be dreams, not actual travel.
• Johns childhood latin teacher was probably a Necromancer who taught them how to scry
• A type of divination to Onychomancy
• John says he saw nothing, but his friend saw “certain misty figures”
• Says that those who practiced it became blind later in line
• All of this implies that there was a common understanding of what magic was
• Its also eyewitness testimony that magic was being practiced by priests at the time, and apparently pretty widespread

Michael Scot - 1175 - 1232

• [Liber introductorius]
• [Oxford. Bodleian Library, Ms. Bodl. 266]
• Implies that the stars simply indicate the state of the world, but do not cause it, drawing a subtle difference between magic and astrology.
• Astrology is Natural Philosophy
• Magic is demonic deception
• Thing is, he keeps talking about all these lore and stories from Necromantic sources
• Talks about demons, where they live, what their names are, and how they MIGHT be studied.
• This is inaugurating a sort of study that talks about how necromancy is forbidden, but hey, if you were to do it, here's how it works.
• Eventually became associated with demons because he wasnt subtle
• Dantes Places him in hell

By the early 13th century, many oft he great translation projects were complete. Alchemy, Astrology, and other hermetic sciences were all over europe. [Ars Notoria] let you gain rapid knowledge of liberal knowledge, the [Picatrix] redefines the game on astrology.

University of Paris becomes the dominant source of Theology by 1250. Also the Goliard poets show up.

William of Avuergne 1180 - 1249

• [On Faith and Laws]
• BIshop of Paris
• Had the most encyclopedic knowledge of magic for his time, probably had access to pretty much every text available
• Embraces Natural Philosophy
• Magic is the art of producing marvels, can be accomplished through trickery, demons or through the manipulation of occult forces in nature, what he calls “Natural Magic”
• He also says that this is how demons do shit
• Seems like many people decided to simply cut out the middleman, and manipulate the natural forces themselves
• The production of marvels is fine, its just the demons thats the problem.
• William also rejects a ton of common magical practices
• He rejects the idea that wax images can cause harm, That statues can speak as if they were gods, most of this is based on Asclepius text from the corpus hermetica
• Rejects the power of magical symbols
• “There is no magic in the angles of solomons pentagon” < Implying this is thriving
• Urges study of the occult properties of the natural world
• Quotes plato, Aristotle, Hermes Trismegistus
• He says that divination is demonic
• He says that only 1/7 boys has the ability to scry (how did he test that)
• Oh yeah btw hes the archbishop of paris
• Necromancy: Illegal
• Marvels that are indistinguishable from magic: Kinda ok
• Its ok that you can CONSULT necromantic tomes, just don’t DO it. Research Purposes.
• This mfer built the research program around natural magic

Hildegard of Bingen

• Already said all that shit about stones like a century prior

Albertus Magnus (sometime prior to 1200 - Nov 15, 1280)

• If William of Avuergne was the teacher, Albertus Magnus was the first great student
• Albert Condemns necromancy
• Albert researches necromancers to see just how they’re doing shit
• Hes the first time we see “Good magic” in a christian context
• Specifically uses the example of the Magi, who attended to baby jesus [De Animalibus]
• Within that definition of magic is the capturing of astrological forces into “Gems”
• Gems engraved with symbology
• These gems have a wide range of powers
• Urges readers to study necromancy, so that they might understand it, implying that he thinks the necromancers don’t really understand the forces they’re working with
• It will be through research like his that will figure shit out

Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274)

• [Summa Aquinas]
• [Summa contra Gentiles] (though most comments are passism through his works)
• Logically deduces that Demons, and Demons Alone, are responsible for magic
• Speech can only work from one intelligence to another
• Basically argues “okay, so what are necromancers talking to? How do they affect inert matter?”
• Logically, must be demons
• “Demons are the efficient cause of necromancy”
• Extends this logic to amulets
• Though, he agrees with Mymonades, in saying that if dvine names are placed on amulets, they can’t be all bad. Does discourage it though.
• Also theres a ton of weird shit we dont really understand that’s worth study
• Maybe astral rays
• MAGNETS, every talks about them

Rodger Bacon (1219 - 1292)

• [Opus Tertium] actively and openly discusses magic
• [Epistola de Secretus Operibus Artis et Naturae et de Nullitate Magiae] though it might not be written by him
• Clearly had access to a wide range of text
• Dismisses a ton of magic as delusional
• The most skeptical writer on magic
• Generation and corruption are from astral forces, which can explain sudden outbreaks of violence and war
• He sees theory as largely speculative
• Boy is all about experimentation
• Remember, the typical name for a spell in this period is called an “Experimentum”
• Bacon wants to import the experimental method of magic to support Natural Philosophy
• He never really details what an experiment is
• He was very very interested in researching magic, though he was dismissive of it

Guido Bonatti (dc. 1300)

• [Liber Astronomiae]
• Dante hell

Arnaldus de Villa Nova (1240 - 1311)

• Something about witchcraft-induced erectile dysfunction
• Devloped Astrological medicine

Ramon Llull (d. 1315)

• [Ars Magna]
• Actually wrote very little about magic
• Supposedly created a device for increasing memory and education, which has weird necromantic undertones?
• Magic itself never really interested him
• Probably wasn’t an alchemist, but boy were his disciples magicians

Peter D’Abano - (d. 1213)

• [De Venenis eorumque remediis]
• Wrote little on magic
• But by 15th century his name was heavily associated with magic
• No he didn’t write the Heptameron
• Maybe it was just because he wrote a lot about poisons and generally had weird theological beliefs

Cecco d’Ascoli - (1275 - 1327)

• [Commentary on De Sphaera Mundi]
• One of the most common magical texts
• Cant help but constantly detour onto necromancy
• Rehearses the classic condemnation
• Blatantly introduces necromantic texts
• Lots of demonic names
• Floron and his magic mirror, also mentioned in the [Munich Manual]
• Paimon, appears a ton especially in the Lesser Key of Solomon
• Arrested by the inquisition and burned as a heretic sept 26 1327
• (also possibly a personal beef)
• Dame Alice Kittler, also burned
• Possibly a reaction to the lax days of the 13 century on magic

Real shift happens in the 12 century

• Aristotle
• Importation of Alchemy
• Improvement of Astrology and the other hermetic sciences
• Importation of improved natural philosophy from the Islamicate world
• You’ve got all the ingredients for a genuine Occult Science, or Natural Magic
• The first real Necromantic Manuals appear

MEDIEVAL MYSTICS AND WOMEN

The Myth of Medieval stagnation

• Nah people were hella busy
• Massive Translation Projects
• HOrse Harnesses and Stirrups
• New Linnen Tech
• Firearms
• Papermaking and Arabic Numerals
• Three-Field planting system
• Full Rigged Ships
• New wind and water power
• End of Serfdom
• Radical Architectural innovations

The Mystical Women of Europe: The Beguines

• 13th century was a period of INTENSE spiritual reform
• Fibbonacci, Aquinas, Snorri Sturlesson, Roger Bacon, Moshe De Leon, Cathars
• The word Beguine is of indeterminate origin. Thought to have come fro the latin word “to beg” or “to pray” but none of those are probably accurate
• In spain they were “Beatas” “punzichere” in italy, and “fins amans” in france.
• Belgium and the netherlands
• Women inspired by the Vitae Apostolica, a philosophy of living much like the followers of jesus in the book of acts.
• Formed communities of mutual aid, devotion, service to community, and economic independence
• NOT nuns, vows were self-imposed. Ruled themselves by their own law. Could marry and leave whenever they wanted. Self-imposed Piety. Did not beg.
• Tended to work in urban centers as moneychangers, scribes, and medical experts and other skilled trades
• Tended to the sick, defended sex workers, educated the masses as they could, especially for children.
• Often called the Grey Sisters, known for being Effusive and charismatic preachers
• Communal lifestyle was pretty popular among women, and Beguineages appeared more and more common during the rise of the 13th century
• Their existence was polarizing to say the least
• Some loved them, others didn’t.
• Produced MYSTICS

Beatrice of Nazareth (1200 - 1268)

• [On the Seven Ways of Holy Love]
• Bernard Mcginn, a preeminent scholar on christian mysticism, argues the core concepts include
• Courtly Symbolism
• Love (Minne)
• Insanity (Orewoede)
• Longing/Loss/Sinking
• Depths/Abyss (diepheit/afgront)
• Light/Color
• Movement/Dynamism/Flowing
• Seduction (Minne Splielen)
• Mystical Annihilation
• 
  

Hadewijch of Antwerp (1200? - 1250?)

• We know basically nothing about her life
• Author of Visions, Letters, poems, generally thought to be the most skilled litereary Beguine
• Spoke latin and french
• Acquainted with the courtly love poetry of her day
• Critical focus on Love and the dialectic of desire
• Hailed by lacan as the only person, beside him, to have actually understood the psychology of desire and pleasure (jouissance)
• Apparently eventually fell out of favor with the other Beguines, we don’t know why
• If god is love and god is the Ground of Being, then therefore, love is the lowest metaphysical register.
• Writes on the idea of the impossible or unattainable lover, with the roles reversed
• Hadewijch takes on the role of the noble or the knight, with god or jesus taking on the role of the beloved. A sort of radical feminization of the divine.
• Unfaith = Ontrouwe. “We must forsake love wholly for love”

Mechthild of Magdeburg (1207- 1282)

• Had visions at 12
• [The Flowing Light of the Godhead], composed in 1250-1280
• The original has been lost
• Rich, complex text.
• Emerges directly from god as a sort of New Gospel
• A dialogue, between soul, reason, and love
• Many are written in a popular lyrical style of the day, giving them a working-class drinking-song vibe.
• Her images are frank, homoerotic, speaking of the flowing light of the trinity seducing the soul.
• Divine Eroticism par excellence
• The mystic sinks deeper into erotic longing and despair, one so deep that she describes it as being beneath the tail of lucifer itself. One has entered the thing beyond all thingness: God.
• Salvation is the nothing of the soul meeting the nothing of the divine.

Marguerite Porete (? - 1310)

• Executed by burning, marking the end of the golden age of teh beguines
• Born in northern france
• Arrested for publishing mystical texts
• [The Mirror of the Simple Souls Who Are Annihilated and Remain Only in Will and Desire of Love]
• A dialogue between reason and love, in which love prevails and desires erotic mystical annihilation
• Being / Nothing
• Sin / Salvation
• Ascent / descent
• Emptying / filling
• God is the Far Near
• The soul must shave off its Somethingness. To live Without A Why.
• Executed for heresy, marking the end of the Beguines

A year later, a council was convened that the Beguines themselves were spreading anticlerical doctrine, and were closely related with the Free spirit movement.

The Free Spirit Movement

• Autotheism - The unity of the soul with god
• Quietism - The idea that salvation can be accomplished without the church
• Erotic Poetry and Imagery
• Antinomianism - That common morality does not bind the spiritually perfect, or that only through sin is salvation truly possible, a very anticlerical sentiment

The last traditional Beguine died 2013 in belgium.

THE HEPTAMERON

• Look at the night sky. We see stars, furnaces of atomic fire, floating in a sea of vacuum and quantum fluctuations.
• A medieval person saw innumerable spiritual beings and intelligence, who propelled and motivated forces whose influence could be felt on the world below.
• A human could control and command those beings the same way we control the ephemeral electrons of a computer
• One of the most influential texts was the Heptameron.
• A system in which teams of magicians ritually purify themselves and make use of an interlocking system of rituals and dynamic symbols to control the myriad beings of the celestial world.