The mysteries and secrets of magic / by C.J.S. Thompson.

  • Charles Thompson
Date:
1928
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The mysteries and secrets of magic / by C.J.S. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    41/376 page 15
    Socrates is said to have had an attendant spirit of this kind, and Sertorius claimed to have trained to obey his call, a white fawn which he said was the gift of Diana, who thus conveyed to him her revelations. The Story of Mohammed’s pigeon—which was said to represent the angel Gabriel—that appeared to whisper in his ear was a similar myth. Scott considered the Scottish brownie to be a descend¬ ant of the “ familiars ” of the ancients and it was typical of the brownie, that whatever work he performed, he would take no reward. The black dog of Cornelius Agrippa, which always accompanied him, is a later Story of this kind. It was believed that “ familiars ” could be bound or imprisoned in magical figures and rings, in which the magicians of the school of Salamanca and Toledo and those of Italy made traffic. Heywood says : “ Every magician and witch have a familiar spirit given to attend them which are sometimes visible in the form of a dog or cat. . . . These kinds of familiar spirits are suche as are kept in rings hallowed, viols, boxes and caskets.” PhiloStratus States : “ Apollonius Tyaneus was never without one, and Johannes Jodocus Rosa a citizen of Cortacensia, every fifth day, had conference with the spirit enclosed in his ring, who he looked upon as a counseller and direftor of his affairs. ... It learnt him the cure and remedy of all griefs and diseases, insomuch that he had the reputation of a learned and excellent physician. At length being accused of sorcery at Arnhem in Guelderland, he was proscribed, and in the year 1548 the Chancellor caused his ring to be layd on an
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