De Occulta Philosophia in 4 vol. set: Vol 1 - Natural Magic, Vol 2 - Celestial Magic, Vol 3 - Ceremonial Magic, Vol 4 - The Fourth Book by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim - 2020

Hannover: Black Letter Press, 2020. Ltd. Black Letter Press Edition. Hardcover. NEW all four books still in publisher's shring wrap.
Published by Black Letter Press, 2020, 4 volumes
Translated and introduced by Paul Summers Young; Cover Design by Alice Rocchetti

Hardcover bound in Absinth-Green Geltex ;in Wine-Red Italian Fedrigoni Imitlin; in Blue Fedrigoni Imitlin; in Italian Fedrigoni Imitlin

Measures 6.5" x 4.25" (100×160 mm)
120 gram black Endpapers
Printed on 115 g wood free, age resistant Munken Premium Cream paper
Sewn Book Block
Black Bookmark and Headbands
Gilded on the front. ---
Description from the Publisher:

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's 'Three Books of Occult Philosophy' has exerted a fascination for centuries. Our new translation from the Latin of the 1533 edition aims to make this foundational work accessible to a new, wider audience. We will be publishing the text in three volumes, along with a fourth containing the apocryphal 'Fourth Book', and other magical texts by, or attributed to, Agrippa.

Volume One is Agrippa's treatise on 'Natural Magic', and describes how the elemental world we inhabit relates to the archetypal realm, and the wonderful ways that contact manifests in the natural world, and within ourselves. It is also an account of how we cannot know the world by reason alone, but by experience and experimentation in a spirit of wonder. For Agrippa, the scientific and the magical have yet to part ways.
Volume 2 Translated and introduced by Paul Summers Young

Cover Design by Alice Rocchetti

Heinrich Agrippa von Nettesheim

Book Two of Agrippa's work, "Celestial Magic", explores the celestial realm and can be divided into two parts.

The first part focuses on the significance of numbers, harmonics, and their connection to the divine and ideal. Agrippa's intricate descriptions of mathematical relationships within the human body can be both fascinating and perplexing, leaving you wondering where it all leads.

A notable section, "The Scales," takes readers on a poetic journey through numbers, similar to the themes in the film "Pi." Agrippa emphasizes the omnipresence of mathematics in our world and suggests that understanding its secrets can unlock profound messages. This section blurs the line between inspiration and paranoia, making you question the true significance of everything.

Agrippa also delves into how numbers are expressed in writing, connecting music, magic, and the appreciation of our world.

The second part of the book explores the stars and their symbolism, including the Mansions of the Moon and the Decans. Unlike conventional astrology, these entities are more like ancient and unpredictable spirits, blighting and blessing without a moral compass. This controversial nature made them challenging to incorporate into serene worldviews.

Agrippa's work touches on geomancy, how celestial symbols influence the subconscious, and how the magician weaves these elements into something new. However, he tantalizingly leaves readers hanging, suggesting that they explore geomancy in more specialized texts.

n the conclusion to Book Three - Ceremonial Magic, of the Occult Philosophy, Agrippa delivers a somewhat generic tirade, essentially suggesting that if readers find his work confusing, it's because they lack the necessary wisdom to understand it.

However, he drops hints about an arcane knowledge that only the wise can discover by connecting the dots. He discusses ceremonial methods for performing magical rites and emphasizes the importance of the inward and outward preparation for practicing magic. He touches on various topics but stands out when discussing prophecy and prophetic dreams, suggesting that Book Three is about becoming a vessel for personal revelation.

Agrippa's unique aspects in this book include his fluid use of terminology, moving between 'God' and 'the gods,' and his emphasis on silent contemplation as the best form of prayer. His work hints at a more democratic approach to personal, transformative experiences of God or spiritual revelation. Agrippa's work opens up discussions about the relationships between rediscovered Paganism, Renaissance Neoplatonism, the emergence of modern science and philosophy, and religious controversies of his time. In summary, his work is attractive for its ecumenical and mystical approach to understanding and experiencing the divine.

This final section of "The Three Books of Occult Philosophy" includes new translations of extracts from Agrippa's work "De Incertitudine et Vanitate Scientiarum" (1530) and the potentially apocryphal "Liber Quartus de Occulta Philosophia" (1559), which also contains the Heptameron, or Elementa Magica de Petri de Abano.

"Liber Quartus" serves as a practical guide to magical rituals, grounded in Agrippa's academic text. It reflects the magical subculture of his time and offers an open-source approach to magic. On the other hand, the Heptameron, although related to Agrippa's work, is a sequence of texts prescribing magical rituals more akin to liturgical handbooks.

Agrippa's work in "De Incertitudine et Vanitate Scientiarum" satirizes various aspects of human endeavor and emphasizes the importance of revelation and happiness. He criticizes astrology and hints at paradigm shifts and the possibility of other worlds. Agrippa uses humor to make his critique engaging and explores various magical arts. While he critiques charlatans, he presents a nuanced view of natural magic, suggesting that these matters need a rational approach.

This collection of extracts captures Agrippa's engaging and thought-provoking tone, making his humor and wisdom accessible to modern readers. It includes discussions of monks and prostitution, where Agrippa's warmth, humor, and societal critiques shine through. These passages provide insight into Agrippa's complex personality and his views on various aspects of life, magic, and human nature.