Far from being hidden and marginalised, magical texts abound in medieval manuscripts, many embellished with beautiful illustrations and sparkling with gold.
Some of the most mysterious images are found in the work of an astrologer known as Georgius Zotorus Zaparus Fendulus, which appeared in the thirteenth century and continued to be copied until the fifteenth century. The stars appear as strange creatures out of myth and the planets are seen in unusual guises, and accompanied by creatures symbolising zodiac signs.
Privileged access to the natures and powers of the heavenly bodies is the promise here, as in these images:
Both images are from Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS Lat. 7330. Left image: folio 7r, right image: folio 58r
Even stranger are the images in the Ars Notoria, which promised students the ability to learn the whole of their university subjects – without having to buy lots of books or attend lectures. Careful consultation of a lunar calendar was required, together with fasting and preparatory rituals, leading up to the recitation of complex verbal formulae and almost unpronounceable names, whilst gazing into complex assemblies of symbols and patterns, like those below.
New Haven, Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Mellon MS 1, folio 16v.
Those who needed faster answers to pressing questions could consult texts on how to read their own palm (or the palms of others). Surprisingly, the oldest copy of such a palmistry text in Latin is found in a Book of Psalms made for Canterbury Cathedral in the twelfth century. That copy has no illustrations, which makes identifying the lines and markings listed rather tricky! Perhaps for that reason Thomas Becket (later archbishop of Canterbury) consulted a professional palm reader when making urgent decisions about warfare in Wales. Later versions of the text came equipped with images, for the guidance of users, as shown here.
British Library, Sloane MS 2030, ff.125v-126r.
Some rulers, like King Alfonso X of Castile, invested not only in books of magic but also in trained magicians to use them. Ritual magic required the practitioner to link expensive equipment, minerals and precious stones to the celestial bodies and zodiac signs with which they have connections. Texts like Picatrix offer practical instructions for the timing and performance of magical rituals. Illustrations may depict the forms taken by the planets and their spirits, like these images of Saturn, as well as the signs and symbols needed for communication.
Biblioteka Jagiellonska, BJ Rkp. 793 III, f.189v.
These manuscripts offer not only insights into magical beliefs but also practical guidance for magical performance. They address readers who enjoyed privileged positions and who sought unusual knowledge; and their combination of beauty and mystery is still intriguing.
By Anne Lawrence-Mathers
Far from being hidden and marginalised, magical texts abound in medieval manuscripts, many embellished with beautiful illustrations and sparkling with gold.
Some of the most mysterious images are found in the work of an astrologer known as Georgius Zotorus Zaparus Fendulus, which appeared in the thirteenth century and continued to be copied until the fifteenth century. The stars appear as strange creatures out of myth and the planets are seen in unusual guises, and accompanied by creatures symbolising zodiac signs.
Privileged access to the natures and powers of the heavenly bodies is the promise here, as in these images:
Left image: folio 7r, right image: folio 58r
Even stranger are the images in the Ars Notoria, which promised students the ability to learn the whole of their university subjects – without having to buy lots of books or attend lectures. Careful consultation of a lunar calendar was required, together with fasting and preparatory rituals, leading up to the recitation of complex verbal formulae and almost unpronounceable names, whilst gazing into complex assemblies of symbols and patterns, like those below.
Those who needed faster answers to pressing questions could consult texts on how to read their own palm (or the palms of others). Surprisingly, the oldest copy of such a palmistry text in Latin is found in a Book of Psalms made for Canterbury Cathedral in the twelfth century. That copy has no illustrations, which makes identifying the lines and markings listed rather tricky! Perhaps for that reason Thomas Becket (later archbishop of Canterbury) consulted a professional palm reader when making urgent decisions about warfare in Wales. Later versions of the text came equipped with images, for the guidance of users, as shown here.
Some rulers, like King Alfonso X of Castile, invested not only in books of magic but also in trained magicians to use them. Ritual magic required the practitioner to link expensive equipment, minerals and precious stones to the celestial bodies and zodiac signs with which they have connections. Texts like Picatrix offer practical instructions for the timing and performance of magical rituals. Illustrations may depict the forms taken by the planets and their spirits, like these images of Saturn, as well as the signs and symbols needed for communication.
These manuscripts offer not only insights into magical beliefs but also practical guidance for magical performance. They address readers who enjoyed privileged positions and who sought unusual knowledge; and their combination of beauty and mystery is still intriguing.
Anne Lawrence-Mathers is the author of the new book Look Inside
The Magic Books: A History of Enchantment in 20 Medieval Manuscripts. You can check out this book on the Yale University Press website or on Amazon.com.
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