Paracelsvs Of the supreme mysteries of nature.: Of [brace] the spirits of the planets. Occult philosophy. The magical, sympathetical, and antipathetical cure of wounds and diseases. The mysteries of the twelve signs of the zodiack. / Englished by R. Turner, philomathēs.

CHAP. XI. Of the great abuse of the Magicke Art by them that use it for Negromancy and Witch-craft.

THe Magicke Art in it self, is the most secret and occult science of all supernatual things in the world: That those things which are im∣possible to be searched out by humane reasons, by this Art, to wit, Magick, it may be found out and known: wherefore it is the most occult and secret wisedom; and reasoning against it, is no∣thing else but extream folly. It were therefore very necessary that the Divines would learn to know something of this Art, and be experienced in Magick what it is; and not so unworthily, without any ground at all, to call it Witchcraft. The Magical science were very profitable for them to know, seeing they will undertake to be the Masters and teachers of the holy Scriptures, and perswade themselves to be so: Not that I would have them use the Magical Art, or operate any thing by it; but to be expert therein, and to know the virtues and effects thereof, for the high and great mysterious secrets which are hid∣den in the holy Scriptures, delivered by the A∣postles, Prophets, and Christ himself; and which we by our humane reason cannot understand nor search out.

What Divine that is Igrorant of Magicke,

can cast out the Devil, drive away or binde a Spirit, or that can call one unto him, and com∣mand him to come? or that which is far less, can he heale the sick, or administer any other help to him by his faith alone? I wil be silent of his remo∣ving a mountain into the Sea. There followeth then that faith whereof Christ speaketh, of which they understand neither much nor little: Never∣theless they make a great shew and profession thereof with their mouthes, and do teach and speake much thereof; but themselves know not how to make proofe thereof, or to give any signe thereof, by their faith, whereby it may be said that they understand this faith, and to make use of it in the proofe thereof. But if any one should come, who by his faith and Magicke should perform a good signe, you having not the reason of knowing whether it be good or evil, will forthwith call him a Negromancer and Witch, because he hath done something above your reason and humane wisdom; when you your selves cannot tell how to discerne a Negroman∣cer or Witch, from a Magician.

Magicke is therefore a most necessary and pure Art; not defiled nor corrupted with any Cere∣monies or Conjurations, as Nigromancy: For in Magicke there is no use of Ceremonies, Con∣secrations, Conjurations, Blessings or Curses; but of faith alone whereof Christ speaks, saying, that by it we shall be able to remove Mountains and cast them into the Sea; And to compel, loose, and binde all Spirits: This is the true founda∣tion and Instrument of Magicke.

Truely therefore it is a thing chiefly necessary to looke into this ART, that it be not turned into superstition and abuse, and to the destructi∣on or damage of men; and hereby it is made Ni∣gromancy, and Witch-craft; and at length, not undeservedly, so called by all men, be∣cause Witches and Sorcerers have violently in∣truded themselves into the Magicke Art, like Swine broke into a delicate Garden. So is Ma∣gicke corrupted and made Nigromancy by these perfidious men; wherefore it hath not unde∣servedly been burnt in the fire with these Wit∣ches and Sorcerers. For these kinde of men are the most nocent and hurtful, and the worst e∣nemies to mankinde, that they have not worse enemies in all the world, which prosecute them with a more deadly hatred: from a present pub∣lique enemy, and corporal persecuter, who en∣deavoreth to invade us with the most cruel wea∣pons, Guns, or Darts; we may beware of such a one, or take up Arms against him for our defence, with Brigandines or Darts, &c. or else a man may tarry in his house, and keep himself, suffering none to enter in but his Friends. But of these Witches and Sorcerers, no man can be∣ware or defend himself, because against this kind of Enemies of God and men, no Weapons, Coats of Mayl or Brigandines will help, no shutting of doors, or locks; for they penetrate through all things, and all things are open unto them. And if any one were inclosed in Towers of Iron or Brass, he would not thereby be secured from these enemies; Although in their own proper

bodies they seldom bring hurt to any one, but raise up, and send Spirits unto them, by their cor∣rupt Faith, and hurt them in some part of their bodies, although they are absent from them an hundred miles distance; they either smite, wound, or kill them, although no outward and external wound can be seen appear: because they cannot hurt the outward man, but only the internal spi∣rit. Wherefore no Coats of Mayl can defend them, be they never so good; but they must put on other weapons and fortifications, to wit, the Armor of Faith: This is the true way, and then let him be clothed with a Linen garment, the wrong end turned upwards: and after that hath been often worn, thou shalt be more safely deli∣vered, than if thou wert armed and girt with all manner of weapons.

Although there are many preservatives which will keep and defend men from all these Fasci∣nations and Witchcrafts which are wrought by the arising of these evil Spirits, such as are Coral, Azoth, and the like, which being used according to their due use and order, will well preserve from these enormities before spoken of. For the pre∣vention and preservation from them is easie, but the cure is difficult; nevertheless it is possible: But in such cases, the proceeding thereunto must be magical and supernatural: From thence sprung that saying which some use, That none can better help the bewitched, than them that hurt them: This is a true saying which cannot be contra∣dicted: but they which use it, understand not the Cause of this thing, neither can they give any

reason thereof, why Witches do best of all, most happily, readily, and surely help, and Cure the bewitched: Therefore of this thing you shall be here sufficiently instructed.

Some Witches make and form Images in the form and likeness of some man which they propose to themselves, and conceive in their own minds; and do stick a nail in the sole of his foot, and after this manner hurt the man, that he in∣visibly feeleth the pain of a nail in his foot, and is so tormented therewith, that he is not able to go, until the nail is pulled out of the foot of the Image; which being drawn away, the man is hea∣led: which no man knoweth better how to do, than he that fixed the nail in the Image; nor where it was fixed, or what the Cause of the Dis∣ease was.

It oftentimes also cometh to pass, that after the same manner a nail is somtimes by these wit∣ches fixed in the teeth of the Image of the man, so that afterwards he cannot take any rest in his teeth, unless the nail be taken away, or his teeth drawn out: In like manner are nails struck into any other members of the Image by these arch-Sorcerers, and hereby they hurt men without making any impression or signe thereof upon their skin.

Oftentimes also it so happeneth to men, that there arise Tumors in their heads or elsewhere a∣bout their bodies, which are like Pushes; or sky∣colour spots, that appear suddenly and vex men in their bodies, as if they had been beaten with knotted Ropes: to whom any such accident

happeneth without any visible blow or bruise to be perceived; he will not judge any otherwise, but that he is smitten by these Images.

It is too often seen to fall out, that a man sometimes loseth an Eye suddenly, or is struck quite blind; or deaf in one, or both Ears; dumb, or some imperfection in his speech; croo∣ked, lame, or dieth; all which accidents are wrought by Witches, through the divine per∣mission: All which are Magical acceptions and torments, and are made and completed by the Ascendants.

In these Cases the Physitians ought to take heed, and be advised, that when they perceive such kinds of Diseases to be supernatural, that then they do not judge them to be natural Dis∣eases, and so think to Cure them with their com∣mon Apothecaries Medicaments; For thereby they will reap nothing but disgrace, which often happens to many of them: It is a cross (say they) or affliction by God laid upon them, which no Physitian can help. Oh you Quacksalvers, it is not as you think, but indeed it is a chastisement, by the permission of God, wrought by Witches and evil men; wherefore the Physitian ought to consider the Signs, whereby he may know, and judge of the Disease; and thereby may inform himself which way to effect the Cure thereof: And Medicines are to be used, and applied there∣unto.

In the first place it is necessary that he ask the Patient, How, and in what manner the Disease took him, or happened unto him; what was

the original of the evil, Whether it were occa∣sioned by any fall, blow, thrust, bruise; or if any other natural Cause can be perceived; or that there be any Flux, or inward corruption of blood: but if none of these signs appear, then let him a∣gain demand of the Patient, Whether he hath a∣ny body in suspition that is ••n enemy, or one not wishing well to him, that might be a Witch? If he answer that he hath some mistrust of any such, then he shall judge that it hath happened to him as is above declared. Therefore it is most neces∣sary for the Physitian to understand rightly after what manner he is to deal with the Patient, if he desire to be perfect in this art. But the Ancients have not written at all any thing concerning this kinde of Cure, neither Galen nor Avicenna, nor any other; we shall therefore lay down the manner of the Cure in Order, which follows.

They who are bewitched, cannot be Cured any better, than by hurting again the same place afflicted; that is, by making (through Faith and imagination) such a like member as is hurt, or else a whole Image out of Wax, which he shall either anoint or binde up with Plaisters, where the Tumors, Signs, or Spots be, is a present help for that person in whose name it shall be made; and the pain shall cease, &c. But if he be so be∣witched, that he is in danger to lose an eye, his hearing; or be impedited in the Generative fa∣culty of his privy Members, in his Speech, or hath his Members made crooked or wreathed a∣wry; then let there be made an Image of the whole body of Wax, with a firm Faith, upon

which Image let the intent of your imagination be firmly fixed; and afterwards let the whole Image be consumed with fire in due order. Make no wonder that people bewitched are thus easily Cured: neither be like the Sophisters of the A∣cademies, who scoff and deride at such things; and say, That they are impossibilities, and against God and Nature, because they are not taught in their Schools.

It follows then, since they are true, That a Physitian ought not to rest only in that bare knowledge which their Schools teach, but to learn of old Women, Egyptians, and such-like persons; for they have greater experience in such things, than all Academians.

We come to speak also of the Dartings and Jaculations of all Witches, as the Inchanters and Witches do call them; when they afflict any man, that they insert ashes, hairs, feathers, bristles of Hogs, fins of Fishes, and such like things into the foot, or some part of the body, without any opening of the skin.

But how, or after what manner this is done, we shall not here speak of; left if it be known to some, it may be by them made use of to do evil; wherefore we shall pass it over, it being only ne∣cessary to write of the manner of the Cure, that the same likewise may be effected without opening of the skin, and such griefs taken away. The way and use of the Ancients in such kinde of Cures, is especially to be avoided, who used to lance the part affected with Razors, about the centre thereof, and that very deep, where there

are no hairs, nor any thing else to be found; and by that way of proceeding, do afflict the Patients with most intolerable torments, as if they were racked in the hands of the hangman: for by this kinde of Remedy, very few are Cured, but many have thereby lost their lives. Wherefore this proceeding is quite to be left, and a better to be chosen: which is: Let some quantity, the whole, or half, much or little, of the like injacu∣lated matter, which may be found and buried ei∣ther in an Elder or Oak, and fixed with a wedge towards the East; which being done, there needs not any greater labor, for then that which re∣mains may be extracted from the body, and the Cure will follow without using any other Reme∣dy: But it will be otherwise, if the extracted matter be not placed in a right place; whatsoever it be, it causeth hurt, and diminisheth not the in∣jaculated matter. Wherefore it were to be wished, that it might be extracted from the body of man, without labor or pain, without making any incision, combustion, or opening thereof: It is therefore especially to be noted, that the same ought to be done by the virtue of the Magnes, (which attracteth all bewitched matter to it self:) such as is Oak-leaves, Celandine, Azoth, and powder of Coral: which if any one of them be by himself bound and fastned about the Centre, in 24 hours it will extract from the body all such matter, as by any such means of Witchcraft is injaculated therein.

I shall only add this one thing, which is a com∣mon saying, used by many to say, I am an enemy

to, and hate such Witches and Sorcerers; where∣fore I am sure they cannot hurt me: And this is firmly believed by such kinde of faithless and ig∣norant men, that those Witches and Sorcerers that they hate, can do them no hurt; but only such as they love, and give somthing to, &c. But this is false: for whosoever they are that are their enemies, do also give them thereby an occasion to use hatred and enmity towards them; and from that Spring at last arises the Persecution, according to the manner, power, and proprieties of the enemies. But if we would resist them that they cannot hurt us, we must do it by Faith; for that confirms and strengthens all things, rai∣seth up, and casteth down, and performeth all things.