Arbatel: On the Magic of the Ancients by Robert Turner

Description

'Arbatel: On the Magic of the Ancients' is a book translated by Robert Turner, originally published in 1575. It’s a Renaissance grimoire of ceremonial magic, framed as a set of moral and spiritual aphorisms, focused on positive, community‑oriented magic involving celestial hierarchies—especially the “Olympian spirits.” The text emphasizes Christian virtue, charity, and honesty, steering clear of demonology or “black magic” and drawing heavily on Paracelsian and biblical influences. Hailing from Basel, Switzerland, the Arbatel stands out for its straightforward prose and ethical orientation. It’s often credited with popularizing the term “theosophy” in the occult sense, distinguishing divine from human wisdom, and inspiring figures like John Dee, Jakob Böhme, Thomas Vaughan, and later anthroposophists. Its translation by Robert Turner in 1655 became the principal English version, subsequently informing later magicians such as Ebenezer Sibly and Frederick Hockley. While lauded for its ethical outlook, it faced criticism from church authorities: certain professors at Marburg were disciplined for using it academically, and it was denounced as “full of magical impiety”.

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