Arbatel de Magia Veterum
(1575)

Isagoge: The Third Septenary of Aphorisms:
The Olympick Spirits

Aphorism 15

They are called Olympick spirits, which do inhabit in the firmament and in the stars of the firmament, and the office of these spirits is to declare Destinies and to administer fatal Charms, so far forth as God pleaseth to permit them, for nothing, neither evil spirit nor evil Destiny, shall be able to hurt him who hath the most High for his refuge. If therefore any of the Olympick spirits shall teach or declare that which his star to which he is appointed portendeth, nevertheless he can bring forth nothing into action, unless he be permitted by the Divine power. It is God alone who giveth them power to effect it. Unto God the maker of all things are obedient all things celestial, sublunary, and infernal. Therefore rest in this: Let God be thy guide in all things which thou undertakest and all things shall attain to a happie and desired end, even as the history of the whole world testifieth and daily experience sheweth. There is peace to the godly: "There is no peace to the wicked," saith the Lord.

Aphorism 16

There are seven different governments of the Spirits of Olympus by whom God hath appointed the whole frame and universe of this world to be governed, and their visible stars are Aratron, Bethor, Phaleg, Och, Hagith, Ophiel, [and] Phul, after the Olympick speech. Every one of these hath under him a mighty militia in the firmament:

  • Arathon ruleth visible Provinces XLIX.
  • Bethor, XLII.
  • Phaleg, XXXV.
  • Och, XXVIII.
  • Hagith, XXI.
  • Ophiel, XIIII.
  • Phul, VII.

so that there are 186 Olympick Provinces in the whole Universe, wherein the seven Governours do exercise their power, all [of] which are elegantly set forth in Astronomy. But in this place it is to be explained in what manner these Princes and Powers may he drawn into communication.

Aratron appeareth in the first hour of Saturday, and very truely giveth answers concerning his Provinces and Provincials. So, likewise, do the rest appear in order in their days and hours. Also, everyone of them ruleth 490 years. The beginning of their simple Anomaly -- in the 60[th] year before the Nativity of Christ -- was the beginning of the administration of Bethor and it lasted until the yeer of our Lord Christ, 430. To whom succeeded Phaleg, until the [year] 920; then began Och; and continued until the year 1410, and thenceforth Hagith ruleth until the year 1900.*

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*We are currently in the Year of Ophiel; Phul will begin to rule in 2391 a.d.

Aphorism 17

Magically, the Princes of the seven Governments are called simply -- in that time, day, and hour wherein they rule visibly or invisibly -- by their Names and Offices which God hath given unto them, and by proposing their Character which they have given or confirmed.

The governor Aratron hath in his power those things which he doth naturally; that is, after the same manner and subject as those things which in Astronomy are ascribed to the power of Saturn.

Those things which he doth of his own freewill, are:

  1. That he can convert any thing into a stone in a moment, either animal or plant, retaining the same object to the sight;
  2. He converteth treasures into coles, and coles into treasure;
  3. He giveth familiars with a definite power;
  4. He teacheth Alchymy, Magick, and Physick;
  5. He reconcileth the subterranean spirits to men [and] maketh hairy men;
  6. He causeth one to be invisible;
  7. The barren he maketh fruitful, and giveth long life.

His character:

He hath under him 49 Kings, 42 Princes, 35 Presidents, 28 Dukes, 21 Ministers; standing before him, 14 familiars, seven messengers; he commandeth 36,000 legions of spirits (the number of a legion is 490).

Bethor governeth those things which are ascribed to Jupiter: he soon cometh being called. He that is dignified with his character, he raiseth to very great dignities, to cast open treasures; he reconcileth the spirits of the aire, that they give true answers, they transport precious stones from place to place, and they make medicines to work miraculously in their effects; he giveth also familiars of the firmament, and prolongeth life to 700 years, if God will.

His character:

He hath under him 42 Kings, 35 Princes, 28 Dukes, 21 Counsellors, 14 Ministers, 7 Messengers, [and] 29,000 legions of Spirits.

Phaleg ruleth those things which are attributed to Mars, the Prince of Peace. He that hath his character he raiseth to great honours in warlike affaires.

His character:

Och governeth solar things; he giveth 600 yeares, with perfect health; he bestoweth great wisdom, giveth the most excellent Spirits, teacheth perfect Medicines; he converteth all things into most pure gold and precious stones; he giveth gold, and a purse springing with gold; he that is dignified with his Character, he maketh him to be worshipped as a Deity, by the Kings of the whole world.

His character:

He hath under him 36,536 Legions; he administreth all things alone, and all his spirits serve him by centuries.

Hagith governeth Venereous things. He that is dignified with his Character, he maketh very fair, and to be adorned with all beauty; he converteth copper into gold, in a moment, and gold into copper; he giveth spirits which do faithfully serve those to whom they are addicted.

His character:

He hath 4,000 Legions of Spirits, and over every thousand he ordaineth Kings for their appointed seasons.

Ophiel is the governor of such things as are attributed to Mercury.

His Character is this:

His Spirits are 100,000 Legions; he easily giveth Familiar Spirits; he teacheth all Arts; and he that is dignified with his Character, he maketh him to be able, in a moment, to convert Quicksilver into the Philosopher's Stone.

Phul hath this Character:

He changeth all metals into silver, in word and deed; governeth Lunary things; healeth the dropsie; he giveth spirits of the water, who do serve men in a corporeal and visible form; and maketh men to live 300 years.

The most general Precepts of this Secret.

  1. Every Governor acteth with all his Spirits, either naturally, to wit, always after the same manner, or otherwise of their own freewill, if God hinder them not.
  2. Every Governor is able to do all things which are done naturally in a long time, out of matter before prepared, and also to do them suddenly, out of matter not before prepared. As Och, the Prince of Solar things, prepareth gold in the mountains in a long time, in a less time, by the Chymical Art, and Magically, in a moment.
  3. The true and divine Magician may use all the creatures of God, and offices of the Governors of the world, at his own will, for that the Governors of the world are obedient unto them, and come when they are called, and do execute their commands. But God is the Author thereof, as Joshua caused the Sun to stand still in heaven.

    They send some of their Spirits to the Mean Magicians, which do obey them only in some determinate business, but they hear not the false Magicians, but expose them to the deceits of the devils, and cast them into divers dangers, by the Command of God, as the Prophet Jeremiah testifieth, in his eighth Chapter, concerning the Jews. [More accurately, concerning those among the Jews who used magick for earthly gains, not spiritual attainment.]

  4. In all the elements there are the seven Governors with their hosts, who do move with the equal motion of the firmament, and the inferiors do always depend upon the superiors, as it is taught in Philosophy.
  5. A man that is a true Magician is brought forth a Magician from his mother's womb. Others, who do give themselves to this office, are unhappie. This is that which John the Baptist speaketh of: "No man can do anything of himself, except it be given him from above."
  6. Every Character given from a Spirit, for what cause soever, hath his efficacie in this business, for which it is given, in the time prefixed, but it is to be used the same day and Planetary hour wherein it is given.
  7. God liveth, and thy soul liveth: Keep thy Covenant and thou hast whatsoever the spirit shall reveal unto thee in God, because all things shall be done which the Spirit promiseth unto thee.

Aphorism 18

There are other names of the Olympick Spirits delivered by others, but they only are effectual, which are delivered to anyone, by the Spirit the revealer, visible or invisible, and they are delivered to everyone as they are predestinated. Therefore, they are called Constellations and they seldome have any efficacie above 40 years. Therefore, it is most safe for the young practisers of Art, that they work by the offices of the Spirits alone, without their names, and if they are pre-ordained to attain the Art of Magick, the other parts of the Art will offer themselves unto them of their own accord. Pray therefore for a constant faith, and God will bring to pass all things in due season.

Aphorism 19

Olympus and the inhabitants thereof do, of their own accord, offer themselves to men in the forms of Spirits and are ready to perform their Offices for them, whether they will or not -- by how much the rather will they attend you, if they are desired? But there do appear also evil Spirits and destroyers, which is caused by the envy and malice of the devil and because men do allure and draw them unto themselves with their sin, as a punishment due to sinners. Whosoever therefore desireth familiarly to have a conversation with Spirits, let him keep himself from enormous sins and diligently pray to the most High to be his keeper, and he shall break through all the snares and impediments of the devil; and let him apply himself to the service of God, and he will give him an increase in wisdom.

Aphorism 20

All things are possible to them that believe them and are willing to receive them, but to the incredulous and unwilling, all things are unpossible: There is no greater hinderance then a wavering minde, levity, unconstancy, foolish babbling, drunkenness, lusts, and disobedience to the word of God. A Magician therefore ought to be a man that is godly, honest, constant in his words and deeds, having a firm faith toward God, prudent, and covetous of nothing but of wisdom about divine things.

Aphorism 21

When you would call any of the Olympick Spirits, observe the rising of the Sun that day, and of what nature the Spirit is which you desire, and saying the prayer following, your desires shall he perfected:

Omnipotent and eternal God, who hast ordained the whole creation for thy praise and glory, and for the salvation of man, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send thy Spirit [N.N.] of the solar order, who shall inform and teach me those things which I shall ask of him; or, that he may bring me medicine against the dropsie [etc.]. Nevertheless, not my will be done, but thine, through Jesus Christ, thy only begotten Son, our Lord. Amen.

But thou shalt not detain the Spirit above a full hour, unless he be familiarly addicted unto thee.

Forasmuch as thou camest in peace, and quietly, and hast answered unto my petitions, I give thanks unto God, in whose Name thou camest, and now thou mayest depart in peace unto thy orders and return to me again when I shall call thee by thy name or by thy order or by thy office, which is granted from the Creator. Amen.

Ecclesiast. Chap. 5: "Be not rash with thy mouth, neither let thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in Heaven, and thou on earth; therefore, let thy words be few, for a dream cometh through the multitude of business."

See also the primer on Amulets and Charms.

The Seven Secrets