written by

Henry Cornelius Agrippa

of Nettesheim
Completely Annotated,
with Modern Commentary

The Foundation Book

of Western Occultism
Translated by James Freake

Edited and Annotated by

Donald Tyson
 The Foundation booh of UJcsreRn Occalrisml
The Three Books of Occult Philosophy is the single most important text in the history of
Western occultism. Occultists and magicians have been drawing upon its vast storehouse of
magical lore for five centuries, although they seldom if ever credit their source. For example,
Francis Barrett's Magus is a wonderful book only because it is made up of a direct plagiarism
of part of the Occult Philosophy, with some additional material attributed to Agrippa (the apoc-
ryphal Fourth Book of Occult Philosophy) thrown in at the end. The Golden Dawn systems of
the Kabbalah, geomancy, elements, and seals and squares of the planets are all taken in large
measure from Agrippa. Though countless writers have borrowed from the text, the Occult Phi-
losophy has never been reprinted in its entirety, except in limited facsimile editions, since 1651.
The reason the book has not been made into a new edition is simple—it required a her-
culean effort to correct the hundreds of errors, most of which were reproduced in both the Eng-
lish edition of 1651 and the Latin edition in the Opera of around 1600. These errors could only
be corrected by understanding the material completely: not only what was present in the text,
but what should be, and should not be, present.
For the first time in 500 years (first Latin edition, Antwerp, 1531), the seals, sigils, and
magic squares of the planets, which are universally used in modem magic, are correctly given,
and their structure and construction fully explained. For the first time the complex Hebrew
tables of the practical Kabbalah are accurately drawn. For the first time the geomantic figures
are corrected and truly represented.
Agrippa drew upon the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Arabic and Jewish writers who had gone
before him. The Occult Philosophy is the most complete repository of Pagan and Neoplatonic
magic ever compiled. The countless references to magic in, and exhaustive quotations from,
classical literature lead the careful reader through the ancient world of the occult and provide
the basis for what amounts to a doctoral degree in classical occultism. This book is the source,
and represents the crossroads between the ancient and modern worlds of magic.
In addition to the value of Agrippa's text, the copious notes make difficult references under-
standable, give the origin of quotations, and expand upon many of them, so that Agrippa's work
is not only available but accessible as well. All the herbs, stones, beasts, monsters, gods, spirits,
places, stars, symbols, ancient writers, and occult practices mentioned by Agrippa are set forth
in the notes using the same sources that were available to Agrippa himself to illuminate them.
In this way the reader is given valuable insights into the thought processes of Agrippa.
An extensive set of appendices on such subjects as the elements, the magic squares, the
practical Kabbalah, geomancy, the humors, and the Soul of the World provide background on
the more important matters treated in the text. The Biographical Dictionary gives a short biog-
raphy of each of the hundreds of writers and historical figures referred to by Agrippa, and the
Geographical Dictionary does the same for the rivers, nations, cities, mountains, and other
places, many of which no longer exist or now carry different names. The General Index will
prove invaluable to all serious readers, as it allows immediate reference to every topic touched
upon in the text, notes and appendices.
All occultists and magicians need this book, because the corrections contained in its pages
render obsolete many of their magical names and sigils. Without it they cannot know if they
have accurately drawn a square, or correctly spelled the name of a spirit. Likewise, it is a
necessary reference tool for all scholarly students of the Renaissance, Neoplatonism, and
Western Kabbalah, the history of ideas and sciences, and the occult tradition.
 A.6our rhe AuthoR
Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science
by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He
began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a
mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he
has pursued a writing career.
Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and
practice, His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East
and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and
a way to fulfill it.
"Co UJRire ro rhe AuchoR
If you wish to contact the author or would like more information about this book, please write
to the author in care of Llewellyn Worldwide and we will forward your request. Both the author and
publisher appreciate hearing from you and learning of your enjoyment of this book and how it has
helped you. Llewellyn Worldwide cannot guarantee that every letter written to the author can be
answered, but all will be forwarded. Please write to:
Donald Tyson
c/o Llewellyn Worldwide
2143 Wooddale Drive, Dept. 978-0-87542-832-1
Woodbury, MN 55125-2989, U.S.A.
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 O F r h e r a b i e s of r h e p l a n e r s ,
r h e i R viRrues, FORTTIS, a n d a i h a r divine
n a m e s , i n t e l l i g e n c e s , a n d spiRirs aRe s e r oveR r h e m .

t is affirmed by magicians, that there are gency to what is good, with a spirit to what is

I certain tables of numbers distributed to the

seven planets, which they call the sacred
tables of the planets, endowed with many,
and very great virtues of the heavens, in as
much as they represent that divine order of
bad, and out of the same numbers is drawn the
3

seal, or character of Saturn, and of the spirits

thereof, such as w e shall beneath ascribe to its
table. They say that this table being with a fortu-
nate Saturn engraven on a plate of lead, doth
4

celestial numbers, impressed upon celestials by help to bring forth, or birth, and to make a man
the Ideas of the Divine Mind, by means of the safe, and powerful, and to cause success of peti-
Soul of the World, and the sweet harmony of tions with princes, and powers: but if it be done
those celestial rays, signifying according to the with an unfortunate Saturn, that it hinders build-
proportion of effigies, supercelestial intelligen-
1 ings, plantings, and the like, and casts a man
cies, which can no other way be expressed, than from honours, and dignities, and causes dis-
by the marks of numbers, and characters. cords, and quarrelings, and disperses an army.
For material numbers, and figures can do The second is called the table of Jupiter,
nothing in the mysteries of hid things, but repre- which consists of a quarternian drawn into
sentatively by formal numbers, and figures, as itself, containing sixteen particular numbers,
5

they are governed, and informed by intelligences, and in every line, and diameter four, making
and divine numerations, which unite the extremes thirty-four. N o w the sum of all is 136. And
of the matter, and spirit to the will of the elevated there are over it divine names with an intelli-
soul, receiving through great affection, by the gence to good, with a spirit to bad, and out of it
celestial power of the operator, a power from is drawn the character of Jupiter, and the spirits
God, applied through the Soul of the Universe, thereof. They say that if it be impressed upon a
and observations of celestial constellations, to a silver plate with Jupiter being powerful, and rul-
matter fit for a form, the mediums being disposed ing, it conduceth to gain and riches, favour and
by the skill, and industry of magicians; but let us love, peace and concord, and to appease ene-
hasten to explain the tables severally. mies, to confirm honours, dignities, and coun-
The first of them is assigned to Saturn, and sels; and dissolve enchantments, if it be
consists of a square of three, containing the par- engraven on a coral.
ticular numbers of nine, and in every line three The third table belongs to Mars, which is
every way, and through each diameter making2 made of a square of five containing twenty-five
fifteen. N o w the whole sum of numbers is forty- numbers, and of these in every side and diameter
five. Over this are of divine names set such five, which makes sixty-five, and the sum of all
names as fill up the numbers with an intelli- is 325. And there are over it divine names with
an intelligence to good, with a spirit to bad, and of animals and cattle fruitful; and being put into
out of it is drawn the character of Mars, and of a dove house, causeth an increase of pigeons. It
his spirits. These with Mars being fortunate, conduceth to the cure of all melancholy distem-
being engraven on an iron plate, or sword, pers, and causeth joyfulness; and being carried
makes a man potent in war, and judgements, and about travelers makes them fortunate. But if it
petitions, and terrible to his enemies, and victo- be formed upon brass with an unfortunate
rious against them; and if engraven upon the Venus, it causeth contrary things to all that hath
stone corneola, it stops blood, and the mestrues;
6
been above said.
but if it be engraven with Mars being unfortu- The sixth table is of Mercury, resulting
nate, on a plate of red brass it hinders buildings, from the square of eight drawn into itself, con-
casts down the powerful from dignities, hon- taining sixty-four numbers, whereof eight on
ours, and riches, and causeth discord, strife, and every side and by both diameters make 260, and
hatred of men, and beasts, chaseth away bees, the sum of all 2080. And over it are set divine
pigeons, and fish, and hinders mills, and renders names with an intelligency to what is good,
them unfortunate that go forth to hunting, or with a spirit to what is evil, and from it is drawn
fighting, and causeth barrenness in men and a character of Mercury, and of the spirits
women, and other animals, and strikes a terror in thereof; and if it be with Mercury being fortu-
all enemies, and compels them to submit. nate engraven upon silver, or tin, or yellow
The fourth table is of the Sun, and is made brass, or be writ upon virgin parchment, it ren-
7

of a square of six, and contains thirty-six num- ders the bearer thereof grateful, and fortunate to
bers, whereof six in every side, and diameter do what he pleaseth: it bringeth gain, and pre-
produce 111, and the sum of all is 666. There vents poverty, conduceth to memory, under-
are over it divine names with an intelligency to standing, and divination, and to the
what is good, and spirit to what is evil, and out understanding of occult things by dreams: and if
of it are drawn characters of the Sun, and of the it be an unfortunate Mercury, doth all things
spirits thereof. This being engraven on a golden contrary to these.
plate with the Sun being fortunate, renders him The seventh table is of the Moon, of a
that wears it to be renowned, amiable, accept- square of nine multiplied into itself, having
able, potent in all his works, and equals a man eighty-one numbers, in every side and diameter
to kings, and princes, elevating him to high for- nine, producing 369, and the sum of all is 3321.
tunes, enabling to do whatsoever he pleaseth: And there are over it divine names with an intel-
but with an unfortunate Sun, it makes a tyrant, ligency to what is good, and a spirit to what is
and a man to be proud, ambitious, unsatisfiable, bad. And of it are drawn the characters of the
and to have an ill ending. Moon, and of the spirits thereof. This fortunate
The fifth table is of Venus, consisting of a Moon being engraven on silver, renders the
square of seven drawn into itself, viz. of forty- bearer thereof grateful, amiable, pleasant, cheer-
nine numbers, whereof seven on each side and ful, honoured, removing all malice, and ill will. It
diameter make 175, and the sum of all is 1225. causeth security in a journey, increase of riches,
And there are over it divine names with an intel- and health of body, drives away enemies and
ligency to good, and spirit to evil; and there is other evil things from what place thou pleaseth;
drawn out of it the character of Venus, and of and if it be an unfortunate Moon engraven in a
the spirits thereof. This being engraven on a sil- plate of lead, wherever it shall be buried, it
ver plate, Venus being fortunate, procureth con- makes that place unfortunate, and the inhabitants
cord, endeth strife, procureth the love of thereabouts, as also ships, rivers, fountains, mills,
women, conduceth to conception, is good and it makes every man unfortunate, against
against barrenness, causeth ability for genera- whom it shall be directly done, making him fly
tion, dissolves enchantments, and causeth peace from his country, and that place of his abode
between men, and women, and maketh all kind where it shall be buried, and it hinders physi-
cians, and orators, and all men whatsoever in stars, and spirits are drawn from these tables, the
8

their office, against whom it shall be made. wise searcher, and he which shall understand the
N o w how the seals, and characters of the verifying of these tables, shall easily find out. 9

Divine names answering The Intelligence of the Sun.

to the numbers of Saturn. 111 Nachiel
3 Ab The Spirit of the Sun.
9 Hod in 666 Sorath DTIO
15 Jah IT Divine names answering
15 Hod Tin
45 Jehovah extended Nil 8 1 TP
to the numbers o / V e n u s .
The Intelligence of Saturn. 7 - 8n8
45 Agiel ^mX The Intelligence of Venus.
The Spirit of Saturn. 49 Hagiel
45 Zazel *7T8T The Spirit of Venus.
1 7 5 Kedemel
12 ^ Q l p
Divine names answering The Intelligences of Venus.
to the numbers o/Jupiter. 1 2 2 5 B n e Seraphim
l 3 ITSltD , 33
4 Aba 10
Divine names answering
16 - mn to the numbers of Mercury.
i6 - n8 s

34 El A b 3878 8 A s b o g a , eight extended.

14 131318
The Intelligence of Jupiter. 64 Din p
136 Johphiel TWDT 64 Doni '31
The Spirit of Jupiter. The Intelligence of Mercury.
136 Hismael ^8Q0n 260 Tiriel TWTtD
The Spirit of Mercury.
Divine names answering 2080 Taphthartharath mmnETl
to the numbers o/Mars.
5 He, the letter of the holy name. n Divine names answering
25 — to the numbers the Moon.
65 Adonai 1]18 9 Hod 11
The Intelligence of Mars, 81 Elim •,18
325 Graphiel 78 D8"I3
,
The Spirit of the Moon.
The Spirit of Mars. 369 Hasmodai "WTOOn
325 Barzabel 11 ^83^13 The Spirit of the Spirits of the Moon.
3321 Schedbarschemoth
Divine names answering Schartathan j r i m © r u m Z m H O
to the numbers of the Sun. The Intelligency of
6 Vau, the letter of the holy name. 1 the Intelligence of the Moon.
6 He extended, 3321 Malcha betharsithim hed beruah
schehakim
the letter of the holy name. t^il
36 Eloh 178 •'pno m i 3 i r D'rrcnrQ
 SATURN
The table of Saturn in his Compass In Hebrew notes

4 9 2 1 CD n

3 5 7 ; n T

8 1 6 n 1

The Seals or Characters

 JUPITER
The table of Jupiter in his Compass In Hebrew notes

4 14 15 1 1 T 1£D a
9 7 6 12 CD t 1 y
5 11 10 8 n n
16 2 3 13 Vn ; r
The Seals or Characters

Of Jupiter
 MARS
The table of Mars in his Compass In Hebrew notes

11 24 7 20 3 ID T D 3
4 12 25 8 16 y i"D n T
17 5 13 21 9 r n r iO CD
10 18 1 14 22 rr K T 3D
23 6 19 2 15 i to' a rp 1

The Seals or Characters

4
Of the Spirit of Mars
 SOL
The table of the Sun in his Compass In Hebrew notes

6 32 3 34 35 1 1 : lb
7 11 27 28 8 30 T D TO n
19 14 16 15 23 24 T T rr "ID
18 20 22 21 17 13 IT D to r r
25 29 10 9 26 12 r o CDD 1 CD ID : r
36 5 33 4 2 31 n 1 2 vb

The Seals or Characters

Of the Sun
 VENUS
The table of Venus in her Compass In Hebrew notes

»
2 2 4 7 16 4 1 10 35 4 Tft T rf? 1
5 2 3 4 8 17 4 2 11 2 9 n n a r
3 0 6 2 4 4 9 18 3 6 12 I D CDDm ft
13 31 7 2 5 4 3 19 3 7 r ft? T P D ET
3 8 14 3 2 1 2 6 4 4 2 0 rb T K id "Tft
21 3 9 8 3 3 2 2 7 4 5 KD n ft D HQ
4 6 15 4 0 9 3 4 3 2 8 1Q rr • CD 3 r o
The Seals or Characters

Of Venus

Of the Intelligence Of the Spirit of Of the Intelligences

of Venus Venus of Venus
The table of Mercury in his Compass In Hebrew notes

8 58 59 5 4 62 63 1 n m CD] n 1 DO 30
49 15 14 52 53 11 10 56 CDft rr T 3] 32 i 13
41 23 22 44 45 19 18 48 Kft ZD 1ft ilft a* nft
1

32 34 35 29 28 38 39 25 i b i b CDDnD nb CDbID
40 26 27 37 36 30 31 33 0 ID TD fb ib b *b 3b
17 47 46 20 21 43 42 24 r ra 1ft D frO 3ft 2ft ID
9 55 54 12 13 51 50 16 CD PT3 1] 2" r 3 T
64 2 3 61 60 6 7 57 10 2 2 «0 D i T T3
The Seals or Characters
The table of the Moon in her Compass In Hebrew notes
37 78 29 70 21 62 13 54 5 Tb nu 00 2 80 no r 13 n
6 38 79 30 71 22 63 14 46 1 nb tDi? b tw no T 10
47 7 39 80 31 72 23 55 15 TO T ob 8b •J? 30 n3 n 1

16 48 8 40 81 32 64 24 56 T no n 0 no no i]
57 17 49 9 41 73 33 65 25 n r oo 0 no no
26 58 18 50 1 42 74 34 66 ID m rr ] 8 00 IS nb 10
67 27 59 10 51 2 43 75 35 10 TO 0] 8] 0 30 n r nb
36 68 19 60 11 52 3 44 76 lb no 52 0 8 0] 3 no ir
1

77 28 69 20 61 12 53 4 45 Ti? no 00 0 80 O 33 i no
1

The Seals or Characters

Of the Moon

Of the Intelligence
Of the Spirit Of the Spirit of of the Intelligences
of the Moon the Spirits of the Moon of the Moon
 Noces—ChApceR A All

1- effigies—Sigils. taken from an Animal which hath not

attained the age of generation, whether it
2. diameter—Diagonal. be ram, or kid, or other animal.
Unborn parchment is taken from an
3. what is bad—Agrippa uses the term intelligence to animal which hath been taken before its
denote a benevolent supernatural being, and spirit to time from the uterus of its mother. (The
denote a malevolent supernatural being. Greater Key of Solomon 2.17, trans. S. L.
MacGregor Mathers [Chicago: De Lau-
4. fortunate Saturn—At the time when Saturn occu- rence Company, 1914 {1889}], 114)
pies a favorable position in the heavens astrologi-
cally, causing its influence to be benign. 8. stars—Planets.
5. drawn into itself—4 x 4. 9. easily find out—See Appendix V.
6. stone corneola—Cornelian, the stone favored by 10. Aba—This divine name of Jupiter is spelled
Pliny for seal rings, is said to cause concord, to still "Abab" in the English edition and "Abba" in the
angry passions, to drive away evil thoughts, and to Latin Opera.
render harmless witchcrafts and the evil eye. The
description applied to it here belongs with coral, 11. Barzabel—For some inexplicable reason this name
about which Gerard says: "It [coral] is a soveraigne appears as in both English and Latin edi-
remedy to drie, to stop, and stay all issues of bloud tions. The Aleph ($) in the middle is superfluous.
whatsoever in man or woman" (Gerard 1633,
3:166:1578). Since coral is the stone of Mars because 12. 175—Incorrectly given as "157" in both English
of its red color and power over blood, it is certain that and Latin editions.
an error has been made by Agrippa or one of his early
copyists, and cornelian should rightly be placed with 13. 1225—Incorrectly given as "1252" in both edi-
Jupiter, while coral should appear with Mars. tions, but strangely enough the divine name accurately
corresponds to this faulty number. See Appendix V for
7. virgin parchment— the numerical breakdown of the name.
Genuine Virgin Parchment is necessary in 14. Asboga—The Hebrew version of this name
many Magical Operations and should be appears with only five letters in both English and
properly prepared and consecrated. There Latin editions, whereas it should have six—it is
are two kinds, one called Virgin, the other explained at the end of Appendix V.
Unborn. Virgin parchment is that which is