Francis Barrett (born probably in London around 1770-1780) was an English occultist. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Year 1770 ( MDCCLXX) was a Common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Friday Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus (clandestine hidden secret referring to "knowledge of the hidden"
Barrett, an Englishman, claimed himself to be a student of chemistry, metaphysics, and natural occult philosophy. Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem meaning "earth") is the Science concerned with the composition structure and properties Metaphysics is the branch of Philosophy investigating principles of reality transcending those of any particular science Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language He was known to be an extreme eccentric who gave lessons in the magical arts in his apartment and fastidiously translated Kabbalistic and other ancient texts into English. In popular usage eccentricity refers to unusual or odd Behavior on the part of an individual Magic, sometimes known as sorcery, is a Conceptual system that asserts human ability to control the natural world (including events objects people and Kabbalah (קַבָּלָה lit "receiving" is a discipline and school of thought discussing the mystical aspect of Judaism.
He was very enthusiastic about reviving interest in the occult arts, and published a magical textbook called The Magus. The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer is a handbook of the Occult and Ceremonial magic compiled by Francis Barrett and published in 1801 Apart from possibly influencing the English occult novelist Bulwer-Lytton, the book gained little notice until it influenced Eliphas Levi. Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton 1st Baron Lytton ( May 25, 1803 – Eliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant, ( February 8, 1810 - May 31, 1875) was a French Occult author
The Magus dealt with the natural magic of herbs and stones, magnetism, talismanic magic, alchemy, numerology, the elements, and biographies of famous adepts from history. A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like In Geology, rock is a naturally occurring aggregate of Minerals and/or Mineraloids The Earth's outer solid layer the ‘ Lithosphere In Physics, magnetism is one of the Phenomena by which Materials exert attractive or repulsive Forces on other Materials. An amulet ( the Elder|Pliny]] meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble" a close cousin of the talisman (from Arabic Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Numerology is any of many Systems Traditions or Beliefs in a mystical or Esoteric relationship between Numbers and physical Many ancient philosophies used a set of archetypal classical "elements" to explain patterns in Nature. An adept is an individual identified as having attained a specific level of knowledge skill or aptitude in doctrines relevant to a particular author or organization
The Magus also served as an advertising tool. In it Barrett sought interested people wanting to help form his magic circle. An advertisement in The Magus (Vol. 2, p. 140) refers to an otherwise unknown school founded by Barrett.
According to the advertisement :
- The Author of this Work respectfully informs those that are curious in the studies of Art and Nature, especially of Natural and Occult Philosophy, Chemistry, Astrology, etc. , etc. , that, having been indefatigable in his researches in those sublime Sciences; of which he has treated at large in this book, that he gives private instructions and lectures upon any of the above-mentioned Sciences; in the course of which he will discover many curious and rare experiments.
- Those who become Students will be initiated into the choicest operations of Natural Philosophy, Natural Magic, the Cabbala, Chemistry, the Talismanic Arts, Hermetic Philosophy, Astrology, Physiognomy, etc. , etc. Likewise they will acquire the knowledge of the Rites, Mysteries, Ceremonies and Principles of the ancient Philosophers, Magi, Cabbalists, and Adepts, etc.
- The Purpose of this school (which will consist of no greater number than Twelve Students) being to investigate the hidden treasures of Nature; to bring the Mind to a contemplation of the Eternal Wisdom; to promote the discovery of whatever may conduce to the perfection of Man; the alleviating the miseries and calamities of this life, both in respect of ourselves and others; the study of morality and religion here, in order to secure to ourselves felicity hereafter; and, finally, the promulgation of whatever may conduce to the general happiness and welfare of mankind.
When writing about witches Barrett stated that he did not believe that their power to torment or kill by enchantment, touch or by using a wax effigy came from Satan. Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers An effigy is a representation of a person especially in the form of Sculpture. Satan, ( Standard Hebrew Satan'el, English accuser) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic faiths, being traditionally He claimed if the Devil wanted to kill a man guilty of deadly sin, he did not need a witch as an intermediary. The Devil is the The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of Vices that were originally used in early Christian
Barrett's belief in magical power might be summed up this way:
- The magical power is in the inward or inner man. A certain proportion of the inner man longs for the external in all things. When the person is in the appropriate disposition an appropriate connection between man and object can be attained.
External links
- The Magus or Celestial Intelligencer at Sacred Texts
- Biography of Francis Barrett
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