Bells and Spells: Rosicrucianism and the Invocation of Planetary Spirits in Early Modern Germany
Hereward Tilton
Culture and Cosmos October 1, 2015 DOI: 10.46472/cc.01219.0219 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that early modern theurgical practices, especially Rosicrucian ritual invocation of planetary spirits using Paracelsian electrum magicum artefacts, were marginalized by Christian anti-magical polemics and an associated suppression of gnostic-emanationist religiosity. The author also claims to have discovered the Dutch Behmenist origins of the Gold- und Rosenkreuz, which he contends illuminates this Christian Cabalistic theurgical tradition. |
Abstract
This paper examines early modern theurgical techniques in the context of Christian anti-magical polemics and an associated marginalization of gnosticemanationist religiosity. Particular attention is directed to the ritual invocation of planetary spirits in the Rosicrucian tradition, which involved artefacts (spiritsummoning bells, animated statues, etc.) manufactured from Paracelsian electrum magicum, a pervasive material in European ritual magical practice. Further light is cast upon this Christian Cabalistic theurgical tradition by the author’s discovery of the Dutch Behmenist origins of the Gold- und Rosenkreuz.