Several hundred years ago, those who dealt with otherworldly forces were taken very seriously. The people believed that individuals know how to handle the forces that help to gain power, material wealth, and defeat disease. Most of the sorcerers were enterprising crooks, but some of the individuals noted in the archives deserve special attention.
Nicholas Flamel
Fans of the Harry Potter saga should know this name. Nicholas Flamel studied alchemy all his adult life and was the only known creator of the philosopher's stone. He died 600 years ago and became the inspiration for Albus Dumbledore. Historians have written that a Frenchman perfected his dark magic skills while traveling to Santiago de Compostela.
People noticed that after Flamel acquired the status of a wizard, his affairs took off dramatically. Of course, eyewitnesses associated this enrichment with the use of magical powers. Although some still said that his family received income from two shops inherited by his wife.
Baal Shem from London
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A prominent Kabbalist, Rabbi Dr. Falk, was born in Germany, but driven by fear of the death penalty was forced to flee to London. Hence this strange nickname appeared (Baal Shem - "Owner of the Name"). His magic skills were impressive. He was engaged in healing, and he received not only representatives of the Jewish nation, but also gentiles.
In the prime of his fame, Dr. Falk was close to the royal court. He presented the magic ring to the Duke of Orleans, who later became King of France Louis Philippe I. It is said that the rabbi could move objects with the help of his thoughts and once even saved a synagogue in London from a fire.
Paracelsus
This distinguished physician, born in 1493, is considered the founder of modern science and chemical medicine. He was a brilliant expert in medicine, astrology, botany and alchemy. Paracelsus was the first to establish the relationship between mental and physical illness.
He discovered the benefits of zinc and believed that only one who lives in harmony with nature can become a healthy person. His methods of "magical healing" are a symbiosis of chemical medicine, astronomy and alchemy.
Papus
The Frenchman Gerard Encausse, known under the pseudonym Papus, was an occultist and belonged to the Masonic order. This seer, born in 1865, was part of other secret magical societies. He published books regularly, telling about his practices. Papus' greatest prophecy concerned the fate of the Russian Empire.
In 1905, the seer arrived on a visit to St. Petersburg and visited the royal family. He told Nicholas II that he would be overthrown as a result of the "uprising of the people", but he assured that this would not happen during the life of Papus himself. The last Russian emperor was removed from power 141 days after the death of the sorcerer.
Hugh Draper
The story of the alchemist Hugh Draper is the most mysterious on our list. In the 16th century, this man ran a hotel, but was imprisoned in the Tower of London on charges of witchcraft. During interrogation, he admitted that he loved magic, but he burned all his books on alchemy.
While in prison, he decided to add his drawing to the many others engraved on the wall by previous prisoners. This is how a detailed astrological chart appeared with all the signs of the zodiac. It also indicated Hugh Draper's name and a mysterious date - May 30, 1561. No one could give an explanation for this, but when that day came, the prisoner mysteriously disappeared from the fortress.
Agrippa of Nettesheim
German scientist and humanist Heinrich Cornelius of Nettesheim took the pseudonym Agrippa in honor of the founder of the city of Cologne. He studied occultism, alchemy, and worshiped astrology. Agrippa wrote books about all his experiments. So the readers were shown a system of magic that works on three levels: natural magic, astronomy and summoning spirits.
It is curious that in 1530, 5 years before his death, Agrippa abandoned the further practice of magic. This man did not want further study of the occult to lead him straight to hell.
John Dee
British mathematician, alchemist and astrologer John Dee was a scientific and mystical adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. After studying all practical sciences, he took up the study of the connection between people and spirits. Together with his friend Edward Kelly, John Dee toured Europe and demonstrated his magical skills at the courts.
For a long time, in tandem with Gerolamo Cardano, he was looking for a perpetual motion machine. In addition, this alchemist wanted to find a gem that had magical properties. After Mary came to power, Tudor lost most of his savings and the opportunity to do research.
Edward Kelly
The alchemist, who was also known as Edward Tabold, was a close friend and associate of John Dee. They both spent several years outside the UK, sharing their love of magic. Edward Kelly devoted himself even more zealously to the study of man's connection with deceased ancestors. He was a medium who summoned spirits through a crystal ball. It is he who is credited with the authorship of the Enochian language (magic alphabet).
Unlike John Dee, who believed more in theoretical magic, this man firmly believed in alchemy. From under his pen in the 1580s a book was published called The Voynich Manuscript (Book of Dunstan), which contained spells that used red powder to turn any metal into gold.
When the creative tandem with John Dee broke up, Edward Kelly continued to study alchemy. This man was knighted and arrested several times. King Rudolph II wanted the alchemist to enrich him with red powder and spells, so he kept him in custody by force.
Eliphas Levi
The French occultist and tarot scholar was one of the most influential characters in the Victorian era. He wrote a book on transcendental magic and has had a tremendous impact on occult communities around the world. He created the tarot cards and assigned them meanings that are relevant to this day. He associated the usual pentagram with good, and the inverted one with evil.
Eliphas Levi's greatest legacy is the creation of the three basic principles of magic. He believed that human strength can work miracles. He thought that our material universe is just a part of reality and believed that the human personality reflects the universe on a tiny level.
Aleister Crowley
This famous occultist bore the title of "the most vicious man of his time." He formed modern occult rituals, was interested in alchemy, tarology and Kabbalah. Aleister Crowley (in the main photo) was in a secret society and quickly climbed the corporate ladder with the help of promiscuous intimate relationships. After a split between the London and French branches of the Golden Dawn, he left the community and formed his own occult group.
At the same time, Crowley claimed to have received instructions from the Egyptian god Horus himself to create new laws. In fact, this man called himself the new prophet and inspired his followers that they were free to do whatever they pleased. The occultist repeatedly summoned the spirits of Ancient Egypt and claimed that he could restore memories of his past lives.