Reviewed by David Allen Brizer
Magus: The Art of Magic from Faustus to Agrippa
by Anthony Grafton
Belknap Harvard University Press
Dec 2023, 282 pp, ISBN-13: 978-0674659735
In 1930s-40s Czechoslovakia, Franz Bardon, an occult magician, was approached by a Wehrmacht agent. The Nazis, desiring global domination, sought Bardon’s expertise in alchemy, astrology, and magic. Despite Bardon’s refusal to cooperate, he was imprisoned by the Nazis and later liberated by the Soviets.
This tale of struggle and defiance mirrors the historical and literary motif of sorcerers attempting to exceed their limits in the pursuit of power, riches, and divine dominion. This recurrent theme is exemplified by the real historical figure of Doctor Faustus, as well as in literary works like Bulwer-Lytton’s Zanoni.
The practice of ceremonial magic, as demonstrated by figures like Faustus, involved the intricate use of symbols, rituals, and invocations to manipulate spiritual and natural forces. Anthony Grafton, a master historian, delves into this complex realm in his book, exploring the exploits of magicians like Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and their quests for arcane knowledge.
Agrippa’s writings, such as De occulta philosophia, became influential texts among aspiring magicians. Grafton’s in-depth exploration of historical documents sheds light on the lives of these seekers, revealing their struggles and aspirations.
What may seem like mere superstition and mystical pursuits, Grafton reveals, were often precursors to the age of enlightenment and scientific progress. The exploration of these mystical pursuits provides a compelling insight into the evolution of rational thought and experimentation.
About the reviewer: David Allen Brizer is an author and book critic based in NYC. His work has been featured in various publications, and he is currently working on a new novel and a collection of short stories.