Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

Name	Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Birth name
Birth date	14 September 1486
Birth place	Cologne, Holy Roman Empire
Death date	18 February 1535
Death place	Grenoble, Kingdom of France
Alma mater
Occupation	Occultist, physician, soldier, theologian
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (14 September 1486 – 18 February 1535) was a German polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, and occult writer. He is best known for his writings on occultism and magic, particularly his three-volume work De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres ("Three Books of Occult Philosophy"), which is considered one of the most influential works on Western occultism.

Early Life and Education

Agrippa was born in Cologne, in what is now Germany, in 1486. He studied at the University of Cologne, where he received a broad education in the liberal arts, medicine, and law. His early exposure to the humanist movement greatly influenced his later works.

Career and Works

Agrippa's career was diverse and included roles as a soldier, physician, and diplomat. However, he is most renowned for his contributions to the study of the occult. His major work, De Occulta Philosophia Libri Tres, was published in 1531 and 1533. This work attempted to reconcile magic, astrology, and alchemy with Christianity, and it drew heavily on the Neoplatonic and Hermetic traditions.

De Occulta Philosophia

De Occulta Philosophia is divided into three books:

• The first book deals with the natural world and the elements, exploring the natural magic inherent in the world.
• The second book focuses on the celestial world, discussing the influence of the stars and planets on earthly events, and the practice of astrology.
• The third book addresses the divine world, exploring theurgy and the invocation of spirits.

Agrippa's work was controversial and often criticized by the Catholic Church, leading to accusations of heresy. Despite this, his writings were widely read and influenced many later thinkers in the fields of alchemy, astrology, and magic.

Later Life and Death

In his later years, Agrippa faced increasing opposition from religious authorities. He was imprisoned several times and spent the last years of his life in relative poverty. Agrippa died in 1535 in Grenoble, France.

Legacy

Agrippa's influence on the Western esoteric tradition is significant. His synthesis of magic, astrology, and alchemy with Christian theology laid the groundwork for later occultists and mystics. His works continue to be studied by scholars of Renaissance thought and Western esotericism.

Also see

• Alchemy
• Astrology
• Magic (paranormal)
• Renaissance humanism
• Neoplatonism
• Hermeticism