Medieval Cosmology and Influence on Authors

What typically happens when occultism breaks into popular culture?

What is a common reason for people turning to spirit summoning?

What is the nature of the disembodied entities that can be summoned by human beings?

What is the purpose of human incarnation from an occult perspective?

What is the typical attitude of wiser and more powerful beings towards human beings?

What was the Cosmographia of Bernardus Sylvestris written around?

What was the twelfth-century revival of associated with?

What was Bernardus' later book Experimentarius about?

What was the term for sorcerers who wasted their time with ghosts and depraved spirits?

What was the revival of in the late Renaissance and early modern period?

Cosmographia of Bernardus Sylvestris

Written around 1140, became a bestseller in the early Middle Ages
Based on Platonic revival, influenced by sacred geometry and Gothic cathedrals
Bernardus was knowledgeable about occult literature and divination, including geomancy

Bernardus' Vision of Reality

Combined Christian and magical beliefs
Planetary intelligences (Oyarses) were both gods of old Pagan faiths and angelic beings in the service of the Christian Trinity
No mention of spirit summoning, considered a debased category of sorcerers by ancient writers

History of Spirit Summoning

Revived in the late Renaissance and early modern period
Another surge in the late 19th century occult revival
Recent resurgence in the last couple of decades, despite being a bad idea

Reasons for Failure in Occultism

Lack of willingness to rise to the challenge of doing magic right
Overdeveloped sense of entitlement, expecting magic to cater to personal cravings
Avoiding meditation, reflection, and pursuit of clear self-knowledge

Spirit Summoning in Modern Times

Summoned entities are real, with various theories about their origins
Range from blind, morally innocent forces to corrupt, depraved, and malicious entities
Oyarses and other spiritual beings are wiser and more powerful, but cannot be summoned by humans
Human task is to master own potentials for power and wisdom, not to cling to greater beings

Explore the medieval book Cosmographia of Bernardus Sylvestris, its impact on Lewis' planetary trilogy, and the revival of Platonism in the 12th century. Learn about the connections between cosmology, geometry, and occultism.