John Dee's Actions with Spirits (Volumes 1 and 2): 22 December 1581 to 23 May 1583 Whitby, Christopher by Whitby, Christopher

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Spiritualism

John Dee's Actions with Spirits (Volumes 1 and 2): 22 December 1581 to 23 May 1583 Whitby, Christopher

Name: John Dee's Actions with Spirits (Volumes 1 and 2): 22 December 1581 to 23 May 1583 Whitby, Christopher
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Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Whitby, Christopher
ISBN: 9781138008168

Whitby, Christopher

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the raw, unedited dialogues of John Dee's desperate quest for angelic wisdom.

This essential two-volume compilation delves into the foundational records of John Dee's attempts to commune with spirits and angels, primarily through his scryers Barnabas Saul and Edward Kelly. Volume one provides a meticulously researched introduction and comprehensive commentary, unraveling the often-cryptic nature of Dee's original writings. It traces the manuscript's journey, profiles Dee and his assistants, and grounds the "Actions" within Renaissance occult thought. Volume two presents the first complete modern transcription of Dee's Sloane MS 3188, offering unparalleled access to these pivotal spiritual encounters and exploring Dee's profound motivations.

Key themes

Renaissance Esoteric Context Dee's Conviction and Fraud

Historical context

This work anchors itself firmly within the Renaissance occult tradition, specifically documenting the intersection of Hermeticism and early modern spiritualism through the lens of John Dee's scholarly pursuits.

Difficulty

●●● Demanding

Fans will love it

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola · Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa · Paracelsus

🕊️ Spiritualism

🏛 Routledge 📅 2014 📖 1048 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781138008168

Fun fact

Christopher Whitby's monumental work offers an unparalleled scholarly deep dive into John Dee's most enigmatic spiritual quests. Its strength lies in providing both the meticulously transcribed primary source and a lucid, incisive commentary that unravels historical complexities. While invaluable for serious students of esotericism and Renaissance history, those hoping for a straightforward narrative or definitive proof of spiritual contact may find its academic rigor challenging. This edition firmly establishes itself as the essential reference for understanding the genesis of Dee's angelic system.

📝 Description: John Dee's Actions with Spirits (Volumes 1 and 2): 22 December 1581 to 23 May 1583 Whitby, Christopher

This was originally a two volume set which is now bound as one. Here is presented an investigation of the nature of the earliest extant records of the supposed communication with angels and spirits of John Dee (1527-1608) with the assistance of his two mediums or 'scryers', Barnabas Saul and Edward Kelly. Volume 2 of this work is a transcription of the records in Dee's hand contained in Sloane MS 3188, which has been transcribed only once before, by Elias Ashmole in 1672. Volume 1 is an introduction and thorough commentary to the text which is primarily explaining its many obscurities. The author describes the physical state of the manuscript and its history then continues with a biography of Dee and his scryers and some background to Renaissance occult philosophy. Further chapters address the arguments that the manuscript represents a conscious fraud or a cryptographical exercise and describe the magical system and instruments evolved during the communications or 'Actions'. The last, fascinating chapter examines Dee's motives for believing so strongly in the truth of the Actions and suggests that a principal motive was the conviction, not held by Dee alone, that a new age was about to dawn upon earth.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Whitby provides a formidable resource for specialists, yet this volume is decidedly not for casual readers seeking accessible magic manuals or lighthearted historical anecdotes. The dense academic commentary and cryptic nature of the original transcripts may alienate those unfamiliar with Renaissance Latin or early modern theological debates. However, for serious researchers, the value lies in the unprecedented access to Sloane MS 3188. It is a rigorous, scholarly undertaking that demands patience and prior knowledge of Dee’s broader corpus, making it less suitable for general interest audiences but essential for dedicated students of esoteric history.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and practitioners deeply invested in the history of Western esotericism will find this text indispensable for understanding the mechanics of Elizabethan spiritualism. It offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the intellectual fervor that drove John Dee’s search for divine knowledge, providing essential context through Whitby’s rigorous commentary. Readers fascinated by the historical development of angiology and the role of scryers in Renaissance magic will appreciate the meticulous transcription of primary sources. This compilation serves as a vital bridge between academic history and practical occult study, illuminating the profound motivations behind Dee’s famous experiments without romanticizing them.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the raw source material of Western esotericism, a scholar of Renaissance magic, or a dedicated follower of John Dee's profound angelic quest, this meticulously researched edition offers an indispensable window into one of history's most fascinating spiritual undertakings.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Whitby provides a formidable resource for specialists, yet this volume is decidedly not for casual readers seeking accessible magic manuals or lighthearted historical anecdotes. The dense academic commentary and cryptic nature of the original transcripts may alienate those unfamiliar with Renaissance Latin or early modern theological debates. However, for serious researchers, the value lies in the unprecedented access to Sloane MS 3188. It is a rigorous, scholarly undertaking that demands patience and prior knowledge of Dee’s broader corpus, making it less suitable for general interest audiences but essential for dedicated students of esoteric history.

❓ Frequently asked questions

This manuscript contains John Dee's personal records of his earliest angelic communications, transcribed in his own hand. This edition provides the first comprehensive modern transcription, making these foundational texts accessible to a wider scholarly audience.

Rather than definitively proving or disproving, this work offers a rigorous investigation into the nature of the records. It analyzes arguments for and against fraud, and critically examines Dee's own profound belief system and motivations for engaging with the spiritual realm.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Renaissance Esoteric Context

Whitby situates Dee's "Actions" squarely within the intellectual and spiritual currents of the Renaissance. It explores the philosophical underpinnings that informed Dee's worldview, demonstrating how his pursuit of angelic knowledge was deeply intertwined with the era's blend of science, magic, and theology, rather than being an isolated anomaly.

Dee's Conviction and Fraud

The work critically addresses persistent questions surrounding the authenticity of Dee's communications, evaluating theories of conscious fraud or cryptographic exercises. It compellingly explores Dee's profound personal conviction in the veracity of these encounters, suggesting his belief in an impending new age fueled his unwavering dedication to the angelic work.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The meticulous detail within Dee's original entries, however obscure, reveals not merely an account of visions but a carefully constructed methodology for divine interaction.”

“[Dee's entry:] 'The Angel Ave commanded: 'Write this, for it is the Key to the Gates of Understanding. Let your heart be pure as the crystal through which you gaze.'”

📜 Historical context

John Dee's angelic "Actions" stand as a cornerstone of Western esoteric tradition, profoundly influencing subsequent magical systems like Enochian magic. This work provides direct access to the formative period of these communications, grounding them within the rich intellectual tapestry of the Renaissance where natural philosophy, theology, and magical practices converged in ambitious pursuits of hidden knowledge.

📚 Glossary

Scryer
Sloane MS 3188
Actions

📔 Questions to reflect on

How might Dee's conviction in a "new age" have shaped his interpretation of the angelic messages received, and what parallels can we draw to contemporary spiritual movements?
Considering the arguments of conscious fraud versus genuine belief, what ethical responsibilities do modern researchers have when approaching historical spiritual records like Dee's?
Reflect on the role of the "scryer" in these communications. How does the medium's influence potentially shape or filter the messages received, and what does this imply about direct revelation?