John Dee (July 13th 1527-1608/1609[?], astronomer, astrologer,occultist,navigator,imperialist,consultant to Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Dee was deeply Influenced by Hermetic,
Platonic-Pythagorean and
Cabalistic doctrines. From
Hermeticism he believed that man had the potential for divine power. Dee's ultimate goal was to bring forth a unified world religion through healing and to capture pure theology of the ancients.
During the
Elizabethan Era, there was a certain "mysticism", relying upon astrology, alchemy, horoscopes, etc; Here are a list of names that can give you a better example of not only magicians of their times these people also were regarded highly in society by kings, queens, nobility as so on; these people had great influences in astrology, divination, and spiritual truth. Nostradamus, Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola, Cornelius Agrippa, Giambattista Della Porta, William Lily, john Dee and Edward Kelly. These influences regardless of religious affiliation believed that magic works.
Here are some links that can further explain Dee's history if you would like to know more on John Dee & Edward Kelly including a time line of John Dee's Life & Writings:
http://john007dee.com/chronology.html
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oas/oas_pdf/v44/p165_168.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dee
Personal Note:
I myself believe we are the representation of magic in everything that we do, say, touch, treat and heal others, comfort, cry, laugh, learn, labor, prayer and meditation. Simple things like flipping a light switch to cooking an egg. How about the experience of childbirth and the awe of watching one pure and innocent life take breath before your eyes, the joy and love felt that moment. That the one simple act of magic that planted a seed to grow into a little tree of life, stretching its branches and roots to be grounded affirm, thirsting for knowledge and insight and take counsel from elders and peers. What if this ceased to exist? what would it be like? No doubt what you may call or refer to it, anyway looked upon, it is magic. Being a mother to "two little trees" everyday waking to get up and get them prepared for school, to cooking their breakfast, even sitting down to help them with homework, the healing touch through comfort when their boyfriend dumps them, or sick with fever. Every action we do down to scrubbing a bathtub or floor is a form of magic. Write a list of your daily activities and how you feel it relates to magic, I did, you will see!
Links for underlines words & research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/oas/oas_pdf/v44/p165_168.pdf
http://john007dee.com/chronology.html
http://www.lonmiloduquette.com/_books.html
http://www.esotericarchives.com/dee/index.html
