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The Magus, Celestial Intelligencer: A Complete System of Occult Philosophy
Book Description:
"The Magus is one of the primary sources for the study of ceremonial magic, and for a long time was one of the rarest and most sought after of the 19th century grimoires. Barretts' magnum opus embodies deep knowledge of Alchemy, Astrology, and the Kabbalah, and has been cited by the Golden Dawn and other occult and esoteric movements as source material. Written in 1801 in the middle of the 'Age of Reason', sandwiched between Newton and Darwin, this was possibly the last epoch that a work like this could be composed." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)
Table of Contents:
Publisher's Preface; The Magus, Book I.; Preface; Introduction To The Study Of Natural Magic; The First Principles Of Natural Magic: Book The First; Natural Magic Defined; Of The Wonders Of Natural Magic; Of Amulets, Charms, And Enchantments; Of Unctions, Philters, Potions, &c.--their Magical virtues; Of Magical Suspensions And Alligations; Of Antipathies; Of The Occult virtues Of Things; Of The Wonderful virtues Of Some Kind Of Precious Stones; Of The Mixtures Of Natural Things One With Another, And The Producing Of Monstrous Animals; Of The Art Of Fascination, Binding, Sorceries, Magical Confections, Lights, Candles, Lamps; The Jewel Of Alchymy; Epistle To Museus; To The Reader; Part The First: Of Alchymy, Its Divine Origin; Of The Preparation Of A Man To Qualify Him For The Search Of This Treasure; Of The Manner Of Extracting The First Matter Of The Philosophers' Stone; The Celestial Intelligencer; Of The Four Elements And Their Natural Qualities; Of The Properties And Wonderful Nature Of Fire And Earth; Of The Water And Air; Of Compound, Or Mixed Bodies; That The Elements Are In The Heavens, In The Stars, In Devils, Angels, Intelligences, And, Lastly, In God Himself; That The Wisdom Of God Works By The Medium Of Second Causes; Of The Spirit Of The World; Of The Seals And Characters Impressed By Celestials Upon Natural Things; Treating Of The virtue And Efficacy Of Perfumes; Of The Composition Of Some Perfumes Appropriated To The Seven Planets; Of The Composition And Magic virtue Of Rings; That The Passions Of The Mind Are Assisted By Celestials; How Man's Mind May Be Joined With The Mind Of Intelligences And Celestials; Shewing The Necessity Of Mathematical Knowledge; The Great virtues Of Numbers, As Well In Natural Things As In Supernatural; Of The Scale Of Unity; Of The Number Two, And Scale; Of The Number Three And Scale; Of The Number Four And Scale; Of The Number Five, And Its Scale; Of The Number Six, And The Scale; Of The Number Seven, And The Scale; Of The Number Eight, And The Scale; Of The Number Nine, And The Scale; Of The Number Ten, And The Scale; Of The Numbers Eleven And Twelve, With The Cabalistical Scale; Of The Notes Of The Hebrews And Chaldeans, And Other Notes Of Magicians; The Magic Tables Of The Planets; Of The Observation Of The Celestials Necessary In Every Magical Work; When The Planets Are Of Most Powerful Influence; Observations On The Fixed Stars, And Their Names And Natures; Of The Sun And Moon, And Their Magical Considerations; Of The Twenty-eight Mansions Of The Moon, And Their virtues; How Some Artificial Things (as Images, Seals, And Such Like) May Obtain Some virtue From The Celestial Bodies; Of The Images Of The Zodiac; Of The Images Of Saturn; Of The Images Of Jupiter; Of The Images Of Mars; Of The Images Of The Sun; Of The Images Of Venus; Of The Images Of Mercury; Of The Images Of The Head And Tail Of The Dragon Of The Moon; Of The Images Of The Mansions Of The Moon; That Human Imprecations Naturally Impress Their Powers Upon External Things; Conclusion; The Magus, Book ii.; Magnetism; Introduction; The Magnetic, Or Attractive Power Or Faculty; Of Sympathetic Medicines; Of The Magnetic Or Sympathetic Unguent; Of The Armary Unguent, Or Weapon Salve; Of The Imaginative Power And The Magnetism Of
"The Magus is one of the primary sources for the study of ceremonial magic, and for a long time was one of the rarest and most sought after of the 19th century grimoires. Barretts' magnum opus embodies deep knowledge of Alchemy, Astrology, and the Kabbalah, and has been cited by the Golden Dawn and other occult and esoteric movements as source material. Written in 1801 in the middle of the 'Age of Reason', sandwiched between Newton and Darwin, this was possibly the last epoch that a work like this could be composed." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)
Table of Contents:
Publisher's Preface; The Magus, Book I.; Preface; Introduction To The Study Of Natural Magic; The First Principles Of Natural Magic: Book The First; Natural Magic Defined; Of The Wonders Of Natural Magic; Of Amulets, Charms, And Enchantments; Of Unctions, Philters, Potions, &c.--their Magical virtues; Of Magical Suspensions And Alligations; Of Antipathies; Of The Occult virtues Of Things; Of The Wonderful virtues Of Some Kind Of Precious Stones; Of The Mixtures Of Natural Things One With Another, And The Producing Of Monstrous Animals; Of The Art Of Fascination, Binding, Sorceries, Magical Confections, Lights, Candles, Lamps; The Jewel Of Alchymy; Epistle To Museus; To The Reader; Part The First: Of Alchymy, Its Divine Origin; Of The Preparation Of A Man To Qualify Him For The Search Of This Treasure; Of The Manner Of Extracting The First Matter Of The Philosophers' Stone; The Celestial Intelligencer; Of The Four Elements And Their Natural Qualities; Of The Properties And Wonderful Nature Of Fire And Earth; Of The Water And Air; Of Compound, Or Mixed Bodies; That The Elements Are In The Heavens, In The Stars, In Devils, Angels, Intelligences, And, Lastly, In God Himself; That The Wisdom Of God Works By The Medium Of Second Causes; Of The Spirit Of The World; Of The Seals And Characters Impressed By Celestials Upon Natural Things; Treating Of The virtue And Efficacy Of Perfumes; Of The Composition Of Some Perfumes Appropriated To The Seven Planets; Of The Composition And Magic virtue Of Rings; That The Passions Of The Mind Are Assisted By Celestials; How Man's Mind May Be Joined With The Mind Of Intelligences And Celestials; Shewing The Necessity Of Mathematical Knowledge; The Great virtues Of Numbers, As Well In Natural Things As In Supernatural; Of The Scale Of Unity; Of The Number Two, And Scale; Of The Number Three And Scale; Of The Number Four And Scale; Of The Number Five, And Its Scale; Of The Number Six, And The Scale; Of The Number Seven, And The Scale; Of The Number Eight, And The Scale; Of The Number Nine, And The Scale; Of The Number Ten, And The Scale; Of The Numbers Eleven And Twelve, With The Cabalistical Scale; Of The Notes Of The Hebrews And Chaldeans, And Other Notes Of Magicians; The Magic Tables Of The Planets; Of The Observation Of The Celestials Necessary In Every Magical Work; When The Planets Are Of Most Powerful Influence; Observations On The Fixed Stars, And Their Names And Natures; Of The Sun And Moon, And Their Magical Considerations; Of The Twenty-eight Mansions Of The Moon, And Their virtues; How Some Artificial Things (as Images, Seals, And Such Like) May Obtain Some virtue From The Celestial Bodies; Of The Images Of The Zodiac; Of The Images Of Saturn; Of The Images Of Jupiter; Of The Images Of Mars; Of The Images Of The Sun; Of The Images Of Venus; Of The Images Of Mercury; Of The Images Of The Head And Tail Of The Dragon Of The Moon; Of The Images Of The Mansions Of The Moon; That Human Imprecations Naturally Impress Their Powers Upon External Things; Conclusion; The Magus, Book ii.; Magnetism; Introduction; The Magnetic, Or Attractive Power Or Faculty; Of Sympathetic Medicines; Of The Magnetic Or Sympathetic Unguent; Of The Armary Unguent, Or Weapon Salve; Of The Imaginative Power And The Magnetism Of
424 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1801
About the author
Reuben Levy
34 books1 followerReuben Levy (28 April 1891 – 6 September 1966) was Professor of Persian at the University of Cambridge, who wrote on Persian literature and Islamic history.
Levy was educated at the Friars School, Bangor, the University College of North Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford, studying Persian, Turkish and the Semitic languages. During the First World War, he was a captain in General Staff Intelligence in Mesopotamia (1916 to 1918), and worked in the Iraq Political Service (1918 to 1920). He lectured in Persian at Oxford from 1920 to 1923 before living in the United States from 1923 to 1926.
He moved to the University of Cambridge in 1926 as Lecturer in Persian, and became Professor of Persian in 1950, the chair being created for him. He was also a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. During the Second World War, he was a Squadron Leader in RAF Intelligence.
His first book, Persian Literature (1923), was written when he was still a lecturer at Oxford. A Baghdad Chronicle (1929) was an account of the Muslim Middle Ages and Abbasid Caliphate. It led to his major work, The Sociology of Islam (2 volumes, 1931–33) (reissued in 1957 as The Social Structure of Islam), which was regarded as a new approach to Muslim history. He also produced translations and critical editions of texts, including the 11th century Persian text Qabus nama (A Mirror for Princes, 1951), The Tales of Marzuban (1959) and The Shah-nama (1966).
Levy was educated at the Friars School, Bangor, the University College of North Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford, studying Persian, Turkish and the Semitic languages. During the First World War, he was a captain in General Staff Intelligence in Mesopotamia (1916 to 1918), and worked in the Iraq Political Service (1918 to 1920). He lectured in Persian at Oxford from 1920 to 1923 before living in the United States from 1923 to 1926.
He moved to the University of Cambridge in 1926 as Lecturer in Persian, and became Professor of Persian in 1950, the chair being created for him. He was also a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. During the Second World War, he was a Squadron Leader in RAF Intelligence.
His first book, Persian Literature (1923), was written when he was still a lecturer at Oxford. A Baghdad Chronicle (1929) was an account of the Muslim Middle Ages and Abbasid Caliphate. It led to his major work, The Sociology of Islam (2 volumes, 1931–33) (reissued in 1957 as The Social Structure of Islam), which was regarded as a new approach to Muslim history. He also produced translations and critical editions of texts, including the 11th century Persian text Qabus nama (A Mirror for Princes, 1951), The Tales of Marzuban (1959) and The Shah-nama (1966).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 19, 2026
Francis Barrett’s “The Magus: A Complete System of Occult Philosophy” is a hefty book, but definitely important for anyone interested in magical history to read.
He discusses all of the numbers, starting with two and ending with twelve, in incredible detail, even providing correspondence charts. In fact, Barrett discusses correspondences a lot, especially in relation to stones and herbalism.
This book relies heavily on European Christian folk magic and Jewish mysticism, which was expected considering both the date and place of the original publication (1801 and London, respectively).
The influence that this book had, and continues to have, on magical practice is incredible. In fact, I would venture to say that if practitioners today are not directly influenced by this book, then they are absolutely indirectly influenced by it, albeit without citation (as was often the case), because Barrett’s information was clearly recycled by later authors. It must be stated, though, that Barrett also extracted and translated data from earlier sources, most of which he didn’t cite. Once again, this was a common practice among early writers. This book is just one cog in the wheel of how magical information was passed down over the centuries.
Although this book isn’t considered a ‘must read’ like other more well-known books, “The Magus” really should be on everyone’s TBR list. And yes, this book is **that** relevant, primarily due to its historical significance and especially to its importance to both witchcraft and Ceremonial Magic(k).
This book’s data on natural magic, alchemy, astrology, magical tables, seals (also more commonly known today’s as sigils) in both English and Hebrew and detailed information on them, and data on other topics was critical to early practitioners of magic. On pages 232-233, Barrett even discusses a case of astral projection—although he never uses the term, and provides another example:
“…Saint Ambrose, although he was for distant in his body, yet was visibly present at the funeral solemnities of Saint Martin…” (pg. 238).
What is interesting is Barrett’s understanding of magical power. First, he states that—unlike many other previous writers on the subject—that,
“…there is a certain power plainly proper and natural to the witch which belongs not to Satan…” (p.240).
After exonerating witches (and particularly women), he then reveals that those powers are inherent in **all** people (pg. 242)—a radical departure from other Christian writings, further stating that even if someone chooses not to use magic that,
“…every magical faculty lies dormant…” (pg. 249).
He discusses all of the numbers, starting with two and ending with twelve, in incredible detail, even providing correspondence charts. In fact, Barrett discusses correspondences a lot, especially in relation to stones and herbalism.
This book relies heavily on European Christian folk magic and Jewish mysticism, which was expected considering both the date and place of the original publication (1801 and London, respectively).
The influence that this book had, and continues to have, on magical practice is incredible. In fact, I would venture to say that if practitioners today are not directly influenced by this book, then they are absolutely indirectly influenced by it, albeit without citation (as was often the case), because Barrett’s information was clearly recycled by later authors. It must be stated, though, that Barrett also extracted and translated data from earlier sources, most of which he didn’t cite. Once again, this was a common practice among early writers. This book is just one cog in the wheel of how magical information was passed down over the centuries.
Although this book isn’t considered a ‘must read’ like other more well-known books, “The Magus” really should be on everyone’s TBR list. And yes, this book is **that** relevant, primarily due to its historical significance and especially to its importance to both witchcraft and Ceremonial Magic(k).
This book’s data on natural magic, alchemy, astrology, magical tables, seals (also more commonly known today’s as sigils) in both English and Hebrew and detailed information on them, and data on other topics was critical to early practitioners of magic. On pages 232-233, Barrett even discusses a case of astral projection—although he never uses the term, and provides another example:
“…Saint Ambrose, although he was for distant in his body, yet was visibly present at the funeral solemnities of Saint Martin…” (pg. 238).
What is interesting is Barrett’s understanding of magical power. First, he states that—unlike many other previous writers on the subject—that,
“…there is a certain power plainly proper and natural to the witch which belongs not to Satan…” (p.240).
After exonerating witches (and particularly women), he then reveals that those powers are inherent in **all** people (pg. 242)—a radical departure from other Christian writings, further stating that even if someone chooses not to use magic that,
“…every magical faculty lies dormant…” (pg. 249).
July 26, 2009
Basically a rip-off of Agrippa, but interesting nonetheless.
January 2, 2022
Not too comprehensible but then again, this is an old as hell copywriter Agrippa-ish mix of all things, archaic and occult and symbolic and goethic and ...
The 3d vol is the best, since it's basically oldie bios of occult celebrities.
The 3d vol is the best, since it's basically oldie bios of occult celebrities.
November 28, 2007
This book is hard to read and definately not for everyone. It contains valuable information for those seeking out old world knowledge.
August 5, 2016
This might be the most bizarre and random book I have ever read. I read it without any context for its turn-of-the-eighteenth century information, and it blew me away with its strange correspondences, wild numerology, archaic astrology, and twisted suggestions for ritual and spellcraft.
As a student of Wicca, I looked for links between Barrett's writings and current Wiccan practice, and I do feel there are plenty. I am left with wonder at how his own experience in the occult eventually fed into what we now know as "witchcraft." He strikes me as a very strange man who lived underground in his times with a big sack-full of strange information gathered through studies of obscure past knowledge. Did he make any of it up? What on Earth did he study in order to glean all of this bizarre knowledge? What happened to all of this stuff as the nineteenth century progressed?
For quaint interest or a kind of morbid fascination, this book will deliver. For historical material, this book will keep the occultist engaged. For readability, the unadulterated archaic and confusing writing style of this book will be a pure bust.
As a student of Wicca, I looked for links between Barrett's writings and current Wiccan practice, and I do feel there are plenty. I am left with wonder at how his own experience in the occult eventually fed into what we now know as "witchcraft." He strikes me as a very strange man who lived underground in his times with a big sack-full of strange information gathered through studies of obscure past knowledge. Did he make any of it up? What on Earth did he study in order to glean all of this bizarre knowledge? What happened to all of this stuff as the nineteenth century progressed?
For quaint interest or a kind of morbid fascination, this book will deliver. For historical material, this book will keep the occultist engaged. For readability, the unadulterated archaic and confusing writing style of this book will be a pure bust.
August 18, 2012
Full disclosure: I have only skimmed this book. I feel I must write a superficial review here as two of the three present say nothing about the book itself.
This is a 19th century text drawing from various sources (including, and perhaps primarily, but not only Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy). It is part manual, part overview for the Victorian occultist and covers various topics such as "Natural Magic," "Alchymy," "Cabalistic Magic," and "Magnetism."
This is a 19th century text drawing from various sources (including, and perhaps primarily, but not only Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy). It is part manual, part overview for the Victorian occultist and covers various topics such as "Natural Magic," "Alchymy," "Cabalistic Magic," and "Magnetism."
June 3, 2023
Read a brief sample on Wayback Machine and was unimpressed. 2.5 ⭐.
January 29, 2017
This book is a good read for someone who is a complete beginner, but not good at all for someone who has already a lot of occult related knowledge.
It contains many chapters on many different subjects, but it explains nothing in depth. 99% of the information in it is simply things that are mentioned theoretically, and serve only as ideas for stuff that you can put sticky notes on and then go ahead and research them once you have finished the book.
Personally, I did not enjoy reading it much. It is very theistic and one could say that it is basically "Christian Folk Magick", i.e. theories and ideas of correspondences but nothing actually practical.
It contains many chapters on many different subjects, but it explains nothing in depth. 99% of the information in it is simply things that are mentioned theoretically, and serve only as ideas for stuff that you can put sticky notes on and then go ahead and research them once you have finished the book.
Personally, I did not enjoy reading it much. It is very theistic and one could say that it is basically "Christian Folk Magick", i.e. theories and ideas of correspondences but nothing actually practical.
January 10, 2014
Is a hodgepodge of material. For the time it came out though it was huge because access to some of the volumes which it took from were extremely difficult to come by. Of course now that has completely changed and its sources are readily available. Unfortunately that leaves this volume in the dust heap so to speak, worthless other than it being a curiosity of the times.
October 6, 2020
I only got about 10% in before I gave up and threw in the DNF bin. This was just ridiculously heavy with Christian ideas. If I wanted to read a 5 page prayer, I wouldn't look into a book on the occult.
January 13, 2014
fantastic
January 26, 2018
From an academic perspective, this was a fascinating read.
January 6, 2024
The Magus by Francis Barrett was the most random and bizarre book I have ever read. If you told your friend to read it, I think they would think you were crazy. The book is deeply influenced by Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Magic, and was written to popularize the occult, occult related texts, and beliefs. Some of the more interesting beliefs in the book include
- Herbalism and Plants
- Astrology
- Gemstones and Tarots
These beliefs are still popular today, last week a tarot card reader went onto FOX News to predict the year for presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Magus influenced spirituality in the 19th century and even spiritual and superstitious beliefs of today. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the occult or spirituality or just like looking at weird symbols. One of the quotes from this book you may have heard of is ...
"The greatest magic is the magic of love, for it can conquer all things."
- Herbalism and Plants
- Astrology
- Gemstones and Tarots
These beliefs are still popular today, last week a tarot card reader went onto FOX News to predict the year for presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Magus influenced spirituality in the 19th century and even spiritual and superstitious beliefs of today. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the occult or spirituality or just like looking at weird symbols. One of the quotes from this book you may have heard of is ...
"The greatest magic is the magic of love, for it can conquer all things."
November 20, 2018
I read this more as a historical fascination rather than as a practical guide for magick. While you see a lot of these fundamentals in many different schools and teachings, the Christian undertones don't really do it for me. I did think the breakdown was pretty simple to understand if you're desperate, but witches are everywhere and part of being a witch is finding your own path.
That all being said, this is pretty comprehensive, with several types of magick being covered, and you could probably do a lot with this if you're looking for a reference in magic systems (for writing fantasy novels).
That all being said, this is pretty comprehensive, with several types of magick being covered, and you could probably do a lot with this if you're looking for a reference in magic systems (for writing fantasy novels).
May 30, 2021
I can see how this book can have been an amazing source of information in a time where a lot of the books were hard to get. However, it is poorly written, organized in a confusing manner and repeats itself endlessly while also breezing over subjects that could have benefitted from a deeper exploration.
March 2, 2026
I haven't read this in decades, but I needed some details about ceremonial magic for a novel, and this was the perfect place to find it.
Not sure how to rate this: it's great source material if you're looking for something very specific, but it's mostly just a rehash of other works.
Not sure how to rate this: it's great source material if you're looking for something very specific, but it's mostly just a rehash of other works.
Read
May 13, 2020Re-Packaging of Henry Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy.
Read
February 18, 2021I didnt understand half of this. But it's always cool to review some source material
April 14, 2022
An excellent and almost mandatory book to every student of occultism.
April 24, 2022
Dacă e buna merita
November 3, 2024
Muito bom, muito complexo 😂
December 29, 2024
Interesting, but quite a heavy read. A little too much Christian influence for my liking.
February 4, 2024
I read this in 2024 and hated it.
Having read several other grimoires since and gaining some relevant experience, I can say now that it is very well done. I really enjoyed the footnotes in some sections from Agrippa and some other occultists of the age.
My advice to anyone struggling with slogging through this text, is to push on and finish it. Read some other grimoires and come back - if anything, seeing the similarities between others written between 1700 and 1899 is fascinating enough.
Having read several other grimoires since and gaining some relevant experience, I can say now that it is very well done. I really enjoyed the footnotes in some sections from Agrippa and some other occultists of the age.
My advice to anyone struggling with slogging through this text, is to push on and finish it. Read some other grimoires and come back - if anything, seeing the similarities between others written between 1700 and 1899 is fascinating enough.
June 28, 2024
There is strong evidence that this book was read by Joseph Smith the prophet, so I wanted to read it. Lots of interesting parallels to LDS theology, specifically regarding oil healings and the nature of spirits. Interesting read, but lots of superstitious fluff as well in my opinion.
Read
August 20, 2012A great compendium of occult philosophy, going over topics such as natural magic, talismanic magic, alchemy, evokation, etc.
April 4, 2017
This book is absolutely wonderful, but keep in mind, it isn't modern. I don't recommend The Magus for beginners, simply because of the time period in which the material was originally wrote. Some of it can be a bit complex, and even confusing for someone just starting out. However, most of the material is accurate, and complete. A great addition to any occult library for certain, as The Magus makes a wonderful reference book, as well as study tool. Keep in mind, this is not the type of book you can just sit back and read front to back easily. It took me a little over a month to get through the entire book. To truly understand it, you need to take your time, and actually but thought into it.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews