The Magical Writings of Thomas Vaughan

by Thomas Vaughan, Arthur Edward Waite

Thomas Vaughan was a 16th century mystic and mage whose work had largely gone out of print and unheard of until A.E. Waite restored his following with his 1888 translation and restoration of four of Vaughan's books. Even then, as a devout Christian mystic, Vaughan's work never enjoyed the type of revival other mystics did, as it was based on a world which was assuredly sprung from Eden, in a time when more "rational ideas" were prefered. Vaughan's work is vitally important for both an historical understanding of Christian Mysticism and a brilliant justification of how contemporary magic is not only permitted under the laws of the Christian God, but has sprung from that deity Himself.

Genres: Occult

163 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1888

About the author

Thomas Vaughan (1621-1666) was a natural philosopher and student of chemistry and alchemy in the tradition of Paracelsus. He is held to be the most likely author of the works of spirituality, mystical philosophy, and natural magic published under the pseudonym, Eugenius Philalethes. Vaughan produced an English-language translation of the Rosicrucian Fama Fraternitatis , and was unusual among alchemists, in that he worked closely with his wife, Rebecca, from 1651 until her death in 1658.

Reviews

[Andrew H · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important early edition (since improved on by Rudrum). There is a musty whiff across the pages and Waite edits as an occultist without any real understanding of C17 syncretism. Little is made of Thomas Vaughan's ecological perspective or how he was influenced by Christian Cabalah. Vaughan comes across as an early Waite -- a fustian member of the Golden Dawn (wonderfully parodied by Crowley in Moonchild. An important cultural document nonetheless.

[GRANT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, yeah, magical. A fascinating mix of philosophy, alchemy, and Christian religion.

[Osiris Oliphant]

of:
Magia Adamica, or, The antiquitie of magic: and the descent thereof from Adam downwards proved; Bound together with a fragmentary copy of Vaughan's The Man-Mouse taken in a trap, and tortur'd to death for gnawing the margins of Eugenius Philalethes; plus A perfect and full discoverie of the True Coelum Terrae, or, The magician's heavenly chaos, and first matter of all things;
One enthusiastic online reader has raved:

Subject: Great poetry, insane poet
He talks about cum a lot.