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colonies, and led to the persecutions in New England.
Mediaeval & Renaissance Sorcery
The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in rediscovering the lost knowledge of the past,
much of which had seen suppressed by the church, with its monopoly on education and
learning. Renaissance ritual sorcery was largely derived from the Kabbalah - Jewish
magick and mysticism, itself a product of centuries of introversion in the ghettos of
Europe.
The Jewish Kabbalah was Christianized in the form of ritual magic, attempting to
commune with angels, and to command spirits, demons, and elementals. It was practiced
by educated and powerful men, such Dr John Dee, famous adviser to Elizabeth I, who
rose to great prominence. (Dee and his associate Edward Kelly created Enchain Magic, a
form of
communion with angels and 'aethyrs'.)
Sorcery, alchemy and magic in this period were inextricably linked with the science of
their age - this was true even up to the time of Isaac Newton. In 'rediscovering' ancient
knowledge, many used supposedly ancient "grimoires" - books such as The Key of
Solomon, and Arabic texts that were a great source of scientific, alchemical and
astrological/astronomical knowledge.
Mediaeval grimoires claimed ancient lineage, but in truth they were based on some
ancient material fleshed out with contemporary writings and inventions.
Occult Revival of the 18th/19th Century
Magick and alchemy continued in this vein throughout successive centuries, with many
powerful men having an interest in such matters. The Freemason movement grew in
power from the 17th Century onwards, devising forms such as circle magic and the
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