Paracelsus or Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim

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Astronomy is an indispensible Art; it should Rightly be held in great esteem and studied earnestly and thoroughly.

Paracelsus

Introduction
Paracelsus' Occult Philosophy and Astrology

Introduction
The great Renaissance physician, alchemist and occult philosopher Paracelsus was born Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim in Einsielden, Switzerland circa 1493. He followed in the footsteps of his father, and became a physician. Paracelus studied medicine at various universities including the University of Ferrara and travelled widely throughout Europe studying, practicing medicine and writing.

His experience in the Swiss city of Basel was typical. Appointed city physician and professor at the University of Basel in 1526 he embarked on an ambitious program of lectures and writing. His bold calls for reform of medicine alienated many. The general lack of receptivity to his ideas angered Paracelsus and he began to make reckless attacks on the judiciary, apothecaries and town magistrates of Basel. His iconoclasm was so extreme that he induced his students to publicly burn a copy of Avicenna's Canon, a classic text of medicine. Finally, public feeling rose so high against him that a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was forced to flee the city.
This pattern of finding a position and patronage through his obvious brilliance and amazing cures followed by alienation and rejection because of his frequent attacks on medical and philosophical orthodoxy continued throughout his life. Nevertheless, he found time to dictate and write many books on medicine, magic, alchemy and occult philosophy.
Paracelsus died in Salzburg on September 24, 1541.

Paracelsus' Occult Philosophy and Astrology

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In his Astronomia Magna Paracelsus identified the nine branches of his philosophia sagax "sagacious philosophy" as: Magica (on magic and will power); Astrologia (astrology and the spiritual influences); Signatum (the doctrine of signatures and the knowledge of the inner essence as obtained through outward signs); Nigromantia (on sorcery and apparitions); Necromantia (divination through the dead); Medicina Adepta (the medicine of the adepts and the occult science of supernatural cures); Philosophia Adepta (philosophy of the adepts and the wisdom of the alchemy and contemplation); Mathematica Adepta (the mathematics of the adept and the science of occult relations, geometry, cosmography, measures weights and numbers). Paracelsus (Jolande Jacobi, ed.) page lxvii.
Astrology plays a key role in Paracelsus' thought,

Know that there are two kinds of stars-the heavenly and the earthly, the stars of folly and the stars of wisdom. And just as there are two worlds, a Little World [the Microcosm, man] and a Great World [the Macrocosm, the Universe] and just as the little one rules over the great one, so the stars of the microcosm rule over and govern the Stars of heaven.

Paracelsus (Jolande Jacobi, ed.) page 152.

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Astrology is also important in Paracelsus' medicine. In his Archidoxes of Magic Paracelsus devotes several sections to astrological talismans for curing disease, providing talismans for various maladies as well as talismans for each sign of the Zodiac. I provide examples of astrological elections for Paracelsus' talisman of Libra.

Like most other Renaissance philosophers Paracelsus rejected absolute astrological determinism and asserted that the philosopher rules the stars and that they must follow him. Only the bestial man remains under their compulsion. "Even if he is a child of Saturn and if Saturn has overshadowed his birth, he can still escape Saturn's influence, he can master Saturn and become a child of the Sun. Paracelsus (Jolande Jacobi, ed.) page 155.
Finally, again in the company of such Renaissance figures as Marsilio Ficino and Cornelius Agrippa Paracelsus was a devout, if somewhat unorthodox Christian and this is reflected in his attitude towards astrology.

Christ and his apostles prophesy the seasons of the nations, but the astronomer [astrologer] states the seasons of natural events. This is a mighty difference; take note of it and understand of it aright, ye scientists and theologians! For what God prophecies takes place and nothing can prevent it from coming to be. But what the astronomer predicts may or may not take place...The true knowledge of man's essence can be attained only on the basis of his eternity; it cannot be understood by any other sign.

Paracelsus (Jolande Jacobi, ed.) page 154.

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Specializing in Horary Astrology, Electional Astrology Astrological Magic and Astrological Talismans.

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