De Occulta Philosophia Vol. II: Celestial Magic by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa

Celestial Magic • Astrology • Sacred Mathematics • Hermetic Cosmology

De Occulta Philosophia Vol. II: Celestial Magic by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa continues the exploration of Renaissance occult philosophy, turning its focus from the natural world to the celestial sphere. In this second volume, Agrippa examines the hidden structures of the cosmos, where mathematics, harmony, astrology, and symbolic correspondence form the underlying architecture of reality.

The work begins with an investigation into numbers, musical ratios, and geometric relationships, presenting them as expressions of divine order. Agrippa’s treatment of numerology and sacred mathematics reveals a worldview in which physical reality is interwoven with ideal forms, suggesting that understanding numerical harmony provides access to deeper metaphysical truths.

The second part of the volume turns to the stars, planetary influences, and lunar mansions, presenting a vision of the heavens as a dynamic system of intelligences and forces rather than passive astronomical bodies. These celestial powers operate beyond simple moral categorisation, shaping fortune, temperament, and hidden influences across the sublunary world.

Agrippa also explores geomancy, astrology, and the interaction between celestial symbols and the human subconscious, describing how the magician engages with these forces through interpretation, correspondence, and symbolic alignment. The text deliberately withholds final synthesis, encouraging further inquiry into specialized traditions of divination and celestial science.

This Black Letter Press edition presents Agrippa’s profound and complex vision of celestial magic in a refined hardcover format, making it an essential volume for students of Hermeticism, astrology, Renaissance philosophy, and Western esoteric tradition.