Page 90 - All About History - Issue 70-18

Through History

CHARMS & AMULETS

Featured in the new Spellbound: Magical, Ritual & Witchcraft exhibition at the

Ashmolean Museum, these ten objects explore the fascination with the occult

PROGNOSTICATOR

HUMAN HEART 12TH 13TH CENTURY John
This shrivelled human heart was found inside its Dee C. 1500 This prognosticator
was found in France
lead, heart-shaped case lined with silver, known ENGLISH 1527 C.1608-1609 In line with Medieval
Arguably England’s most famous
as a ‘cist’, in county Cork, Ireland, back in 1863. In understanding, this instrument
magician, John Dee was a trusted
some cases, particularly if the man or woman was advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and he used to determine the most
wealthy, the heart was removed from the body after even chose her coronation date. He auspicious time to conduct
also claimed to have cast a spell on the
death and buried separately. It is believed that the bloodletting in patients. The
Spanish Armada before their defeat
heart dates back to the Middle Ages, and could have prognosticator calculated
in 1588. As well as beginning an
been used for rituals of devotion, magic and love. alchemist, astrologer, and this according to the position
Such love magic was used to bind one person to occultist, Dee was a noted and movements of the Moon,
mathematician.
another romantically, for example in and the 12 signs of the zodiac are
times of love sickness. also engraved all the way around it.
Astrology had a big influence on medicine
and by the end of the 14th century,
physicians in various countries were legally
obliged to consult the position of the stars
before proceeding with an operation.

This rare charm “The idea was to trap a devil in a glass,
could be up to
900 years old.
stone or mirror, where they would be

forced to answer questions”

MIRROR OF FLORON

16TH CENTURY
JOHN DEE’S Angels were not the only

supernatural beings involved
in magical divination, as some
PURPLE CRYSTAL people tried to summon demons.
1582 The idea was to trap a demon in

This purple crystal belonged Dee’s a glass, stone or mirror, where
to John Dee, the famous purple they would be forced to answer
occultist who served as an crystal was questions. This magic mirror is
supposedly
advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. given to associated with the demon Floron.
Dee was known for his interest him by the To work, a magic mirror was
in divination, particularly after angel Uriel supposed to be made from polished
his career at the royal court steel, inscribed with the names of
began to dwindle. He would angels, and the maker had
read medieval magic texts to to be chaste and clean Elias
learn about rituals to summon to successfully trap Ashmole
angels, as well as to determine Floron. Beyond ENGLISH 1617 1692
suitable stones that would allow divining secrets Antiquary and politician Elias
Ashmole had an interest in magic,
him to communicate with of the past,
notably in astrology and alchemy. His
spirits. Though Dee hoped to present and fascinated with divination led to his
gain knowledge that would help future, magic interest in the life of John Dee and he Magic
mankind by conversing with mirrors were also attempted to write a biography on him, mirrors
although this never materialised. originated
angels, he also expressed his used in rituals from Arabic
Ashmole founded England’s
wish that they would help him associated with first public museum, magic
traditions
uncover treasure. love and healing. The Ashmolean

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