Course One: Wizardry 27
The most esteemed were the trained Priests, profes-
sional magicians who acted as substitutes for the Pha-
raoh in the performance of all necessary magical ser-
vices. These included the Viziers, or Court Wizards,
such as Imhotep and Dedi of Dedsnefru. The second
class was the lay magicians, the equivalent of folk
magicians, healers, and Wizards. The Egyptian god
of Magick was Thoth, or Tehuti, depicted as a ba-
boon or an ibis. From Egyptian magick came the con-
cept of the power of sacred names, which greatly in-
fluenced European magick during the Middle Ages
and Renaissance.Hebrews (1630–587 BCE)
Although strict Judaic law prohibited all prac-
tices of divination and sorcery, two of the greatest
figures in the Old Testament—Moses and Solomon—
are also famed as among the greatest Wizards of all
time. Moses is said to have established a secret
magickal school called the Tabernacle Mysteries. The
first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch) are
known to Jews as the Torah (“Law”) and were be-
lieved to have been written by Moses himself. With
their elaborate rules and detailed instructions, it is
thought that they were intended as symbolic allego-
ries and parables. The keys to their symbolism, as
taught by the Tabernacle Mysteries, constitute the
Jewish Qabalah.Solomon was King of Israel in the 10th century
BCE and the builder of the Great Temple. Renowned
for his wisdom and wealth, and his long and prosper-
ous reign, Solomon flourished in legend as a master
Wizard. Talmudic legends tell how the wise monarch
exercised dominion over the beasts of the field, the
birds of the air, and assorted demons and supernatu-
ral spirits by the power of his magick ring. It was said
he employed demons in building the Temple, and from
them and other inhabitants of the invisible world he
secured much of his wisdom. The Key of Solomon
and other magickal texts were attributed to him.According to Jewish Talmudic scholars, Solomon
mastered the mysteries of the Qabalah. He was also
famed as an alchemist and necromancer.Babylonia (612–538 BCE)
The name Babylon means “Gate of the Gods.”
The Babylonians specialized in astronomy, astrology,
and mathematics. We still use their numbering sys-
tem today. They kept precise records of planetary
motions and cosmic events—such as eclipses, com-
ets, novas, planetary retrogrades, etc. They also de-
vised countless varieties of mystic sigils, amulets,
charms, and talismans that continue to be used by
modern magicians. The Babylonian priesthood was
educated and secretive. They believed that all illness
came from displeasing the Gods. Long and complex
rituals were performed only for wealthy and socially
prominent people, by high-degreed priests of the state
Temple. “Low” temples were available for cult stat-
ues, where the deity resided and received worship.Persia (539–331 BCE)
The word magick itself comes from the Zoroas-
trian priests of ancient Persia, who were called Magi.
They reached their greatest renown during the time
of the Persian Empire (539–331 BCE). Followers of
Zoroaster (born c. 570 BCE), the Magi were famous
for their powers of healing and divination—especially
astrology. They believed that the cosmos was both
alive and divine, and they revered the planets, stars,
and other heavenly bodies. They also honored the four
Elements—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Ahura Mazda
was the Zoroastrian god of goodness, wisdom, and
truth, and was opposed by the evil Ahriman. Zoroas-
trian beliefs had a profound effect on Judaism—es-
pecially concerning matters of the Afterlife—and these
ideas passed over into Christianity. Zoroastrianism
continues today in the faith of the Parsees of India
and Iran.Greece (480–323 BCE)
The Greeks developed a system and philosophies
of magick, which were greatly influenced by conceptsKing Solomon commanding the Djinn; Jacobus de Teramo, 1473- Wizardry.p65 27 1/14/2004, 3:23 PM