Encyclopedia

Pythagoras

Ionian philosopher and mathematician whose teachings on numerical harmony and the transmigration of souls were central to the development of occult philosophy.

226 books · 6530 mentions

Paradise

In Western esotericism and theology, the primordial state of grace or the Garden of Eden, often interpreted alchemically as a state of spiritual perfection or the source of the prima materia.

144 books · 3748 mentions

Pliny

Pliny the Elder was a Roman author and naturalist whose Natural History served as a primary source for botanical, mineralogical, and magical lore throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

134 books · 2961 mentions

Ptolemy

A Greco-Roman mathematician, astronomer, and geographer whose geocentric model and astrological works, particularly the Tetrabiblos, dominated Western science for over a millennium.

133 books · 5450 mentions

Persia

A historical region in Western Asia that served as a major center for Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and later Islamic alchemy and philosophy, influencing Western occult traditions.

125 books · 2576 mentions

Paracelsus

A Swiss physician and alchemist who revolutionized medicine by emphasizing chemical remedies and the correspondence between the human body and the cosmos.

105 books · 5322 mentions

Porphyry

A Neoplatonic philosopher and student of Plotinus whose Isagoge and commentaries on the Chaldean Oracles were influential in the development of Western theurgy and logic.

101 books · 3524 mentions

Plutarch

A Greek philosopher and biographer whose Moralia provided essential insights into ancient Egyptian religion and Middle Platonic thought.

100 books · 2374 mentions

Paul

Refers to the Apostle Paul, a central figure in the New Testament whose mystical experiences and theological writings were foundational to Christian esotericism.

98 books · 2362 mentions

Putrefaction

In alchemy, the stage of decomposition where matter dies and turns black, considered a necessary prerequisite for spiritual or physical transmutation.

92 books · 2871 mentions

Proclus Diadochus

A Greek Neoplatonist philosopher who headed the Platonic Academy in Athens and whose works synthesized earlier Platonic and Aristotelian thought.

85 books · 2969 mentions

Philosopher's Stone

The legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold and providing the Elixir of Life, symbolizing the ultimate goal of spiritual and physical perfection.

77 books · 2224 mentions

Plotinus

The founder of Neoplatonism, whose 'Enneads' provided the metaphysical framework for much of later Western mysticism and Christian theology.

75 books · 3205 mentions

Peter

One of the Twelve Apostles and the traditional first Bishop of Rome, often representing exoteric ecclesiastical authority in theological and esoteric literature.

68 books · 1601 mentions

Pharaoh

The title used for the monarchs of ancient Egypt, often appearing in esoteric texts as a symbol of worldly power, tyranny, or the recipient of divine plagues.

60 books · 1278 mentions

Public Domain

A legal and conceptual status for creative works not protected by intellectual property laws, allowing for the free dissemination of historical and esoteric texts.

59 books · 671 mentions

Providence

The concept of divine foresight and the purposeful direction of the universe, frequently discussed in relation to fate and the order of nature.

55 books · 1294 mentions

Padua

An Italian city famous for its university, which was a leading center for medical, anatomical, and Aristotelian studies during the Renaissance.

55 books · 1244 mentions

Physiognomy

The practice of assessing a person's character or fortune from their outer appearance, especially the face, often linked to astrological and humoral theories.

55 books · 1131 mentions

Pedanius Dioscorides

54 books · 1047 mentions

Paul (Apostle)

A foundational figure of Christianity whose epistles and mystical experiences, such as his ascent to the third heaven, were frequently analyzed in esoteric and theological treatises.

49 books · 1025 mentions

Projection

The final stage of the alchemical Great Work, where the Philosopher's Stone is applied to a base metal to effect its transmutation into gold. It also refers to the external application of a universal medicine or the manifestation of spiritual power.

46 books · 1391 mentions

Parmenides

A pre-Socratic Greek philosopher whose ontological theories on the nature of being and the unity of the universe heavily influenced Neoplatonism and later Hermetic thought.

46 books · 1163 mentions

Paul (the Apostle)

A pivotal figure in early Christianity whose epistles provided the theological framework for much of Western mysticism, particularly regarding the distinction between the spirit and the letter.

45 books · 1003 mentions

Prague

A central European city that served as a major hub for alchemy, astronomy, and occultism during the Renaissance, most notably under the patronage of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II.

43 books · 1072 mentions

Phoenicia

An ancient Semitic civilization credited in Hermetic and historical texts with the invention of the alphabet and as a source of early astronomical and navigational knowledge.

43 books · 752 mentions

Potable Gold

A legendary medicinal substance believed by alchemists to be a liquid form of gold capable of curing all diseases and granting longevity. It represented the ultimate refinement of the solar principle and the perfection of the human body through chemical means.

41 books · 1037 mentions

Pisces

The twelfth sign of the zodiac, symbolized by two fish, and associated with the element of water and the planet Jupiter in traditional astrology. It is a key reference point in early modern celestial mechanics and horoscopic practice.

39 books · 770 mentions

Pallas Athena

36 books · 603 mentions

Pythagoreans

Followers of the philosophy of Pythagoras who believed in the mathematical harmony of the universe and the transmigration of souls.

36 books · 482 mentions

Prometheus

A Titan from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods for humanity, symbolizing human ingenuity and the quest for forbidden knowledge. In alchemy, he is often linked to the discovery of the 'secret fire' necessary for the Great Work.

34 books · 579 mentions

Philosophers' Stone

A legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold and producing the Elixir of Life. It represents the ultimate goal of the 'Great Work,' symbolizing spiritual perfection and the union of opposites.

33 books · 733 mentions

Prime Matter

In Aristotelian and alchemical philosophy, the formless, underlying substrate of all physical reality that has the potential to receive any form. It is the 'Materia Prima' sought by alchemists as the starting point for the Great Work.

33 books · 409 mentions

Pontius Pilate

The Roman prefect of Judaea who presided over the trial of Jesus, frequently discussed in esoteric and theological texts regarding the intersection of worldly power and divine providence.

32 books · 763 mentions

Paul the Apostle

A central figure of early Christianity whose epistles provided the theological framework for the Western Church. Esoteric traditions often focus on his mystical ascent to the 'third heaven' as a model for direct spiritual revelation.

32 books · 696 mentions

Philo

A Hellenistic Jewish philosopher from Alexandria who sought to harmonize Jewish scripture with Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism.

31 books · 632 mentions

Palestine

A geographic region in the Southern Levant, historically significant as the Holy Land and a focal point for biblical archaeology and pilgrimage. Early modern scholars studied its sacred geography as the setting for the events of the Old and New Testaments.

31 books · 467 mentions

Pluto

The Roman god of the underworld, frequently used in alchemical allegories to represent the 'lower' or 'hidden' fire and the transformative processes occurring within the earth or the prima materia.

30 books · 619 mentions

Poland

A Central European kingdom that served as a significant site for the development of alchemy, religious tolerance, and the printing of esoteric works.

30 books · 595 mentions

Pliny the Elder

A Roman author and naturalist whose 'Natural History' served as a foundational encyclopedic source for early modern science, magic, and medicine.

28 books · 541 mentions

Pico della Mirandola

A Renaissance nobleman and philosopher famous for his 'Oration on the Dignity of Man' and his attempt to synthesize Platonism, Aristotelianism, and Kabbalah.

26 books · 535 mentions

Parallax

The displacement or difference in the apparent position of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, used by astronomers to measure distances to celestial bodies.

25 books · 802 mentions

Peru

A region in South America that, following the Spanish conquest, became a subject of fascination in early modern natural philosophy for its exotic flora and mineral wealth.

25 books · 525 mentions

Prudence

A cardinal virtue involving the ability to govern and discipline oneself through the use of reason, frequently depicted in Renaissance iconography.

25 books · 400 mentions

Peripatetics

Followers of the philosophy of Aristotle, whose logic and natural philosophy were often the subject of debate by Renaissance Neoplatonists.

25 books · 370 mentions

Pisa

A city in Tuscany, Italy, famous for its university and its role in the development of early modern science and Renaissance culture.

24 books · 513 mentions

Pavia

A city in northern Italy that served as the capital of the Kingdom of the Lombards and became a significant center of learning and law during the Renaissance.

24 books · 483 mentions

Philology

The study of language in historical sources; during the Renaissance, it was a crucial tool for humanists to recover and correct ancient Hermetic, Platonic, and biblical texts.

24 books · 449 mentions

Precession of the Equinoxes

The slow, conical motion of the Earth's axis of rotation, causing the positions of the equinoxes to shift westward along the ecliptic over a long cycle.

23 books · 674 mentions

Predestination

A theological doctrine asserting that God has eternally decreed the salvation or damnation of souls, a concept that became a central point of contention during the Reformation. In early modern thought, it often intersected with discussions on divine providence, free will, and astrological determinism.

23 books · 377 mentions

Philadelphia

An ancient city in Lydia, one of the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation, later associated with various mystical and pietist movements.

23 books · 315 mentions

Philosophical Mercury

A fundamental principle in alchemy representing the volatile, feminine, and transformative aspect of matter, distinct from common quicksilver and essential for the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.

22 books · 499 mentions

Privation

A philosophical concept, primarily Aristotelian, referring to the absence or lack of a quality that should naturally be present, often used to explain the nature of evil or change.

22 books · 390 mentions

Prussia

A historical region in Northern Europe that became a powerful duchy and later a kingdom, playing a central role in the political and intellectual history of the Holy Roman Empire. It was the home of Nicolaus Copernicus and a site of significant scientific development.

22 books · 388 mentions

Peter of Abano

An Italian philosopher, astrologer, and professor of medicine in Padua, known for his 'Conciliator Differentiarum' which sought to reconcile Greek and Arabic medical traditions. He was posthumously accused of heresy and magic, becoming a legendary figure in occult literature.

21 books · 377 mentions

Purgatory

A theological concept and intermediate state after death for the purification of souls, central to Catholic doctrine and frequently discussed in mystical literature.

20 books · 603 mentions

Pindar

An ancient Greek lyric poet from Thebes, whose odes were highly regarded by Renaissance humanists and Neoplatonists for their sublime style and moral depth.

20 books · 391 mentions

Participation

A central Platonic and Neoplatonic metaphysical concept describing the relationship between sensible particulars and the transcendent Forms or Ideas they instantiate.

20 books · 382 mentions