John Dee and Edward Kelly

John Dee (1527-1608/1609)

John Dee was born on July 13, 1527, in Tower Ward, London, England. His father, Roland Dee, was a minor courtier to King Henry VIII. Dee showed an early aptitude for learning and was sent to study at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1545 and later became a fellow of Trinity College. Dee's academic pursuits included a wide range of subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, navigation, and astrology.

Dee traveled extensively across Europe, studying with and exchanging ideas with leading scholars of his time. He gained considerable expertise in various fields and became well-known for his skills in mathematics and navigation. In 1555, Dee was accused of "calculating" (literally: doing math in such a way that someone's child went blind or died) but was eventually acquitted. He continued to serve as an advisor to prominent figures, including Queen Elizabeth I.

During Elizabeth's reign, Dee was appointed her court astrologer and scientific advisor. He advised on matters of navigation and colonization, advocating for the expansion of the English Empire. Dee coined the term "British Empire" and developed detailed maps and navigational charts that were critical to England's exploratory efforts.

Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dee was deeply interested in the occult and alchemy. He amassed one of the largest libraries in England, which included many rare manuscripts on magic and Hermetic philosophy. Dee believed that understanding the natural world was intertwined with understanding the divine and sought to uncover hidden knowledge through esoteric means.

In 1582, Dee began his collaboration with Edward Kelly, who claimed to have the ability to communicate with angels. Through Kelly, Dee believed he could gain access to divine wisdom and secrets of the universe. This partnership led to the creation of the Enochian system of magic.

Dee's later years were marked by personal and financial difficulties. After the death of his wife in 1604 and the decline of his fortunes, Dee returned to Mortlake, where he lived in relative obscurity. He died in poverty in late 1608 or early 1609.

John Dee's legacy is multifaceted. He is remembered as a pioneering scientist and mathematician, a key advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, and a significant figure in the history of Western esotericism. His contributions to navigation and exploration were crucial to England's maritime dominance, while his work in the occult continues to influence modern magical practices.

Edward Kelly (1555-1597/1598)

Edward Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot, was born on August 1, 1555, in Worcester, England. Little is known about Kelly's early life, and much of his background remains unclear. Some accounts suggest he may have been educated as an apothecary or notary, but he also had a reputation for criminal activities, including forgery. It is believed that Kelly had his ears cropped as punishment for forgery, a common practice at the time.

Kelly's life took a significant turn when he met John Dee in 1582. Kelly claimed to possess the ability to communicate with angels through the use of a scrying stone or black mirror. Dee, eager to gain access to divine knowledge, partnered with Kelly, who acted as a replacement for Dee's prior medium in their spiritual sessions.

From 1582 to 1589, Dee and Kelly conducted numerous séances, during which Kelly reported seeing and hearing angels who provided detailed instructions for a complex system of magic. Kelly's role was to relay these messages, which Dee meticulously recorded. The result was the creation of the Enochian language and various magical texts, including the Liber Loagaeth, the Heptarchia Mystica, the Great Table, and the 48 Angelic Keys.

Despite the profound nature of their work, Kelly's motivations and character were often questioned. He was known for his volatile temper and ambitions for wealth and status. In 1589, Dee and Kelly parted ways, and Kelly entered the service of the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II in Prague. Kelly promised to produce alchemical gold for the emperor, a claim that ultimately led to his downfall.

Kelly was imprisoned by Rudolf II for failing to fulfill his promises. He died in late 1597 or early 1598, reportedly from injuries sustained during an escape attempt or due to the harsh conditions of his imprisonment.

Kelly remains a controversial figure in the history of Western esotericism. While some view him as a gifted seer who played a crucial role in the development of Enochian magic, others see him as a charlatan who exploited Dee's quest for knowledge. Regardless of his true character, Kelly's collaboration with Dee produced a body of work that continues to be studied and practiced by modern occultists.

In summary...

John Dee and Edward Kelly's collaboration was a unique confluence of scholarly rigor and mystical exploration. Dee's systematic approach and Kelly's visionary experiences combined to produce Enochiana, a lasting contribution to the Western esoteric tradition. Their roles, contributions, and the dynamics of their partnership illustrate the multifaceted nature of their work and the profound impact they had on the history of magic and the occult.

Post-Script: pardon my use of AI in writing this—the material here can be found in many books and all over the Internet, so nothing novel is written here. In writings concerning matters of innovation and novel discoveries, I'll tend to all the letters myself. Perhaps even, when the feeling hits, I'll go in and do a rewrite of this using entirely my own words.