This
collection of the main Works of Jerónimo Cortez of Valencia who composed his
treatises in the 17th Century serves as an extension of Leitãos
study in the Iberian Cyprians. Leitão comments in the presentation of his
amazing translation work that the book might end up serve as a reference work,
and indeed, the sheer volume of more than 600 pages might cause this treasure
trove to be a work that is consulted more than worked, which is a pity, because
this is a very complete collection of pragmatic and practical folk magic
consisting of very much the same content as we find in the Iberian and Nordic Cyprians,
albeit less diabolic. This means that we find here recipes for curing toothache
and other afflictions as much as finding lost animals, the use of precious
stones and herbs for whatever use, magical and mundane, for exploring its
virtues or for curing something or someone. We find extensive explorations on
astrology, all for practical use and we also fine a most wonderful bestiary
where the mouse, unicorn and tiger are all discussed in terms of history,
property and whatnot. It is beautiful to see how the pre modern mind worked in terms
of not making this material distinction we have today between an animal of
fantasy, myth or reality, but instead treated animals, no matter hierarchy and placement
in ‘reality’ or the ideal realm in the shared category of ‘animals’.
This work is
a fantastic example of the pre modern mind-set, the pragmatic approach to all things
sacred where it was all about the practical use for those possessing this
knowledge.
When I moved
to Brazil I found in the first or second year living here some simple roughly
made tracts called lunário perpetuo,
and the first volume here – along with the appendix presenting the calculations
used in the lunar almanac – gave me a great joy and reminded me that 100 years
ago in Brazil knowledge of the stars, plants, animals, some spells for this and
that was very common and acceptable part of the folk Catholicism practiced in
Brazil (yes imported from Portugal). I couldn’t help sensing a nostalgia entering as I questioned myself why
the lunário perpetuo ceased to be
popular, in particular amongst farmers and dwellers in the countryside where
predictions of weather, curing ailments away from doctors and hospital still is
an important matter in Brazil, but I digress… this work follows in the
tradition of St. Albert the Great, who as beatified doctor of the Church, won a
different renown than our Faustian St. Cyprian…
No matter if
it turns into a reference work or a manual for practical use, it is a must for
any occult library. You can get your copy here: