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ROSICRUCIAN APOLOGISTS : ROBERT FLUDD. 293
such as phantom writing, and, more than all, by the true
use of the lux, invisibilis, made men themselves invisible.
The information scattered through the various parts of
the apology on the different departments of magic is also
noteworthy. It distinguishes between natural, mathe-
matical, venific, necromantic, and thaumaturgic magic.
" That most occult and secret department of physics by
which the mystical properties of natural substances are
extracted, we term Natural Magic. The wise kings who
(led by the new Star from the East) sought
the infant
Christ, are called Magi, because they had attained a perfect
knowledge of natural things, whether celestial or sublunar.
This branch of the Magi also includes Salomon, since he
was versed in the arcane virtues and properties of all
substances, and is said to have understood the nature of
every plant from the cedar to the hyssop. Magicians who
are proficient in the mathematical division construct
marvellous machines by means of their geometrical know-
ledge; such were the flying dove of Archytas, and the
brazen heads of Roger Bacon and Albertus Magnus, which
are said to have spoken. Venific magic is familiar with
potions, philtres, and with the various preparations of
poisons ; it is in a measure included in the natural
division, because a knowledge of the properties of natural
things is requisite to produce
its results. Necromantic
Magic is divided into goetic, maleficient, and Theurgic.
The first consists in diabolical commerce with unclean
spirits, in rites of criminal curiosity, in illicit songs and
invocations, and in the evocation of the souls of the dead.
The second is the adjuration of the devils by the Virtue of
Divine Names. The third pretends to be governed by
good angels and the Divine Will, but its wonders are most