The Life and Legacy of John Dee: Queen Elizabeth I, 007 and Enochian Magic
Introduction
John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an enigmatic figure whose expertise spanned mathematics, astronomy, pedagogy, astrology, the occult, and alchemy. Serving as the court astronomer and an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, Dee dedicated significant portions of his life to studying alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. Notably, he possessed one of England's most extensive libraries of the era. He was a fervent advocate for establishing English colonies in the New World, a visionary idea he encapsulated with the term "British Empire," a concept he is recognized for introducing.
Dee's later years were marked by an unwavering quest for esoteric knowledge, which led him to associate with individuals whose credibility was often questionable, and his travels across Europe were shadowed by allegations of espionage on behalf of the English monarchy. Upon his return to England, Dee faced the disheartening discovery of his home and treasured library in ruins, vandalized in his absence. Though he sought to reintegrate into the Queen's service, the accession of James I saw his royal patronage withdrawn. Dee's final years were spent in obscurity and financial hardship in London, and today, the location of his final resting place remains a mystery.
Early Life
John Dee was no ordinary figure in Renaissance England; born in 1527 in London into a family of Welsh descent, he was destined to leave an indelible mark on the worlds of science, mysticism, and politics. His father, a courtier to Henry VIII, and his noble lineage, tracing back to Rhodri the Great, imbued in Dee a sense of destiny that propelled his scholarly pursuits.
From a young age, Dee's brilliance shone brightly. His education began at Chelmsford Chantry School, leading him to St John's College, Cambridge, by the age of 15. There, Dee's intellectual capabilities flourished, securing him a fellowship at Trinity College, where he dazzled all with his production of Aristophanes' Peace. This early display of ingenuity in creating stage effects earned him a reputation that would, in part, define his legacy.
Dee's thirst for knowledge led him across Europe, where he studied and mingled with the era's preeminent minds, including cartographers Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius and mathematicians like Federico Commandino. His travels not only expanded his intellectual horizons but also amassed a collection of mathematical and astronomical instruments that would become the envy of England.
Despite an offer from Oxford University, Dee's ambitions lay beyond the academic trivium of rhetoric, grammar, and logic. His early brush with the law over "calculating" the horoscopes of Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth showcased his boldness and the precarious nature of his pursuits. Yet, Dee's resilience saw him through, leading to his eventual role as a close associate of Catholic bishop Edmund Bonner and laying the groundwork for his later contributions to Queen Elizabeth I's court and beyond.
Dee's relationship with Queen Elizabeth I transcended the typical bounds of royal advisor and subject. His profound influence over the realms of navigation, science, and the esoteric significantly shaped Elizabethan England. Dee was instrumental in selecting auspicious dates for Elizabeth's coronation and other significant events, leveraging his deep knowledge of astrology and the occult. This unique role as the Queen's confidant and consultant in matters both worldly and mystical underscored his importance at court.
His s use of the "007" cipher in communications with Elizabeth I is among the most fascinating aspects of his legacy. This code, indicating that Dee was the Queen's eyes, secretly safeguarding her interests, later inspired Ian Fleming's designation for his fictional spy, James Bond. The cipher underscores Dee's role in the intricate web of Elizabethan espionage, reflecting the era's intrigue and the seamless blend of science, magic, and intelligence gathering.
As Dee settled deeper into his role as royal advisor, his vision for England in the New World began to take shape. His advocacy for maritime exploration and establishing a "British Empire" reflected not only his geopolitical acumen but also his unwavering belief in the nation's destiny. Dee's writings, especially the Monas Hieroglyphica and his contributions to the understanding of Euclid's Elements, further cemented his status as a polymath whose interests and influence spanned the scientific and the mystical.
Deeper into the Esoteric Realms
Dee's middle years were marked by an even greater shift towards the esoteric, driven by a blend of personal disillusionment and professional setbacks. By the early 1580s, despite his lofty positions and intellectual pursuits, Dee found himself at a crossroads, with his influence waning and his ambitions for reform and exploration unfulfilled. His response was a turn towards the supernatural, seeking knowledge beyond the physical through the practice of scrying, a method he believed could bridge the divine and mundane worlds.
Edward Kelley, a figure as charming as he was controversial, became Dee's principal scryer and partner in these spiritual endeavors. Together, they embarked on a series of "spiritual conferences," deeply rooted in Christian piety and the quest for divine wisdom. These sessions produced volumes of writings, some in the mysterious Enochian language, purportedly delivered by angels, and named for the Biblical prophet, Enoch.
What is Enochian Magic?
Enochian Magic is a system of ceremonial magic based on the evocation and commanding of various spirits, and angels. Central to the Enochian system is the language of angels, complete with its own alphabet and syntax, which was said to be the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe and gaining direct access to divine knowledge.
The practice involves detailed rituals, precise magical squares, and the use of specific invocations and sigils that are believed to facilitate interaction with a hierarchy of celestial beings. According to Dee and Kelley, these entities could impart wisdom and powers that would enable the practitioner to comprehend and manipulate the spiritual forces underlying the material world.
Despite Dee and Kelley's profound commitment to this system and the body of work they produced, Enochian magic was and remains controversial. It was viewed with skepticism by contemporaries and later scholars alike because of its complexity, combined with the mystical and often opaque nature of the communications.
The quest for ongoing angelic communion led Dee and Kelley, along with their families, across Europe, where they sought patronage and a receptive audience for their revelations. Despite gaining audiences with figures like Emperor Rudolf II and King Stephen Báthory, their message met skepticism, compounded by Dee's suspected espionage for Elizabeth I.
Breaking Points
The partnership between Dee and Kelley reached a breaking point in Bohemia when Kelley shockingly claimed that the angel Uriel demanded they share everything, including their wives—a directive that strained their collaboration to the core. Following this, Dee returned to England, his spiritual journey altered, and his partnership with Kelley severed.
Upon his return, Dee found his home vandalized and his once-prized possessions pilfered. The England he returned to was less welcoming to his occult practices. Elizabeth I's death and the ascension of James I further marginalized Dee, leading to his final years marked by poverty and obscurity, despite a brief appointment as Warden of Christ's College, Manchester. Dee's death in Mortlake ended a life of unparalleled intellectual ambition and spiritual questing, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery and fascination.
Dee’s Legacy
Dee's life, documented in part through his sporadic diary entries, reveals a man deeply invested in his familial relationships. He endured the highs and lows of parental and marital bonds amidst his unyielding quest for knowledge. His legacy, both intellectual and personal, offers a window into the challenges and complexities of navigating a “normal” life in the shadow of groundbreaking pursuits and profound philosophical explorations.