10 Things John Dee is Famous For


John Dee is considered one of the most brilliant thinkers in the history of esoteric philosophy. Interest in his work continues to this day, and he is famous for a variety of reasons.

John Dee is famous for being one of the greatest thinkers of the Renaissance, particularly in regards to ceremonial magic, alchemy, astrology, and mathematics. He was the court astrologer and trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, and developed the Enochian language along with Edward Kelley.

Some people also say that John Dee was the original 007, and inspired author Ian Fleming when he created his James Bond character.

Dee developed the Enochian language of the angels, amongst other contributions to occultism.

John Dee was the Court Astrologer for Queen Elizabeth I

John Dee and Queen Elizabeth I had a complex relationship. Dee was a trusted advisor to the Queen and was considered one of the most learned men of his time. He served as her court astrologer and was consulted on a variety of scientific and esoteric matters. However, Dee’s reputation as a practitioner of the occult and his association with alchemy also made him a controversial figure, and he was often the subject of rumors and accusations of sorcery.

Despite these controversies, Dee remained in the Queen’s good graces throughout much of her reign. Elizabeth valued his counsel and was said to have held him in high regard. However, their relationship was not without its challenges, and Dee was imprisoned at various times during Elizabeth’s reign, most notably in 1555, when he was accused of using magic to predict the Queen’s death.

Overall, the relationship between John Dee and Queen Elizabeth was one of mutual respect and a shared interest in scientific and esoteric knowledge, but it was also marked by occasional bouts of suspicion and distrust.

Dee was a Pioneer of the Scientific Method

John Dee was a proponent of the scientific method, which was a new approach to understanding the natural world that was emerging during the Renaissance. The scientific method emphasized systematic observation, experimentation, and the development of hypotheses to explain natural phenomena. Dee was a firm believer in this method and applied it to his own research in a variety of fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and alchemy.

Dee was also a strong advocate for the study of mathematics and its use in scientific inquiry. He believed that mathematics was the key to unlocking the secrets of the natural world, and he made significant contributions to the development of mathematical concepts and methods.

In addition to his own scientific work, Dee was a mentor to many young scientists and was instrumental in fostering a culture of scientific inquiry in England. He encouraged the pursuit of knowledge through observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis, and his ideas and methods had a lasting impact on the development of science and the scientific method.

While Dee is perhaps best known for his association with the occult, his contributions to the scientific method and his promotion of scientific inquiry are an important part of his legacy.

Dee was a Leading Authority on Occultism and Alchemy

John Dee is often associated with the Occult and Alchemy due to his belief in Hermetic philosophy, which combines elements of magic, astrology, and the esoteric with science and reason.

Dee considered himself a student of Hermetic arts and believed that knowledge of the natural world was intertwined with knowledge of the divine. He performed spiritual and divinatory rituals, and sought to communicate with angels in order to gain insight into the workings of the universe.

Dee was an expert on alchemy.

In addition to his mystical pursuits, Dee was also a practicing alchemist and sought to discover the secret of turning lead into gold. His writings on alchemy reveal a deep knowledge of the subject and his beliefs about the connection between alchemy, magic, and the natural world.

Dee Wrote Extensively on Ceremonial Magick

John Dee wrote several books and manuscripts on a variety of subjects, including mathematics, navigation, and natural philosophy, but he is perhaps most famous for his writings on ceremonial magic.

One of his most important works in this field is his “Liber Loagaeth” (Book of Speech), which he claimed was dictated to him by angels and contains a series of angelic invocations and sigils for use in communicating with the spiritual realm. Dee’s “Enochian Calls,” as they are known, are still used by some practitioners of ceremonial magic today.

Another of Dee’s important works is his “Private Diary,” which details his spiritual practices and communications with angels, as well as his attempts to use magic to understand the natural world and gain knowledge and power. This diary provides a unique window into Dee’s thoughts and beliefs about magic, and is an important source of information for those studying the history of ceremonial magic.

Overall, Dee’s writings on ceremonial magic reflect his belief in the power of magic to unlock the secrets of the universe and provide a means of communicating with the divine. They demonstrate the ways in which he combined his scientific knowledge with his mystical beliefs and practices, and continue to influence the study of ceremonial magic to this day.

John Dee Developed Enochian Magic along with Edward Kelley

Enochian magic is a system of magic that originated in the 16th century and is associated with John Dee and his associate Edward Kelley. The system is based on the idea that the language spoken by the biblical figure Enoch was the true language of the angels, and that this language could be used to communicate with the divine and invoke supernatural powers.

According to Dee’s diary, he and Kelley received communications from angels in this language, which they transcribed and later used in their magical practices. The Enochian language consists of a series of calls, or invocations, which are believed to have the power to summon angels and demons and to bring about various effects in the natural world.

Dee and Kelley used the Enochian system in their spiritual and divinatory practices, and believed that it provided them with unique insights into the workings of the universe and the true nature of reality. The system is still used by some practitioners of ceremonial magic today, and continues to be a subject of interest and study for those interested in the history of magic and the occult.

Overall, John Dee’s involvement in the development and practice of Enochian magic reflects his deep interest in the relationship between magic, science, and the divine, and his belief in the power of magic to unlock the secrets of the universe.

Dee was a Great Collector of Books and Manuscripts

John Dee was a prolific writer and collector of books and manuscripts, and his library was considered one of the most extensive and diverse in England during his lifetime. Dee’s collection included works on a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, astronomy, natural philosophy, alchemy, medicine, and the occult.

Dee’s library was particularly notable for its inclusion of works in a variety of languages, including Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic, which reflected his extensive learning and his desire to access the wisdom of the ancients. He was also an avid collector of manuscripts, and his library included many rare and valuable texts that are now considered important historical artifacts.

Dee possessed an extensive library.

In addition to his own writings, Dee’s library included works by many of the leading intellectual figures of his time, including Ptolemy, Euclid, Aristotle, and Plato, as well as works by contemporary thinkers such as Tycho Brahe and Copernicus. He also had a significant collection of books on magic and the occult, including works by alchemists, Hermetic philosophers, and ceremonial magicians. You can read more about Ptolemy and his influence on astrology here.

Unfortunately, Dee’s library was largely dispersed after his death, and only a small fraction of his collection remains today. Nevertheless, his library and its contents continue to be of interest to scholars and researchers, who study his writings and manuscripts as a window into the intellectual and cultural life of Renaissance England.

John Dee was a Proponent of British Imperialism

As an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and a member of her court, and Dee believed that England was destined to play a major role in the world. He believed that the country’s burgeoning naval power, combined with its rich cultural heritage and the wisdom of its leaders, made it well-suited to become a dominant world power.

Dee was particularly interested in the idea of a “British Empire,” and he believed that England should use its naval power to establish colonies and trade routes around the world. He saw this as a way to spread English influence and culture, and to secure the country’s place as a major player in the world. He also believed that the expansion of trade and commerce would bring wealth and prosperity to England and its colonies.

Dee’s ideas about British imperialism were influential in the development of England’s colonial ambitions, and he is considered one of the early proponents of the idea of a British Empire. His writings on the subject demonstrate his interest in the relationship between science, geography, and politics, and reveal his belief in the importance of England’s role in the world.

Overall, while John Dee’s influence on British imperialism is not as well-known as that of other historical figures, his ideas and writings were an important part of the intellectual and cultural foundations of England’s colonial expansion, and continue to be of interest to students of the history of imperialism and colonialism.

John Dee was a Diplomatic Missionary

Dee was a diplomat as well as a scholar and a magician, and he performed several diplomatic missions on behalf of the English crown. He was a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, and he used his extensive knowledge of science, mathematics, and the occult to provide the queen with strategic and diplomatic advice.

One of Dee’s most notable diplomatic missions was his work as an intermediary between England and the courts of Europe. He made several trips to the continent to negotiate treaties and alliances, and to gather intelligence on political and military developments. He also used these trips as an opportunity to promote English interests and to establish new contacts and alliances.

In addition to his diplomatic work, Dee was also a missionary of sorts, seeking to spread the influence of English culture and learning. He was particularly interested in promoting the study of mathematics, astronomy, and navigation, and he believed that these subjects were key to England’s future success as a world power. He also believed that the study of these subjects would help to advance knowledge and understanding of the natural world, and to promote peace and prosperity.

John Dee was the Original 007

As a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, he corresponded with her regularly on a wide range of subjects, and would sign his letters to her as “007”.  The use of the number “007” as a code name for a spy is a fictional concept that was popularized by the James Bond series of spy novels and movies.

John Dee is considered one of the first Englishmen to have used code-breaking for intelligence purposes, and his work laid the foundation for the development of modern intelligence and cryptography.

Recommended Reading

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Everet Dee

Everet Dee is a writer and researcher with a passion for metaphysics, philosophy, hidden history, the occult, the esoteric, and religion.

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