Paracelsus (November 11 or December 17, 1493 - September 24, 1541) was a Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist. He held a natural affinity with the Hermetic, Neoplatonic, and Pythagorean philosophies central to the Renaissance. He devoted several sections of his writings to the construction of astrological talismans for curing disease, providing talismans for various maladies as well as talismans for each sign of the Zodiac. He pioneered the use of chemicals and minerals in medicine. He wandered Europe, Africa and Asia Minor, in the pursuit of hidden knowledge. He revised old manuscripts and wrote new ones. |