horror magicians

Faust

Faust is a character from German folklore and literature, most famously portrayed in the play "Faust" by German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The character of Faust is based on a real person, Johann Georg Faust, who was a German alchemist, astrologer, and magician in the 16th century.

The legend of Faust tells the story of a brilliant scholar who grows dissatisfied with his life and makes a deal with the devil, represented by Mephistopheles, for limitless knowledge and worldly pleasures. In exchange, he must give up his soul. The story of Faust is often seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of making deals with the devil and the consequences of putting one's own desires above all else.

The character of Faust has been adapted and reinterpreted in various forms throughout the centuries, including plays, operas, and films. The most famous adaptation of the story is probably Goethe's play, but Marlowe's play Doctor Faustus, written in the 16th century, is also well known and it is considered one of the first version of Faust story.

In popular culture, the name Faust is often used to refer to a person who makes a deal with the devil or engages in forbidden knowledge, and the story of Faust continues to be a source of inspiration for artists and writers to this day.

Dr. John Dee

Dr. John Dee (13 July 1527 – 1608 or 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occult philosopher, and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. He was a highly learned man, fluent in multiple languages and well-versed in many fields including science, mathematics, and the occult. He is known for his interest in the supernatural and the occult, specifically his use of crystal balls and other tools to communicate with angels and spirits.

Dee's use of these methods, known as "scrying," allowed him to communicate with a group of angels, which he referred to as his "Enochian" angels. He believed that these angels provided him with secret knowledge and wisdom, and he spent much of his later life attempting to decode and understand the messages they gave him.

His reputation for being a magician and occultist led to him being considered a controversial figure in his time, and he was even accused of practicing witchcraft. Dee was also known to be a collector of books and manuscripts, which led to the creation of one of the largest libraries of its time.

Dee's reputation as an occultist and magician has continued throughout the centuries, and he is still considered a prominent figure in the history of the occult and the supernatural. Today, his teachings and practices are studied by those interested in the occult and ceremonial magic.

It is important to note that the truth about Dee's practices and beliefs are still debated among scholars and many of the stories that have been told about him are considered to be legends.

Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, and mountaineer, who is considered one of the most controversial figures in the history of occultism. He was a member of several secret societies, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), and he is considered to be one of the most influential figures in modern occultism and ceremonial magic.

Crowley is best known for his concept of Thelema, a religious philosophy that emphasizes individualism and the pursuit of one's own true will. He also wrote extensively on the subject of magick, which he defined as "the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will." He believed that through the practice of magick, an individual could gain access to hidden knowledge and spiritual power.

Crowley's personal life was marked by scandal and controversy. He was known for his hedonistic lifestyle, drug use, and sexual promiscuity, which led to him being labeled as a "wickedest man in the world" by the British press. He also faced opposition from the religious establishment and some occult groups for his controversial beliefs and practices.

Despite the controversies that surrounded him, Crowley's influence on the occult and ceremonial magic continue to be felt to this day, and many of his ideas and practices are still studied and practiced by those interested in the subject.

It is important to note that Crowley's philosophy and practices are considered by many to be extreme and potentially dangerous, and should be approached with caution.

Gilles de Rais

Gilles de Rais (1404- 1440) was a French nobleman and companion of Joan of Arc, who is best known for being a notorious serial killer and child murderer. He was a wealthy and powerful nobleman, who inherited a large fortune from his father and was a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War.

After Joan of Arc was captured and executed, de Rais retired from military service and devoted himself to a life of luxury and debauchery. He became increasingly interested in the occult and alchemy and began to engage in increasingly bizarre and depraved acts, including the abduction, murder, and mutilation of young boys.

De Rais was eventually arrested and put on trial for his crimes, where he was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged and burned. His trial and execution were considered a media event at the time, and his reputation as a notorious child murderer has endured throughout the centuries.

Despite being a real historical figure, Gilles de Rais is also considered as a "horror magician" due to his alleged practices and beliefs in the occult and alchemy. His story has been retold and adapted in various forms throughout the centuries and has become a part of the popular culture.

It's important to note that the true extent of de Rais's crimes and the nature of his involvement in the occult are still debated by historians, and some modern scholars have suggested that the accounts of his crimes may have been exaggerated or fabricated.

Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin (1869-1916) was a Russian mystic and advisor to the Russian royal family, who is known for his controversial role in Russian politics and his mysterious powers. He was born in Siberia, and from an early age, he was known for his religious devotion and his ability to heal people. He eventually came to the attention of the Russian royal family, and he became an advisor to the Tsar and Tsarina, providing counsel on various matters, including the health of the Tsar's son, Alexis, who suffered from hemophilia.

Rasputin's influence over the royal family and his control over the Tsar's son led to him becoming a controversial figure in Russian politics. He was seen by some as a holy man and a miracle worker, while others saw him as a charlatan and a menace to the state. He was known for his eccentric behavior, which included heavy drinking and womanizing, which further damaged his reputation.

Rasputin's dark reputation and mysterious powers led to him being called "the mad monk" and "the Rasputin" in the media and among the public. He was eventually murdered by a group of nobles who were worried about his influence over the royal family, and the details of his death have been shrouded in mystery and legend.

Rasputin's reputation as a powerful and sinister figure has continued to be a part of popular culture, and he is often depicted as a powerful and dangerous sorcerer who used his powers for nefarious purposes. It is important to note that the truth about Rasputin's abilities and influence are still debated among historians and some have argued that he was more of a political opportunist than a true mystic.

E. A. Koetting

E.A. Koetting is a contemporary author, occultist, and ceremonial magician who has written extensively on the topic of evocation and the dark arts. He is the author of several books on the subject, including "Works of Darkness," "Become a Living God," and "Invoking Evil."

Koetting's work focuses on the practice of evocation, which is the act of summoning spirits, demons, and other entities for the purpose of obtaining knowledge, power, and assistance. He emphasizes the importance of self-empowerment and the attainment of godlike abilities through the practice of evocation and other forms of magick.

Koetting's teachings and practices have been criticized by some as being dangerous and potentially harmful, and have been accused of promoting negative and irresponsible use of magic. He has been accused of promoting the use of drugs, violence, and other harmful practices in his work.

It is important to note that Koetting's teachings and practices are not mainstream and are not considered safe or appropriate by the majority of occultists and ceremonial magicians. They should be approached with caution and it's important to understand the risks and responsibilities associated with evocation and other forms of ceremonial magic before attempting to practice them.

Simon Magus

Simon Magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or Simon of Gitta, was a biblical figure who is mentioned in the New Testament book of Acts. According to the Bible, Simon was a Samaritan magician and faith healer who became a convert to Christianity after encountering the apostles Peter and John. He began to follow them and performed magic in front of people, claiming that through his power, he could give them the gift of the Holy Spirit.

However, the Bible states that Simon's conversion was not genuine, and that he was still in the grip of his old pagan beliefs and practices. Peter rebuked him strongly for trying to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money, in a scene that has been interpreted as a warning against false conversions and the dangers of mixing Christianity with pagan practices.

Simon Magus has become a figure of interest for some occultists, who see in him a prefiguration of the figure of the magician, and some authors have identified him as the founder of Gnosticism.

It is important to note that the historical figure of Simon Magus is not well-attested, and the information we have about him comes from the Bible and later Christian writings, so it is debated how much of it is historically accurate.