Paracelsus 'Born circa 1491 Died 1541'- 1991

SUBSCRIBERSHIP to detail, deference to those considerations of great importance, and a bag full of keen insights - with intention for study we need all three qualifications; apart from the necessary interest and love for the subject of studious endeavor.

Philippus Theophrastus, Bombast of Hohenheim: Paracelsus, was a man of immeasurable observations, with a veritable lust for the acquisition of worthy knowledge. He had deciphered many a former treatise and occupation of scholars of his time and before; and laymen, who with practical purpose had lent him such observations and curios of folklore which pertained to the human and cosmic sciences.

Paracelsus himself was largely misinterpreted. He had offended those whom he was best acquainted with, those who might have best served to perpetuate his work. However this is often the case in theology or in science, that the true spirit of the inquirer, of the pure scientist, must step the bounds of his peers, and makes of himself an outcast by the very nature of his excellence. Excelled so far beyond their understanding!

Paracelsus held to a dynamic vision for humanity, which too superseded the insights of his fellow associates. If one could have divided the comprehensive knowledge of this man into twelve parts, for example, it is possible that much of the purported confusion might have better lent itself to examination, with time then afforded to particulars.

The print world was nothing like it is today. Access and acceptability, even the financial considerations, not to mention the reams of decoded definitions which would have been required, also the constraints on such which was held secret - all of these factors and more, rendered his work's memory as much less than that which he had sought for and attained.

As physician, as astronomer, as historian and alchemical scientist, Paracelsus was much inspired by one whom he always looked to as Master. In this he was not entirely alone, but through introduction at a very early age and with lofty aspirations throughout his notable and scandalous life, he set torches of inspiration alight in the world, which to this day still flame.

There is much to be said as regards intention of purpose. One has to remember that during his time and ages former, knowledge was entrusted to a few and kept more closely guarded - verily vaulted - being treasured and coveted with a far higher price than jewels or land could ever buy. Select groups and orders, societies of the mystic, of the scholar, of the cloister, of the then 'modern world', had inclinations which deterred even words to express their powerful symbols and rituals, so sacred in trust.

This was a period in which the old ways were put to extinction, and Paracelsus was true to all knowledge and dismayed at the already lack of clarity which was suffered by the lack of its reproduction. He was faithful to that which he knew to be true, but knew that the legacies had, for the main part been threatened intolerably. For in the concealment of certain knowledge there were fractions split here and there, disseminated by those who had not the comprehension (or only parts thereof); and the work was bewilderingly dying in the face of the modern world. He believed that because the 'common man' had had such knowledge withheld from him, it was not then peculiar that he should grapple with the conceptual world and conclude otherwise, straying far from those precepts of spiritual laws.

Yet in such knowledge becoming public, it did appear something of a betrayal; considered thus by those who would support and uphold in measure those ideas he put forth into the world.

However his name became well known throughout by means of effecting cures and working many a miracle, from which he was well noted. This had enabled him to find a peculiar credibility with those who might well have guesstimated him mad otherwise.

He was a noble soul who had not the time for that greed which he then perceived most prevalent amongst those of the church. Hypocrisy cut like a knife, and he withstood the venom which spat from those who suffered their wisdom made bare; as also from those who had not the eyes to see such naked truth.

He was a man of devotion whose reverence was mistaken for irreverence - to some a curiosity: a man who was taken by the plague of creative learning.

Many of his manuscripts are yet to be uncovered and brought to public view. As well recorded as he might, they are there and most comprehensive. The printed matter was somewhat stilted and stifled with editorial prohibitions and due courtesies rendered. He was far from being a reckless eccentric and knew too well the price paid for such devotion to the study and explanations of the truth.

His pharmacopoeia was extensive, but not entirely needed. He knew and practiced skilfully the art of transmigration, for he had discovered the pulse of the law which sent home and called back that of the physical, so transmuted and caught. If you had asked him he would not have regarded this to be his finest feat, but it was unquestionably remarkable: impressive - a fine attention getter! 

He would unnervingly display these talents so developed, for the sake of making a much larger point: that the association of the 'here and now' world was in fact of origins - the same conditions that always were and will be. That Man is indeed a cosmic child and no amount of persuasive illusion will credit him otherwise. That disease was a deficit of heavenly impulses. That the physical existence was but the 'tail end' of that: our most heavenly body. That nature lends herself to wondrous interpretations. That the mystical lore of the past is more qualified in deeper meaning and should not be lost amongst the speculations of the thoroughly materialistic perceptions so entertained. That there was indeed a spirit permeating earthly matter, with vitalities throughout and within. That a man was not complete when dissected and that sustenance pertained to those varieties of cosmic resources, rather than by 'bread alone'.

What use to man was knowledge concealed of the higher worlds? He knew of their spiritual need and shunned the confusing garbs which did mask those inner realities which he firsthand had discovered there waiting.

The truth was becoming too far removed, that so much was being lost in the hiding - for those who knew in part withheld. And those who knew not looked in all of the wrong places. Most were incompetent and without qualification. And much was retrieved and gleaned from the humble and the fieldworker, with courage to be celebrated and sincerity of study and a radical confrontation which demanded that all men have an opportunity to share a higher knowledge of that which comprises themselves.

We commemorate the man and his vision, that the legacy of such spiritual insights be carried forth into the future for men.