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    Artes Mathematicall: The Diviner John Dee

    enDecember 08, 2016

    Podcast Summary

    • Building Strong Community Connections: Neighbors and TechnologyNeighbors provide social bonds and disaster preparedness, while technology, like podcasts, broadens perspectives and explores future possibilities. Engaging with knowledge and arts enriches our minds and lives.

      Building strong community connections is essential, especially in uncertain times. Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer network, emphasizes the importance of relying on neighbors for social bonds and disaster preparedness. Meanwhile, technology, such as podcasts, can also bring people together and broaden perspectives. For instance, Intel's Technically Speaking podcast explores the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future. Additionally, engaging with knowledge and arts, like mathematics, can enrich our minds and lives. John Dee, a historical figure, embodies this idea, as he excelled in both mathematical sciences and magical beliefs. By learning from the past, we can appreciate the interconnectedness of various aspects of human experience.

    • Mathematics and Magic in the Tudor EraMathematics, once linked to magic during the Tudor era, was seen as a powerful tool to understand and manipulate the natural world by figures like Euclid, Kepler, Newton, and Dee, ultimately leading to the expansion of the British Empire.

      During the Tudor era, mathematics and magic were not as distinct as we might think today. Mathematics, particularly the study of numbers and numerology, was sometimes viewed with suspicion and even associated with witchcraft. However, figures like Euclid, Kepler, Newton, and Dee saw mathematics as a powerful tool that could unlock the secrets of the universe, even rivaling the abilities of the gods. Dee, in particular, saw mathematics as the key to understanding and manipulating the natural world, leading him to explore fields like cryptography and automatons. This perspective ultimately led him to advocate for the expansion of the British Empire and even coin the term "British Empire." Despite the negative associations, mathematics proved to be a valuable tool for understanding and mastering the world around us.

    • John Dee's proposal for England to challenge Spain's imperial claim to the New WorldEnglish courtier and mathematician John Dee proposed England challenge Spain's imperial claim to the New World based on historical precedent and British identity. His expertise in cartography and navigation aided English expeditions, potentially leading to the discovery of Canada.

      During the late 16th century, the English courtier and mathematician John Dee proposed to Queen Elizabeth I that England should challenge Spain's imperial claim to the New World based on historical precedent and British identity. Dee's idea was fueled by his expertise in cartography and mapping, as well as his correspondence with noted cartographer Gerard Mercator. England's financial instability and weak military made this ambitious plan risky, as Spain was a powerful imperial power and the Americas were already divided between Spain and Portugal according to a papal bull. Despite these challenges, Dee's knowledge of cartography and mathematical navigation played a crucial role in assisting English expeditions, such as Richard Chancellor's expedition to establish a trade route between England and Moscow. Dee saw the appearance of a new star in 1572 as a sign for the beginning of the English Protestant empire and instructed an expedition to discover the Northwest Passage to China in 1576. If successful, Dee's colonization company would have given him rights to newly discovered land north of the 50th parallel, potentially making him the owner of Canada. This shows how Dee's intellectual and navigational contributions played a significant role in shaping England's imperial ambitions during this period.

    • John Dee's fascination with cryptographyRenowned scholar John Dee, banished for espionage suspicions, discovered a rare copy of Trithemius' cryptography work, fueling his interest in the field and leading to his extensive body of work.

      John Dee, a renowned mathematician, astrologer, and occultist, was banished from the Holy Roman Empire due to suspicions of espionage. This came about after Emperor Rudolph II suspected Dee of being a spy rather than an angelic communicator. An intriguing detail is that Dee signed his letters to Queen Elizabeth with the cipher "double o seven," which has been speculated as a possible influence on Ian Fleming's creation of the James Bond character. During his time in Antwerp, Dee discovered a rare copy of the work of German abbot, Trithemius, who was a significant figure in the history of cryptography. This discovery further fueled Dee's interest in the field. The study, creation, and breaking of codes and ciphers, or cryptography, was a significant aspect of Dee's career. He was already an admirer of Trithemius and owned several copies of his book, "Polygraphia," which was the first Western tome on the subject. This book contained 12 rotating paper cipher disks, which are still in good condition today. Dee's fascination with cryptography, as well as his belief in angelic communication, contributed to his extensive body of work and his enduring influence on various fields.

    • The Misunderstood Text of John Dee: Magic or Cryptography?Renowned scholar John Dee's cryptic text, initially thought to be about angelic magic, was later discovered to be about cryptography in the late 1990s.

      John Dee, a renowned scholar and advisor to emperors during the Renaissance, wrote a cryptic text on communication over vast distances, which was initially misunderstood as being about angelic magic due to its use of cryptic language. This text, known as "Trithemius," was believed to be solely about magic for centuries. However, in the late 1990s, two individuals, Thomas Ernst and Jim Reeves, made breakthroughs in deciphering the text and discovered that it was actually about cryptography. It's speculated that Dee used the language of magic as a rhetorical strategy to engage readers' interest in his groundbreaking work on codes and ciphers. Despite the misconception, Dee's "Trithemius" is an intriguing piece of history, showcasing the lengths scholars went to in order to share their discoveries, even if it meant using the allure of the unknown and the mystical to do so.

    • John Dee's Quest for a Banned Book on Magic and CodesDuring the Elizabethan era, John Dee's obsession with a rare, banned book on black magic and cryptography led him to go to great lengths to obtain it, demonstrating the value of knowledge and the intersection of science and magic.

      John Dee's obsession with a rare, banned book on black magic and cryptography reveals his dedication to understanding the complexities of codes and magical concepts. Dee went to great lengths, including traveling, bribing, and working with a nobleman, to obtain and copy the book. The book, which contained tables, charts, angelic language, and moving parts, was not only difficult to read but also to copy within a short timeframe. Despite his questionable actions, such as making his wife sleep with his scryer, Dee seemed driven by a desire to benefit mankind with the knowledge he gained. The Elizabethan era, marked by political intrigue and espionage, saw the use of encryption as a crucial tool, with even monarchs like Mary Queen of Scots employing coded messages that were eventually deciphered by codebreakers. Dee's inner library, filled with both cryptographic and magical texts, showcases the intersection of science, magic, and the importance of information in the historical context.

    • Coded Communications During the European RenaissancePolitical actors used code and cryptography to communicate during the European Renaissance, and John Dee, a polymath advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, was involved in both Christian faith and occult interests, with some historians suggesting his angelic conversations were coded messages

      During the European Renaissance, political actors often used code and cryptography to communicate with each other, especially when traveling around Europe. Being accused of being a spy was likely more dangerous than being accused of being a magician, as there was less ambiguity surrounding the latter. John Dee, a polymath who advised Queen Elizabeth I, is an intriguing figure in this context. He was involved in both Christian faith and occult interests, and some historians have suggested that his alleged angelic conversations were actually coded messages. Ultimately, it's unclear to what extent Dee was engaged in espionage, but it's clear that he was deeply involved in the sciences and cryptography of the time. During the busy holiday season, consider using stamps.com to avoid the hassle of going to the post office and mailing packages.

    • John Dee's Espionage Activities and Occult InterestsJohn Dee, a scholar with diverse interests, combined his espionage activities with his pursuit of the occult, using cryptography for both diplomatic and esoteric purposes.

      John Dee, a brilliant scholar of his time, was involved in the early stages of England's espionage network under the guidance of William Cecil. Dee wrote to Cecil about a valuable book, possibly containing codes or secrets, which could have had more earthly, espionage-related uses rather than being related to occult rituals. Dee, known for his interest in the occult and alchemy, may have used the notorious Edward Kelley as a companion to disguise his espionage activities. However, Dee did not view cryptography as a purely diplomatic or political tool but also considered it to have esoteric uses, such as deciphering ancient texts like the Book of Soyga and the Voynich manuscript. Dee's worldview was complex, and he pursued various interests, including mathematics, discovering the origins of the universe, bettering the English empire, and communicating with angels, all of which seemed to be interconnected in his life. Dee's era was vastly different from ours, and his multifaceted pursuits might seem alien, but they were all part of the world he lived in.

    • Beyond Astrology and Magic: John Dee's Intellectual LegacyJohn Dee was a polymath who significantly contributed to mathematics, physics, music, philosophy, optical theory, and mechanical engineering, shaping European intellectual history.

      John Dee, often remembered for his alleged abilities as an astrologer and magician, was in fact a highly influential figure in European intellectual history. He made significant contributions to various fields such as mathematics, physics, music, philosophy, optical theory, and mechanical engineering. Despite debates about the exact impact of his work, it continues to intrigue scholars and the public alike. If you're interested in learning more about Dee, consider visiting the British Museum in London to see some of his occult artifacts or checking out the John Dee Society, which is dedicated to preserving and studying his work. Remember, behind the mystique and the magic lies a brilliant mind that shaped the world in profound ways.

    • Building strong community connections and exploring new technologiesHelping neighbors, seeking financial advice, and utilizing new technologies can lead to meaningful social bonds, preparedness, and financial security.

      Building strong connections within your community can lead to meaningful social bonds and preparedness for unexpected events. Neighbor to Neighbor emphasizes the importance of helping neighbors and standing together during times of need. Meanwhile, the future of wireless communication is here with Visible, offering transparent and affordable unlimited 5G data plans. In the world of finance, seeking advice from Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals can significantly impact your future by ensuring their commitment to acting in your best interest. NASCAR fans can enjoy live racing action on The Motor Racing Network, while asking the right financial questions can lead to a more secure financial future.

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    SOURCES:

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    https://books.google.com.au/books?id=BXOSaJMcymcC&pg=PT502&lpg=PT502&dq=anna+whitelock+alchemy&source=bl&ots=SFKR582u5D&sig=ACfU3U2ZPpq7-ZtaljOUot2npDbXbkHSpA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi7wvCJmfjwAhVdH7cAHY1XA98Q6AEwBXoECAUQAw#v=onepage&q=anna%20whitelock%20alchemy&f=false

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