If there is much variation about what the practice of magic looks and feels like, there is a familiar picture that comes to mind when arcane and wizardry are mentioned.

The wizened old scholar, buried in tomes of arcane knowledge, slouched over a sea of secret formulas and crumbling parchments, might be the most iconic representation of a magic user. Yet, far from a fantasy trope, the magical tradition embodied by this archetype finds its roots in history, when esoterism met with the nascent scientific tradition, giving rise to an influential doctrine called Hermeticism.

Resurging by the end of the Middle Ages, Hermeticism emerged in Antiquity but became prevalent from the 14th to the 17th century. It was marked by a belief in universal laws that encompassed both the material and the spiritual world and often saw itself at the crossroad between faith and pure rationality. In the Hermetic tradition, nature was investigated through observations, experiments, and illuminations. The purpose was to discover the invisible, find the hidden links that ruled reality, and use that knowledge to alter reality.

This practical approach to esoterism was tightly interwoven with the emergence of science, with numerous early scientists being influenced by this philosophy and adding to it in return. While not fully accepted by the Church or reformed Christian faiths, Hermeticism enjoyed privileged treatments compared to other forms of esoteric pursuits, being considered respectable ‘’High magic’’ and thus untainted by the profane aspects associated with witchcraft and paganism. Still, many of its practitioners relied on discretion and formed secret orders to protect their research and their knowledge.

The magical practice of Hermeticism was centered around alchemy, astrology, and theurgy, and involved transmutation, medicine, a study of the sun and stars, and conjuration of divine and elemental spirits. This form of magic was highly methodical and required significant studies as well as experimentation to create complex rituals and formulas.