Since I enjoyed and learned a lot fom Hal's previous Secrets Revealed , I will try to extend this a bit though I know not if this was to have ended
on John Dee and the obsidian mirror.
1) John Dee
2) Obsidian Mirror = Aztec used the same material
From
Link we learn the following
In November 1582 they encountered an Angel, Uriel. The Angel gave instructions for a magical talisman with which they could contact the spirit world
more easily. Many of their ritual objects including Dee's obsidian scrying mirror are now in the British Museum. Kelly would continuously make new
discoveries that amazed Dee, and he introduced him to the fact that both good and evil spirits existed beyond the veil. It was around this time that
Dee started using the mysterious Enochian script to communicate with the Angels. Called the language of angels it is definitely a structured language,
although its real origins are obscure. Whatever its origins people who have worked with Enochain magic have claimed that it does seem to work.
The date is what caught my interest as it fits in with 6 year absence of John Dee from England as noted previously
Dr John Dee (1527 to 1608) lived at Mortlake from 1565 to 1595 except for the 6 years between 1583 and 1589 when he was traveling in Europe.
and the date 1563 mentioned here
The mirror, made of highly-polished obsidian (volcanic glass), was one of many Aztec cult objects and treasures brought to Europe after the conquest
of Mexico by Cortés between 1527 and 1530. Mirrors were associated with Tezcatlipoca, the Aztec god of rulers, warriors and sorcerers, whose name can
be translated as 'Smoking Mirror'. Aztec priests used mirrrors for divination and conjuring up visions. Dee had an interest in optics and optical
mirrors or 'glasses' as described in his private diary and works. he was also interested in psychic phenomena and, from 1583, worked with Edward
Kelly as his medium. Kelly would see visions in the 'shew-stones' of 'angels' that communicated by pointing to one square after another in tables
of letters and unknown symbols, which Dee and Kelly transcribed. The case, made to fit the obsidian mirror with its projecting handle, has a paper
label with the handwriting of the English antiquary Sir Horace Walpole, who acquired the mirror in 1771. The text begins 'The Black Stone into which
Dr Dee used to call his spirits ...'. He has added later 'Kelly was Dr Dee's Associate and is mentioned with this very stone in Hudibras [a
satirical poem by Samuel Butler, first published in 1664] Part 2. Canto 3 v. 631. Kelly did all his feats upon The Devil's Looking-glass, a Stone.'
"he was traveling in Europe", but where and why? For this this link comes with some help,
trip
details
The Polish Albert Laski, Count Palatire of Siradz, descendant of the Anglo-Norman Lacies, came to England in search of Dee and Kelly. He was duped by
Edward Kelly and his scrying ability, into believing great things were meant him. Indeed a great many messages were received from the Spirit realm
concerning Laski, Kelly, Dee, and European politics. In 1583 Dee and Kelly convinced Laski to return to Poland, taking the two Englishmen and their
wives with him. They set about trying to transmute iron into gold to fund their regeneration of Europe. Although they were always just on the brink of
success, the experimental transmutation experiments never worked. While Dee was away in Europe things were not boding well at home. In 1583 a large
mob attacked Dee's home in at Mortlake in Surrey destroying his collection of books, occult instruments and personal belongings. The attack was
probably in response to rumours that Dee was a wizard. Sitting John Dee Meanwhile back in Poland Kelly and Dee's experiments proved very costly,
Laski lost his fortune and lands funding the two alchemists work, and when it became apparent that he could no longer afford to continue paying for
their experiments, the spirits, including Uriel, expressed their doubts through Kelly that Laski may not have been the right man to bring about the
changes in Europe.
So from start of 1583 he keeps company with Edward Kelly and sets off immediately on a visit to distant Poland with an aristocrat the Polish Albert
Laski, Count Palatire of Siradz, descendant of the Anglo-Norman Lacies who we are told CAME all the way to England in search of Dee and Kelly.
Interesting.
In all this my question of interest is "Who is Edward Kelly and for whom is he working at such "elevated spheres" of the European political
cauldron that rotates around Poland?" Since Dee was so close to the throne it is hard to believe that some kid off the street would get access to
someone with such connections. He smells to me as though he was assigned on a "mission". John Dee does not strike me as a fool.
