Paper short abstract:

In his book On Life (book III) Marsilio Ficino uses astrological and natural magic aspects to support man’s vitality with the gifts of heaven. In discussing talismans, Ficino explains the principle of how talismans work based upon Neoplatonic teachings on world soul and vertical relationships.

Paper long abstract:

In the third book of his On Life, Marsilio Ficino uses astrological and natural magic aspects to support man’s vitality with the gifts of heaven. In discussing talismans, Picatrix is one of his sources, a handbook of Arabic talismanic magic, which is a descendant of ancient Greek magical ideas through a cross between astrology and theurgy. Talisman magic is based on Aristotle’s ontological principles, Ptolemy’s astronomical knowledge, and on Hellenistic astrological doctrines. Through the teaching of intelligible realities and the world as a living being, Neoplatonic philosophy developed a specific system of vertical relationships. Through these bonds, certain forces from the celestial sphere can be included in the body of talismans, which, when made at the right time, from the right materials and form, become an object radiating that power. In De vita coelitus comparanda, which was written as a commentary on Plotinus’ Enneads IV, 3 (On the Soul) Ficino incorporated the lessons of his translations of further Neoplatonists (Iamblichus, Proclus, Psellus and Synesius ) into his explanations. In fact, however, all explanations ultimately go back to Plato’s Timaeus and to his the interpretation of the world soul as a demiurge. Ficino explains the principle of how talismans work by turning back to this teaching.