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Law of similarities:
It is now manifest that the occult properties in things
are not from the nature of the Elements, but infused
from above, hid from our senses, and scarce at last
known by our reason, which indeed come from the Life,
and the Spirit of the World, through the rays of the
Stars: and can no otherwise but by experience, and
conjecture be enquired into by us.
Wherefore, he that
desires to enter upon this study must consider, that
every thing moves, and turns it self to its like, and
inclines that to it self with all its might, as well in
property, viz. Occult virtue, as in quality, viz.
Elementary virtue. Sometimes also in substance it self,
as we see in Salt, for whatsoever hath long stood with
Salt, becomes Salt: for every agent, when it hath begun
to act, doth not attempt to make a thing inferior to it
self, but as much as may be, like, and suitable
[suitable] to it self. Which also we manifestly see in
sensible Animals, in which the nutritive Virtue doth not
change the meat into an Herb [herb], or a Plant, but
turns it into sensible flesh. In what things therefore
there is an excess of any quality, or property, as heat,
cold, boldness, fear, sadness, anger, love, hatred, or
any other passion, or Virtue; whether it be in them by
nature, or sometimes also by art, or chance, as boldness
in a harlot; these things do very much move, and provoke
to such a quality, passion, or Virtue.
So Fire moves to
Fire, and Water moves to Water, and be that is bold
moves to boldness. And it is well known amongst
Physicians [physicians], that brain helps the brain, and
lungs, the lungs. So also it is said, that the right eye
of a Frog helps the soreness of a mans right eye, and
the left eye thereof helps the soreness of his left eye,
if they be hanged about his neck in a Cloth of its
natural Color: The like is reported of the eyes of a
Crab. So the foot of a Tortoise helps them that have the
Gout in their being applied thus, as foot to foot, hand
to hand,
right to right, left to left. After this manner they
say, that any Animal that is barren cause another to
be barren; and of the Animal, especially the Testicles,
Matrix [womb], or Urine [urine]. So they report that a
woman shall not conceive, if she drink
the Urine [urine] of a Mule, or any thing steeped in it
According to Hennery Col. Agrippa similar things boost similar things. Eating lever boosts your lever. Two magnets placed together boost each other and their magnetism does not fade. Agrippa says the left eye of a frog worn as an amulets boots weak left eye of a human being.
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