Famous Psychic and Seers of History

Who was John Dee?

John Dee was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, teacher, occultist, and alchemist in the employ of Queen Elizabeth the First. He was born in 1527 to Welsh parents.

His father was a gentleman courtier to Henry VIII.

John Dee graduated from Trinity College in Cambridge. While there, he took part in creating stage effects for a production of Aristophanes’ Peace. This was the catalyst that sparked his reputation as a magician.

In the next decade, he traveled throughout Europe, studying with famous mathematicians. He returned home with a solid background in both mathematics and astronomy, as well as the instruments to study it.

In 1555, Dee was arrested and charged with casting the horoscopes of Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth. This was called calculating and considered illegal to speculate on a sovereign. His charges were elevated to treason, and he was ordered to the Star Chamber, where he argued and exonerated himself.

Next, Dee planned a national library for Queen Mary, but it was not well-received. He expanded his personal library, buying books and manuscripts in England and the rest of Europe. It allowed his home to become a great learning source outside of universities and attracted a variety of people to study there.

After Elizabeth I succeeded to the throne, she brought Dee in as court astronomer and advisor. He picked her coronation date and converted from Catholicism to Protestantism. He advised everything from politics to voyages to new lands in the next twenty years. He is credited for coining the term, British Empire. Elizabeth continued to use Dee and his astronomy calculations to make forecasts for ruling England. She believed in his magical powers, and he became a trusted counselor, much to the dismay of many of her other advisors.

Dee spent the bulk of his time working with alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy.

John Dee combined science with spiritualism to rise to the top of Elizabeth’s court. He used magic and was said to cast spells over the queen.

Dee eventually left the Queen’s service and dove deeper into the supernatural and occult world. It was said that he used a black mirror to forecast the future. That same mirror is on display at the British Museum. He fell in with a crowd that was not well-respected and traveled across Europe, where he was accused of spying for England.

Both his home and library were vandalized while he was away. He returned to work for the Queen but, after her death, was turned away by James 1.

He died ignored and destitute in London. His burial place is unknown.