Eric Purdue

Best known for producing the first complete English translation of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy in more than 350 years, Purdue has earned widespread recognition for his meticulous scholarship and dedication to restoring one of the foundational texts of Western magic to its original clarity and historical context.

A practitioner of medieval astrology and traditional magical arts for more than three decades, Purdue's research focuses on Renaissance natural philosophy, talismanic magic, practical folk magic, and the philosophical foundations of ceremonial magic. His work emphasizes understanding classical magical texts within their historical, religious, and intellectual contexts, allowing modern students to appreciate how astrology, natural philosophy, and ritual magic formed an integrated worldview during the Renaissance.

Purdue's landmark translation of Agrippa's masterpiece represents more than a decade of research, during which he compared original Latin editions, corrected centuries of accumulated translation errors, restored the original illustrations, and provided extensive commentary identifying Agrippa's historical sources and philosophical influences. His edition has become an indispensable resource for scholars and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of one of the most influential works in the history of Western esotericism.

A respected lecturer and educator, Eric has presented extensively on medieval astrology, planetary magic, Hermetic philosophy, and Renaissance occultism. His teaching is distinguished by its careful scholarship, practical insight, and commitment to demonstrating how historical magical traditions can be understood without sacrificing either academic rigor or their spiritual depth.