Mercurii, Society of the

views updated

Mercurii, Society of the

The Society of the Mecurii was an occult magical organization that operated in London, England, in the 1830s and was one of the primary groups that launched the occult and astrological revival that has led to the spectacular growth of the occult world in the twentieth century. The first public mention of the society seems to have been an announcement in the August 14, 1824, issue of The Struggling Astrologer, a magazine that had been launched by astrologer Robert Cross Smith (1795-1832), later to become famous under his pen name Raphael. According to the brief statement, the society consisted of some "scientific gentlemen" interested in promoting occult science. In a later issue it was noted that the number of the society were few and select and that their meeting place was secret. It was noted, however, that they wished to publish occult books, and could be contacted through Smith.

Beyond Smith, the exact membership of the society is unknown, but some speculation can be made from knowledge of those who were associated with him. One possible early member was artist Richard Cosway (d. 1821). Above and beyond his art, he gathered a large occult library, lectured on occult topics, and practiced spirit contact via clairvoyance. When he died, Smith came into possession of his library.

The Struggling Astrologer was succeeded by a new periodical in 1825, Urania; or, The Astrologer's Chronicle, and Mystic Magazine, which listed Smith as the editor under the pseudonym "Mecurius Angelicus, Jur." assisted by members of the Mercurii. Like The Struggling Astrologer, Urania lasted only a few issues. However, after it folded Smith published a collection of articles from the two periodicals as a book, The Astrologer of the Nineteenth Century, described as a compendium of occult materials by members of the Society of the Mercurii.

From the Smith publications, membership of the Mercurii appears to have included: George W. Graham, an alchemist who assisted Smith in setting up his business; John Varley (1778-1842), a noted artist and friend of the artist/poet William Blake and student of astrology; and John Palmer (1807-1837), a young alchemist who wrote for Smith.

During this period of time, the only other significant occult group in England was the circle that had formed around magician Francis Barrett, author of The Magus, a seminal text of magical wisdom that stands at the fountainhead of modern magical practice. The Mercurii apparently dissolved following the death of so many of its members in the 1830s, though given its secretive nature it could easily have survived much longer.