SOURCE: A letter to Henry Cornelius Agrippa on April 8, 1510, in Three Books of Occult Philosophy or Magic, Book One: Natural Magic by Henry Cornelius Agrippa, edited by Willis F. Whitehead, 1897. Reprint by The Aquarian Press, 1971, pp. 31-32.

Trithemius, who was the Abbot of Saint James, Herbipolis, was well-known as an avid and learned student of philosophy and occult science. Below, he congratulates his former pupil, Agrippa, on the excellence of his Occult Philosophy, warning him to chose carefully with whom he communicates regarding his work.

John Trithemius, Abbot of Saint James of Herbipolis, formerly of Spanhemia, to his Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim, health and love:

Your work, most renowned Agrippa, entitled Of Occult Philosophy, which you have sent by this bearer to me, has been examined. With how much pleasure I received it no mortal tongue can express nor the pen of any write. I wondered at...