DiotimosReading Desk

Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · English Edition

Gerhard Dorn and John French

A Chymical Dictionary

An Expanded Diotimos Lexicon of Paracelsian and Alchemical Language

Explore the Lexicon
A Chymical DictionaryExorcista

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

English Edition · Branch 340 of 740

Exorcista

Book Mode

A Chymical Dictionary

p. 340

Exorcista

Operations instruments and practitioners · A Chymical Dictionary

At a Glance

The word. A practitioner of spirit-calling, condemned as superstitious by the dictionary.

In the book. Necromancy and Nigromancy receive fuller and disapproving descriptions elsewhere.

A place to read. The historical definition below, 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 21; facsimile PDF page 349.

Historical Definition

Exorcista is a superstitious practitioner who calls up spirits.

Meaning

The compiler’s judgement is part of the gloss. The practitioner is called superstitious and defined through calling up spirits. The entry supplies no ceremony, intention or description of the beings called.

Use in the Book

Necromancy and Nigromancy receive fuller and disapproving descriptions elsewhere. Magia is divided into a lawful natural wisdom and an unlawful diabolical kind. These entries show that the dictionary evaluates practices as well as naming them. Exorcista should be read within that historical classification rather than as an endorsement.

Places to Read

Magia. Magic divided into lawful natural wisdom and forbidden knowledge through evil spirits.

Necromancy. A condemned art defined by the appearance and interrogation of the dead.

Nigromancy. Apparent command of spirits, condemned as harmful to those who exercise it.

Historical source: 1650 dictionary, unnumbered definition page 21; facsimile PDF page 349 — Facsimile

Sources. A Chymicall Dictionary 1650, s.v. Exorcista

See also. Magia; Necromancy; Nigromancy

340

About This Reading Edition

The complete 706 historical definitions of the 1650 English dictionary, modernised and accompanied by expanded Diotimos commentary, reading routes, 15 textual notes and complete linked indexes.

Historical Text

A Chymicall Dictionary, London 1650, English version associated with John French, based on Gerhard Dorn’s Dictionarium Theophrasti Paracelsi. The containing volume also prints Sendivogius and Paracelsus; neither neighboring work changes this dictionary’s attribution.

About This Edition

Complete 706 definition paragraphs with new introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes; Diotimos Editions, 2026.

Rights

The historical 1650 English text is in the public domain. New introduction, commentary, reading guides and indexes are © 2026 Diotimos Editions and published with the site owner’s authorization.