THE Elizabethan Period

The Elizabethan Period was the age of the Renaissance, of new ideas and new thinking. The introduction of the printing press during the Renaissance, one of the greatest tools in increasing knowledge and learning, was responsible for the interest in the different sciences and inventions - and the supernatural! The new ideas, information and increased knowledge about science, technology and astrology led to a renewed interest in the supernatural including witches, witchcraft and ghosts which led to belief in superstitions and the supernatural. Facts about all of these subjects are included in this Elizabethan Period section, the content of each has been summarised on this page.

Elizabethan Astrology

The Elizabethan Period - Elizabethan Astrology

The Elizabethan era was the age of the Renaissance and new thinking and ideas. It was also the age of Nostradamus, Marsilio Ficino and Trithemius and the Renaissance fusion of Christianity, Hermetic Philosophy and its associated 'sciences' of magic, astrology and alchemy. Dr John Dee was the greatest astrologer of the Elizabethan era, who worked with his associate Edward Kelley. The following definitions have been provided to understand the differences between all of these Elizabethan 'sciences'.

Nostradamus

Elizabethan Astrology - the Definition of Astrology, Astronomy, Alchemy and Magic
The definitions of Astrology, Astronomy, Alchemy and Magic are as follows:

  • Definition of Astrology - Astrology is defined as the study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs and events
  • Definition of Astronomy - the branch of science and physics that studies the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies (objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere) and the universe as a whole
  • Definition of Alchemy - aims at the transmutation (conversion) of base metals into gold and the discovery of the elixir of life
  • Definition of Magic - The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural. Magic includes the practice of using charms, spells, or rituals to attempt to produce supernatural effects or control events in nature

The interest in Renaissance and Elizabethan Astrology
The Renaissance era, or the re-birth, saw the emergence of new ideas and a deep curiously in anything mystical. Could men predict future events? Could the most provident day for a special event be predicted from deciphering a horoscope? ( The well educated and learned Queen Elizabeth obviously believed in horoscopes when January 15 1559 was chosen as the day of her coronation, from her horoscope cast by John Dee). Could a base metal be converted, or transmuted into gold or silver as the Alchemists believed? Could an Elixir of Life be produced which cured all diseases? Could the use of magic forecast or control natural events? The rewards for any Astrologer who controlled any of these element would become, rich, famous and all powerful.

Elizabethan Astrology - The influence of Astronomy on William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and Sir Francis Bacon
The subjects of Elizabethan Astrology fascinated many prominent Elizabethans. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) makes over 100 references to Astrology. The subject is mentioned in every one of his plays and Astrology was often critical to the plots when the actions and events surrounding characters are said to be favored or hindered by the stars. The central character in 'The Tempest' is Prospero, whose character is said to be based upon John Dee. Another famous Dramatist of the Elizabethan era was Ben Jonson who wrote the play entitled 'The Alchemist'.

Elizabethan Superstitions

Elizabethan Witchcraft and Witches

The Elizabethan Period - Elizabethan Superstitions
Many superstitions during the Elizabethan period dated back to traditions and beliefs from much earlier times. The superstitions were also steeped in the belief in old magic and the mystical properties of animals and herbs. Elizabethan superstitions also related to special chants, omens and names and numbers. Many traditional English customs are based on the mythical relationship to superstitions dating back to the Dark Ages and even further back to the Romans and their Gods and Goddesses.

Elizabethan Superstitions
The origins of many superstitions are based on trust in magic or chance. An irrational belief that an object, or action, or circumstance which are not logically related to a course of events can influence its outcome. Ignorance and fear of the unknown combined with a false conception of causation and cessation resulted in many Elizabethan superstitions. Fear of the supernatural and forces of nature or God resulted in the belief of superstitions during the Elizabethan era.

Elizabethan Witches and Superstitions
New Elizabethan superstitions arose due to the fear of witchcraft and the persecution of witches. Women were those most often accused of being witches! There were 270 Elizabethan witch trials of 247 were women and only 23 were men! During the Elizabethan era people blamed unexplainable events as the work of witches - the Bubonic Plague, unexplained deaths or unpleasant illnesses, bad harvests or crop failures, the death of animals and unexplained fires. Those accused of witchcraft, or being a witch, were generally Old, Poor and Unprotected Single women, widows or 'wise women' (many kept pets for company - their 'familiars'). The fear of witches and their supernatural abilities led to the following superstitions:

  • Superstition 1 - Witches were able to fly ( this explained how witches could move quickly across impossible distances. A broomstick was then added to the superstition as these became common household articles used by women)
  • Superstition 2 - A witch was often portrayed as an old crone or hag ( with no man to defend her against accusations of witchcraft)
  • Superstition 3 - Witches are closely associated with living alone ( house in the wood)
  • Superstition 4 - Witches were known to keep animals like the Cat, Frog, Pig, Raven, Goat, Wolf, Goose, Crow, Bat and Mouse which were believed to be the forms adopted by a Witches Familiar (an evil spirit, in animal form, who was used by the witch to perform evil deeds and cast malevolent spells)
  • Superstition 5 - Witches brewed magic potions over a cauldron (Wise women had knowledge of herbs such as mandrake, datura, monkshood, cannabis, belladonna, henbane and hemlock)

Superstitions in Elizabethan Period and Time

Here are a selection of superstitions which affected the daily lives of Elizabethans:

  • Saying "God Bless You" following a sneeze - Elizabethans believed that the devil could enter your body when you opened your mouth to sneeze - the blessing warded off the Devil
  • An eclipse was seen as an omen of evil
  • It was unlucky for a black cat to cross your path ( Black is the color associated with evil magic and a cat was strongly associated with a witch's familiar
  • The 'seventh son of a seventh son' was believed to possess supernatural powers
  • It was unlucky to keep the feather of a peacock ( the eye-shape on the feathers of peacocks were seen as the 'Evil-eye')
  • Pin bay leaves to your pillow on the Eve of St Valentine, one at each corner and one in the middle and you will then dream of your future husband
  • Touch wood to guard against bad luck. This Celtic superstition dates back to the Dark Ages when it was believed that a tree possessed magical powers
  • Not to walk under ladders - considered bad luck as ladders are associated with the gallows and executions
  • Shoes on a table - If you put shoes on a table it was very bad luck - inviting an imminent death
  • Spilling Salt or pepper - Seen as bad luck - the cost of these spices were extremely expensive during the Elizabethan era

Elizabethan Ghosts

The Elizabethan Period - Elizabethan Ghosts
The Elizabethan Period period saw an increased interest in ghosts - The play Hamlet by the great Elizabethan dramatist William Shakespeare features one of literatures most famous ghosts. But the subject of Elizabethan ghosts relate to the number of hauntings by Elizabethan ghosts. A ghost is defined as the soul of a dead person who is said to appear to the living in bodily likeness at a place associated with his life. Ghosts are said to have died in terrible and violent circumstances. The Elizabethan era was a violent one and the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth saw the executions and premature deaths of many men and women. The places most strongly associated with ghosts are English and WelshCastles. The names of many ghosts cannot be identified - they are therefore identified by their appearance like 'Grey Lady'.

Elizabethan Ghosts
The following are details of men and women who died violent deaths during the life of Queen Elizabeth I - Famous Elizabethan Ghosts.

Tower of London-Ann Boleyn

  • SherborneOldCastle, Dorset - The ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh
  • Hever Castle, Kent - The ghost of Anne Boleyn, murdered wife of Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I
  • WindsorCastle - The Ghost of Queen Elizabeth I has been seen in the Royal Library. King Henry VIII has been seen walking the hallways of Windsor castle
  • Tower Of London Ghosts - the ghosts of five Tudor / Elizabethan women. Catherine Howard, the young stepmother of Queen Elizabeth. Anne Boleyn the mother of Queen Elizabeth. The brave old Countess of Salisbury. Lady Jane Grey who was Queen for nine days. The Ghost of Jane Rochford. All were beheaded
  • Hampton Court - The ghost of Catherine Howard

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