Astrologers and Alchemists

Magic played an important role in medieval courts where court magicians held powerful positions as political advisors of kings. Astrologers advised on auspicious times for (political) decisions, while alchemists promised riches and longevity. Astrology was in higher demand due to being regarded as being able to lead to new scientific, cosmological and magical discoveries (Meaghan Zarb, 2015).

Note. From“The astrologer of the
nineteenth century” (Flickr, n.d.).

As political influence relied heavily on wealth, alchemy with its promise of transmuting cheap materials to gold and silver was very alluring. Court astrologers and alchemists are inherently wizards as they reflect the wizard's role as a wise counsellor and symbol of science, capable of powerful magic (Meaghan Zarb, 2015).

Note. From Examen Fucorum Pseudo-
Chymicorum Detectorum Et In Gratiam
Veritatis Amantium succincte refutatorum, by Maiero, 1617.
(I. Merian und die Tradition der Alchemica illustrata in Frankfurt –
Bebilderung der Alchemie, n.d.)