The Middle Ages gave birth to numerous peculiar texts that continue to intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike. However, amidst this treasure trove of enigmatic writings, one stands out in particular for its mysterious nature – The Book of Soyga. This arcane treatise explores the realms of magic and the paranormal, offering profound insights that have yet to be deciphered by erudite scholars.
The Book of Soyga is made up of 36 tables (or sections), within which there are numerous topics. The fourth section, for instance, discusses the four primary elements – fire, air, earth, and water – and how they were spread throughout the universe. The fifth discusses the medieval humors: blood, phlegm, red bile, and black bile. The astrological signs and the planets are written about in lengthy detail, each sign pertaining to a specific planet (i.e., Venus and Taurus), and then Books 26 begins a long description of “The Book of Rays”, intended “for the sake of understanding the universal evils.”
The book’s association with the renowned Elizabethan thinker, John Dee, is perhaps its most famous aspect. Dee, known for his ventures into the occult, possessed one of the rare copies of the Book of Soyga during the 1500s.
Legend has it that Dee was consumed by an insatiable desire to unravel its secrets, especially the encrypted tables that he believed held the key to unlocking esoteric spirits.
Unfortunately, Dee was unable to finish decoding the mysteries of the Book of Soyga before his death in 1608. The book itself, though known to have existed, was believed lost until 1994, when two copies of it were rediscovered in England. Scholars have since studied the book intensively, and one of them was able to partially translate the intricate tables that had so fascinated Dee. However, even with their extensive efforts, the true significance of the Book of Soyga still remains elusive.
Despite its undeniable connection to Kabbalah, a mystical sect of Judaism, researchers have yet to fully decipher the profound secrets embedded within its pages.
The ongoing quest to unravel the enigma of the Book of Soyga continues to intrigue scholars worldwide, beckoning those who seek to unveil its hidden wisdom. Its allure lies not only in its untapped knowledge but also in the enigmatic journey that awaits those brave enough to venture into its pages.
