The following piece is an excerpt from my forthcoming book The Book of Treasure Spirits:
In 1634 a treasure-hunting expedition was conducted in Westminster Abbey, led by the King’s clock-master Davy Ramsey using Mosaical Rods, with the blessing and encouragement of the Dean of the Abbey (in exchange for a percentage of any proceeds). Accompanying him were a number of others, including the famous astrologer William Lilly, who would later be tried for arson for having accurately predicted the Fire of London some years prior to its occurrence (he was found innocent of starting the fire!). Lilly’s description of events is interesting, not least because it indicates guardian demon spirits in the Abbey! Lilly wrote:
“We played the hazel rod round about the cloister; upon the west side of the cloisters the rods moved one over another, an argument that the treasure was there. The labourers digged at least six feet deep and there we met with a coffin … From the cloisters we went into the Abbey church, where, upon a sudden (there being no wind when we began), so fierce, so high, so blustering and loud a wind did rise, that we verily believed the west end of the church would have fallen upon us. Our rods would not move at all; the candles and torches, all but one, were extinguished, or burned very dimly. John Scott, my partner, was amazed, looked pale, knew not what to think or do, until I gave directions and command to dismiss the demons; which, when done, all was quiet again.”
Lilly went on to comment that he put the failure down to the fact that the group comprised thirty or so people, many of whom were derisive. He declared that he believed the west side of the church would have probably been blown down if he had not dismissed the demons. His closing remark demonstrates a real appreciation of the best parameters for such work, when he declared:
“Secrecy and intelligent operators, with a strong confidence and knowledge of what they are doing, are best for this work.”
I’m interested in Lilly’s imput into this operation as it is generally not realised thatbhe was very interested in magic. he worked with Ashmole on the Dee material for five years or so.