Joseph of Arimathea

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Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in the Bible as a compassionate Hebrew who offers a tomb as the resting place of the Redeemer after His crucifixion. According to common belief however Joseph of Arimathea was also a magician who briefly visited England from the Holy Lands. He also planted a magic tree which was meant to protect England from harm.

Lord Portishead in his Essay on the Extraordinary Revival of English Magic, &c. therefore cites Joseph of Arimathea as one of the magicians whose presence in England came before that of John Uskglass, an argument he proposes against giving undue pre-eminence to the latter. In reply however Jonathan Strange pointed out that Joseph of Arimathea did not remain in England long enough to teach anyone his skills, and that therefore he did not have any impact upon a tradition of English Magic - which, according to Strange, was begun solely by Uskglass[38].

It is interesting though that Joseph of Arimathea is one of several deceased magicians with whom John Uskglass was reputed to have conversed.

More may be found on him in this article in Wikipedia