William Backhouse (17 January 1593 – 30 May 1662) was an English philosopher, alchemist, astrologer, translator, and the esoteric mentor of Elias Ashmole.
Born into the wealthy Backhouse family, Backhouse enjoyed an education at Oxford, and was likely exposed to alchemical teachings and the Rosicrucian manifestos of the 1610s. He married Anne Richards in 1637/8, and had three children. By 1651, he had become the mentor of Elias Ashmole, taking him as his "spiritual son and heir", the role for which his is best remembered. The following exchange of alchemical knowledge and manuscripts has been described as having an effect on Ashmole that "cannot be overstated". This relationship flourished in an intense exchange of alchemical documents and information, unaffected by Backhouse's poor health and fear of identification in Ashmole's publications. Backhouse, predeceased by all his siblings and children, but one, died in 1662, leaving all his possessions to his daughter, Flower Backhouse, the last of the Backhouse family.
Only so much can be understood about Backhouse, for his devotion to esoteric knowledge, and his distaste for the public eye (in accordance with his motto). But the few contemporary sources that remain give a picture of Backhouse that shows him to be a "respected figure in a network of people involved in occult and philosophical studies" according to Jennifer Speake; a "most renown'd chymist, Rosicrucian, and a great encourager of those that studied chymistry and astrology" according to Anthony à Wood; and a "quiet, secretive man of an inventive mind [...] combining a gift for languages with a graceful poetic vein" according to C. H. Josten.
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Some of their strengths
William Backhouse has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Generous, Hardworking, Loyal, Kind, Intelligent, Confident, and Extroverted.
Smart and Hardworking
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, William Backhouse is someone who is a smart, hardworking, reliable, and loyal person, who is detail-oriented and orderly, but also generous and optimistic. A person who is known for being a good communicator.
Adventurous and Free
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know William Backhouse well know them as someone who can be talented, wayward and free, like a big river or the ocean.
Courteous and Easygoing
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe William Backhouse as someone who is polite, modest, and diplomatic.
A person who tends to be socially popular, who loves intellectual or creative activities, who has a talent for communicating with and understanding the needs of others, and who seems to have a knack for getting recognized for their efforts.
Exacting and Achievement-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, William Backhouse is someone who has very high expectations for people, and who can be extremely focused on achieving goals and objectives.
They are also someone who is mysterious, intuitive, and diplomatic, and who has a keen intuition, charisma, and a focus on balance and partnership.
Patient and Perseverent
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, William Backhouse tends to be someone who is patient, faithful, hardworking and persistent, and who wants to achieve a lot in life. Who tends to be rather private when it comes to expressing feelings, enjoys being independent and self-sufficient, and who is not afraid of any obstacle.
Some of William Backhouse's challenges
While William Backhouse has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, William Backhouse can be Stubborn, Indecisive, Suspicious, Unrealistic, Complicated, Brusque, and Materialistic.
Suspicious and Stubborn
One of William Backhouse's key challenges is that they are someone who can be suspicious and stubborn.
Indecisive and Materialistic
William Backhouse is someone who can be indecisive, indulgent, and materialistic, who can have difficulty focusing on a single career or profession, have difficulty following orders or respecting authority, and who can suffer from "analysis paralysis".
Callous and Stubborn
Finally, William Backhouse also can come across as cold and unemotional, be too dismissive of others' opinions, and be overly suspicious, selfish and crafty.
