Illustrated Anthology of Sorcery, Magic and Alchemy
Grillot de Givry
This is the largest and finest collection the iconography of occultism ever brought together in one book. Some 376 Illustrations, many of them full plates, were selected by the author from manuscripts, rare books. private collections and museums. Those selected are the most curious, characteristic and rare graphics depicting sorcery, magic, astrology, cheiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy - the universe the Occult.
The dates of the sources range from the Middle Ages to the eve of the nineteenth century. Only those who have tried to gather such illustrations. Know now enormous was the author’s undertaking. Indeed no such book existed before him, for he was the first scholar who know enough to do this work. Nor has there been a second book of this kind and quality. This anthology of illustrations remains truly unique.
These illustrations are the best way to learn about and understand The
Occult. Graphic expression is at the heart of the occult sciences.
Where most occult literature is vague and wordy, these illustrations are clear. natural and indubitable. More than any of the religions, the author shows, the occult sciences depend upon graphic, symbolic expression. The author also provides an excellent text, but Its primary purpose is to help us understand the illustrations.
There are really two worlds of the occult, the author shows us. The first is the occult world of sorcery, devils, witches this was the side of occultism which the Christian churches persecuted.
Here there is extraordinarily rich illustrations, because the church itself sculpted and painted devils witches and demons on its churches and cathedrals, and encouraged artists everywhere to follow suit.
Much more interesting, how-ever, is the other occult world-the world of mages and alchemists-and the author devotes the second half of the book to these wise and learned men who continued, despite Christianity, to pursue the ancient wisdoms and whom even the Church could not seriously accuse of evil. Here is the author's main interest and here he makes his most important contributions. There are splendid chapters on Qabbalism, astrology, chiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy, with rich illustrations and textual material to be found nowhere else. Particularly noteworthy is a remarkable chapter on the Tarot.
Grillot de Givry (1874-1929) wrote and translated many hermetic and occult works but this is the first to be translated into English. It took a long time for the true worth of this book to be appreciated. When it was first published in French in 1929 and in English in 1931, it fell dead from the presses. It was not applauded by his fellow occultists because its sanity and common sense, and its intellectual integrity, did not appeal to those who were making wild and grandiose claims for occultism There was not another edition until 1963, 32 years later.
The present edition is the first since that of 1931 in the original full size, giving full value to the illustrations.
Grillot de Givry
This is the largest and finest collection the iconography of occultism ever brought together in one book. Some 376 Illustrations, many of them full plates, were selected by the author from manuscripts, rare books. private collections and museums. Those selected are the most curious, characteristic and rare graphics depicting sorcery, magic, astrology, cheiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy - the universe the Occult.
The dates of the sources range from the Middle Ages to the eve of the nineteenth century. Only those who have tried to gather such illustrations. Know now enormous was the author’s undertaking. Indeed no such book existed before him, for he was the first scholar who know enough to do this work. Nor has there been a second book of this kind and quality. This anthology of illustrations remains truly unique.
These illustrations are the best way to learn about and understand The
Occult. Graphic expression is at the heart of the occult sciences.
Where most occult literature is vague and wordy, these illustrations are clear. natural and indubitable. More than any of the religions, the author shows, the occult sciences depend upon graphic, symbolic expression. The author also provides an excellent text, but Its primary purpose is to help us understand the illustrations.
There are really two worlds of the occult, the author shows us. The first is the occult world of sorcery, devils, witches this was the side of occultism which the Christian churches persecuted.
Here there is extraordinarily rich illustrations, because the church itself sculpted and painted devils witches and demons on its churches and cathedrals, and encouraged artists everywhere to follow suit.
Much more interesting, how-ever, is the other occult world-the world of mages and alchemists-and the author devotes the second half of the book to these wise and learned men who continued, despite Christianity, to pursue the ancient wisdoms and whom even the Church could not seriously accuse of evil. Here is the author's main interest and here he makes his most important contributions. There are splendid chapters on Qabbalism, astrology, chiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy, with rich illustrations and textual material to be found nowhere else. Particularly noteworthy is a remarkable chapter on the Tarot.
Grillot de Givry (1874-1929) wrote and translated many hermetic and occult works but this is the first to be translated into English. It took a long time for the true worth of this book to be appreciated. When it was first published in French in 1929 and in English in 1931, it fell dead from the presses. It was not applauded by his fellow occultists because its sanity and common sense, and its intellectual integrity, did not appeal to those who were making wild and grandiose claims for occultism There was not another edition until 1963, 32 years later.
The present edition is the first since that of 1931 in the original full size, giving full value to the illustrations.
Grillot de Givry
This is the largest and finest collection the iconography of occultism ever brought together in one book. Some 376 Illustrations, many of them full plates, were selected by the author from manuscripts, rare books. private collections and museums. Those selected are the most curious, characteristic and rare graphics depicting sorcery, magic, astrology, cheiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy - the universe the Occult.
The dates of the sources range from the Middle Ages to the eve of the nineteenth century. Only those who have tried to gather such illustrations. Know now enormous was the author’s undertaking. Indeed no such book existed before him, for he was the first scholar who know enough to do this work. Nor has there been a second book of this kind and quality. This anthology of illustrations remains truly unique.
These illustrations are the best way to learn about and understand The
Occult. Graphic expression is at the heart of the occult sciences.
Where most occult literature is vague and wordy, these illustrations are clear. natural and indubitable. More than any of the religions, the author shows, the occult sciences depend upon graphic, symbolic expression. The author also provides an excellent text, but Its primary purpose is to help us understand the illustrations.
There are really two worlds of the occult, the author shows us. The first is the occult world of sorcery, devils, witches this was the side of occultism which the Christian churches persecuted.
Here there is extraordinarily rich illustrations, because the church itself sculpted and painted devils witches and demons on its churches and cathedrals, and encouraged artists everywhere to follow suit.
Much more interesting, how-ever, is the other occult world-the world of mages and alchemists-and the author devotes the second half of the book to these wise and learned men who continued, despite Christianity, to pursue the ancient wisdoms and whom even the Church could not seriously accuse of evil. Here is the author's main interest and here he makes his most important contributions. There are splendid chapters on Qabbalism, astrology, chiromancy, cartomancy and alchemy, with rich illustrations and textual material to be found nowhere else. Particularly noteworthy is a remarkable chapter on the Tarot.
Grillot de Givry (1874-1929) wrote and translated many hermetic and occult works but this is the first to be translated into English. It took a long time for the true worth of this book to be appreciated. When it was first published in French in 1929 and in English in 1931, it fell dead from the presses. It was not applauded by his fellow occultists because its sanity and common sense, and its intellectual integrity, did not appeal to those who were making wild and grandiose claims for occultism There was not another edition until 1963, 32 years later.
The present edition is the first since that of 1931 in the original full size, giving full value to the illustrations.
