M.O.H.S. No. 5.

The Hermetic Garden of Daniel Stolcius

Edited with a commentary by Adam McLean. Translated by Patricia Tahil

[This book is now out of print]

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During the early 17th century Daniel Stolcius was a populariser of the symbolic tradition of alchemy. His Viridarium Chymicum published in 1624 has been described as "a pictorial encyclopaedia of 17th century alchemy", and is now well known and respected, since it has been republished in its entirety in recent years. His other major work, the Hortulus Hermeticus, copies of which are extremely rare, is not so well known. It consists of 16O emblematic plates, each with a short poem, each image and corresponding poem being a meditative alchemical exercise. These 16O meditations provide a complete experience of the symbolic material in the alchemical tradition. The symbolism here often touches upon a realm which one would describe in twentieth century terms as "surrealistic" and this shows the depth of insight into the structure of the psyche which was pursued in the symbolic tradition in alchemy.
The text has been translated by Patricia Tahil, and each engraving is reproduced large size. Adam McLean provides an explanatory commentary on each plate and reveals that this series is an integrated system of meditative exercises for the inner transmutation and spiritualisation of the soul.
Stolcius' Hermetic Garden is an essential sourcework on the symbolic meditative tradition in alchemy.
Limited edition of 250 copies. 169pp. 160 illustrations. A5 Hardbound.