Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670)
Education & House with the Heads & Moravian Brotherhood
Comenius was born in Moravia in the Czech lands. Before being exiled from his homeland he belonged to, and was eventually made bishop of, a
Judah Leon Abravanel (c.1460-c1530?)
Philosophy & Neoplatonism & Love
Leone Ebreo as he was known, was a Jewish philosopher. The Dialoghi di Amore is his most important work, and also the most important work on
Johann Friedrich Corvinus (1648-1721)
Mysticism & Anabaptism & Rosicrucians
Anabaptisticum et enthusiasticum pantheon und geistliches Rusthaus wieder die alten Quacker und neuen Frey-Geister, welche die Kirche Gottes zeihero
Christoph Ludwig Dietherr von Anwanden
(1619-1687)
Rosicrucians
Christophori Ludovici Dietherrii, Patricii Norici, Laudatio Funebris, Incomparabili Theologo Cornelio Marci : publice & solenniter dicta Noribergae,
Aryabhata (476-550)
Astrology & Astronomy & Mathematics
Aryabhata was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 5th century CE. He was born in present-day Kerala, India and is considered one
Varahamihira (6th century CE)
Astrology & Astronomy
Varahamihira was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer who lived in the 6th century CE. He was born in Ujjain, which was then a
How to interpret planets I: tropical zodiac signs and the Sun
sign
Astrology
While many people are familiar with their zodiac signs thanks to today’s media, which is determined by the tropical zodiac sign of the Sun in
Levinus Lemnius (1534-1568)
Astrology & Alchemy
was a Dutch physician, theologian, and philosopher of the Renaissance era. He is best known for his work De Occulta
Al-Kindi (801-873)
Astrology & Philosophy
Al-Kindi (full name: Abu Yusuf Ya’qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi) was an Arab philosopher, scientist, and astrologer who lived in the 9th century. He was
Sahl ibn Bishr (9th century CE)
Astrology
Sahl ibn Bishr was an Arab astrologer who lived in the 9th century CE. He was born in the city of Kufa, in present-day Iraq, and is known for his
How to look like a manuscript?
Book decoration & Woodcut
Early 16th century books still looked like medieval manuscripts. When Gutenberg invented the printing press people thought of printing as writing —
Symphorien Champier (1472-1539)
Neoplatonism & Philosophy & Medicine & Hermetism
was a French physician, scholar, and humanist. He was born in the small town of Savoy and studied medicine at the
Nicolas Lemery (1645-1715)
Alchemy
was a French pharmacist and chemist who is best remembered for his contributions to the development of modern chemistry
Omar Khayyam (1048-1131)
Astrology & Astronomy & Mathematician & Poetry
Omar Khayyam was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, and poet who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries. He was born in Nishapur, in present-day
Isaac Baulot
Alchemy
The Mutus Liber, or Mute Book (from Latin: Silent Book), is a Hermetic philosophical work published in La Rochelle in 1677. It ranks amongst the
Books grow old too!
Bindings
Books age like humans. This magnificent copy of Arnaldus de Villanova’s Opera omnia dates from 1532. The cover is probably original, a simple limp
Arnaldus de Villanova (1235-1311)
Alchemy & Astrology
Arnaldus de Villanova was a medical doctor, religious reformer, astrologist, and alchemist. He translated medical texts from the Arabic, including
What to do with useless manuscripts?
Manuscripts & Parchment & Bindings & Vellum
About 20 years after the invention of printing the printed book was accepted by almost all readers. It has been said that Federico of Montefeltro,
Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381)
Mysticism & Hermetism
Jan Van Ruusbroec was a Flemish mystic, theologian, and religious writer who is most renowned for his spiritual works. Born in the town of
Johann von Paltz (1445-1511)
Mysticism
Johann von Paltz is mainly known as one of the teachers of Luther. Celifodina Absconditos scripture thesauros pandens, denuo possa eliata: atque ubi
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