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The Rosie Crucian Secrets: Their Excellent Methods of Making Medicines of Metals Also Their Lawes and Mysteries
The Rosie Crucian Secrets: Their Excellent Methods of Making Medicines of Metals Also Their Lawes and Mysteries is a great insight on what the “Art and Science” of Alchemy was and what Alchemists ere trying to achieve. The original manuscript is attributed to Dr John Dee and it is a detailed guide on the study of Alchemy and the pursuit of the creation of alchemical substances, medicine, philosophic “stones” and more. It theory and also practical guidelines, recipes, instructions and general advice on the subject. It is considered by many to be one of the best textbooks for those interested in following the alchemical practices. About the Author: John Dee (July 13, 1527 – 1608), was the personal advisor of Queen Elisabeth I and an important advocate of England's imperial expansion to what is known as the “British Empire”. He was a celebrated scientist and occultist with extensive studies and experience in astronomy, geography, mathematics, politics, philosophy, astrology, divination, alchemy and the hermetic arts.
198 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 1985
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About the author
John Dee
80 books149 followersJohn Dee was a noted mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy.
Dee straddled the worlds of science and magic just as they were becoming distinguishable. One of the most learned men of his age, he had been invited to lecture on advanced algebra at the University of Paris while still in his early twenties. Dee was an ardent promoter of mathematics and a respected astronomer, as well as a leading expert in navigation, having trained many of those who would conduct England's voyages of discovery. In one of several tracts which Dee wrote in the 1580s encouraging British exploratory expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage, he appears to have coined the term "British Empire."
Simultaneously with these efforts, Dee immersed himself in the worlds of magic, astrology, and Hermetic philosophy. He devoted much time and effort in the last thirty years or so of his life to attempting to commune with angels in order to learn the universal language of creation and bring about the pre-apocalyptic unity of mankind. A student of the Renaissance Neo-Platonism of Marsilio Ficino, Dee did not draw distinctions between his mathematical research and his investigations into Hermetic magic, angel summoning and divination. Instead, he considered all of his activities to constitute different facets of the same quest: the search for a transcendent understanding of the divine forms which underlie the visible world, which Dee called "pure verities".
Dee's high status as a scholar also allowed him to play a role in Elizabethan politics. He served as an occasional advisor and tutor to Elizabeth I and nurtured relationships with her ministers, Francis Walsingham and William Cecil. Dee also tutored and enjoyed patronage relationships with Sir Philip Sidney, his uncle, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, and Edward Dyer. He also enjoyed patronage from Sir Christopher Hatton.
In his lifetime, Dee amassed the largest library in England and one of the largest in Europe.
Dee straddled the worlds of science and magic just as they were becoming distinguishable. One of the most learned men of his age, he had been invited to lecture on advanced algebra at the University of Paris while still in his early twenties. Dee was an ardent promoter of mathematics and a respected astronomer, as well as a leading expert in navigation, having trained many of those who would conduct England's voyages of discovery. In one of several tracts which Dee wrote in the 1580s encouraging British exploratory expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage, he appears to have coined the term "British Empire."
Simultaneously with these efforts, Dee immersed himself in the worlds of magic, astrology, and Hermetic philosophy. He devoted much time and effort in the last thirty years or so of his life to attempting to commune with angels in order to learn the universal language of creation and bring about the pre-apocalyptic unity of mankind. A student of the Renaissance Neo-Platonism of Marsilio Ficino, Dee did not draw distinctions between his mathematical research and his investigations into Hermetic magic, angel summoning and divination. Instead, he considered all of his activities to constitute different facets of the same quest: the search for a transcendent understanding of the divine forms which underlie the visible world, which Dee called "pure verities".
Dee's high status as a scholar also allowed him to play a role in Elizabethan politics. He served as an occasional advisor and tutor to Elizabeth I and nurtured relationships with her ministers, Francis Walsingham and William Cecil. Dee also tutored and enjoyed patronage relationships with Sir Philip Sidney, his uncle, Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, and Edward Dyer. He also enjoyed patronage from Sir Christopher Hatton.
In his lifetime, Dee amassed the largest library in England and one of the largest in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 17, 2013
This is a good book to read if you want to get a clear look at what the art was trying to achieve, at least as far as Dee was concerned, and he had a great deal of success in his works, as he helpfully let's the reader know.
Repetition is good for the soul, but the casual reader may find the constant description of technique a little tedious- but then again, one of the tasks of alchemy was to repeat mundane operations over and over until change was effected.
Repetition is good for the soul, but the casual reader may find the constant description of technique a little tedious- but then again, one of the tasks of alchemy was to repeat mundane operations over and over until change was effected.
February 17, 2020
who wants to decode this book?
August 27, 2018
Best copy of the book that I have found so far!
It was somehow hard to find but so glad I did! It is full of information, both alchemical and historical and provides you with a great "inside eye" to what the occult scene and practices was back then.
Great practical guide and historical artifact.
It was somehow hard to find but so glad I did! It is full of information, both alchemical and historical and provides you with a great "inside eye" to what the occult scene and practices was back then.
Great practical guide and historical artifact.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews