The Book of Spells : The Hypocratic Grimoire

The title of this engraving refers to Hippocrates, the Greek patron saint of physicians, but the image illustrates more iatrochemistry or chemical medicine, a doctrine derived from the Hermetic philosophy of Paracelsus, seeking to cure with alchemical remedies. The old man, whose assistants in the background are heating a cauldron, is surrounded by tools of the chemist’s or alchemist’s trade. His attention is focused on a small book, while other books lie at his feet. No doubt this book of magic contains the recipe for the potion he is preparing — illustrating the importance of book learning in the transmission of (often unproven) magical knowledge. Some of today’s video games have a taste for these ancient manuscripts or thick leather-bound grimoires , the magician’s most important accessory.téléchargeabl