Jean d'Espagnet's the Summary of Physics Restored (Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae): The 1651 Translation with d'Espagnet's Arcanum (1650) Willard, Thomas by Willard, Thomas

Occult Philosophy

Jean d'Espagnet's the Summary of Physics Restored (Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae): The 1651 Translation with d'Espagnet's Arcanum (1650) Willard, Thomas

Name: Jean d'Espagnet's the Summary of Physics Restored (Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae): The 1651 Translation with d'Espagnet's Arcanum (1650) Willard, Thomas
Price: 200.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (2 reviews)
Author: Willard, Thomas
ISBN: 9780824075422

Willard, Thomas

Reader rating

4.6

(1 reviews) 150 sold

$200.00

Editorial score How we rate

In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unlock the universe's ancient secrets and the true path of the alchemist.

This essential volume compiles Jean d'Espagnet's foundational hermetic texts: *Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae* and *Arcanum*. First published in 1623, these tracts earned renown for their exceptional clarity in detailing hermetic cosmology and the alchemical process. This edition uniquely presents the influential 1651 English translations by esteemed occultists John Everard and Elias Ashmole, united for the first time. It includes an exhaustive biographical sketch of the enigmatic d'Espagnet, revealing his life, publications, and profound influence on both practical and spiritual alchemists. Extensive commentary deciphers his classical and alchemical allusions.

Key themes

Hermetic Cosmology Unveiled Alchemical Practice Explained Legacy of a Hidden Master

Historical context

This volume sits at the intersection of early modern hermetic philosophy and the historical development of practical alchemy, bridging French esoteric thought with its English reception. It represents a crucial link in the transmission of Renaissance natural philosophy to later occult traditions.

Difficulty

●●● Demanding

Fans will love it

Ficino's Platonism · Paracelsian medical theory · Boyle's chemical inquiries · Kabbalistic synthesis texts

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Routledge 📅 1998 📖 212 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9780824075422

Fun fact

This edition is a triumph of occult scholarship, presenting d'Espagnet’s seminal works with unparalleled clarity and context. Its strength lies in uniting the key English translations and providing deep biographical and philosophical analysis. While indispensable for serious students of hermeticism and alchemy, casual readers seeking a light introduction might find its scholarly depth daunting. It firmly establishes itself as the definitive modern resource for understanding a cornerstone of 17th-century Western esotericism.

📝 Description: Jean d'Espagnet's the Summary of Physics Restored (Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae): The 1651 Translation with d'Espagnet's Arcanum (1650) Willard, Thomas

First published together in Latin in 1623, these two tracts, Enchyridion Physicae Restitutae and Arcanum were at once recognized to be among the clearest descriptions ever written of the hermetic cosmology and the alchemical work. They were translated into English by two leading occultists, John Everard and Elias Ashmole, and the translations are printed together here for the first time. The introduction provides the fullest biographical notice ever written about d'Espagnet, a retired public official who published the works under strict anonymity. It also traces the influence these works had on later generations of practical alchemists like Eirenaeus Philalethes and spiritual alchemists like Thomas Vaughan. The commentary traces the d'Espagnet's extensive references to classical philosophy and poetry as well as to earlier works in alchemy. The introduction discusses the life, publications, and critical reception of d'Espagnet, and suggests why the book became required reading for members of an English hermetic society. Following the text itself, a set of annotations indicates variants in the Latin original and a French translation that Everard may have seen, notes obvious mistakes in the text, suggests alternate readings, expands d'Espagnet's marginal notes into meaningful citations, and identifies further sources when possible. This edition will be of interest to scholars of alchemy, early modern science, French literature, and English literature. An index of names follows the annotations.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This compilation is a rigorous academic resource rather than a casual introduction to esotericism. It suits serious researchers, historians of science, and dedicated alchemical practitioners who appreciate the nuances of hermetic cosmology and classical allusions. However, it does not suit readers seeking straightforward practical instruction or those uninterested in dense historical commentary. The text demands patience for its scholarly apparatus and may alienate those looking for immediate mystical experiences over intellectual reconstruction. It is a heavy, specialized contribution to the field of occult studies.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars of Renaissance natural philosophy and dedicated practitioners of historical alchemy will find this volume indispensable. It offers a rare, unified access to Jean d'Espagnet’s foundational hermetic texts through the lenses of John Everard and Elias Ashmole, two figures pivotal to the transmission of occult knowledge in England. The exhaustive biographical sketch provides essential context for understanding d'Espagnet’s profound influence on both practical and spiritual alchemists. By deciphering classical and alchemical allusions through extensive commentary, this edition serves as a vital key for those seeking to unlock the universe's ancient secrets and understand the true path of the alchemist within its original intellectual framework.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're a serious student of hermetic philosophy, alchemical history, or esoteric cosmology, this edition is indispensable. Seekers of profound insights into foundational texts that shaped Western occult traditions, presented with unprecedented clarity and scholarly depth, will find this a…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This compilation is a rigorous academic resource rather than a casual introduction to esotericism. It suits serious researchers, historians of science, and dedicated alchemical practitioners who appreciate the nuances of hermetic cosmology and classical allusions. However, it does not suit readers seeking straightforward practical instruction or those uninterested in dense historical commentary. The text demands patience for its scholarly apparatus and may alienate those looking for immediate mystical experiences over intellectual reconstruction. It is a heavy, specialized contribution to the field of occult studies.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The 1651 English translations by John Everard and Elias Ashmole are critical because they represent the earliest significant English renditions by prominent occultists, making d'Espagnet's complex ideas accessible to a wider English-speaking esoteric audience for the first time.

This edition is unique for uniting both seminal English translations, offering the most comprehensive biographical study of d'Espagnet to date, and providing extensive scholarly commentary that deciphers his classical and alchemical references, enriching the reader's understanding significantly.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Hermetic Cosmology Unveiled

D'Espagnet offers an exceptionally clear exposition of the hermetic cosmos. He meticulously outlines the interconnectedness of all things, from macrocosm to microcosm, revealing the divine order. This text serves as a crucial gateway to comprehending the universe as a living, breathing, alchemical entity, ripe for profound spiritual and material transformation.

Alchemical Practice Explained

Beyond mere chemical processes, d'Espagnet delves into the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of alchemy. His writings articulate the step-by-step methodology of the 'Great Work' with a clarity rarely found in other alchemical treatises. Readers will discover the profound inner and outer transformations essential for achieving the Philosopher's Stone, presented with remarkable lucidity and depth.

Legacy of a Hidden Master

The inclusion of d'Espagnet's biography sheds light on the life of this anonymous, retired public official, whose work profoundly shaped later esoteric thought. His writings became required reading for influential hermetic societies and inspired figures like Eirenaeus Philalethes and Thomas Vaughan, underscoring the enduring power and mystery of his contributions to the alchemical tradition.

💬 Quotes from the book

“Know this above all: that the whole art is in the perfect knowledge of the natural principles, and in the right preparation of the first matter.”

“As the heavens above influence the earth below, so does the microcosm within man reflect the macrocosm of the universe, demanding harmony for true transformation.”

📜 Historical context

Emerging in the early 17th century, d'Espagnet's work arrived during a resurgence of hermetic and alchemical interest, bridging the Renaissance mystical traditions with nascent scientific inquiry. It stands as a pivotal text, revered for its ability to distill complex esoteric knowledge into an accessible form, influencing a lineage of alchemists and mystics who sought spiritual and material perfection.

📚 Glossary

Hermetic Cosmology
Alchemical Work
Enchyridion

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does d'Espagnet's description of hermetic cosmology challenge or affirm your current understanding of the universe's structure?
Consider the concept of the 'Great Work' as both a material and spiritual process. How might these principles apply to personal transformation in your own life?
Reflect on the significance of anonymous authorship in esoteric traditions. What impact does d'Espagnet's anonymity have on the perception or interpretation of his work?