The Greater and Lesser Worlds of Robert Fludd: Macrocosm, Microcosm, and Medicine

(Hardback)

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One of the last Renaissance men, Robert Fludd (1574-1637) was one of the great minds of the early modern period. A physician by profession, he was also a Christian Hermetist, a Rosicrucian, an alchemist, astrologer, musician, and inventor. His drive to encompass the whole of human knowledge--from music to alchemy, from palmistry to fortification--resulted in a series of books remarkable for their hundreds of engravings, a body of work recognized as the first example of a fully-illustrated encyclopedia.

In this in-depth, highly illustrated reference, scholar and linguist Joscelyn Godwin explains Fludds theories on the correspondence between the macrocosm of elements, planets, stars, and subtle and divine beings and the microcosm of the human being and its creative activities. He shows how Fludds two worlds--the macrocosm and the microcosm--along with Paracelsuss medical principles and the works of Hermes Trismegistus provided the foundation for his search for the cause and cure of all diseases. The more than 200 illustrations in the book represent the whole corpus of Fludds iconography, each one accompanied by Godwins expert commentary and explanation. Sharing many passages translated for the first time from Fludds Latin, allowing him to speak for himself, Godwin explores Fludds thoughts on cosmic harmonies, divination, the kabbalah, astrology, geomancy, and the rapport between the multiple levels of existence. He also analyzes Fludds writings in defense of alchemy and the Rosicrucians.

An essential reference for scholars of Renaissance thinkers, traditional cosmology, metaphysics, and the Western esoteric tradition, this book offers intimate access to Fludds worlds and gives one a feel for an epoch in which magic, science, philosophy, spirituality, and imagination could still cohabit and harmonize within a single mind.

Reviews

Joscelyn Godwin has written a clearly expressed explanation and analysis of Robert Fludds enigmatic, voluminous encyclopedic works. This definitive volume will always be essential for understanding in detail what Fludds massive tomes encompassed. * William H. Huffman, Ph.D., author of Robert Fludd and the End of the Renaissance *
Beautifully written, this book allows the reader to skim or go deep with no danger of sinking. Never apologizing for Fludds idiosyncrasies and excesses, Godwin gets one thinking as Fludd did and hoped others would." * Thomas Willard, Ph.D., professor of English at the University of Arizona *
This lavishly illustrated book is the definitive guide to Robert Fludds remarkable attempt at a grand synthesis of all human knowledge. Joscelyn Godwins superb scholarship and crystal-clear prose are without equal." * Glenn Alexander Magee, Ph.D., editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Western Mysticism and Esotericism *
Robert Fludd attempted to embrace the whole of nature and man and of theory and practice in his volumes on the macrocosm, the microcosm, and medicine and worked out his ideas through striking images. Joscelyn Godwin, in this masterly book, lays out the whole of Fludds world in all its splendor. * Charles Burnett, Ph.D., professor of the history of Islamic influences in Europe at the Warburg Inst *

Author Bio

Educated at Cambridge and Cornell, Joscelyn Godwin, Ph.D., is the author, editor, and translator of more than 30 books, including Athanasius Kirchers Theatre of the World, and was a professor of music at Colgate University for over 40 years until his retirement in 2016. Known for his translations of the works of Fabre dOlivet and Julius Evola as well as Francesco Colonnas Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, he lives in Hamilton, New York.