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Alchemy Academy archive
October 2004

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Subject: ACADEMY: Italian book
From: Rafal T. Prinke
Date: 9 Oct 2004

Dear Academy,

Has anyone seen this Italian book:

http://www.herboplanet.com/libro.asp?id=218&idcat=21

It is ascribed to Michael Sendivogius - but the title
does not seem to be a version of any known works
ascribed to him.

Best regards,
Rafal

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Paola Scialdone
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Dear Academy,

I am interested in gender and alchemy. I wonder if someone knows if M.E.
Warlick's book "Alchimia: Alchemical Images of Women" is already printed
and if anybody has a scanner and the possibility to send me per attachment
those articles from the same author. I would be very thankful for this kind
help.

"Moon Sisters: Women in Alchemical Imagery", in The Golden Egg, ed. Elmar
Schenkel and Alexandra Lembert, Glienicke/Berlin: Galda + Wilch, 2002.

"Fluctuating Identities: Gender Reversals in Alchemical Illustrations", in
Art and Alchemy, ed. Jacob Wamberg, Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press,
forthcoming, 2003.

Have you any further bibliographical suggestions for me?

Best regards,
Paola Scialdone

Subject: ACADEMY: Sendivogius
From: José Rodríguez Guerrero
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Dear Rafal:

I see you continue your search for Sendivogius texts. Right now I am
beginning to work on a catalogue of alchemical manuscripts in the spanish
libraries and archives. I found two copies of Sendivogius works:

- Granada, Universidad de Granada, BHR/Caja B-071 (2).
Novum lumen chimicum, e naturae fonte et manuali experientia depromptum: cui
accessit Tractatus de sulphure. Auctoris Anagrama Divi Leschi Genus Amo.
Incipit: "Prefatio. Omnibus chymicae artis inquisitoribus, Genuinis
videlicet Hermetis filiis, author salutem & benedictionem a Deo precatur..."
(fol. 2).
This manuscript was based on 1639 editon by Jean de Tournes (Geneve). The
copyst had been in touch with Maximiliano Palomara. I can read: "Para se
hechama a la prima materia nostri: Datome em Roma el año de 1638, del
Marqueze Maximiliano Palomara. Il propio nome del Aut[o]re se dize Sinti
botho..." (f. Iv),

- Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España, Ms. 5437.
Novum Lumen Chumicum, cui accessit, tractatus de Sulphore Authoris
Anagramma, divi Leschi Genus Amo.
This manuscript was based on 1644 editon by Combi (Venice).

Regards,
José Rodríguez Guerrero

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Marisa Addomine
Date: 11 Oct 2004

There is a thin book, published by Edizioni RED, the Italian version title
is "L'Androgino", by Elemire Zolla.

If I remember well, two chapters are about alchemical aspects, with some nice pictures. I hope you can find it interesting.

A question: what kind of research are you carrying on?

Best regards,

Marisa Addomine

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Elizabeth O'Mahoney
Date: 11 Oct 2004

M.E. Warlick's 'The Domestic Alchemist', in Emblems and Alchemy
ed. Alison Adams and Stanton J. Linden, (Glasgow: Glasgow Emblem Studies,
1998), of course, is also essential for any foray into gender and alchemical art.

I am nearing completion of a PhD in gender dynamics of C17th Netherlandish
chymical genre art, partly looking at how gender images of 'traditional'
manuscript art translate into genre painting - should be finished in 6
months or so. Into the final chapter, I can safely say that M.E.'s work
represents the core of research in this field - and it's really valuable
stuff.

Apart from this, there are really only scraps here and there about
individual artworks. It may be obvious but Lyndy Abraham's "Dictionary of
Alchemical Imagery" is very handy in detailing and clarifying gender
concepts central to alchemy images (womb imagery, king & queen imagery,
procreation, hermaphroditism, "women's work") - its the strong referencing
here which is most beneficial.

Best wishes,
Liz O'Mahoney

Subject: ACADEMY: Sendivogius
From: Rafal T. Prinke
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Dear José,

> I see you continue your search for Sendivogius texts. Right now I am
> beginning to work on a catalogue of alchemical manuscripts in the spanish
> libraries and archives. I found two copies of Sendivogius works:

Thank you very much for remembering about my interests!
Yes, I continue to collect information on editions and
manuscript copies of Sendivogius' works - and shall be
grateful for any others if you come across them in your
enormous - but very worthwhile - undertaking.

> Il propio nome del Aut[o]re se dize Sintibotho..."

The spellings of his name seem like a topic in itself.
One of the nicest I've seen was "St. Digovius" - which
reminds me about the anecdote about Pope Clement VIII
who had been the nuncio in Poland and on his deathbed
muttered "Piva di Varka". His court thought it was
some local Polish saint and started praying "Sancta Piva
di Varka ora pro eo!" - while he was asking for his
favourite Polish beer.

Best regards,
Rafal

Subject: ACADEMY: Sendivogius
From: Stanislas Klossowski de Rola
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Dear Jose and Rafal,

For that matter the true name is of the XVIIth century Italian Adept is
Marchese Massimigliano PALOMBARA and not "Palomara".
I thought you Jose , who is always so invaluable in his rigorous precision
might not object to this correction to the spelling of the name given although
it is quite certain that it is rendered palomara in the ms cited.

All the very best,
Stanislas Klossowski de Rola

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: M. E. Warlick
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Hi Paola,

The endless book, now titled "Alchimia: Women, Gender and Sexuality
in Alchemical Images" is still under construction. I'd be happy to send
you print copies of the "Domestic Alchemist" and the "Moon Sisters"
articles if you send me your mailing address. "Mistaken Identities" is
still forthcoming....., but finally in press, and should be out early next year.
I can send you a hard copy of the typescript for that one, if helpful.

You might also see Barbara Newman's "God and the goddesses" which
has a short section on alchemical manuscript images considered in
a feminist light.

M.E. Warlick,
University of Denver

Subject: ACADEMY: Palombara
From: José Rodríguez Guerrero
Date: 11 Oct 2004

>For that matter the true name is of the XVIIth century
>Italian Adept isMarchese Massimigliano
>PALOMBARA and not "Palomara".

Thanks for your careful correction. I overlooked my mistaken spelling...
because I usually never check the messages before sending. Bad habit!

Yours Sincerely.
José Rodríguez Guerrero

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Paola Scialdone
Date: 11 Oct 2004

Dear Marisa, Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for your kind suggestions. Actually I am working on esoterical
patterns in German Pietism and I was curious to know something more in
general about gender implications in alchemy.

A propos, is anybody interested in Pietism and Hermetism?

Best regards,
Maria Paola Scialdone

Subject: ACADEMY: Pietism and Hermetism
From: Elizabeth O'Mahoney
Date: 13 Oct 2004

Apologies, my knowledge and interests are fixed firmly to early modern genre
art and its sources - I'm afraid I wouldn't have a clue about Pietism,
German or otherwise!

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Best wishes,

Liz O'Mahoney

Subject: ACADEMY: Pietism and Hermetism
From: Mike Dickman
Date: 13 Oct 2004

Maria Paola Scialdone wrote:

>A propos, is anybody interested in Pietism and Hermetism?

I think we all are, to a greater or lesser extent.

Mike Dickman

Subject: ACADEMY: Pietism and Hermetism
From: Adam McLean
Date: 13 Oct 2004

Dear Maria Paola Scialdone,

One of the main researchers and writers on Pietism and Hermetism
must be Arthur Versluis. He has made a special study of German
sources as well as English material.

Amongst other things Arthur organises the web journal Esoterica

http://www.esoteric.msu.edu/

and you could contact him through there.

Adam McLean

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Nancy Terrell
Date: 14 Oct 2004

I would love to have print copies of the Domestic Alchemist and
the Moon Sisters.

Would you please tell me how I can obtain a copy of each?

Thank You,
Nancy Terrell

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Adam McLean
Date: 14 Oct 2004

Dear Nancy Terrell,

The article on the Domestic alchemist is in Glasgow Emblem Studies, Volume 3.

You can get a copy through

http://www.ces.arts.gla.ac.uk/html/ges.htm

The 'Moon Sisters' article is in

The Golden Egg, edited Alexandra Lembert, Glienicke/Berlin, 2002.

You should be able to get a copy through amazon.de
or through the german secondhand internet bookstores.

Adam McLean

Subject: ACADEMY: Pietism and Hermetism
From: Maria Paola Scialdone
Date: 15 Oct 2004

Dear Adam McLean,

Thank you, it was very interesting for me to discover that there is an
active American group which deals with those themes. "Esoterica"
seems to be a very interesting and reliable webzine as well (is it
"only" a webzine, or is it also printed, as far as you know?).

In one of the last numbers there is also a book discussion on Barbara
Newmann's "God and Goddesses" and on a book gender applied to
Boehme. So this indication from your side was of a double usefulness
for me!

Maria Paola Scialdone

Subject: ACADEMY: Sendivogius
From: Stanislas Klossowski de Rola
Date: 16 Oct 2004

Dear Rafal,

Perhaps the following may be of interest to you:

I have just been offered a rare Sendvogius edition published in Geneva
in 1628.

Novum lumen chymicum. E natura fonte et manuali experientia de
promptum in duas partes divisum. Quarum prior XII tractatibus de
mercurio agit. Posterior de sulphure altero natura principio.
Authorum qui Divi Leschi Genus Amo.
(Geneva) Jean de Tournes 1628 in-12

In this rare edition one finds:

De mercurio. -Ad filios veritatis. Praefatio in aenigma philosophicum - Dialogus mercurii, alchymistae et naturae. - Novis luminis chymici pars altera. De sulphure altero naturae principio.

Stanislas Klossowski de Rola

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Maria Paola Scialdone
Date: 17 Oct 2004

Dear Academy,

I found out that Jayne Archer has recently written a dissertation on
women and alchemy:

'Women and Alchemy in Early Modern England', Ph.D. thesis,
University of Cambridge, 1999.

Does anybody know if it is published?

From my research it seems not to be. I would be very interested in it.

Thank you,
Maria Paola

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Elizabeth O'Mahoney
Date: 17 Oct 2004

Hi Maria,

No, I'm pretty sure it's not published. I borrowed a copy from Jayne
about 3 years ago. Very interesting, biographical based. If you can get
in contact with her (I think she is now based at Warwick University),
I'm sure she would welcome your interest. I have a copy of the contents
page:

Chapter 1. "The whole household of 'hem are become Alchymists": Queen
Elizabeth and Queen Anne.
Chapter 2. "[L]over[s] of the study and practice of alchimy": Margaret, Lady
Cumberland, and Mary, Lady Pembroke.
Chapter 3. Two Women Patrons of Chymical Literature.
Chapter 4. The 'Chymical Wedding': Thomas and Rebecca Vaughan.
Chapter 5. The Opus Mulierum: The Housewife as Alchemist.
Chapter 6. Early Modern Women and Their Books of Chymical Receipts.
Chapter 7. 'Soror mystica': Sisters and the Royal Society.

Hope this is of use,

Liz O'Mahoney

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Carlos Soren
Date: 17 Oct 2004

Dear Maria Paola,

Most - but not all - theses are available from University Microfilms
International.

See http://www.umi.com

Alternatively, you may wish to contact Dr Jayne Archer directly.
She is as the AHRB Centre for the Study of Renaissance Elites and
Court Cultures of Warwick University and her email is

Jayne.Archer@warwick.ac.uk

Carlos

Subject: ACADEMY: Gender and alchemy
From: Dusan Djordjevic Mileusnic
Date: 18 Oct 2004

Dear Maria Paola Scialdone,
(If I understand the term gender correctly), maybe you should take a
look at the following article :

Deborah E. Harkness, "Managing an Experimental Household : The Dees
of Mortlake and the Practice of Natural Philosophy", ISIS, 1997, 88: 247-262.

all best,

Dusan Djordjevic Mileusnic

Subject: ACADEMY: Maier and Morocco
From: José Rodríguez Guerrero
Date: 18 Oct 2004

Dear friends,

I have read Maier's Symbola aurea about rosicrucian brothers
discussing with "Mulay Hamet" and "Mulay Sidan" in the city
of Fes. Is it a hoax or a true story. Who were Hamet and Sidan?

Thanks all,

José Rodríguez Guerrero

Subject: ACADEMY: Maier and Morocco
From: Leigh Penman
Date: 19 Oct 2004

Dear José Rodríguez Guerrero,

Hereward Tilton discusses the 'Muley Hamets' in his book on Maier:
"As it had been said that these [Rosicrucian] brethren were bringing
an occult wisdom to Europe via Spain, [Maier] had associated them
with contemporaneous reports of a certain prophet or 'magician king'
named 'Abdela' who had conquered the kingdom of Morocco with the
help of occult powers..."
(p.133 of Tilton's thesis, I don't have access to the published book yet).

Tilton also cites a contemporary English book, together with a description
of some of its contents on the same page:
A True Historicall Discourse of Muley Hamets rising to the Three Kingdoms
of Moruecos, Fes and Sus: the disunion of the three Kingdomes, by civill
warre, kindled amongst his three ambitious Sonnes, Muley Sheck,
Muly Boferes, and Muley Sidan. London: Thomas Purfoot, 1609.

Hope this helps,

Leigh.

Subject: ACADEMY: Aurora consurgens manuscript
From: Adam McLean
Date: 19 Oct 2004

Today I noticed a manuscript of the Aurora consurgens in the
recent book by Jorg Vollnagel on the Splendor Solis.

I have not previously heard of this manuscript.

It is apparently in the Roudnice Lobkowicz Library in the
family castle at Nelahozeves in the Czech Republic.

Has anyone seen this particular manuscript or have
any further information on it ?

Adam McLean

Subject: ACADEMY: Aurora consurgens manuscript
From: José Rodríguez Guerrero
Date: 19 Oct 2004

Dear Adam:

You should ask to Laura De Barbieri, curator of the Roudnice
Lobkowicz Library. I send you her work address:

Dr. Laura De Barbieri
Roudnická lobkowiczká knihovna
277 51, Zámek Nelahozeves
e-mail: ldb@lobkowicz.cz
web: http://www.lobkowicz.org/php/show_page.php?id=62

Subject: ACADEMY: Aurora consurgens manuscript
From: M. E. Warlick
Date: 20 Oct 2004

Hi Adam,

I've looked at it, thanks to the logistical help of Michal Pober.
It's the same one you have listed in the National Library in Prague:

3731. Prague, University Library MS. RO. VI. Fd. 26.
Mid 15th Century.
Aurora consurgens.

The library "repatriated" it back to the original owners a few years ago.
I can resurrect my notes if you have specific questions.

M.E.