Magnus Opus Hermetic Sourceworks No. 29 The Viatorium of Michael Maier

This is Michael Maier's detailed survey of the seven planetary metals. The 'Viatorium' of the title refers to a device such as a compass, guiding us on a difficult journey. The work is divided into seven chapters, one for each of the planetary metals. In each chapter, Maier explores whether that particular metal could be transformed into gold, whether a gold-making tincture could be extracted from it, and its medicinal uses. It is a clearly written work and could be seen as a manual of inorganic chemistry in early seventeenth-century terms. Unlike Maier's mystical allegorical works on alchemy, such as his Arcana arcanissima, Atalanta fugiens, or Intellectual Cantilenae, this book serves as a survey of alchemical knowledge about the seven metals. Maier wrote approximately fifteen works between 1614 and 1622, ranging from the Arcana arcanissima to the Intellectual Cantilenae. These works vary greatly in tone and perspective on alchemy, showcasing Maier's versatility as a writer. The Viatorium demonstrates the clarity of his thought and his ability to discern valuable and substantive elements in alchemy from the erroneous and misleading.

Dated Published: 2005

Page Number: 117

Cover Type: Handbound leather hardback

Illustrations: 7 black and white

Edition: Limited

Translated & Transcribed by: Fiona Oliver and Voicu Ion Cristi

Signed by: Adam McLean

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