Zodiac calendar
Date
1652
Creator
Robert Vaughan (1590, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
16605
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 187mm
width (page): 133mm
height (print): 142mm
width (print): 101mm
width (page): 133mm
height (print): 142mm
width (print): 101mm
Subject
Description
4 miniature zodiac calendars, with a square centre and astrological signs divided up into triangles around them. In the centre of the upper two are two men; one appears to be pointing at a book, the other at a ciruclar instrument, possibly a zodiac timepiece.
The centre of the lower two calendars contain a printed inscription. Left square (as viewed): 'Figura superior dividit, Seperat, et Corrigit./Haec operatione Naturae Secreta comfortat.' ['The shape of the superior divinity, seperate and repeat. The operation of the secret comforts.']
Right square (as viewed): 'Superior figura est Elementoru conjunctionis atque Elementatorum./Inferior haec perficit et terminatomnia.' ['The shape of the superior elementary is linked to the elements. These make their inferiors work and fix everything.']
The astrological signs are illustrated by their various traditional symbols, including: arrows, spades, dragons, crowns, suns and a woman's head. A thick border of flowers, birds and dogs lines the print. A sketch by a previous owner of the book is visible at the bottom of the page.
Figure 4 from Elias Ashmole’s Theatrum chemicum Britannicum: containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philospohers…, a compilation of alchemical literature selected and annotated by the author. This figure illustrates Thomas Norton’s poem ‘The Ordinall of Alchimy’, a poetic guide to the precise processes of alchemy, first published in 1477.
Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) British astrologer and antiquary was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1661.
The centre of the lower two calendars contain a printed inscription. Left square (as viewed): 'Figura superior dividit, Seperat, et Corrigit./Haec operatione Naturae Secreta comfortat.' ['The shape of the superior divinity, seperate and repeat. The operation of the secret comforts.']
Right square (as viewed): 'Superior figura est Elementoru conjunctionis atque Elementatorum./Inferior haec perficit et terminatomnia.' ['The shape of the superior elementary is linked to the elements. These make their inferiors work and fix everything.']
The astrological signs are illustrated by their various traditional symbols, including: arrows, spades, dragons, crowns, suns and a woman's head. A thick border of flowers, birds and dogs lines the print. A sketch by a previous owner of the book is visible at the bottom of the page.
Figure 4 from Elias Ashmole’s Theatrum chemicum Britannicum: containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philospohers…, a compilation of alchemical literature selected and annotated by the author. This figure illustrates Thomas Norton’s poem ‘The Ordinall of Alchimy’, a poetic guide to the precise processes of alchemy, first published in 1477.
Elias Ashmole (1617-1692) British astrologer and antiquary was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1661.
Related fellows
Elias Ashmole (1617 - 1692, British) , Astrologer
Associated place