Book of Secret's of Albertus Magnus of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones, and Certain Beasts: Also a Book of the Marvels of World - Softcover

Magnus, Albertus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195197860 ISBN 13: 9780195197860

Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr, 1974

Synopsis

One of the most widely known works in a literature which gained tremendous popularity during the Middle Ages,The Book of Secrets--generally attributed to the thirteenth-century philosopher Albertus Magnus--explores the mysterious properties, real or imagined, of beasts, herbs, stones, and the human body. Presenting another world of information on how to cast spells and mix potions, this fascinating volume speaks to our age as we experience a renaissance of interest in the occult.
Compiled in Latin near the end of the thirteenth century and translated into all major European languages, the book first appeared in English around 1550 and was subsequently reprinted many times over the next ninety years. The various sections, which include herbs, stones, beasts, astrology, and the "marvels of the world," offer wonderful descriptions of, for example, how to gather the Marigold herb in the month of August, wrap it in the leaf of a Laurel or Bay tree, and add a wolf's tooth to it in order to prevent anyone from speaking ill of you; or how to rid your home of mice by "perfuming" it with the hoof of a horse. Appearing at a time of growing knowledge and skepticism, this work served as a reminder that magic and the improbable still greatly interested much of the literate public. Even today, practitioners and students of the occult, as well as general readers, will delight in the marvelous treasures hidden inThe Book of Secrets.

About this title

About the Author:

About the Editors:
Michael R. Best is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Victoria, British Columbia.
Frank H. Brightman is Education Officer at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, England, and author ofThe Oxford Book of Flowerless Plants.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr
• Publication date: 1974
• ISBN 10: 0195197860
• ISBN 13: 9780195197860
• Binding: Paperback