Arcanum Bestiarum, Of the Subtil and Occult Virtues of Divers Beasts.
Richmond Vista, CA: Three Hands Press, 2012 [ 2013 ]. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. 246pp. Brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine, b&w woodcut illustrations by Liv Rainey-Smith, printed in two colour ink on heavy stock. Edition limited to 1,200 copies (not numbered). "Written in the great tradition of the medieval bestiaries, Robert Fitzgerald's long-awaited new work Arcanum Bestiarum re-imagines the animal menagerie in the context of bestial mystery and atavistic power. Written for the modern magical practitioner and zoophile, the 272-page volume examines the occult virtues and totemic majesties of fifty animals, theriomorphs, and their kindred. Correspondences with deific powers, atavistic wisdom, and mythopoetic emanation are examined, especially in light of the tutelary powers all animals possess. The text is graced with fifty-five original woodcut illustrations by artist Liv Rainey-Smith, prepared especially for this title in close collaboration with the author. Amongst the more ambitious renderings in the work are the occult cryptofauna Homunculus, Manticore, Ouroboros, and Basilisk, as well as animals prominent in the ancient dawn of magick: the Bear, Goat, Viper, Peacock, and more. Completing the design elements is an original typeface designed for the work by calligrapher Gail Coppock, serving to illuminate this grimoire of the Magician’s Primal Eden." "As new", thus a Fine copy in mylar protected Fine dust jacket. Item #60806
Price: $95.00