BOEHME, Jacob ( Translated by John Sparrow, Edited By C.J.B. ).

Aurora [ That Is, the Day-Spring Or Dawning of the Day in the Orient or Morning-Redness in the Rising of the Sun, That is the Root or Mother of Philosophie, Astrologie, & Theologie from the True Ground or a Description of Nature ].

London: John M. Watkins, 1914. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Large octavo. xlviii + 724pp. Original green cloth with gilt titling etc. to spine and front cover, engraved b&w plate with tissue guard, uncut fore-edge. Jacob Boehme (1575-1624) underwent a variety of mystical experiences in his youth, including a vision in 1600 (the year in which Giordano Bruno was immolated) in which he felt the spiritual structure of the world was laid open before him, and the relationship between good and evil explained. Boehme outlined some of the fruits of these revelations in his first treatise Aurora, which was published in German as Aurora oder Morgenröte im Aufgang in 1612. The work attracted some interest, and considerable opposition, and Boehme was prosecuted by the ecclesiastical authorities in his home town of Goerlitz (Silesia), and had to agree to cease writing or face imprisonment. Although accused of heresy much of Boehme's world view was not out of step with Lutheran theology of the time, for he believed that encouraged by fallen angels, humanity had fallen from grace to a state of sin, and that it was God's will to restore it, but his thought and writings were also heavily influenced by exposure to Neoplatonist and Paracelsian thought, astrology, alchemy, the Kabbala, and the other aspects of the Hermetic tradition. Whilst Aurora is clearly above all a work of mysticism, it is cited in many histories of alchemy, and Carl G. Jung has observed that "Boehme's mysticism is influenced by alchemy in the highest degree," and has speculated on the relationship between the title of Boehme's Aurora and that of the fifteenth century alchemical work Aurora consurgens. This new edition is drawn largely from the first English edition of 1656, but with numerous corrections etc. from manuscript sources. Original cloth is a bit rubbed and slightly discoloured overall, slightly shaken, spine a little darkened and lower spine bruised. Closed splits in front and rear and rear cloth hinges, spine ends and corners a little chafed. Page edges darkened, endpapers unevenly browned, rear endpapers cracked at gutter (hinge holding solidly). Extensive pencil notes and outlines to about 50 pages, the notes are actually somewhat interesting although they could easily be erased. Overall solid G+ condition: priced accordingly. Large heavy book, may require additional shipping. Item #64317

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