Viridarium Umbris. The Pleasure Garden of Shadows, which Treats of the Secret Knowledge of Trees and Herbs Deliver'd by the Fallen Angels unto Man.
Hercules, CA: Xoanon Publishing Ltd., 2005. First Edition, Deluxe. Hardcover. Large Octavo. xvi + 526pp. Full gilt decorated antique goatskin binding, gilt blocked with the design of a serpent entwined around a tree, gilt titling to spine. Ribbon place marker, sage endpages, and sturdy cloth-bound slipcase. This Edition de luxe limited to 72 numbered copies, this being copy No. 31 - INSCRIBED by the author to Clive [Harper] on the limitation page. Also included is the additional text "Epistle of the Tree" present as a 20pp card covered booklet with tinted paper leaves. This is a "received text" recorded at a grove of trees in Essex in 2004. By the author of Ars Philtron, and the Magister and Verdelet of the Cultus Sabbati this volume is "...an extensive grimoire of Wortcunning, or plant-magic, The Pleasure Garden addresses the secret knowledge of trees and herbs as delivered to man by the Fallen Angels. The work encompasses magical practices, formulae, and mystical exegesis, all treating the respective arcana of Nature-Spirits and the powers of individual plants. The whole is intended as a textual reification of the Green Arts within the context of the Sabbatic Craft Tradition." A hard-to-obtain book by this prominent member of the Cultus Sabbati, following in the magical footsteps of Andrew Chumbley, Austin Osman Spare etc. From the collection of bibliophile Clive Harper who is well- known as the bibliographer of Austin Osman Spare, for updating the Aleister Crowley bibliography in the 2011 Teitan Press collection of Gerald Yorke's writings, and as someone who has lent his expertise to numerous other publications. A few light marks to the leather on the boards (these appear to be natural flaws, and were there from the outset). Otherwise a bright Fine copy in lightly rubbed slipcase. A moderately heavy volume that due to its size and value will require additional shipping and insurance charges to the amount automatically quoted, the exact cost varying according to destination. Item #70039
Sold