Arcanum Bestiarum
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.
Special attention is given to the zoomorphic aspects of alchemy, which historically used the bestial emblemata as veils of the stages of the Great Work, as well as shamanism and witchcraft, bodies of knowledge particularly rich in the lore of animals as spirit-helpers. The work is an emergent strand of magical investigation long part of the author’s private life, where he has worked in the ecological field of wildlife rehabilitation, especially raptors.
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.
Bibliography
Hardcover Edition
Publication date/ copyright date: July 2012
Original price: US $60.00
Copies printed: Limited to 1400 copies
Contributors
Author: Robert Fitzgerald
Illustrated by: Liv Rainey-Smith
Calligraphy by: Gail Coppock
Physical Description
Dimensions: 10 × 7 × 1.5 inches
Page Count: 248 pages
Binding
Binding: Cloth hardcover, full colour dust jacket
Deluxe Edition
Publication date/ copyright date: July 2012
Copies printed: Limited to 49 copies
Contributors
Author: Robert Fitzgerald
Illustrated by: Liv Rainey-Smith
Calligraphy by: Gail Coppock
Physical Description
Dimensions: 10 × 7 × 1.5 inches
Page Count: 248 pages
Binding
Binding: Full brown antique skiver with marbled end sheets. Includes a unique hand-numbered woodblock print by Liv Rainey-Smith created especially for this edition.
