Elodie.M Richard

Sacred Geometry

Adam McLean has a tantalizing thought suggesting that alchemical engravers might have encoded a geometrical message into their emblems. He takes the example of the 'Speculum Sophicum Rhodo-Stauroticum' of Theophilus Schweighardt, pointing to the "underlying geometric skeleton structure upon which the symbols are arrayed." He goes on to write,

"The evidence of these drawings certainly convinces me that there is another level to many of the emblematic engravings of this period that has yet been fully considered - the key of their inner geometry"

I have long been fascinated by the interesting geometries that show up in alchemical illustrations. There is certainly a huge need for studies of these images that take into account the impact of geometrical planning on the visual project. What does this geometrical element do to the alchemical message? It resonates with neopythagorean potential. But I have not found much useful information on this topic, and I would love to hear anybody who is like me interested in alchemical geometry. Here are some of the images that McLean directs our attention.