Astrology, Magic, and Alchemy in Art

From antiquity to the Enlightenment, astrology, magic, and alchemy were considered important tools to unravel the mysteries of nature and human destiny. As a result of the West’s exposure during the Middle Ages to the astrological beliefs of Arab philosophers and the mystical writings of late antiquity, these occult traditions became rich sources of inspiration for Western artists.

In this volume from the popular Guide to Imagery series, the author presents a careful analysis of occult icon...