Mutus Liber
Encyclopedia
Mutus Liber was an alchemical
text published in France in the later half of the 17th century. It professed to outline, through a series of mystical illustrations, a method of manufacturing the Philosopher's Stone
. It was first printed in 1677 at La Rochelle
under the editorship of Pierre Savouret.
Its authorship, long obscured by abstruse claims and speculation, has been established. He was Isaac Baulot, an apothecary and savant of matters medicinal at La Rochelle
, born there in 1612. Scrolls on the last plate of the Mutus Liber bear in awkward Latin the dismissal oculatus abis, "having seen thou departest," which almost anagrams the author's name. A fine hand-colored pressing of 1702, probably unique, is in the Library of Congress, ms. 0215-2110. The beleaguered Huguenots of La Rochelle had good cause during the capricious enforcement and then revocation of the Edict of Nantes
to disguise their more occult speculations in code.
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
text published in France in the later half of the 17th century. It professed to outline, through a series of mystical illustrations, a method of manufacturing the Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's stone
The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
. It was first printed in 1677 at La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
under the editorship of Pierre Savouret.
Its authorship, long obscured by abstruse claims and speculation, has been established. He was Isaac Baulot, an apothecary and savant of matters medicinal at La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
, born there in 1612. Scrolls on the last plate of the Mutus Liber bear in awkward Latin the dismissal oculatus abis, "having seen thou departest," which almost anagrams the author's name. A fine hand-colored pressing of 1702, probably unique, is in the Library of Congress, ms. 0215-2110. The beleaguered Huguenots of La Rochelle had good cause during the capricious enforcement and then revocation of the Edict of Nantes
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes, issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. In the Edict, Henry aimed primarily to promote civil unity...
to disguise their more occult speculations in code.
External resources
- http://www2.esoblogs.net/534/le-mutus-liber-par-magophon-1/?show=slide A commentary on the Mutus Liber by Pierre Dujols, that includes the fifteen plates printed at La Rochelle in 1677.