The Forbidden Tome of All Forbidden Tomes

[ecosophia]

 ...or at least it looks like that. The deluxe limited edition of my new translation of John Dee's Propaedeumata Aphoristica, Dee's first major publication, will be released next month, and there are still copies that haven't been preordered yet. The photo on the left is the riveted leather traycase marked with Dee's hieroglyphic monad. The photo below is the volume itself, with gold leaf and brass corner protectors on the cover, handsewn signatures, ribbed spine, fine Spanish endpapers, and a sewn in satin ribbon bookmark.  Yes, I know it looks like the ultimate Lovecraftian tome! Azoth Press always does a good job with its fine editions, but to my mind this one's exceptional even for them. Yeah, I'm feeling a little giddy about it. 

The book itself is probably the best general introduction to the worldview of Renaissance astrological magic ever written, and I've included a commentary to help unpack it. It's also essential if you want to make sense of Dee's cryptic Monas Hieroglyphica. 

The deluxe edition will set you back $550 and can be purchased here. For those whose quests into eldritch and forbidden lore aren't quite so well financed, there's also a very nice hardback edition, not bound in the skins of beasts better left unnamed, for $69, which can be ordered here. 

Comments

[jenniferkobernik]

Oddly enough, when I saw the hieroglyphic monad in your post, I asked my husband, "Wait, isn't that the symbol drawn in Sharpie inside one of your baseball caps that you wear in the field?" and he was like, "Yeah, my ex-girlfriend did the illustrations for a translation of one of Dee's books," (which turns out to be the Monas Hieroglyphica from Ouroboros Press). What a weird, small world. And a gorgeous edition, although the aforementioned husband would probably have a palpitation if I bought it, unless there's a prosperity spell on it to offset the cost! But it does truly look delightful. Congratulations!

[jenniferkobernik]

Surprisingly enough, my husband encouraged me to get the ultra-deluxe edition if I so desired, so I did. I got my copy a few days ago, and it is incredible. I must admit I feel pretty giddy about my eldritch tome, too! I might be due for an austerity phase now, by I'll have good reading material while I'm in it.

Congratulations

[(Anonymous)]

I’m almost tempted to buy it because it just looks so cool. The truthfully, I’ve never read it and it would be a waste.

But good that you got it published, congratulations

[(Anonymous)]

Quick question, did you ever do a retrospective on the Thema Mundi Return 2024 like you did for the Thema Mundi Return 2023?

[ecosophia]

No, I was way too busy -- I also didn't get to a Thema Mundi prediction for this year.

Beautiful

[johno_1960]

The regular edition looks pretty amazing. You have good reason to feel giddy about all of it. Congrats.

[(Anonymous)]

That is gorgeous! I love fine bindings. Too bad I won't be able to own it, but I can at least enjoy the photos--Sister Crow

Hardback edition is still a well-made book.

[jpc_w]

Congratulations on having the publisher select your work for a deluxe edition.

The deluxe version is too eldritch for my budget, but the hardback is well bound, smells nice, and is highly legible.

[threerays]

I would expect an odd gust of wind , and perhaps a distant crack of thunder, upon opening those pages.

Came out awesome!!!

[(Anonymous)]

That. Book. Is. AWESOME.

- Cicada Grove

[(Anonymous)]

This is a great example of doing something in the present that may well affect the future immeasurably. I can see some of these being discovered at the end of our coming dark age, just like in the Renaissance. Precious, to be treasured and passed on with care, a time capsule of preserved wisdom in an Age where it might otherwise have been lost. Namasté