Discover the esoteric insights and enchanting imagery of the Baroque emblem book, a long-lost cousin of the tarot. The emblem book, which reached the peak of its popularity in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, presented mysterious allegorical images-rather like those we now find on tarot cards-alongside Latin mottoes. A learned text explained the connection between image and motto, and the lessons each emblem held for the reader's life. Drawing on sources such as medieval bestiaries and Aesop's fables, emblem books reflected an enchanted view of nature in which our human lives were intertwined with plants, animals, the moon and the stars. World-renowned natural perfumer Mandy Aftel first encountered emblem books in the course of her researches into antique botanical illustrations, and quickly became entranced. Here she presents one hundred emblems from perhaps the finest emblem book, the Symbolorum et Emblematum of Camerarius, originally published in four parts between 1590 and 1604. Aftel has sensitively tinted in watercolor the bewitching circular engravings of the Symbolorum, in which giant hands reach from the sky; lions, bears, and unicorns gambol; and distant spires beckon. The mottoes and explanatory texts are given in translation from the original Latin, along with Aftel's own commentary. An illustrated introduction illuminates the history and magic of emblem book. Symbolorum will be a treasure for anyone who is drawn to uncover ancient wisdom and feel the breath of the universe. AUTHOR: Mandy Aftel, an internationally known artisan perfumer and authority on natural fragrance, is the owner of Aftelier Perfumes and the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley, California. Her other books include Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume, which helped sparked the natural perfume renaissance and has been translated into eight languages. Aftel's work has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and numerous other major outlets. SELLING POINTS: . Published in a highly giftable format, this is the first-ever presentation of a Baroque emblem book for a popular audience. . Emblem books were wildly popular c. 1600. They can be thought of as a long-lost cousin to the tarot. . An emblem combines a mysterious allegorical image with a motto to convey wisdom. . This volume presents 100 emblems from perhaps the most beautiful emblem book, the Symbolorum et Emblematum of Camerarius (published 1590-1604). . The emblems have been selected and edited by renowned natural perfumer Mandy Aftel, who has also sensitively hand-colored the original engravings. . The esoteric wisdom and enchanted view of nature presented in Symbolorum will appeal to anyone interested in the mystical and the mysterious.
