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Music from 'Atalanta fugiens' emblem 7

Michael Maier's alchemical emblem book Atalanta fugiens was first published in Latin in 1617. It was a most amazing book as it incorporated 50 emblems with a motto, an epigram and a discourse, but extended the concept of an emblem book by incorporating 50 pieces of music the 'fugues' or canons. In this sense it was an early example of multimedia.

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Atalanta Fugiens

Emblem 7

A young bird came into being, flying up from the nest.
And fell back into the nest again.

Epigram 7

The eagle had built a nest in a hollow rock,
In which it hid and fed its young:
One of them wanted to rise on its light wings,
But was kept back by its brother, a wingless bird.
That was why the bird, flying up, fell back into the nest, which it had left;
Connect them, head to tail, and you will succeed.

Alchemical imagery

Graphic signs for
substances and processes

Alchemical emblematic
imagery from books and

Paintings on alchemical themes

Other material:
Enochian, Rosicrucian or Elemental Chess
Alchemical music [from Atalanta fugiens