A Presentation Of The Fugues, Emblems And Epigrams

Atalanta Fugiens is a complete audio-visual fusion of alchemical and mythological symbolism, wherein the development of the engravings and the music mirrors the unfolding of the alchemical process.Created by Michael Maier (1568-1622) a German doctor of philosophy and medicine who also practiced alchemy, the 50 'fugues' or short pieces of music, together with 50 emblems, epigrams, verses and allegorical discourses were first published in 1617.Presented here are the 50 Fugues, Emblems and Epigrams.These are based on the myth of Atalanta and the Three Golden Apples.The following is Michael Maier's introduction from the original manuscript:

Atalanta Fleeing (that is, New Chemical Emblems Of The Secrets Of Nature)

Adapted partly for the eyes and intellect in figures engraved on copper, with legends, Epigrams and notes attached, partly for the ears and the soul's recreation with about 50 musical fugues in three voices, of which two are set to a simple melody suitable for singing the couplets, to be looked at, read, meditated, understood, weighed, sung and listened to, not without a certain pleasure:

by the Author
Michael Maier
Count of the Imperial Consistory, Doctor of Medicine,
Knight Exemptus, ect.

The title of Atalanta Fugiens derives from the Greek myth of Atalanta,
which is depicted amongst the emblems of the title page. As it had been
prophesised that marriage would be her ruin, Atalanta challenged her
suitors to race her; although her love was the prize of the contest, the
penalty of failure was death. Such was her speed that none could defeat
her, until Aphrodite granted the suitor Hippomenes three golden apples
from the garden of the Hesperides; when the race seemed lost, he
distracted Atalanta by dropping the fruit one at a time, so winning her
hand in marriage. However, the couple failed to give due honour to
Aphrodite, and in retribution the goddess of love caused them to incur
the wrath of Cybele (Rhea), consort of Chronos: thus the title page
depicts Atalanta and Hippomenes, locked in embrace within Cybele's
temple. For this transgression they are turned into lions.
As understood by Maier, this legend refers to the sulphur/mercury theory
of the generation of metals- sulphur (represented in the legend by
Hippomenes) and mercury ('fleeing' Atalanta) being conceived as pure
elements or qualities rather than the common substances we know today.
Since the time of the Islamic alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (c. 8th century
A.D.) it had been thought that all metals were engendered by the union
of these two elements. Thus Maier takes some liberties with the Greek
legend in casting the transformed lovers as "lions stained with
Redness"; the red lion is another of the myriad symbols of the lapis
philosophorum (philosophers' stone), the alchemists' agent of
transmutation.
Although Maier was a dedicated laboratory worker, he ranks amongst those
alchemists through the ages for whom the opus was a deeply spiritual
quest. Technical advances in the seventeenth century ultimately caused
the disciplines of chemistry and theosophy to part ways, but Maier's
work was untouched by this rift in the foundation of alchemical
doctrine. Hence he did not look upon the lapis merely as a means of
worldly enrichment through the transmutation of gold, or as a miraculous
medicine and elixir of life; to those who might understand, it was also
"the granting of Wisdom's splendour" through a mystical conjunction of
masculine and feminine principles.

The Author's Epigram

Three Golden Apples from the Hesperian grove.
   A present Worthy of the Queen of Love.
Gave wise Hippomenes Eternal Fame.
   And Atalanta's cruel Speed O'ercame.
In Vain he follows 'till with Radiant Light,
   One Rolling Apple captivates her Sight.
   And by its glittering charms retards her flight.
She Soon Outruns him but fresh rays of Gold,
   Her Longing Eyes & Slackened Footsteps Hold,
'Till with disdain She all his Art defies,
   And Swifter then an Eastern Tempest flies.
Then his despair throws his last Hope away,
   For she must Yield whom Love & Gold betray.
What is Hippomenes, true Wisdom knows.
   And whence the Speed of Atalanta Flows.
She with Mercurial Swiftness is Endued,
   Which Yields by Sulphur's prudent Strength pursued.
But when in Cybel's temple they would prove
   The utmost joys of their Excessive Love,
The Matron Goddess thought herself disdained,
   Her rites Unhallowed & her shrine profaned.
Then her Revenge makes Roughness o'er them rise,
   And Hideous feireenesse Sparkle from their Eyes.
Still more Amazed to see themselves look red,
   Whilst both to Lions changed Each Other dread.
He that can Cybell's Mystic change Explain,
   And those two Lions with true Redness stain,
Commands that treasure plenteous Nature gives
   And free from Pain in Wisdom's Splendor lives.

For the best internet site on Alchemy go here: THE BEST ALCHEMY SITE ON THE WEB

Most of the graphics I use on these alchemy pages are from that site.Also,some of the music.
This is a brilliant site with tons of stuff and a must see for anyone interested in the subject.

Presented here are the first twenty of the Fugues, Emblems and Epigrams.
The following thirty will be added as I update these pages.

Sheila Na Gig
Send e-mail to mapona@yahoo.com