Encyclopedia

Daniel

A biblical prophet whose apocalyptic visions and skill in dream interpretation made him a central figure in Western esoteric traditions concerning prophecy and the ages of the world.

67 books · 1257 mentions

Divine Providence

The theological concept of God's constant intervention and governance over the universe, a central theme in debates regarding free will and natural law.

62 books · 1371 mentions

Dionysius

Often referring to Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, a figure to whom influential Neoplatonic mystical writings were attributed, shaping Christian mysticism and angelology.

60 books · 995 mentions

Dionysius the Areopagite

A judge of the Areopagus converted by St. Paul, historically conflated with Pseudo-Dionysius, the influential author of mystical and hierarchical theological treatises.

49 books · 938 mentions

Diana

Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, frequently used in alchemical allegories to represent the lunar principle, silver, or the 'white' stage of the Great Work.

44 books · 643 mentions

Diapason

The musical interval of an octave, considered by Pythagoreans and Renaissance theorists to be the most perfect harmony and a key to cosmic structure.

39 books · 919 mentions

Distillation

A chemical process used to separate components of a mixture through evaporation and condensation, serving as both a practical laboratory technique and an alchemical metaphor.

38 books · 795 mentions

Delphi

The site of the most important oracle in ancient Greece, dedicated to Apollo and considered the navel of the earth. It represents the pinnacle of ancient prophecy and the source of the maxim 'Know Thyself,' central to Renaissance Neoplatonism.

32 books · 684 mentions

Denmark

A Northern European kingdom that played a crucial role in the Scientific Revolution, notably through the astronomical observations of Tycho Brahe.

32 books · 639 mentions

Damascus

An ancient city in Syria, significant in early modern texts as a center of learning and a key location in the Rosicrucian narrative where Christian Rosenkreuz studied.

32 books · 543 mentions

Demosthenes

A prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens whose speeches provide significant insight into the politics and culture of 4th-century BC Greece. He was frequently cited by Renaissance humanists as a model of classical rhetoric.

31 books · 518 mentions

Diodorus Siculus

A Greek historian known for his universal history, 'Bibliotheca historica', which served as a key source for ancient myths in the Renaissance.

31 books · 463 mentions

Diogenes

A Greek philosopher and founder of Cynicism known for his radical rejection of social conventions in favor of a life lived according to nature.

31 books · 449 mentions

Digitization

The modern process of converting information into a digital format; while anachronistic to the 17th-century source texts, it represents the contemporary method of preserving and analyzing rare esoteric manuscripts.

27 books · 367 mentions

Dialectic

A method of philosophical inquiry and argument involving the exchange of opposing ideas to reach a higher truth or logical synthesis.

26 books · 611 mentions

Declination

In astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator, a critical measurement in the heliocentric and geocentric models.

25 books · 840 mentions

Divination

The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, widely debated in early modern natural philosophy.

24 books · 386 mentions

Decoction

A method of extraction by boiling herbal or plant material to dissolve the chemicals of the material, frequently used in early modern pharmacy and alchemy.

23 books · 494 mentions

Deification (Theosis)

23 books · 408 mentions

Delos

A Greek island in the Cyclades, considered the sacred birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and a significant center for religious and oracular activity in antiquity.

21 books · 325 mentions

Darius

Likely referring to Darius I (the Great) of Persia, a prominent ruler of the Achaemenid Empire. In early modern literature, Darius often appears in the context of Alexander the Great's conquests and biblical history.

21 books · 302 mentions

Divine Justice

The theological and philosophical concept of God's inherent righteousness and the moral order by which the universe is governed. It explores the relationship between divine law, human merit, and the ultimate punishment or reward of souls.

21 books · 296 mentions

Divine Illumination

The epistemological theory that human knowledge and understanding require a direct light or supernatural influence from the divine mind.

20 books · 352 mentions

Dissolution

An alchemical process, also known as solutio, involving the liquefaction of a solid substance to return it to its primary matter or 'prima materia'.

19 books · 310 mentions

Daniel (Prophet)

A biblical figure known for his apocalyptic visions and dream interpretations, frequently cited in esoteric texts concerning the four monarchies and the end of days.

19 books · 281 mentions

Dublin

The capital of Ireland, appearing in early modern texts in the context of antiquarian studies, Irish music, and the provenance of ancient manuscripts.

19 books · 221 mentions

Diogenes Laertius

A biographer of the Greek philosophers whose work 'Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers' was a primary source for the history of ancient philosophy during the Renaissance.

18 books · 369 mentions

Digestion

An alchemical process involving the application of gentle, steady heat to a substance over a long period to mature or refine its properties.

17 books · 331 mentions

Dionysus

The Greek god of wine and ecstasy, often interpreted in Neoplatonic and alchemical traditions as a symbol of the soul's fragmentation and reintegration.

17 books · 243 mentions

Diomedes

A prominent Greek hero in the Trojan War and King of Argos. In the context of Renaissance art and natural philosophy, he often represents a classical archetype of heroic human proportion and physical symmetry.

16 books · 214 mentions

Daedalus

A mythical Greek inventor and architect, credited with designing the Labyrinth and wings for flight, symbolizing human ingenuity and the dangers of hubris.

15 books · 226 mentions

Duns Scotus

A major High Scholastic philosopher and theologian known for his defense of the univocity of being and the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

14 books · 197 mentions

Danube

Europe's second-longest river, serving as a vital cultural and geographical boundary in early modern maps and scientific treatises, often mentioned in the context of Central European intellectual centers.

14 books · 189 mentions

Divine Wisdom

A central concept in Christian Kabbalah and Theosophy representing the feminine aspect of God or the creative intelligence through which the universe was fashioned.

14 books · 140 mentions

Dante Alighieri

The preeminent Italian poet of the Late Middle Ages, whose 'Divine Comedy' profoundly influenced Renaissance Neoplatonism and Western esotericism.

13 books · 1436 mentions

Diapente (Fifth)

The musical interval of a perfect fifth, considered a fundamental harmonic ratio in Pythagorean cosmology and the 'music of the spheres'.

13 books · 378 mentions

Domitian

The last Roman emperor of the Flavian dynasty, often portrayed in early modern literature as a tyrant and persecutor of philosophers and Christians.

13 books · 251 mentions

Decans

Thirty-six groups of stars used in Ancient Egyptian astronomy to divide the 360-degree ecliptic into ten-degree segments, later integrated into Hellenistic astrology.

13 books · 236 mentions

Dry Water

An alchemical term for a substance that acts as a universal solvent or a refined mercurial liquid that does not wet the hands, symbolizing the union of opposites.

13 books · 232 mentions

Dropsy

An archaic medical term for edema, characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues or cavities. In early modern medicine and alchemy, it was often treated with diuretics and was a common subject of clinical observation.

13 books · 199 mentions

Demiurge

A Platonic and Gnostic figure representing the artisan or craftsman responsible for fashioning the physical universe from pre-existing matter.

13 books · 192 mentions

Discrete Quantity

13 books · 170 mentions

Divine Law

A concept in theology and legal philosophy referring to laws believed to be derived directly from the will of God, often contrasted with natural or human law.

13 books · 158 mentions

Diatessaron (Fourth)

In the context of musical theory and Pythagorean harmony, the interval of a perfect fourth, considered a fundamental consonance reflecting cosmic order.

12 books · 317 mentions

Diaphragm

12 books · 307 mentions

Divine Grace

A theological concept referring to the unmerited favor or divine influence of God granted to humans for their regeneration and salvation.

12 books · 214 mentions

Diatessaron

In music theory, the interval of a perfect fourth; also refers to Tatian's 2nd-century harmony of the four Gospels.

12 books · 194 mentions

Diocletian

Roman Emperor who established the Tetrarchy and is noted in alchemical lore for allegedly ordering the burning of Egyptian books on the transmutation of gold.

12 books · 167 mentions

Divine Light

A metaphysical concept in Neoplatonism and mysticism representing the emanation of God's essence or wisdom, often used to describe the process of spiritual illumination.

12 books · 163 mentions

Damascius

The last scholarch of the Neoplatonic Academy in Athens, known for his 'Problems and Solutions Concerning First Principles' which explores the ineffable nature of the One.

11 books · 285 mentions

Doctrine of Signatures

A theory in natural philosophy suggesting that the physical appearance of plants and minerals indicates their therapeutic uses, popularized by Paracelsus.

11 books · 206 mentions

Daemons

Intermediary spirits in Greek mythology and Neoplatonism, positioned between gods and humans, later reinterpreted in Christian demonology as malevolent entities.

11 books · 200 mentions

Divine light

11 books · 172 mentions

Danzig

A major Baltic port city and center of intellectual exchange in the early modern period, significant for its role in the publication of Rosicrucian and scientific texts.

11 books · 165 mentions

Dalmatia

A historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. In early modern texts, it is often mentioned in geographical, historical, or hagiographical contexts, particularly concerning the life of Saint Jerome.

11 books · 150 mentions

Divine Simplicity

The theological doctrine that God is without parts, composition, or accidents, being entirely identical with His own essence. This concept was central to the metaphysical systems of Aquinas, Ficino, and the Neoplatonists.

11 books · 136 mentions

Dresden

The capital of the Electorate of Saxony, known for its patronage of the arts and sciences, and as a hub for alchemical experimentation under various electors.

10 books · 230 mentions

Dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha)

10 books · 208 mentions