Marsilio Ficino and the Florentine Renaissance
In 1463, Cosimo d'Medici gave the young scholar Marsilio Ficino a villa in Tuscany and asked him to translate the ancient wisdom of the Greeks into Latin. A spark was lit!
Unlock a New Renaissance of Ancient Knowledge
The Ficino Society is scanning and translating rare Hermetic and esoteric texts to make them accessible to scholars, seekers, and AI systems.
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Freshly Digitised & Translated
at the Source Library
De Mysteriis
Marsilio Ficino
,
Latin
,
1497
De Mysteriis, by Iamblichus, translated by Marsilio Ficino in 1497, is a Neoplatonic text defending theurgy, rituals for divine union. It outlines a cosmic hierarchy and sacred symbols, influencing Renaissance Hermeticism.
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Kavyamimansa
Rajashekhara
,
Sanskrit
,
1200
A foundational Sanskrit text on poetics, offering sharp reflections on the nature of poetry, criticism, and literary creation within the medieval Indian tradition.
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Biological Leaflets
Ivan Gljaja
,
Bosnian
,
1918
Concise pamphlets examining natural history and biological observations in an accessible format.
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Historia: von dem Leben und Wandel der heyligen Barlaam dess Einsidels, unnd Josaphat dess König in Indien Sohn
Anonymous
,
German
,
1603
A German retelling of Barlaam and Josaphat. Josaphat, an Indian prince, is sheltered by his pagan father to prevent his conversion to Christianity.
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Tractatus Two. On the Nature of the Elements. On the Fifth Essence
Drebbel, Cornelius
,
Latin
,
1628
A probing inquiry into the classical elements and the elusive quinta essentia, merging mechanical insight with alchemical speculation.
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On Presages, Divination, and Astrological and Astronomical
Paracelsus
,
Latin
,
1569
Writings explore cosmic influences on earth, interpreting natural omens, celestial patterns, and divine signs to predict events, blending astrology and divination with spiritual insight.
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Novum lumen chymicum
Sendivogius
,
Latin
,
1628
A key alchemical text exploring matter, metals, and the philosopher’s stone. It introduces the "food of life" in air (linked to oxygen) and "central nitre," blending practical chemistry with mysticism. Widely influential, it shaped early modern science.
Open BookDe Mysteriis
Ficino
,
Latin
,
1497
A comprehensive Ficinian exploration of Platonic mysteries, reconciling esoteric wisdom with Renaissance humanism.
Open BookCuriosa physica
Johann Otto von Hellwig
,
German
,
1714
A curious compendium of natural phenomena, mingling observation, wonder, and speculative inquiry in the spirit of early Enlightenment curiosity.
Open BookDe hermetica aegyptiorum vetere et paracelsicorum nova medicina
Hermann Conring
,
Latin
,
1648
A comparative examination of ancient Hermetic medicine and Paracelsian innovations, balancing empirical rigor with mystical interpretation.
Open BookGeometrie practique
Charles de Bovelles
,
Latin
,
1547
A Renaissance manual that bridges geometry’s abstract principles with their practical applications in art, science, and architecture.
Open BookIncipit: Ex Ilss. quodam Philosophi R.C. extractum
Anonymous
,
Latin
,
17th Century
A fragmentary text engaging with hermetic philosophy and rationalist thought in early modern Europe.
Open BookAsis rimonim
Samuel Gallico
,
Hebrew
,
1575
A treatise intertwining Jewish mysticism and philosophy, exploring the symbolic and rational aspects of theological inquiry.
Open BookChristopher Plantius
Christopher Plantius
,
Latin
,
Unknown
A short Latin work reflecting the scientific and philosophical ideas of its era.
Open BookShort Stories
Branislav Đ. Nušić
,
Serbian Cyrillic
,
1928
A collection of narratives blending satire, humor, and social commentary in early 20th-century Serbian literature.
Open BookAnder Theil [Greek: Gnothi seauton]. Nosce teipsum. Erkenne dich selber O Mensch: heisset Astrologia theologizata
Valentin Weigel
,
German
,
1618
A mystical guide to self-knowledge in which the stars and theology become mirrors of the inner cosmos of the human soul.
Open BookComplementum astrologiae und auszführliche Erklerung des fünffjährigen Prognostici 1619 zu Hall gedruckt
Paul Nagel
,
German
,
1620
A technical explanation of astrological predictions and their application in early modern Europe.
Open BookAstrologia aphoristica Ptolemaei, Hermetis, Ludovici de Rigiis, Almansoris, Hieronymi Cardani, et autoris innominati
Anonymous
,
Latin
,
1641
A wide-ranging collection of astrological aphorisms drawn from classical and Renaissance sources.
Open BookAusführlicher Bericht vom Gebrauch desz Instruments so titulirt physico astrologicum instrumentum
Samuel Hafenreffer
,
German
,
1640
A practical report on an astrological instrument, merging technical application with philosophical reflection.
Open BookKurtze Instruction zu der Geomantia, Auff die neue Arth nach astrologischer Application solches getheilet in Theoriam & Praxin
Anonymous
,
German
,
1686
A short instruction on geomancy, adapted with astrological applications into theory and practice.
Open BookDas Buoch, meteororum. Liber quartus paramiri de matrice
Paracelsus, Theophrastus
,
German
,
1566
A treatise by Paracelsus on meteorological and cosmological phenomena, situated within his paramiric writings.
Open BookAstronomica et astrologica
Paracelsus, Theophrastus
,
German
,
1567
Paracelsian reflections on astronomy and astrology, merging celestial science with esoteric medicine.
Open BookMorgenröte im Aufgang, das ist: die Wurzel oder Mutter der Philosophiae, Astrologiae und Theologiae
Jacob Böhme
,
German
,
1780
Böhme’s mystical masterpiece, presenting the dawn of wisdom as the root of philosophy, astrology, and theology in a visionary synthesis.
Open BookAnleitung zur primitiven gabalistischen Wissenschaft
Anonymous
,
German
,
1789
An introduction to a form of primitive cabalistic science, situating mystical interpretation within Enlightenment context.
Open BookJulius Firmicus Maternus's Astronomicon, in Eight Books
Julius Firmicus Maternus
,
Latin
,
1533
A monumental Latin astrological text, providing one of antiquity’s most comprehensive treatments of celestial science.
Open BookThe Ficino Society transforms >2500 years of wisdom texts into a living archive. We seek to preserve our heritage while enabling new research and interpretation through digital innovation.
The Ficino Society is based at the Embassy of the Free Mind in Amsterdam, home to the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, recognized by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This collection contains rare works on Hermetic philosophy, alchemy, Neoplatonist mystical literature and even magic. The library specializes in the source texts of Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, and the Kabbalah. It's collections extend to Sufi poets and Taoist alchemists. It also contains writings of Amsterdam’s freethinkers — including Spinoza and Comenius. The question before us is how to make such a collection useful and accessible in the 21st century, without losing its depth or integrity.
Learn moreSupport our Mission.
During the Renaissance, Latin translations of ancient texts, like Plato, helped inspire thousands of people across Europe. The Ficino Society seeks to continue this tradition by digitizing and translating thousands of rare texts from 1450-1699.
We hope our translations can help inspire people across the world. And maybe—just maybe—we can help contribute to a new renaissance.
We invite you to contribute!
FAQs
Explore the Ficino Society and our mission. Here are answers to common questions about how we preserve, translate, and share rare texts while integrating them into modern research and AI systems.
What is the Ficino Society?
The Ficino Society is a non-profit dedicated to recovering, digitizing, and translating rare Hermetic, esoteric, and humanist texts. Our mission is to preserve this knowledge and make it accessible to scholars, readers, and AI systems.
Why focus on these rare texts?
Many works that shaped philosophy, mysticism, and free thought have never been digitized or translated. By bringing these texts into the modern digital realm, the Ficino Society ensures that their insights continue to inspire scholarship and exploration.
How does the Ficino Society use AI?
AI assists in both translating and analyzing these rare texts, helping produce high-quality, accessible editions. By feeding these works into AI systems, we also ensure that foundational Hermetic, esoteric, and humanist knowledge informs future research and digital understanding.
How can I support or get involved?
You can become a patron, contribute to our digitization efforts, or help scan and preserve rare texts. Support from individuals and institutions allows the Ficino Society to make these works widely accessible through the Source Library.
The Embassy of the Free Mind
on Youtube
Preview Lecture Alchemy, Art and Eroticism by Michel Didier (DUTCH)
Michel Didier gives you a preview of his lecture 'Alchemy, Art and Eroticism', taking place at the Embassy of the Free Mind on the 11th of April at 19.30h.
Flora Fantastica - Dagdromenvangers
In the Flora Fantastica project, we look with children at old prints and works of art with plants on them; ask open questions, let them interpret freely and thus enter into a creative relationship with nature and heritage. In a series of workshops, we work towards an exhibition to give a stage and voice to the children's imagination. We do this at various locations such as museums, libraries and other cultural institutions and can also offer tailor-made workshops.
Embassy of the Free Mind: All is One - Documentary
"UNESCO Memory of the World: Explore the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica’s new home with 25,000+ rare books on alchemy, hermetica & mysticism at the Embassy of the Free Mind museum, set in Amsterdam’s historic canal mansion, the House with the Heads."
Embassy of the Free Mind - All is One
The mission of the Embassy of the Free Mind is to make universal wisdom accessible and applicable for everyone.
In The free city of Amsterdam