Medieval Universe print, alchemy art, cosmos poster, home decor, magick, astrology, occultism, antique poster, astrological chart #390

Medieval Universe  print. Table of Spheres

The text surrounding this table of the spheres is compressed from the introduction to the treatise on the spheres written by John Peckham (Archbishop of Canterbury; d. 1292), which aims 'to explain the number, form and movement of the principal heavenly bodies to the extent sufficient for the understanding of the words of Holy Scripture'. This diagram, reflecting Peckham's treatise, presents the medieval conception of a geocentric universe: the stationary earthly sphere is surrounded by the spheres of the three other elements, and then in turn by the moon, planets and stars - all these are in various orbital movements -and ultimately by the Empyrean which like the earth is fixed and immobile. The lines at the bottom of the text shown refer to ascending from the centre of the world to the Throne of Solomon in fifteen steps. At the centre of the diagram is a hellmouth, with tongues of flame licking up from the inscription 'Infernus'. Around this core are fifteen concentric rings of the four elements, seven planets and four outermost spheres, labelled as follows: (1) sphere of earth (green); (2) sphere of water; (3) sphere of air; (4) sphere of fire (coloured red; i.e. the four elements ranging from heaviest to lightest); (5) Lunar Heaven; (6) Heaven of Mercury; (7) Heaven of Venus; (8) Solar Heaven; (9) Heaven of Mars; (10) Heaven of Jupiter; (11) Heaven of Saturn; (12) Starry Heaven (studded with golden stars); (13) Crystalline Heaven; (14) 'Middle Heaven' (buff coloured), 'between empyrean and crystalline, moved with an exceedingly simple motion'; (15) 'Empyrean, fixed and immobile, in which is the Throne of Solomon, the seat of the Lord and the spirits' (with the topmost medallion depicting the Enthroned Lord). The significance of the ten discs in the empyrean is uncertain.