Science and the Secrets of Nature


Book Description

By explaining how to sire multicolored horses, produce nuts without shells, and create an egg the size of a human head, Giambattista Della Porta's Natural Magic (1559) conveys a fascination with tricks and illusions that makes it a work difficult for historians of science to take seriously. Yet, according to William Eamon, it is in the "how-to" books written by medieval alchemists, magicians, and artisans that modern science has its roots. These compilations of recipes on everything from parlor tricks through medical remedies to wool-dyeing fascinated medieval intellectuals because they promised access to esoteric "secrets of nature." In closely examining this rich but little-known source of literature, Eamon reveals that printing technology and popular culture had as great, if not stronger, an impact on early modern science as did the traditional academic disciplines.




Jesuit Science and the End of Nature's Secrets


Book Description

Jesuit Science and the End of Nature’s Secrets explores how several prominent Jesuit naturalists - including Niccolò Cabeo, Athanasius Kircher, and Gaspar Schott - tackled the problem of occult or insensible causation in the seventeenth century. The search for hidden causes lay at the heart of the early modern study of nature, and included phenomena such as the activity of the magnet, the marvelous powers ascribed to certain animals and plants, and the hidden, destructive forces churning in the depths of the Earth. While this was a project embraced by most early modern naturalists, however, the book demonstrates that the Jesuits were uniquely suited to the study of nature’s hidden secrets because of the complex methods of contemplation and meditation enshrined at the core of their spirituality. Divided into six chapters, the work documents how particular Jesuits sought to reveal and expose nature’s myriad secrets through an innovative blending of technology, imagery, and experiment. Moving beyond the conventional Aristotelianism mandated by the Society of Jesus, they set forth a vision of the world that made manifest the works of God as Creator, no matter how deeply hidden those works were. The book thus not only presents a narrative that challenges present-day assumptions about the role played by Catholic religious communities in the formation of modern science, but also captures the exuberance and inventiveness of the early modern study of nature.







Wild Fibonacci


Book Description

Provides an introduction to the Fibonacci sequence and its presence in the animal world, including the equiangular spiral of a sundial shell, a parrot's beak, a hawk's talon, and a ram's horn.




Nature's Secret Messages (Large Print 16pt)


Book Description

'This book is a page-turner - endlessly fascinating, totally compelling, and incredibly informative. I could not put it down.''rory Freedman, Co-author of New York Times best seller Skinny Bitch. Enjoy the fun and intrigue of unraveling nature's clues that fill you with awe, inspiration, and healing. This fascinating book combines ancient wisdom with modern research, and science with imagination. Connect to the wonder you felt as a child, and emulate how Nature wisely deals with change and adversity. Nature is the ultimate example in how to live well and thrive. Albert Einstein said, ''look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.'' This fascinating book will arouse your curiosity by combining ancient wisdom with modern research, and imagination with science, to help you love Nature and your food in a whole new way. You'll discover how to . . .Recognize divine designs, hidden in plain sight, to forge a more profound mind-body-soul connection with the environment Look at food in new (actually, ancient) ways and choose self life over shelf life Cope with change, challenges, and time pressures by asking, What would Nature do? Become aware of what society is doing to the environment, and learn easy green solutions to save money and help the planet.Exercises throughout the book will empower you to tune in to Nature's wisdom in order to develop a healthier mind, body, soul, and planet.''With a dash of tongue-in-cheek cheer, actress and PhD-carrying naturopath Wilkes offers a thorough, clear-cut and well-illustrated introduction to holistic medicine, natural eating and the benefits of mindfulness.''''this wise, brave, magically simple and inspiring book will help us all reconnect with the soul of nature, and work together to preserve the environment and the human adventure.''- Andrew Harvey, New York Times best selling author Author of The Hope a Guide to Sacred Activism'.




Nature's Secrets Revealed


Book Description







Secrets of Nature


Book Description

A fresh look at the role of astrology and alchemy in Renaissance thinking and everyday life.