The Behmenist Underground

This hand-colored engraving depicts the 'Theosophical Man,' a central concept in the mystical teachings of Johann Georg Gichtel. The figure serves as a spiritual diagram, mapping divine principles—such as Sophia, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—onto the human anatomy to illustrate the soul's internal struggle and potential for transformation.

This engraving depicts John Pordage (1607–1681), an English physician and mystic who was a prominent follower of Jakob Böhme. He is presented in a formal oval frame resting on a pedestal that identifies him as a 'Med: Doctor,' reflecting his dual role as a man of science and spirit. The portrait serves as the frontispiece to his work on metaphysics, establishing the author's authority and intellectual stature.

This hand-colored engraving depicts the 'entirely earthly, natural, dark man' as described by theosophist Johann Georg Gichtel. The figure is mapped with planetary symbols representing spiritual centers or 'wheels,' illustrating the perceived connection between the macrocosm of the stars and the microcosm of the human soul and body in 17th-century mystical thought.

This set of three symbols represents the 'Tria Prima' or three primary principles of Paracelsian alchemy: Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt. In Jakob Böhme's mystical philosophy, these represent the spiritual qualities of the 'Spirit of Nature' and the foundational forces of the material and spiritual worlds.

This hand-colored engraving depicts a portion of the 'Wheel of Birth,' a central concept in Johann Georg Gichtel's theosophical system. The diagram integrates astrological signs and numerical degrees with mystical symbols, representing the spiritual development of the human soul through three divine principles. The central radiant triangle with the Hebrew letter 'He' signifies the divine presence at the core of existence.

This hand-colored engraving presents a complex allegorical figure representing the spiritual state of man within a mystical or alchemical framework. The figure is divided between light and dark, symbolizing internal transformation, while the radiant heart containing a dove signifies divine presence and the 'new birth' described in the German text. Such imagery was central to early modern esoteric traditions, illustrating the microcosm of the human soul as a site of cosmic struggle and enlightenment.

This diagram illustrates the 'Magnum Opus Philosophicum' or Great Philosophical Work, a central concept in Jakob Böhme’s mystical theology. It depicts the three realms—Celestial (triangle), Astral (square), and Elemental (circle)—united through the 'Tria juncta in UNO' (Three joined in One). The illustration serves as a visual mnemonic for the spiritual and physical transformation required to understand the nature of God and the universe.