Reading Route Through Heavens and Inward Powers

Read Sol in homine, Spiritus Animalis and Scaiolæ. The articles relate inward life to the wider order through nourishment, likeness and elemental number. These relations are connected but distinct.

For a fuller account of natural agency, read Archeius beside Arcanum and Astrum. Distinguish a dispenser of Nature, a hidden virtue in natural things, and a power said to be acquired through preparation. Their shared vocabulary of spirit and virtue does not cancel those different roles.

Continue with Somnia, Similitudines and Turba magna. Distinguish an operation during sleep, an appearance and a presage. Then compare Trarames and Visio for auditory and visible descriptions of spiritual actions.

Discussion questions. Which verbs explain the relation between the heavens and a person? What is seen, heard or inferred in each account? When does the dictionary describe a being and when a power? Which aspects of the account remain unspecified?