FIRST TREATISE

Concerning the structure of the MacrocosmThe "Great World"; the universe viewed as a whole, mirroring the "Microcosm" or the human being., and the history of the origin of its creatures, divided into seven books.

This page is dominated by a profound copperplate engraving illustrating the geocentric (earth-centered) model of the universe. At the center is the Garden of Eden, showing the origin of humanity. Moving outward, the rings represent the four elements—Earth, Water, Air, and Fire—followed by the celestial spheres of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Beyond the planets lies the firmament of stars and finally the Empyrean, the realm of the Divine, where the Holy Spirit descends from the top right corner.