Rational Thoughts on God, the Soul, and Evil

A small rectangular label is pasted in the center of the page. It features an oval emblem. In the center of the oval, a white pelican is depicted "in her piety," plucking her breast to feed her young in a nest. This is a traditional symbol of self-sacrifice. Behind the pelican is a blue field with golden rays of light emanating from above. Below the nest is a heraldic shield: silver, a chevron between three roses, all in red. The oval is bordered by a light blue band containing the inscription "Hermetic Philosophy" in gold capital letters. The bottom of the emblem is accented with green leaves.

original: "PHILOSOPHIA · HERMETICA"

Hermetic PhilosophyA tradition of wisdom based on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, often involving alchemy, mysticism, and the study of nature's secrets., pelican in her pietyAn artistic motif of a pelican feeding its chicks with blood from its own breast. In alchemy, it symbolizes the stage of "multiplication" or the perfection of the Great Work through sacrifice., heraldryThe practice of designing and recording coats of arms to identify individuals or families., bookplateA printed or engraved label pasted into a book to indicate ownership., alchemyAn ancient branch of natural philosophy that sought to transform base metals into gold and discover a universal cure for disease.