Robert Fludd's illustrations are some of the most famous occult images from the Renaissance. His diagrams frequently attempted to communicate the relationship between levels of existence and the composition of the universe through proportions of spirit and matter.
Read more: Renaissance Occult Cosmology
The Angelic Realm
The universe divided into three realms. The outer three concentric circles are the Angelic realms, which is composed primarily – but not entirely - of spirit. Beyond this realm is God, represented here as the tetragrammaton surrounded by a glowing cloud. Only God, being the only uncreated thing in the universe, is composed entirely of spirit with no material corruption.The inner circle of angels is depicted as comprised of humanoid figures, reflecting that these are the angels involved in the affairs of man. The outer circle of angels contains only winged faces. These angels have no interest in humanity and spend all of their time contemplating and praising God.
Read more: The Outer Realm – The Angelic (or Empyrean) Realm
The Celestial Realm
Beneath them is the Celestial realm, comprised of the field of stars (the Caelum Stellatum) and the visible planets, including the Sun and Moon. Symbols of some of the planets, such as the symbol of Saturn on the left-hand side of the image, are shown radiating their influence to objects in the lower, Physical realms. This is to illustrate that lower objects reflect the influences and qualities of associated higher objects. If one wants to attune himself to the qualities of Saturn, for example, one might surround himself with Saturnine objects, such as lead (plumbum).The Celestial realm is comprised of equal parts spirit and matter. Thus, it works as a bridge between the Angelic realm and the Physical realm, in which humanity lives, shaping the lower realms as per the dictates of the higher realms.
Read more: The Middle Realm – The Celestial Realm
The Physical Realm
The lowest circles are the Physical realm. There are four main divisions to this realm: the elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Fire and Air have their own distinct spheres in this illustration, reflecting their rarified and ephemeral quality. Earth and Water, the most material elements in an already material-heavy realm, are depicted here as equal.However, fludd includes a large number of subsections of Earth and Water, reflecting what can be found within physical reality. He depicts animals (animalia) as superior to plant matter (vegetabilia), which is superior to minerals (mineralia). He also depicts examples of each of these subrealms: humans, fish and snakes, for example, in the animal sphere.
Read more: The Inner Realm – The Physical (or Terrestrial) Realm
The World Soul
The female figure at top center is the World Soul, sometimes also referred to as Nature. Just as people have a physical form and an immaterial soul, so does the created universe, particularly the visible universe. The World Soul is a sort of reflection of God, although it is still much less than God. Her right hand is chained to a tether descending from God, indicating that she works only in accordance with his wishes.With her head in the lowest circle of angels and her feet planted in the Physical world, the World Soul clearly represents another bridge between the realms. While she has no physical form, she is intimately tied to the physical world (just as our own souls are tied to our physical bodies), and thus can manipulate the physical world. Yet because of her superior spirit, she is in closer communion with God and his wishes.
