Splendor Solis: The Most Glorious Illuminated Alchemical Manuscript

Splendor Solis, a 16th-century illuminated alchemical manuscript attributed to Salomon Trismosin, is celebrated as the prime example of its kind. The work, which sets forth the philosophy of alchemy rather than practical instructions, has fascinated figures such as William Butler Yeats, James Joyce, Umberto Eco, and Carl Jung. Jung recognized its motifs as expressions of the individuation process, contributing to his analytical psychology. The manuscript contains 22 gold-highlighted, book-of-hours-style illustrations. A facsimile edition is published by M. Moleiro, and pages are viewable on Wikipedia. The article also notes the cultural resonance of the philosopher's stone, which the manuscript is associated with, and its connection to the Harry Potter series, where the stone is a central element.