九色堂

ATHANASII KIRCHERIE SOCIETATE IESU

ITINERARIUM EXSTATICUM

QUO MUNDI OPIFICIUM ID EST

Coelestis expansi, siderumque tam errantium quam fixorum natura, vires, proprietates, singulorumque compositio et structura, ab infimo Telluris globo usque ad ultima Mundi confinia, per ficti raptus et integumentum explorata, nova hypothesi exponitur ad veritatem.

INTERLOCUTORIBUS

COSMIELE ET THEODIDACTO

AD

SERENISSIMAM CHRISTINAM
ALEXANDRAM Suecorum, Gothorum, et Wandalorum Reginam.

ROMAE, Typis Vitalis Mascardi, Anno 1656.

SUPERIORUM PERMISSU.
 

ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

SOC. OF JESUS

AN ECSTATIC JOURNEY

CONCERNING THE

WORLD'S CREATION

NAMELY,

A new hypothesis is presented concerning the nature, powers, and properties of the celestial realm, encompassing both the wandering and fixed stars, as well as the composition and structure of each. This exploration extends from the Earth's lowest sphere to the farthest reaches of the World through imaginative journeys and voyages, offering fresh insights into the quest for truth.

WITH INTERLOCUTORS

COSMIEL AND THEODIDACTUS

TO

THE MOST SERENE

CHRISTINA

ALEXANDRA

Queen of the Swedes, Goths, and 

Vandals.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ROME, Printed by Vitalis Mascardi, Year 1656.

WITH PERMISSION OF THE SUPERIORS.

SERENISSIMAE

CHRISTINAE

ALEXANDRAE

Suecorum, Gothorum, et Wandalorum Reginae Coelestis felicitatis ubertatem precatur

ATHANASIUS KIRCHERUS

SOIETATIS IESU

COELUM Tibi pando, Regina sapientissima, Coelum dico, ceu complicatum librum in varias siderum systases, in totidem veluti capita multiplicis ratiocinii partitione distributum; cuius characteres ipsa sunt Sidera; Officina, Mens Archetypa; Typotheta, DEUS Triunus est. Qui hunc Tibi librum interdiu tanquam in candidissimis foliis innumeriae rerum varietatis, noctu, nigris iis quidem, at aureis inscriptum literis, id est, radioso siderum amictu mire conspicuum, legendum exponit. Homo index libri atque summarium est: censor et approbator fuit is, qui vidit omnia valde bona esse, quae fecerat. In hoc Itinerario arcana caelestis libri sacramenta Tibi explicabuntur, ut quantas pro terreni puncti corona coronas, quanta pro Regnis Regna, quam ampla, quam spatiosa in altioris mundi recessibus DEUS Optimus Maximus praeparaverit, liberrimo mentis impetu inspicias. Coelum a Chosro毛 Persarum Rege, teste Cedreno, constructum, imbres et pluvias dabat, accensisque stellarum lampadibus, omnibusque; quae Philosophia novit meteororum effectibus admirandum, fulgure coruscabat, saeviebat fulminibus, tonitribus reboabat; hic praeter Lunae Solisque labores, singula suos volvebant sidera motus; hic nox diem, dies noctem alterna vicissitudine excipiebat; solo Rege ipso centro veluti medio mundi folio impune triumphante. Tu haud dissimilis Coeli medium obtinebis Regina, ab omnibus meteororum iniuriis immunis et libera, planetarum siderumque centrum et cor futura; quem in Coelo locum cordatum Tuum ingenium, caelestis indoles et avida encyclopedie omnis animi eminentia destinavit. Peregrinare nunc aliquantisper in hoc Coelo, ut in vero illo Caelorum regno in patria non hospes conquiescas, ad quod Regnum inquirendum voluntarie peregrina e Regno et Patria egressa, coronae gloriam supergressa, ostendisti, quantum aestimes Regnum illud, Regnum omnium saeculorum. Ingredere Regina coelum hoc meum, ingredere sapientia illa comite, quae gyrum Coeli circumivit sola, siquidem ex hoc Coelo ceu multiplici graduum dispositione ad ipsum Caeli Authorem, veluti ad aeterni Salomonis solium ascendes; ibi altius introspectura, quid sit aurea illa immortalium thesaurorum in DEI Regno aeternitas, quam hac animi Tui tam exaggerati plusquam Regia maiestate, tam inexspectato exempli Regii documento vera Caeli speculatrix Urania quaesisti; comperiesque inter opera, quae in principio edidit omnium Author DEUS, primum librum fuisse coelum, quo assidua mentis contemplatione evoluto, ut ad incorruptibilium eius bonorum acquisitionem tandem pertingas, DEUM omnibus animi medullis exoro. Vale Reipublicae Christianae diu sospes.

Ex Collegio Romano, Kal. Iunii 1656.

TO THE MOST SERENE

CHRISTINA

ALEXANDRA

Queen of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals,

ATHANASIUS KIRCHER

of the Society of Jesus

offers prayers for abundant celestial happiness.

Most Wise Queen, I present to you the Heavens as a complex book filled with stars arranged in various patterns, each chapter crafted through intricate reasoning. These celestial bodies act as characters in this cosmic narrative, with the Archetypal Mind as the workshop and the Triune God as the divine printer. During the day, God unveils this celestial book to you, its pages adorned with endless phenomena resembling purest pages. At night, it reveals itself, adorned with radiant stars that shine like magnificent golden letters for your discerning gaze. Humanity serves as both the index and summation of this cosmic book, acting as censor and approver, surveying all that has been created as "very good." Through this journey, the mysteries of this heavenly book's sacraments will become clear. With sharp clarity of mind, you will observe the many crowns and kingdoms that exist in the earthly realm, reflecting the vastness of the higher world, the domain of Almighty God. According to Cedrenus, there was a belief that King Khosrow of Persia contributed to the creation of the sky itself, orchestrating rains and igniting the stars, bringing forth every wondrous meteorological phenomenon known to philosophy, causing lightning to flash, thunder to rumble, and storms to resound. Each star followed its distinct course, apart from the movements of the Moon and the Sun, while night and day alternated in succession, with the King reigning at the center, as if seated upon the world's throne. You, O Queen, share a similar position at the center of the heavens, unaffected by the whims of weather. You will dwell at the heart of planets and stars, in a celestial realm befitting your profound intellect and unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Take time to wander this celestial expanse, so you will not feel a stranger in your true homeland, the Kingdom of the heavens. You have embarked on a voluntary pilgrimage from your earthly kingdom in pursuit of this celestial Kingdom, surpassing the glory of earthly crowns. This pilgrimage reflects the immense value you place on the eternal Kingdom, the Kingdom of all ages.

O Queen, enter my heaven, accompanied by the wisdom that has journeyed through the Celestial realms alone. From this heavenly domain, like ascending a multi-tiered Celestial hierarchy, you will arrive at the very heart of cosmic order, the throne of the eternal Solomon. There, you shall delve into the timeless riches of God's eternal Kingdom, a golden realm filled with immortal treasures. You, Urania, the true celestial observer, pursued these treasures with a intellect surpassing any royal grandeur, exemplifying remarkable regal character. As you witness the works of God, the Creator of all, you will find that the heavens were His first creation. With steadfast contemplation and sincere prayers to God, you will ultimately receive these incorruptible blessings. Farewell, and may the Christian Republic endure forever.

From the Roman College, 1st of June 1656.

GOSWINUS NICKEL

Societatis IESU Praepositus Generalis

Cum Opusculum, quod titulo Itinerarium exstaticum praenotatur, P. Athanasii Kircheri Societatis nostrae Sacerdotis, aliquot eisdem Societatis Theologi recognoverint et in lucem edendum posse probaverint, facultatem concedimus, ut typis mandetur, si ita iis ad quos pertinet, videbitur. Cuius rei gratia has literas manu nostra subscriptas, sigilloque nostro munitas damus Romae 15. Novembris 1655.

Goswinus Nickel

Imprimatur,

Si videbitur Reverendissimo S. P. Ap. Mag.M.A. Episcopum  Hierapolitanus Vicesger.

Imprimatur,

F. Raimundus Capisuccus Ord. Praed. S. A. P.Magister.

GOSWIN NICKEL

Superior General of the Society of JESUS

Regarding the treatise titled "An Ecstatic Journey," authored by Father Athanasius Kircher of our Society. Following a thorough review by several theologians from the same Society, finding it suitable for publication, we hereby grant permission for its printing, providing it is deemed appropriate by those responsible for its publication. To this end, we issue these letters, bearing our signature and the seal of our authority, in Rome on the 15th day of November 1655.

Goswin Nickel

Let it be printed,

If it seems appropriate to the Most Reverend S.P. Ap. Mag.M.A. Bishop of Hierapolis, Vicar General.

Let it be printed,

Fr. Raimundus Capisuccus, O.P.Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palacesda.