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The Thinking Press

@thethinkingpress.bsky.social
53 followers 1.4K following 93 posts

An independent press for psychology, philosophy, and esoteric works. A Materia Medica of old remedies, poisons and amulets, each with its sources; symbols of the psyche; works translated into English for the first time. Thethinkingpress.org

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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 38m
Reading the old authorities on gold, frankincense, and myrrh again. The Catholic Encyclopedia: The giving of gifts was in keeping with Oriental custom. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/gold-frankincense-and-myrrh 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 5h
Branches blessed on Palm Sunday. Blessed palms stand with holy water and Agnus Deis among the sacramentals. Palm and olive branches. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/palm-and-olive-branches 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Palm and olive branches in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 8h
I'm excited about this one. The Magical World of the Heroes, Cesare della Riviera's book of 1605, in English for the first time, comes out October 25, 2026. Hardcover, $79.99; ebook on Kindle at $19.99. thethinkingpress.org/project/magical-world-of-the-heroes 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of The Magical World of the Heroes, by Cesare della Riviera, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 10h
“Sell your coat and buy betony,” ran an Italian proverb; it was planted in churchyards and worn against evil spirits. Betony (Betonica officinalis). Old medicine, not a recommendation. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/betony 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Betony (Betonica officinalis) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 13h
Herbert Silberer, Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious (1921): “A Herr Bauer (Peasant) dreamed of aristocratic ancestors; a Herr Fürst (Prince) turned out to be a passionate Social Democrat.” thethinkingpress.org/translations/chance-and-the-goblin-tricks/excerpts 🗃️ 💙📚 #histsci
The cover of Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious, by Herbert Silberer, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15h
From the Symbolarium, on the Mushroom: freud took that picture for the dream itself. The Mushroom (Toadstool, fungus), in Symbols of the Psyche. thethinkingpress.org/symbolarium/psyche/mushroom 🗃️ #history #folklore
The plate for The Mushroom in Symbols of the Psyche. Amanita muscaria (fly agaric). Emil Doerstling, in Eugen Gramberg, Pilze der Heimat, Plate 64 (1913).
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 18h
Anise was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians. Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/aniseed 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 20h
I'm excited about this one. On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, Floriano Canale's book of 1614, in English for the first time, is out now. Details and the glossary of plants are on its page. thethinkingpress.org/project/discerning-and-healing-the-bewitched 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, by Floriano Canale, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 23h
The leaves and pods of Senna alexandrina. Senna (Senna alexandrina). As history, not as advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/senna 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Senna (Senna alexandrina) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
The leaves and pods of Senna alexandrina. Senna (Senna alexandrina). The old use, not a suggestion. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/senna 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Senna (Senna alexandrina) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
A symbol I keep returning to. Freud took that picture for the dream itself. The Mushroom (Toadstool, fungus), in Symbols of the Psyche. thethinkingpress.org/symbolarium/psyche/mushroom 🗃️ #history #folklore
The plate for The Mushroom in Symbols of the Psyche. Amanita muscaria (fly agaric). Emil Doerstling, in Eugen Gramberg, Pilze der Heimat, Plate 64 (1913).
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Dodder growing on thyme, Cuscuta epithymum, a parasitic plant. Epithymum (Cuscuta epithymum). Old medicine, not a recommendation. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/epithymum 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Epithymum (Cuscuta epithymum) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
If you have never read Justinus Kerner: Kleksographs (1890) is on the site in English. Kerner’s Hades pictures and Hell pictures. The first 4 parts are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/kleksographs 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of Kleksographs, by Justinus Kerner, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
The name: Greek aristolochia, “best for childbirth”: its curved flower was read as a sign of the womb, and it was given to hasten labor. Round birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/round-birthwort 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Round birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Sweet violet (Viola odorata), garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa), sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus). Violet, lettuce, sow-thistle (Viola odorata). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/violet-lettuce-sow-thistle 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Violet, lettuce, sow-thistle (Viola odorata) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Out today: Floriano Canale, On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched (1614), in English. Diagnosis before treatment, with a never-printed rite from a 1663 copy. Hardcover $64.99, ebook $19.99. thethinkingpress.org/project/discerning-and-healing-the-bewitched 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The dust jacket of On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, by Floriano Canale, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
White bryony, Bryonia dioica (syn. Bryony (Bryonia dioica). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/bryony 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Bryony (Bryonia dioica) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
I've been translating G. H. Schubert's The Symbolism of Dreams (1814). The dream speaks a language of pictures older than words. The first 4 parts are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/symbolism-of-dreams 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of The Symbolism of Dreams, by G. H. Schubert, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Oregano, Origanum vulgare; squinanth, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, a relative of lemongrass. Oregano and squinanth (Origanum vulgare). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/oregano-and-squinanth 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Oregano and squinanth (Origanum vulgare) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Floriano Canale, On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched (1614): “Into some he has entered by striking them upon the neck, or upon their other limbs.” thethinkingpress.org/project/discerning-and-healing-the-bewitched 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, by Floriano Canale, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Vervain, Verbena officinalis. Verbena (Verbena officinalis). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/verbena 🗃️ #FolkloreThursday #history
The plate of Verbena (Verbena officinalis) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
I've been translating Carl du Prel's Magic as Natural Science, in two parts, Magical Physics and Magical Psychology (1899). Across both parts, 7 of 27 are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/magic-as-natural-science-1 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of Magic as Natural Science, Part One: Magical Physics, by Carl du Prel, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Oregano, Origanum vulgare; squinanth, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, a relative of lemongrass. Oregano and squinanth (Origanum vulgare). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/oregano-and-squinanth 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Oregano and squinanth (Origanum vulgare) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Justinus Kerner, Kleksographs (1890): “I grew ever more afraid, For the thing grew ever longer, Far too long for a mouse, And the Devil crawled out.” From Hell Pictures. thethinkingpress.org/translations/kleksographs/excerpts 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of Kleksographs, by Justinus Kerner, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
White bryony, Bryonia dioica (syn. Bryony (Bryonia dioica). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/bryony 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Bryony (Bryonia dioica) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
I've been translating Herbert Silberer's Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious (1921). Seventy-five chances that are not chance. The first 5 parts are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/chance-and-the-goblin-tricks 🗃️ 💙📚 #histsci
The cover of Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious, by Herbert Silberer, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Pliny says that a traveler who carries mugwort will not tire on the road. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/mugwort 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
G. H. Schubert, The Symbolism of Dreams (1814): “On the way the inner voice says to him: what are you doing here?” From 4. The Hidden Poet. thethinkingpress.org/translations/symbolism-of-dreams/excerpts 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of The Symbolism of Dreams, by G. H. Schubert, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Vervain, Verbena officinalis. Verbena (Verbena officinalis). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/verbena 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Verbena (Verbena officinalis) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
I've been translating Karl Albert Scherner's The Life of the Dream (1861). The first book of Scherner’s Discoveries in the Realm of the Soul (Berlin, 1861). The first 3 parts are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/life-of-the-dream 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of The Life of the Dream, by Karl Albert Scherner, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The Antidotarium Nicolai gives a different confectio gallie muscate, of mastic, gum, and camphor with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and musk. Gallia moschata. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/gallia-moschata 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Gallia moschata in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Carl du Prel, Magic as Natural Science, Part One: Magical Physics (1899): “But this discovery could also have been reached by another road.” From II. The Magical Deepening of Modern Natural Science. thethinkingpress.org/translations/magic-as-natural-science-1/excerpts 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of Magic as Natural Science, Part One: Magical Physics, by Carl du Prel, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Its name: From the Sanskrit muṣka, “testicle,” for the shape of the pod cut from the belly of the male musk deer of the Himalaya and Tibet, by way of Persian and Greek. Musk. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/musk 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Musk in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
I've been translating Castore Durante's New Herbal (1585). Durante’s herbal, printed in Rome in 1585: each plant with its woodcut. The first 3 parts are free to read; Club members read the rest. thethinkingpress.org/translations/durante-herbario 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of New Herbal, by Castore Durante, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Mesue’s anacardine electuary was good for those who wished to be learned, for it sharpened the intellect and made a good memory. Marking-nut electuary (Semecarpus anacardium). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/marking-nut-electuary 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Marking-nut electuary (Semecarpus anacardium) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Herbert Silberer, Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious (1921): “The lady bows to the stranger, gives him her hand and says a few civil words.” From II. Chance Influenced: (a) The Order Is Worked In. thethinkingpress.org/translations/chance-and-the-goblin-tricks/excerpts 🗃️ 💙📚 #histsci
The cover of Chance and the Goblin Tricks of the Unconscious, by Herbert Silberer, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The antidote attributed by legend to Mithridates VI of Pontus, the forerunner of theriac. Mithridate. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/mithridate 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Mithridate in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The next book from the press: The Magical World of the Heroes, Cesare della Riviera's book of 1605, in its first English translation. It comes in hardcover at $79.99, and as an ebook on Kindle at $19.99. thethinkingpress.org/project/magical-world-of-the-heroes 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of The Magical World of the Heroes, by Cesare della Riviera, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Andromachus: Nero’s physician refined the antidote of Mithridates and added the flesh of vipers, making the theriac (from thēr, a wild beast) of later medicine. Theriac. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/theriac 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Theriac in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The dried bodies of female kermes scale insects, which yield a red dye used since antiquity. Kermes. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/kermes 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Kermes in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Dioscorides: Commends the Corycian saffron of Cilicia as the best, and warns of its adulteration. Saffron (Crocus sativus). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/saffron 🗃️ #WyrdWednesday #history
The plate of Saffron (Crocus sativus) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The next book from the press: On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, Floriano Canale's book of 1614, in its first English translation. Details and the glossary of plants are on its page. thethinkingpress.org/project/discerning-and-healing-the-bewitched 🗃️ 💙📚 #earlymodern
The cover of On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched, by Floriano Canale, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Here's the print works which are in the pipeline, with On the Manner of Discerning and Healing the Bewitched coming to retailers on Thursday, and Riviera hitting the market on the 25th!!! Big month for us here at thethinkingpress.org #history #psychology #demonology #witchcraft #occultism
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The dried bodies of female kermes scale insects, which yield a red dye used since antiquity. Kermes. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/kermes 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Kermes in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Here is our Floriano Canale volume (On the Manner of Healing and Discerning the Bewitched) Hardcover + ebook on sale starting Thursday morning, currently being read In night mode on our beautiful reading & listening archive on thethinkingpress.org sign up for free and read tonight... #witchcraft
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Homer: Named for Paeon, physician of the gods, who in the Iliad heals the wounds of Hades and of Ares. Peony (Paeonia officinalis). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/peony 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Peony (Paeonia officinalis) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Our interactive Reading & listening platform is beautiful and intuitive, and all our archives works are featured in it! Make your account before the window closes on our founding year charter memberships end on Jan 1st. #booktok
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Dioscorides: Commends the Corycian saffron of Cilicia as the best, and warns of its adulteration. Saffron (Crocus sativus). History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/saffron 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Saffron (Crocus sativus) in the press's Materia Medica.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Glad to have this on the site: Kleksographs, by Justinus Kerner, from 1890, in English. Kerner’s Hades pictures and Hell pictures, made from folded ink blots and each explained in a verse: ghosts. Start with the free parts. thethinkingpress.org/translations/kleksographs 🗃️ 💙📚 #c19th
The cover of Kleksographs, by Justinus Kerner, translated by B. C. P. Statema, from The Thinking Press.
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The Thinking Press @thethinkingpress.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Pliny tells how Cleopatra won a wager with Antony by dissolving a great pearl in vinegar and drinking it. Pearls, prepared. History, not medical advice. thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/pearls-prepared 🗃️ #history #histsci
The plate of Pearls, prepared in the press's Materia Medica.
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