Imperatrix Æterna: Magical Stories of the Queen of Heaven by Pope St. Celestine V & Ippolito Marracci

Catholic miracles, Virgin Mary, Christian mysticism

Imperatrix Æterna: Magical Stories of the Queen of Heaven brings together medieval Marian miracle stories and later accounts of devotion to the Blessed Mother, presenting Mary as a celestial figure of compassion, intercession and protection against evil. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, the collection offers a fascinating encounter with the enduring image of the divine feminine as Magna Mater, the great celestial mother.

The central stories originate with Pope St. Celestine V, the thirteenth-century monk and founder of the Celestine branch of the Benedictine order. His accounts portray the Virgin Mary as a powerful intercessor and merciful protector, offering a distinctive window into medieval approaches to Catholic miracles, sacred intervention and the supernatural.

The collection continues with historiolae by Ippolito Marracci concerning the Noble Daughters of Mary: queens, princesses and saints whose lives were shaped by their devotion to the Blessed Mother. Interspersed quotations broaden the work's scope, drawing attention to the recurring archetype of the celestial mother across spiritual and mythological traditions.

For readers interested in the Virgin Mary, medieval religious literature, Christian mysticism and the intersection of devotion with magical and esoteric thought, Imperatrix Æterna offers an unusual and richly layered volume. The work is further distinguished by references and quotations involving figures including Charles Baudelaire and Aleister Crowley, placing its Marian material within a broader history of Western mystical and occult reflection.

Translated and compiled by Fr Robert Nixon, OSB, with cover artwork by Rosa Laguna, this edition combines medieval source material with a contemporary presentation designed to appeal to both readers of esoteric literature and collectors of finely produced occult and religious books.

Premium Production Details

Author: Pope St. Celestine V and Ippolito Marracci
Additional contributors: Charles Baudelaire, Aleister Crowley, and others
Translated and compiled by: Robert Nixon, OSB
Cover artwork: Rosa Laguna
Edition: Hardback
Binding: Sewn hardcover
Pages: 134
Size: 210mm x 297mm
Paper: Munken Crème
Cover: Skivertex Ostra Red
Endpapers: 19th century Western European reproduction decorative endpapers
Head and tail bands: Red
Lettering: Gold foil on front and spine
ISBN: 978-1-914166-22-8
Publication date: March 2023
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-914166-23-5
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-914166-29-7