Alchemy

The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy
$27.50
This was my third book by Eliade, but certainly not the last. Eliade was a professor of the history of religions at the University of Chicago, among other things, but he was also very well travelled, having studied under the guidance of an Indian yogi back in Mother India. He was born in Rumania, a contemporary of the European idealist freedom fighter Corneliu Codreanu in the 30's, and in fact a member of the Legion of the Archangel Michael, a radical "Right-wing" religious organization opposed to the project of creating a new Israel on European soil. Although Eliade throughout his life claimed to be very "apolitical", his views on religion have a natural conservative and reactionary consequence, so hence this is for sure one of "our own boys".

This particular book deals with alchemy, not from a technical or chemical point of view, but from a historical, religious, cultural and to a certain degree psychological and traditionalist. Most primitive peoples had no access to metals (iron in particular) beside that which fell from the sky, so; "When Cortez enquired of the Aztec chiefs whence they obtained their knives they simply pointed to the sky" (p.21). Meteoric iron was among many peoples held in higher regard than gold, and looked upon as gifts directly from higher powers. From this first chapter "Meteorites and Metallurgy", we onwards learn much about how the first smiths, potters, carpenters and so on ritualized and sanctified their work and viewed it as a mirror-image of the original celestial creation. Later, Eliade teaches us on how many alchemists thoughts of the world as divided into sexes, and hence how various items, parts of nature, chemical solutions, metallic alloys and so on also were divided into various sexes.

We later touch on such issues as "Divine Smiths & Civilizing Heroes", "Smiths, Warriors, Masters of Initiation", "Chinese & Indian Alchemy", "Arcana Artis" and of course, one of Eliade's favourite subjects; "Alchemy and Temporality". All this, and more, in less than 200 pages of large-font text, who would want to miss out on that? Included is also a very useful and comprehensive bibliography. Eliade draws on both Evola and Jung, among many others, in this rather detailed research into the origins of alchemy. As always Eliade renders what is often annoyingly obscure into clear as day facts that anyone can understand. Ideal as the first book you read on this fascinating subject! 5 stars, without a doubt.

Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology (Studies in Jungian Psychology)
$40.00
. . . the active nature of participation in outer reality and relationships, together with the process of inner reflection."

The above quote from page 83 of von Franz' book illustrates the reason that Jung and von Franz were interested in alchemy: as a symbolic portrayal of psychic processes, particularly individuation. Individuation is the goal of all psychic processes which, in a nutshell, is balance--between conscious and unconscious processes achieved in part by developing a healthy connection with the collective unconscious.

This book displays the masterly scholarship of M.L. von Franz, who wrote this book as an introduction to the more arcane and less clearly written books by Jung on the topic. The book is taken from transcriptions of a series of lectures on alchemy.

Von Franz begins with discussing some basic Jungian, mythological and alchemical concepts. She then proceeds to discuss Greek alchemy for several chapters starting with one of the oldest alchemical writings "The Prophetess Isis to her son." Isis' son is of course, Horus. In this passage, an angel comes to Isis and wants to have sex with her. She negotiates a bargain where the angel will tell her the secret of alchemy. The bargain stipulates that she cannot share her secret with anyone except her son. Hence the secret of alchemy--the philosphers stone--is known as "the secret of the widow" (Isis was the widow of Osiris).

In other chapters von Franz discusses Arabic and European alchemy, utilizing other source texts. Von Franz recounts Jung's search for a text called "Aurora Consurgens" conducted with her assistance. Von Franz subsequently translated and published this text which some sources attribrute to Thomas Aquinas.

This is an excellent introduction to Jungian alchemical concepts. The text is accompanied by black and white illustrations of alchemical symbols.

(Remember that this is a transcript of lectures so the writing is not as good as some of von Franz' other works. In particular I found some of the transcribed questions and comments from the peanut gallery to be annoying.)

Broken Heart - Alchemy Gothic Pewter Ring, size 8
$30.06
Double-sided ring of love, pain and sorrow, featuring an enamelled heart obscuring a deep-set skull. Alchemy Gothic rings are hand cast and made in England from fine English pewter and in many cases include other high quality materials and finishes. 100% Britannia pewter. Hand made in England. Authentic Alchemy of England brand merchandise.

Alchemists Handbook: (Manual for Practical Laboratory Alchemy
$14.95
Why not 5 stars?

For two reasons:

1) Alchemy (The Weiser Concise Guide Series) by Brian Cotnoir is a better introduction, although, wisely, it contains little about the "Great Work".

2) The author, Frater Albertus, includes theosophistic (source: Mme H. P. Blavatsky et al) confusion like the notion of literal "re-incarnation", something of a "New Age" dogma but, alas, an erroneous 19th century amalgamation of the two traditional doctrines of metemphychosis and transmigration.

The last sections of the book, beginning with Chapter VII, "Wisdom of the Sages", are NOT superfluous but on the contrary contain several strong hints and useful warnings about certain materials and processes of the Great Work.

The section "Alchemy and Philosophy" in the Conclusion is truly outstanding, showing how some of the theories of modern chemistry can be usefully, harmoniously and seamlessly integrated into the traditional framework of hermetic philosophy and alchemy.