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# RE: Classic Alchemy texts

#### Message 02890 of 3835

- To: <BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com>
- Subject: RE: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts
- From: "Richard Scott" <rscott@...>
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 15:11:35 +0100
- Thread-index: AcR44ZNrVzPcpBD/S+aoibIKxMaGkwAgR2Yw
- Thread-topic: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts

    Thanks for the links & commentary.
    Two of the links are familiar, but when I get the
    time I'll definitely check out the others.

    R

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Graeme Wilson [mailto:gnwilson@...]
    Sent: 02 August 2004 23:12
    To: BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts

    Hi,

    (My views follow, some thoughts to mull over, grist for the mill so they
    say)

    There is much debate over the 'value' of classic alchemical texts. First of
    all, many alchemical texts were written by people who already knew alchemy
    and (it is said) wrote more to show that they knew the process, and let
    other alchemists know that they knew. So, it is claimed, often they missed
    important steps in the process out, or they mixed some of the steps around,
    so those who don't know what they're doing cannot follow them. And of course
    much was written in allegorical language, and it can be difficult to tell
    which is being spoken plainly and straight up, and which is being alluded
    to, or described by extended metaphor (unless you already know the secret).

    Secondly, there is debate over who actually 'knew' the 'right' way, or any
    way at all.

    If you read the article on the Ingaleses, entitled "Did they confect the
    philosophers stone"
    ( http://www.crow-caw.com/TPS%20Pages/Articles/INGALESE.TXT) Richard Ingalese
    is quoted as having stated that he agreed with the statement: "Some one has
    said, 'You can destroy all other books on alchemy, for their knowledge and
    more is contained in the alchemical writings of Paracelsus." Mrs Ingalese
    told the Occult Review's Mrs McKenzie that A. E. Waite's edition of _The
    Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus_ were "the volumes that
    afforded her the most encouragement and help in her subsequent efforts."

    If you look at Pernety's "The Great Art"
    ( http://www.geocities.com/librorumprohibitorum/pernety-the-great-art.htm)
    You will find his thoughts on arriving at 'the Secret':

    "Of the Means of Arriving at the Secret

    The requirements necessary in order to arrive at this Secret, are: the
    knowledge of Nature and of one's self. One may not understand the first
    perfectly, or even the second, without the aid of Alchemy. The love of
    wisdom, the horror of crime, and of falsehood, the avoidance of
    cacochemists, the association of the wise, the invocation of the Holy
    Spirit; not to add secret to secret, to attach one's self only to one thing
    (because God and Nature delight in unity and simplicity), such are the
    conditions necessary for obtaining the divine revelation.

    Man being the epitome of all Nature, must learn to know himself as the
    summary, the miniature of Nature. By his spiritual part he is allied to all
    immortal creatures, and by his material part, to all that which is transient
    in the Universe."

    If you do intend to work your way through the classic alchemical texts, then
    I highly recommend reading Pernety, as he helps describe the world of
    hermetic philosophy through which many of the classic alchemists wrote about
    their works.

    Regardie's "Philosophers Stone" (available from
    http://www.geocities.com/librorumprohibitorum/ ) is another good way to get
    aquainted with Hermetic Philosophy as it relates to alchemical texts.
    However it was written at a time when Regardie believed the texts to only
    relate to spiritual matters, and said laboratory alchemy was a load of old
    cobblers. (Later he studying alchemy from Frater Albertus).

    Another recommended technique I've seen (which makes sense from a magical
    perspective) is to read all you can about the life and times of the
    alchemist whose text you wish to study. Then meditate on the alchemist. In
    you inner mind assume their energy, and see yourself reading books on
    alchemy, working in the lab, making realisations, etc, etc... being as
    creative as you can about the whole process. From this, you can assist your
    learning about the process. If you have someone to work with you (who knows
    Hypnosis or related trance processes) perhaps they can guide you in this
    process.

    Also, don't overlook modern books such as Herbert Stanley Redgrove's
    "Alchemy: Ancient and Modern ( http://www.hermetics.org/ebooks.html ) which
    also contains brief biographies of some of the classical alchemists. There
    is also plenty of thoughts (pro and contra) which can arise after reading
    modern alchemists' views on the classic texts. There are various groups on
    Yahoo dedicated to alchemy, and some of the practicing alchemists are
    willing to teach you what they know, but often they will require some
    committment from you in the beginning, such as obtaining labware and doing
    some of the herbal work (with little assistance) to "prove your worth"
    (perhaps) ... at very least most of them seem to have a low tolerance to
    time wasters (can't blame them really).

    Finally, I know the address of Adam McLean's site has already been posted
    but I thought it would be worthwhile mentioning that there is also a mirror
    site located at: http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ (easier to remember).

    Cheers,
    Graeme

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