Alchemy is one of the more obscure aspect of western esotericism and the history of science. In this episode of Esoterica, we explore the first known European alchemical text The Book of the Composition of Alchemy (Liber de compositione alchemiae) translated from the Kitab al-Kimya (from the circle of Jabbir ibn Hayyan c. 8th CE) by Robert of Chester on February 11th 1144. The book features in microcosm much that will become commonplace in the alchemical tradition: romantic tales of holy masters, the stone of the philosophers, the transmutation of substances, the famous Green Lion, and more. By studying this foundational alchemical text we may better understand the history of alchemy and chemistry.
Recommended Reading and Links:
Stavenhagen – A Testament Of Alchemy – 978-0874510959
Al-Hassan – THE ARABIC ORIGINAL OF LIBER DE COMPOSITIONE ALCHEMIAE The Epistle of Maryānus, the Hermit and Philosopher, to Prince Khālid ibn Yazīd – https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/arabic-sciences-and-philosophy/article/abs/arabic-original-of-liber-de-compositione-alchemiae-the-epistle-of-maryanus-the-hermit-and-philosopher-to-prince-khalid-ibn-yazid/BD9E8994AF1B205A13B1498DE548DCA5
Auriferae artis (Latin text) – https://www.google.com/books/edition/Auriferae_artis_quam_chemiam_vocant_anti/A2FWAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
Alchemy website – https://www.alchemywebsite.com/
Purchase some of Adam McLean’s art – https://www.ebay.com/str/Esoteric-paintings
Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature’s “Secret Fire” 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!
Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation
Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.
#alchemy #hermetic #transmutation
