Alchemy
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So far this has been the most difficult topic to start to unravel. Much like the writings of Crowley himself, the topic of Alchemy is composed of so many varied and complex texts each of which require a knowledge of others in order to start to unravel the puzzle. i don't object to this. It's a nice challenge, and things do indeed become more clear the more I read (e.g. if I read through something once, I have no idea whats going on, but as I gain more background I come to understand more). This has been my experience with Thelema and Magick in general.
Still I'm wondering who some of you started reading first in this area. Dee and Meyer have been suggested to me for starters. Just kind of wanting opinions on this though--is there a good "starter text" out there? Should I shut up and continue to muddle through (probably)?
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MSL -
I hear that Adam McClean's courses on interpreting alchemical allegory are helpful.
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I would start with the "Alchemist's Handbook", written by Frater Albertus.It gives a good introduction to alchemy and tells you how to set up an actual laboratory,complete with beakers and erlenmeyer flasks.There is a chapter on alchemical symbolism,and a list of herbs with their planetary attributions.
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@SophiaLux said
"So far this has been the most difficult topic to start to unravel. Much like the writings of Crowley himself, the topic of Alchemy is composed of so many varied and complex texts each of which require a knowledge of others in order to start to unravel the puzzle. i don't object to this. It's a nice challenge, and things do indeed become more clear the more I read (e.g. if I read through something once, I have no idea whats going on, but as I gain more background I come to understand more). This has been my experience with Thelema and Magick in general.
Still I'm wondering who some of you started reading first in this area. Dee and Meyer have been suggested to me for starters. Just kind of wanting opinions on this though--is there a good "starter text" out there? Should I shut up and continue to muddle through (probably)?
93/93
MSL"It would depend on what kind of alchemy you are looking to learn about...if it is parctical alchemy you are interested in then Vod-Vil's suggestion is a great one. If you are interested in plant alchemy alone you might check out Manfred Junius' book The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy: An Herbalist's Guide to Preparing Medicinal Essences, Tinctures, and Elixirs...OTOH, if you are seeking to understand philosophical alchemy, then C.G. Jung's work Mysterium Coniunctionis is phenomenal. If you are seeking to learn sexual alchemy, then the best advice I can give is to read the traditional texts & allow your intuition to guide you...some heavy meditation on Atus VII, XI & especially XIV will help, as well as Libri LXVI, CLVI & CCCLXX...you might even look into one of the modern texts on sex magick, but I have not read any that are worth recommending.
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