Table Of Content

Alchemy Alchemy by Dennis William Hauck A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ALPHA BOOKS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England Copyright © 2008 by Dennis William Hauck All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No pat- ent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ISBN: 1-4362-3083-7 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2007939745 Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight Cartoonist: Steve Barr Editorial Director: Mike Sanders Book Designer: Trina Wurst Senior Managing Editor: Billy Fields Indexer: Johnna Vanhoose Dinse Executive Editor: Randy Ladenheim-Gil Layout: Ayanna Lacey Development Editor: Lynn Northrup Proofreader: Aaron Black Production Editor: Kayla Dugger Copy Editor: Nancy Wagner Contents at a Glance Part 1: Introduction to Alchemy 1 1 Your Apprenticeship in Alchemy 3 It is still possible to be initiated into the ancient art of alchemy, and this chapter shows you how. 2 The First Alchemists 13 Could the legends of the divine origins of alchemy have a grain of truth? 3 The Land of Khem 25 The birthplace of alchemy was in ancient Egypt, and it reached its fullest expression in Alexandria. 4 Medieval Alchemy and the Quest for Gold 41 The heyday of alchemy in the Middle Ages also carried the seeds of its demise. Part 2: The Principles of Alchemy 57 5 The Secret Language of Alchemists 59 The coded language of the alchemists was invented to conceal their knowledge from those who would abuse it. 6 The Elusive First Matter 73 The alchemists attempted to reduce substances to their First Matter and recreate them from the inside out. 7 The Four Elements 81 The Four Elements are the archetypes of matter that arose from the primordial First Matter at the beginning of time. 8 The Three Essentials 93 The Three Essentials are the primary forces of creation that are present in all things. 9 The Philosopher’s Stone 103 The Philosopher’s Stone is the alchemist’s ultimate tool that would instantly transform anything into its perfected state. Part 3: The Operations of Alchemy 113 10 The Ladder of the Planets 115 The visible planets are like stepping stones for the alchemist to follow in achieving transformations. vi The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Alchemy 11 The Black Phase 127 The first stage of alchemical transformation begins with death and decay. 12 The White Phase 139 The second stage of transformation is a purification of the essences that survived the initial operations. 13 The Red Phase 149 The third stage of transformation is bringing the saved essences back to life in triumphant empowerment. Part 4: Practical Alchemy 161 14 Inside an Alchemist’s Laboratory 163 We visit a medieval alchemist’s laboratory to learn the secret processes that went on there. 15 The Spagyric Process 175 The alchemical process for creating tinctures and elixirs is unlike anything you might have expected. 16 The Kitchen Alchemist 185 You don’t need a fancy laboratory to be a practicing alchemist. 17 Working with the Planetary Metals 195 The metals were considered the most powerful expressions of cosmic energy on our planet. Part 5: Spiritual Alchemy 213 18 Mental Alchemy 215 The principles of alchemy work on the psychological level and are the key to personal transformation. 19 Alchemy of the Soul 225 Spiritual transformation was the major concern of genuine alchemists throughout history. 20 The Sacred Marriage 235 The union of masculine and feminine ways of knowing leads to a new incarnation of body, mind, and soul. Contents at a Glance vii Part 6: Modern Alchemy 243 21 Alchemy and Medicine 245 The goal of alchemy has always been to heal imperfections in matter and restore balance and health to individuals. 22 Social Alchemy 259 Alchemical principles are at work in human evolution and advances in civilization. 23 The Science of Magic 275 The diverse disciplines of alchemy, science, magic, and religion are slowly coming together to offer us a deeper and truer view of the universe. Appendixes A Resources 289 B Glossary 295 Index 301