Product Description

Alchemy is a rich and complex esoteric tradition that has flourished world-wide since the beginning of recorded history, if not earlier. There are three main traditions: Western Christian, Indo-tibetan and Chinese Taoist. Within this diversity there are many common features, which are analysed, organized, and brought together in this comprehensive dictionary of terms, symbols, and personalities. This dictionary is the distillation of many years' research into the extensive arcane literature. It is a reference work to guide the readers throught the labyrinth of pre-Newtonian science and philosophy. The dictionary covers not only the materialist dimension of the search for the elixir of life and the transmutation of metals, but also the inner search for the gold of mystical illumination. Jung called alchemy 'the projection of a drama both cosmic and spiritual in laboratorty terms'. This opus alchymicum goes beyond the bare analysis and interpretation of terms to present a harmonic, integrated vision of man and nature, which may help to heal the fragmented world view of modern science.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1284564 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

Good but with clear limits
This book was clearly spawned by a modern mind. This is mostly good but also has a few downsides.

To examine the good things first the book is written in a very easily understandable language. There is little ciphered language, which makes it well-suited for a beginners to Alchemy, or people who just wants to get a small taste of what Alchemy is about. With this book it’s possible without learning a whole new language of symbols.

Also it’s a relief to deal with an author who admits to the limits of his understanding, rather than hide behind babbling when there’s something he does not know.

Besides this the author should be lauded for the way he relates his main topic of Western alchemy to other traditions i.e. mainly Chinese and Indian Alchemy but also Christianity, Islam, modern psychology, Theurgy, Cabbalah and more.

That said there are some limits to this book that must be recognised. First and foremost the representation of Alchemy in this book is very much coloured by modern psychology, philosophy and a ‘new-age kind’ of spirituality.

Now our modern world has clear roots in the past and thus many of the authors observations may be correct. There is however aspects of Alchemy that is missing out in the book. While there is evidence that the development of good character was related to Alchemy, it seems clear to me that the ultimate goal of Alchemy was much more mystico-religious. Palingenesis in a much more literal sense than Haeffner is able to grasp.

One might also note that the relations Haeffner finds between Alchemy and other traditions are sometimes dubious. Mostly they are interesting and meaningful though. Another problem with this book is that sometimes the popular meaning of a symbol gets mingled with its alchemical use.

All in all though I warmly recommend the book. Just remember to be critical and compare it with a pre-modern mindset to localise its limitations.

In particular I recommend it(together with Francis Melvilles: The book of Alchemy) as an entry-point before tackling the more complex works by pre-modern and hardcore alchemists.

That is to say that the description of the symbols given in this book do not catch their complete meaning. The meaning to a Boehme or Flamel is deeper, but not unrelated to the one in “the dictionary of alchemy”. Thus the dictionary can be a stepping-stone to full understanding.

Good but with clear limits
This book was clearly spawned by a modern mind. This is mostly good but also has a few downsides.

To examine the good things first the book is written in a very easily understandable language. There is little ciphered language, which makes it well-suited for a beginners to Alchemy, or people who just wants to get a small taste of what Alchemy is about. With this book it’s possible without learning a whole new language of symbols.

Also it’s a relief to deal with an author who admits to the limits of his understanding, rather than hide behind babbling when there’s something he does not know.

Besides this the author should be lauded for the way he relates his main topic of Western alchemy to other traditions i.e. mainly Chinese and Indian Alchemy but also Christianity, Islam, modern psychology, Theurgy, Cabbalah and more.

That said there are some limits to this book that must be recognised. First and foremost the representation of Alchemy in this book is very much coloured by modern psychology, philosophy and a ‘new-age kind’ of spirituality.

Now our modern world has clear roots in the past and thus many of the authors observations may be correct. There is however aspects of Alchemy that is missing out in the book. While there is evidence that the development of good character was related to Alchemy, it seems clear to me that the ultimate goal of Alchemy was much more mystico-religious. Palingenesis in a much more literal sense than Haeffner is able to grasp.

One might also note that the relations Haeffner finds between Alchemy and other traditions are sometimes dubious. Mostly they are interesting and meaningful though. Another problem with this book is that sometimes the popular meaning of a symbol gets mingled with its alchemical use.

All in all though I warmly recommend the book. Just remember to be critical and compare it with a pre-modern mindset to localise its limitations.

In particular I recommend it(together with Francis Melvilles: The book of Alchemy) as an entry-point before tackling the more complex works by pre-modern and hardcore alchemists.

That is to say that the description of the symbols given in this book do not catch their complete meaning. The meaning to a Boehme or Flamel is deeper, but not unrelated to the one in “the dictionary of alchemy”. Thus the dictionary can be a stepping-stone to full understanding.