Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #687270 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Synopsis
Alchemy has been the source of endless curiosity and interpretation. It is generally considered an occult science that has little to do with contemporary life. But in ALCHEMICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Jungian therapist Thom Cavalli, takes us on an adventure of historical learning and personal discovery of what psychological alchemy means for us today. In a book that sparkles with example and practicality, Thom Cavelli illustrates how alchemy was one of the earliest attempts to transform consciousness through personal experiment. He explores the little known recipes, secret processes of transformation, used by ancient, medieval and modern alchemists to unlock the mysteries of human nature. Beautifully illustrated with medieval prints, ALCHEMICAL PSYCHOLOGY reveals new insights into the structure of reality as well as effective ways of creating wholeness in our lives. It may be the clearest book yet written on applying practices that have teased the mind and tempted the imagination since the dawn of time.

Customer Reviews

Easy to read book on alchemical psychology
This book takes the complex language of alchemy and alchemical processes and translates it into easy-to-understand language. The author guides you step-by-step through alchemical symbolism and alchemical operations as they relate to different psychological processes.

The alchemical recipes expressed through different alchemical operations presented in this book are intended to help you create desired psychological transformation - whether you desire to apply them in your therapeutic practice or to gain further insights and effect the desired transformation in yourself.

Understanding of alchemy is based on practical application and as the author points out "Unlike medical prescriptions, alchemical recipes require full engagement of the mind, body and soul, as well as active participation of the imaginative faculty to make them work." [As a hypnotist, I may add, that this truth applies to successful work with hypnosis, too].

The author does quote excerpts from Corpus Hermeticum - and this particular excerpt is the jewel of the Corpus Hermeticum:

"Rise up above every height: descend deeper than any depth;
Concentrate into thyself all the sensations of created things
Of water, fire, dry and wet.

Think of finding yourself simultaneously everywhere in the
Earth, sea and sky;
Think of having never been born,
Of still being an embryo;
Young and old, dead and beyond death,
Embrace everything at the same time;
All times, places, things, qualities and quantities."

The author also at times draws parallels from the world of quantum physics, and other spiritual and esoteric traditions,
to ellucidate specific points he desires to make.