A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery

by Lyndy Abraham

This dictionary documents alchemical symbolism from the early centuries AD to the late-twentieth century, for use by historians of literary culture, philosophy, science and the visual arts, and readers interested in alchemy and hermeticism. Each entry includes a definition of the symbol, giving the literal (physical) and figurative (spiritual) meanings, an example of the symbol used in alchemical writing, and a quotation from a literary source. There are fifty visual images of graphic woodcuts, copperplate engravings and hand-painted emblems, some reproduced here for the first time.

Genres: Alchemy, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Reference, Writing, Occult

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1999

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much like Shakespeare's Bawdy, only without all the embarrassing discovery of realizing that most of the greatest playwright in the western world is intensely inappropriate. By contrast, Luther said, "The science of alchymy I like very well, and indeed, 'tis the philosophy of the ancients. I like it not only for the profits it brings in melting metals, in decocting, preparing, extracting and distilling herbs, roots; I like it also for the sake of the allegory and secret signification, which is exceedingly fine, touching the resurrection of the dead at the last day." There, what more justification do you need?

So, if you want to get to know about a very cool part of literature, this is the book for you. The only thing that I wish had been better explained is how alchemy is both a physical and a spiritual event. The physical quest for a "chemicyl" that can turn lead into gold is somehow attached or associated with turning leaden souls into golden souls. Also, if you think this is all a bunch of mercantilist and superstitious hogwash, Isaac Newton got into it. So there!

Alchemy consists of three processes: in the black (nigredo) stage the prima materia of creation is broken down into black matter and separated into spirit, a symbol of repentance. In the albedo (white) stage, the black matter is purified and made into white matter or ash. In the rubedo (red) stage, the purified matter and spirit are reunited as the gas is re-embodied into red philosopher's stone.

To accomplish this transformation there is a mixture of quicksilver and sulphur, which is also called the marriage of the elements, the joining of hot, dry, active masculine with cold, moist, receptive feminine which is the agent of the whole tripartate process, giving birth to the philosopher's stone.

On the edges, we see this alchemy extends to pretty much any symbol you can think of--green lions, peacock tails, castles, dragons, and child's piss. I also discovered though that the Phoenix is a symbol of the rubedo, that basilisks are symbols of the whole process, that the beheading of the king is a symbol of nigredo, that castles are sealed vessels, that the red lily is another symbol of the elixir, that the cervus fugitivus (fleeing deer) is a symbol of Mercury (a messenger between body and soul), and that the stone is, of course, ignored and looked down upon and hidden, an orphan. Sorry if that's abstract, but look up John Granger and you'll get it.

[Katherine Sas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hugely informative and lucid guide to classical, medieval, and modern alchemical imagery. This is one for every literary scholar to have on their shelf.

[Gnome Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

handy

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went ahead and purchased a copy of this — it is a tremendous resource for anyone examining chymical texts. Some descriptions would benefit from more elaboration/elucidation. I hope someone has a revised, significantly expanded version in the works.