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Alchemy
IS the transmutation of base metals into gold possible? Is the idea one at which the learned of the modern world can afford to scoff? Alchemy was more than a speculative art: it was also an operative art. Since the time of the immortal Hermes, alchemists have asserted (and not without substantiating evidence) that they could manufacture gold from tin, silver, lead, and mercury. That the galaxy of brilliant philosophic and scientific minds who, over a period of two thousand years, affirmed the actuality of metallic transmutation and multiplication, could be completely sane and rational on all other problems of philosophy and science, yet hopelessly mistaken on this one point, is untenable. Nor is it reasonable that the hundreds declaring to have seen and performed transmutations of metals could all have been dupes, imbeciles, or liars.
Those assuming that all alchemists were of unsound mentality would be forced to put in this category nearly all the philosophers and scientists of the ancient and mediæval worlds. Emperors, princes, priests, and common townsfolk have witnessed the apparent miracle of metallic metamorphosis. In the face of existing testimony, anyone is privileged to remain unconvinced, but the scoffer elects to ignore evidence worthy of respectful consideration. Many great alchemists and Hermetic philosophers occupy an honored niche in the Hall of Fame, while their multitudinous critics remain obscure. To list all these sincere seekers after Nature's great arcanum is impossible, but a few will suffice to acquaint the reader with the superior types of intellect who interested themselves in this abstruse subject.
Those assuming that all alchemists were of unsound mentality would be forced to put in this category nearly all the philosophers and scientists of the ancient and mediæval worlds. Emperors, princes, priests, and common townsfolk have witnessed the apparent miracle of metallic metamorphosis. In the face of existing testimony, anyone is privileged to remain unconvinced, but the scoffer elects to ignore evidence worthy of respectful consideration. Many great alchemists and Hermetic philosophers occupy an honored niche in the Hall of Fame, while their multitudinous critics remain obscure. To list all these sincere seekers after Nature's great arcanum is impossible, but a few will suffice to acquaint the reader with the superior types of intellect who interested themselves in this abstruse subject.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
75 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Manly P. Hall
787 books1,151 followersCanadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 23, 2016
A Simple Yet In-depth Treatment of Alchemy
In terms of an alchemy text this book is fairly short and straightforward, comparatively speaking. As such , Alchemy may be a good read for a beginner. However, there are many layers of depth here as well. I have a feeling that I will be revisiting this text at some point to reveal new layers of understanding.
In terms of an alchemy text this book is fairly short and straightforward, comparatively speaking. As such , Alchemy may be a good read for a beginner. However, there are many layers of depth here as well. I have a feeling that I will be revisiting this text at some point to reveal new layers of understanding.
April 15, 2016
Incredible. The mark of genius
September 3, 2016
Great Break Down of the Whole Matter.
I believe is properly meditated upon and a undies with great focus the whole matter of this subject my be discovered in this book.
I believe is properly meditated upon and a undies with great focus the whole matter of this subject my be discovered in this book.
August 27, 2020
Questions
The more you know the more you desire to know. Where is the original text. What ignorant hubris to remove or change an ancient text for fear someone might discover the truth that you you cannot. Stating fear when you’ve read the powers that be are waiting for The One to add what is missing to help them know all. Surely the Catholic Church is guilt of even withholding The Book of Enoch or people would not still be asking “are we along” but rather why did Enoch use the word evil when he knew it not and was even shown the gates of the wind.
The more you know the more you desire to know. Where is the original text. What ignorant hubris to remove or change an ancient text for fear someone might discover the truth that you you cannot. Stating fear when you’ve read the powers that be are waiting for The One to add what is missing to help them know all. Surely the Catholic Church is guilt of even withholding The Book of Enoch or people would not still be asking “are we along” but rather why did Enoch use the word evil when he knew it not and was even shown the gates of the wind.
February 10, 2018
It's just not my taste.
Boring book. Fell asleep at least 5 times while reading. WARNING stay away! Boredom alert!
Boring book. Fell asleep at least 5 times while reading. WARNING stay away! Boredom alert!
Want to read
October 23, 2018A very good book
I like the way the author explains things but found the subject matter a little bit hard to understand or it would have been 5 stars. Great illustrations
I like the way the author explains things but found the subject matter a little bit hard to understand or it would have been 5 stars. Great illustrations
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews