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The Black Alchemist: a terrifying true story
The Black Alchemist is a real account of terrifying true events. The nightmare begins when Collins and his friend Bernard G. visit a secluded churchyard on the Sussex Downs of southern England as part of a psychic quest. They are looking for an ancient Egyptian treasure, a golden staff known as the Stave of Nizar, brought to England at the time of the Crusades. Yet instead of finding a long lost Egyptian relic they uncover a stone spearhead, inscribed with magical symbols. Through further investigation they discover it has been concealed as part of a dark occult ritual by a character they dub the Black Alchemist. Collins and Bernard are then thrust into a series of horrifying confrontations as this sinister figure attempts to put a stop to their unwanted interference. Then, in the aftermath of Britain’s first hurricane in nearly 300 years, the Black Alchemist initiates the next phase of his great work—the creation of an antichrist, a second Adam, taking the form of an unholy child of unspeakable power. Even though Bernard now wants out of this dangerous affair, Collins convinces him it is something they cannot ignore, setting up a final psychic confrontation on the Sussex Downs. During the course of his investigations the author uncovers the true extent of the Black Alchemist’s obsession with Graeco-Egyptian magic and alchemy, as well as his use of the angelic invocations of Elizabethan magus Dr John Dee. Plus he learns the final fate of the historical object known as the Stave of Nizar.
- GenresNonfictionOccult
378 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 12, 2015
I love the original edition of this book, I must have read it 15 times in the last 25 years, so I was keen to compare.
Although I enjoyed this new and updated edition I missed some of my favourite parts that have been edited out along the way. They style is a bit more mature than the original, but as a long time follower of his work there was little added information I'd not heard at one point or another at questing conferences and events. If I was revisiting this without having re-read since the first edition or had any other forays into the subject I imagine I would have enjoyed it more. As it is I will be reaching for my trusty original next time I want to read it
Although I enjoyed this new and updated edition I missed some of my favourite parts that have been edited out along the way. They style is a bit more mature than the original, but as a long time follower of his work there was little added information I'd not heard at one point or another at questing conferences and events. If I was revisiting this without having re-read since the first edition or had any other forays into the subject I imagine I would have enjoyed it more. As it is I will be reaching for my trusty original next time I want to read it
December 29, 2016
This book was an okay read, but I was glad when I’d completed it. In fairness to it, I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, and it is supposed to be a factual account of occult happenings that occurred in the Sussex/Kent/Essex countryside spanning 1985 to 1987. Belief of the events or not aside, I found it all a bit…stilted.
For a factual account it was quite informative, if a little repetitive. Things were repeated as if filler was being used to get to acceptable ‘Novel Length’, but that aside, it flowed quite quickly as we bounced from one religious site to the next. I think my main issue was that I couldn’t get some ‘Austin Powers’ type characters out of my mind—maybe because it was set in the eighties. Once they’d invaded my psyche, it sort of ruined the moment. Oh well.
Worth a read if you’re interested in the machinations of occult Britain, four stars because it was a good, not great, but a riveting read – for me.
For a factual account it was quite informative, if a little repetitive. Things were repeated as if filler was being used to get to acceptable ‘Novel Length’, but that aside, it flowed quite quickly as we bounced from one religious site to the next. I think my main issue was that I couldn’t get some ‘Austin Powers’ type characters out of my mind—maybe because it was set in the eighties. Once they’d invaded my psyche, it sort of ruined the moment. Oh well.
Worth a read if you’re interested in the machinations of occult Britain, four stars because it was a good, not great, but a riveting read – for me.
November 22, 2014
In 1990 I was at university in Essex and went to a series of lectures concerning psychic questing and other non-mainstream views of life. My memories of it include the smell of herbal cigarettes (not illegal ones, I had a cold and they didn't make me cough more), being genuinely spooked by the sound of my hand washed tights dripping onto a plastic bag and the charismatic Andrew Collins.
He delivered a compelling lecture about his discovery of a stone spearhead and some scary stuff about Britain's sacred sites being targeted by a bad force which I only vaguely remember now, but which gave me the willies. His book was very readable and exciting. I haven't revisited it, but he's a convincing person.
He delivered a compelling lecture about his discovery of a stone spearhead and some scary stuff about Britain's sacred sites being targeted by a bad force which I only vaguely remember now, but which gave me the willies. His book was very readable and exciting. I haven't revisited it, but he's a convincing person.
October 15, 2016
I don't normally read books about magic, be it black or white, and this one I would never have known about if it hadn't been written by Andrew Collins, an author of a few books on ancient mysteries I have read over the years. This one, one of his older books, was compulsive reading, really hard to put down. It claims to be a true account of a magical confrontation between the author and a clairvoyant friend of his and an unidentified 'black alchemist' and his cohorts. Not sure if I believe it all, even though it comes across as a sincere report, including many photographs. Well, I read this purely for my entertainment so to me it doesn't really matter. But I can definitely recommend it, it's interesting, exciting and well-written.
September 11, 2017
Andrew Collins has written a captivating account, of occult happenings in the Sussex countryside, with this brilliant book. Being from the local area, I found this book utterly captivating and never once lost my interest whilst reading the book. The book itself contains lots of information and the account of the true events have been transcribed with great detail. Whether or not you believe the information within this book and/or the idea of the occult, this book makes for an entertaining read.
September 21, 2017
Genuinely enthralling. If Collins or Bernard did invent this out of whole cloth, they deserve a medal for imagination. Lets leave the veracity aside for a moment - always a touchy subject when it comes to real life stories of the occult - and talk about the contents.
The Black Alchemist covers a period of two years in which Collins, a magician, and Bernard, a psychic, undertook a series of psychic quests that put them in opposition with the titular Black Alchemist. As entertainment goes, the combination of harrowing discoveries, ancient lore, and going down the pub for a cigarette and a Guinness, trying to make sense of it all while a hen party screams at each other, is a winner. It is simultaneously down to earth and out of this world.
It reads fast, both because of the curiousity and because Collins has a very clear writing style. Sometimes its a little clunky or over repetitive and there's a few meetings that get underreported, but I am very much quibbling here. Mostly important, he captures his own and Bernard's sense of wonder, awe and occasionally revulsion enough that I shared them.
The Black Alchemist covers a period of two years in which Collins, a magician, and Bernard, a psychic, undertook a series of psychic quests that put them in opposition with the titular Black Alchemist. As entertainment goes, the combination of harrowing discoveries, ancient lore, and going down the pub for a cigarette and a Guinness, trying to make sense of it all while a hen party screams at each other, is a winner. It is simultaneously down to earth and out of this world.
It reads fast, both because of the curiousity and because Collins has a very clear writing style. Sometimes its a little clunky or over repetitive and there's a few meetings that get underreported, but I am very much quibbling here. Mostly important, he captures his own and Bernard's sense of wonder, awe and occasionally revulsion enough that I shared them.
March 31, 2017
Fantastic read, an almost unbelievable tale of dark forces at work
A real page turner...... I would say it helps if you have a basic knowledge of the occult to enjoy this book, as otherwise it could seem a bit too surreal. However it is well paced,written and a great book from a great author.
Dive in and see the world in a different light...
A real page turner...... I would say it helps if you have a basic knowledge of the occult to enjoy this book, as otherwise it could seem a bit too surreal. However it is well paced,written and a great book from a great author.
Dive in and see the world in a different light...
February 26, 2014
I used to have this book years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it !! I'm trying to find a 2nd hand copy of it
December 11, 2017
A little fantastical, not a grammatical work of art either, but never-the-less an interesting read.
February 17, 2024
Magische Schnitzeljagd im Süden Englands
Warnung vorab: Es handelt sich bei diesem Buch um keinen herkömmlichen Roman, was auch sein Ende beweist (mehr dazu soll nicht verraten werden). Autor Andrew Collins gibt vielmehr an, dass all das Beschriebene tatsächlich stattfand. Lediglich manche Dialoge und unbedeutenden zeitlichen Abläufe seien geringfügig verändert wiedergegeben. Genug der Erklärungen, hinein in die dunkle Geschichte…
Sie beginnt 1985 und endet 1988. Orte der Handlung: die südenglischen Grafschaften Essex und Sussex (und ein klein wenig Kent). Andrew Collins, bis heute ein vielschreibender und vielforschender Tausendsassa in Sachen Parapsychologie, Präastronautik oder Okkultismus, machte sich damals mit seinem guten Freund, den er aus Gründen der Privatsphäre nur ‚Bernard‘ nennt, auf die Spur eines recht umtriebigen schwarzmagischen Alchimisten. Bernard war ein begabtes, aber sensibles Medium, leicht zugänglich für allerlei dunkle Angriffe übersinnlicher Natur. Andrew war der robustere der Beiden.
Der als der „Schwarze Alchimist“ nicht näher bekannte Widersacher vollzieht in Kirchen oder deren Friedhöfen allerlei okkulte Rituale, deponiert mit negativer Energie aufgeladene Gegenstände und leitet Stück für Stück ein sich über Jahre streckendes Opus Magnum ein. Er möchte etwas in diese Welt holen, was wohl deren Untergang wäre. Stets ist er Andrew/Bernard einen Schritt voraus. Er agiert, sie reagieren bloß. Doch sie kommen ihm näher.
Im Laufe dieser magischen Schnitzeljagd, dieses Fernduells Licht gegen Finsternis erfährt man allerlei über griechisch-ägyptische Alchimie, begegnet Doctor John Dee, seltsamen Wesenheiten – oder macht Bekanntschaft mit Manifestationen der Dunklen Göttin, z.B. in Form der Hekate.
Wenn Hekate als schrill heulende Alte auf den Böen eines Jahrhundertorkans durch die Nacht braust, wird es gruselig. Wenn im Buch geschrieben steht, dass sie um 3:30 morgens auftauchte, und man diese Zeilen – wie es der Zufall so will – um 3:26 liest und draußen auch noch ein Sturm geht und Regen an die Fensterscheiben prasselt, wird es noch unheimlicher. Dramaturgisch perfekte Synchronizität.
Tagsüber hatte ich mir auch die Mühe gemacht, viele der Orte, die Andrew/Bernard im Zuge ihrer Ermittlungen aufgesucht hatten, im Internet nachzurecherchieren, sei es Arundel Castle, die Priorei von Wilmington oder die Lullington Church. Ich überprüfte quasi die Überprüfer. So konnte das Buch noch mehr Spannung entfalten. Alles stimmig. Ein Glossar sowie zahlreiche Fußnoten machen weiteres Vertiefen in die umfassende Materie leichter.
Was meiner Überprüfung nicht standhielt, waren Rechtschreibfehler: Einmal stand Guinness, dann ‚Guiness‘ – nur durch ein paar Zeilen getrennt, dann Hohepriester, gefolgt von ‚Hohenpriester‘. Wenn das keinen tieferen Sinn hat, der sich mir als Laien der arkanen Künste nicht preisgibt, wurde wohl beim Lektorat gepatzt.
Trotzdem, von diesen orthografischen Kleinigkeiten, so sehr sie das Auge auch beleidigen, nicht abschrecken lassen! Gegen Ende hin treffen Andrew/Bernard auf jemanden, der noch rücksichtsloser und gefährlicher ist als der Schwarze Alchemist und mit viel roherer Magie arbeitet. Brace yourselves!
Warnung vorab: Es handelt sich bei diesem Buch um keinen herkömmlichen Roman, was auch sein Ende beweist (mehr dazu soll nicht verraten werden). Autor Andrew Collins gibt vielmehr an, dass all das Beschriebene tatsächlich stattfand. Lediglich manche Dialoge und unbedeutenden zeitlichen Abläufe seien geringfügig verändert wiedergegeben. Genug der Erklärungen, hinein in die dunkle Geschichte…
Sie beginnt 1985 und endet 1988. Orte der Handlung: die südenglischen Grafschaften Essex und Sussex (und ein klein wenig Kent). Andrew Collins, bis heute ein vielschreibender und vielforschender Tausendsassa in Sachen Parapsychologie, Präastronautik oder Okkultismus, machte sich damals mit seinem guten Freund, den er aus Gründen der Privatsphäre nur ‚Bernard‘ nennt, auf die Spur eines recht umtriebigen schwarzmagischen Alchimisten. Bernard war ein begabtes, aber sensibles Medium, leicht zugänglich für allerlei dunkle Angriffe übersinnlicher Natur. Andrew war der robustere der Beiden.
Der als der „Schwarze Alchimist“ nicht näher bekannte Widersacher vollzieht in Kirchen oder deren Friedhöfen allerlei okkulte Rituale, deponiert mit negativer Energie aufgeladene Gegenstände und leitet Stück für Stück ein sich über Jahre streckendes Opus Magnum ein. Er möchte etwas in diese Welt holen, was wohl deren Untergang wäre. Stets ist er Andrew/Bernard einen Schritt voraus. Er agiert, sie reagieren bloß. Doch sie kommen ihm näher.
Im Laufe dieser magischen Schnitzeljagd, dieses Fernduells Licht gegen Finsternis erfährt man allerlei über griechisch-ägyptische Alchimie, begegnet Doctor John Dee, seltsamen Wesenheiten – oder macht Bekanntschaft mit Manifestationen der Dunklen Göttin, z.B. in Form der Hekate.
Wenn Hekate als schrill heulende Alte auf den Böen eines Jahrhundertorkans durch die Nacht braust, wird es gruselig. Wenn im Buch geschrieben steht, dass sie um 3:30 morgens auftauchte, und man diese Zeilen – wie es der Zufall so will – um 3:26 liest und draußen auch noch ein Sturm geht und Regen an die Fensterscheiben prasselt, wird es noch unheimlicher. Dramaturgisch perfekte Synchronizität.
Tagsüber hatte ich mir auch die Mühe gemacht, viele der Orte, die Andrew/Bernard im Zuge ihrer Ermittlungen aufgesucht hatten, im Internet nachzurecherchieren, sei es Arundel Castle, die Priorei von Wilmington oder die Lullington Church. Ich überprüfte quasi die Überprüfer. So konnte das Buch noch mehr Spannung entfalten. Alles stimmig. Ein Glossar sowie zahlreiche Fußnoten machen weiteres Vertiefen in die umfassende Materie leichter.
Was meiner Überprüfung nicht standhielt, waren Rechtschreibfehler: Einmal stand Guinness, dann ‚Guiness‘ – nur durch ein paar Zeilen getrennt, dann Hohepriester, gefolgt von ‚Hohenpriester‘. Wenn das keinen tieferen Sinn hat, der sich mir als Laien der arkanen Künste nicht preisgibt, wurde wohl beim Lektorat gepatzt.
Trotzdem, von diesen orthografischen Kleinigkeiten, so sehr sie das Auge auch beleidigen, nicht abschrecken lassen! Gegen Ende hin treffen Andrew/Bernard auf jemanden, der noch rücksichtsloser und gefährlicher ist als der Schwarze Alchemist und mit viel roherer Magie arbeitet. Brace yourselves!
July 19, 2022
I have the original copy of this book signed by Bernard who is my husbands Uncle.
It is a true story and nothing has been made up.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in the physic world. Even better to read if you know the actual places that were visited.
It is a true story and nothing has been made up.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in the physic world. Even better to read if you know the actual places that were visited.
August 31, 2022
The whole "psychic questing" lark might be tenuous in terms of objective reality, but as far as occult adventure fiction goes this has a certain weird charm to it. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/201...
March 17, 2018
Must Read
Amazing, im simply blown away this is my first read on kindle and i must say it sure was a great start to what has now compelled me to read more.
Amazing, im simply blown away this is my first read on kindle and i must say it sure was a great start to what has now compelled me to read more.
April 27, 2018
Interesting insight into magic in the modern world. I wasn't that convinced by the psychic Bernard at the beginning as it seemed as if he was planting all the clues.
January 6, 2019
Page turner
Could not put this down. Even though I read it when it was first released. Interesting story, how did so much evil come into the world?
Could not put this down. Even though I read it when it was first released. Interesting story, how did so much evil come into the world?
June 18, 2019
Loved this story made me want to believe
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews