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Alchemy: The Great Work: A Brief History of Western Hermeticism
'Packed with strange stories and shiny nuggets of information, the Great Work is erudite but reads very clearly. But what I admire about it most is how enlightening and enlivening it is.' - Jonathan Black
Alchemy is the art of transformation. At its simplest, the alchemist turns base metals into gold. However this is only one dimension of alchemy - at a more sophisticated level the alchemist's 'base metal' is symbolic of himself that needs to be worked upon and the 'gold' produced is the alchemist himself in his or her quest to perfect his own nature. In short, true alchemy is a discipline involving physical, physiological and spiritual work aimed at producing wholeness and enlightenment.
From the origins of alchemy, both reputed and documented, Cherry Gilchrist's lively and sympathetic narrative takes the reader from the alchemical interests of the ancient Egyptians to the flowering of alchemy in the seventeenth century. She also elucidates the complexities of alchemical symbolism and examines the ways in which alchemy has developed in the twentieth century.
With an introduction by Jonathan Black
Alchemy is the art of transformation. At its simplest, the alchemist turns base metals into gold. However this is only one dimension of alchemy - at a more sophisticated level the alchemist's 'base metal' is symbolic of himself that needs to be worked upon and the 'gold' produced is the alchemist himself in his or her quest to perfect his own nature. In short, true alchemy is a discipline involving physical, physiological and spiritual work aimed at producing wholeness and enlightenment.
From the origins of alchemy, both reputed and documented, Cherry Gilchrist's lively and sympathetic narrative takes the reader from the alchemical interests of the ancient Egyptians to the flowering of alchemy in the seventeenth century. She also elucidates the complexities of alchemical symbolism and examines the ways in which alchemy has developed in the twentieth century.
With an introduction by Jonathan Black
- GenresAlchemy
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2015
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Cherry Gilchrist
77 books23 followersCherry Gilchrist is a lover of all things ancient and mysterious. Field research for her books has taken her into Russian forests, Silk Road Yurts and to meet stone heads on Easter Island. She has written books on alchemy, mythology, family history and personal relationships. Her latest book, The Circle of Nine relates nine feminine archetypes to everyday lives of women. Cherry has also run a vintage clothes shop, a Russian crafts gallery, taught creative writing and performed as an early music singer. She is a graduate of Cambridge University, and holds a post-graduate diploma from the University of Bath Spa. As a lecturer, she has given many talks at venues ranging from the Temenos Academy to the British Council, the Royal Academy, and the Queen Elizabeth II cruise liner. At present she lives near Stroud, with her husband, artist Robert Lee-Wade and two black cats for luck. She has two grown-up children and two granddaughters. Find her at www.cherrygilchrist.co.uk and www.circleofnine.org
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