The Alchemist’s Kitchen: Extraordinary Potions & Curious Notions

Wooden Books

by Guy Ogilvy

From the revelation of fire to mediaeval quests for the legendary Philosopher’s Stone, the alchemical path has attracted many great minds.

Packed with recipes for herbal elixirs, soothing balms, heady scents, rich pigments, and potent solvents, The Alchemist’s Kitchen will appeal to anyone fascinated by the past and the occult world.

From the legendary Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus and Paracelsus’s spagyric medicine, to the ancient science of the four elements and the symbolic associations of mediaeval pigment recipes, this book—illustrated with old engravings and original art—takes you inside mediaeval laboratories and kitchens to explore the sacred secrets of matter.

Genres: Alchemy, Nonfiction, Science, History, Witchcraft, Magic, Chemistry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2006

About the author

Guy Ogilvy is a leading alchemical researcher, writer and practicing alchemist. He lives in the UK.

from barnesandnoble.com

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alchemist's Kitchen is an examination of alchemy — what it is, what symbols it uses and includes a cookbook of various recipes to use and practice the art on your own.

For as confusing a topic as alchemy is for me, Guy Ogilvy has put together the most succinct explanation of it I have ever read. I still don't completely get it, but for the first time I was able to follow the general idea of it from beginning to end rather becoming completely lost and giving up in the middle.

"The story of alchemy, at least in the West, is, in a nutshell, the story of gold and our relationship with it." pg 2

Let's not forget spiritual gold. The search for the Philosopher's Stone seems to entail something of both the physical and the mystical, a curious mixture of both.

Ogilvy uses each section, which consists of one page, to completely explain a concept and then, on the opposite page, provides alchemical artwork to illustrate the concept. It is clear, concise, and it makes me crazy that I still don't get most of it.

The most fascinating part to me was the author's description of colors, planetary correspondences, and their purposeful arrangement in famous works of art like Raphael's "The Crucifixion". You can see it here: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...

Who knew Raphael was an alchemist? I didn't.

"There is a way of manipulating matter and energy so as to create what modern science calls a force-field. This force-field acts upon the observer and puts him in a privileged position in relation to the universe. From this privileged position, he has access to realities which are normally concealed from us by time and space, matter and energy. This is what we call the Great Work." pg 38

Some of this book sounds like nonsense. But then I wonder why so many people have been obsessed with these practices for so long if there's nothing to them? Oh right, probably because of the creating gold from dross part of it.

I'm still not one hundred percent convinced that alchemy isn't anything other than a misunderstood metaphor for purely spiritual practices. But I'm still willing to dream and explore and entertain the idea that the magical might be concretely possible.

Recommended for readers who are dreamers, like me.

[✨ Helena ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only wish that this were longer :(

[Jeffrey Debris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative little book about alchemy and what it entails. I loved all of the beautiful artwork that really complemented the texts in this book. We came across this series in a local thrift store and managed to get our hands on several books. This seemed like a fun starting point, as it wasn't very clear which one was published first. Definitely going to dive into another soon! :)

[Tim Pendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of an extensive series of small, cheap and generally information packed pocket books produced in the West Country by Wooden Books.

These offer guides to scientific, natural and magical subjects in a broadly evidenced way that takes even arcane subjects on their own terms.

I find the editorial approach remarkable - neither New Age flummery nor the arrogance of the radical positivist. In amongst them are also tightly drawn reference works on the components of music and grammar which also sit on my shelves.

This particular book in the series is one of the few works that manages to be a clear description of the alchemical world view (notoriously obscure) and to provide detailed (very detailed) material on its connection to the practical matter of technology.

The book does what so many books on alchemy fail to do - present it as a rational by-product of the business of building a civilisation of making things.

The appendices on metallurgy, ceramics and glass production, artistic media, chemistry, the products of chemistry, perfumes and incense and fermentation are in themselves fascinating. It might be a vital small text for rebuilding civilisation - more useful than the Bible.

The plant-planetary correspondences and theoretical base for it now seem absurd but they were not absurd at the time. It is too easy in retrospect to be critical of a theoretical and practical approach to 'techne' that nevertheless contributed a great deal to human progress.

Of course, at a certain point in history, Western civilisation found better tools and methods for creating technology of use to humanity ... alchemists began the process that started with gunpowder but were not fitted to turn it into rocket fuel.

After that it became an antiquarian interest, a practice with perhaps private cultic aspects (which is where I think this little book is coming from) or became 'spiritualised' as a form of analogical psychotherapy, a developmeht which owes a lot to the interest of Jung.

Anyone who claims to be educated should know something of what alchemy was and did, This book is a good basic primer attractively illustrated.

The only quibble is that the type in the Appendices is very small (undoubtedly to pack a great deal of data in the small format) so this is not a book for those with weak eye sight.

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a speculator and a theory spinner. I like when a theoretical framework makes for a unified understanding of a larger whole even when the theory is wrong its aesthetics will appeal to me. Alchemy is an ancient and medieval and early modern failed framework that grasped at symmetries and unions found in early probings of nature mixed philosophical speculation which even though dead wrong has a certain beauty to it. No one should use this as a science book but as an aid to the historical imagination.

[Brett Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. Great background on alchemical symbolism. Includes some experiments I do not wish to try. As much as I am curious about the philosopher's stone, I think I'll just enjoy reading about it. A good beginner's guide to understanding Alchemy.

[Darth Miky · Rating 3 out of 5]

La base che più base non c'è. Comunque accessibile ai non addetti ai lavori e pieno di spunti interessanti.

[Abraham Kemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pithy and pertinent, this slight volume slights other giant, bloated tomes in it’s balanced and relevant presentation. Thank you Guy and Wooden Books!

[Edward Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the alchemical process throughout the ages. Beautifully written and concise.

[Constantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little book, I was expecting to have a bit more content, but oh well...
It has great illustrations and is a very nicely made book. The information it gives create a great point for a beginner to start their research and provides quite q generous amount of stuff to research and take notes after you finish the book.

[Bill Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the basics in a way that I've seen no other books do. When it comes to alchemy, it's hard not to be lead astray. This book can teach you the core to understanding the terminology and symbology throughout other alchemy books. It is nowhere near an absolute guide, but it's a good place to start, and great for those who may be confused on the topic.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this one as a gift. Person that gave it to me thought it would have chemical poison recipe or something similar. It is more of history and symbolic observation. Still a cool book, but pretty small.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was possibly not a good idea to pick this up in the middle of a 24-hour binge-read--I am not sure how much of the craziness was my semi-delirium and how much was the book itself, but at least it fit into the pre-All Hallows Eve atmosphere.

[Marilyn]

Great illustrations in this adorable esoteric book. I found it in New Harmony, IL, where alchemy flourished in the 1820's.

[S E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Chris Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are still alchemists nowadays. Who knew? Hopefully they're more interesting people in person than they are as authors.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and fun book!