Life and Doctrines of Paracelsus

by Franz Hartmann

The book ""Life and Doctrines of Paracelsus"" by Franz Hartmann is a comprehensive account of the life and teachings of the renowned Swiss physician, alchemist, and philosopher, Paracelsus. The book delves into the early life of Paracelsus, his education, and his travels, which led him to gain knowledge and expertise in various areas such as medicine, chemistry, and astrology.The author also sheds light on the unique and controversial doctrines of Paracelsus, which challenged the traditional beliefs and practices of the medical community of his time. The book provides insights into Paracelsus' views on the nature of disease, the use of natural remedies, and the role of spirituality in healing.Moreover, the book explores the influence of Paracelsus on the development of modern medicine and his impact on the fields of chemistry and alchemy. The author also discusses the controversies surrounding Paracelsus, including his confrontations with the medical establishment and his unorthodox methods of treatment.Overall, ""Life and Doctrines of Paracelsus"" is a well-researched and informative book that provides a fascinating insight into the life and teachings of one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine and alchemy.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Occult, Spirituality, Magic, Esoterica, Alchemy

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1887

About the author

Franz Hartmann was a German medical doctor, theosophist, occultist, geomancer, astrologer, and author.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

 
Fascinating. Reading Paracelsus was like revisiting Synesius of Cyrene in many ways https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... . Hartmann (1838-1912) is clearly also an adept and therefore able to present Paracelsus soundly. These are wonderfully intuitive minds who despite rejection, ridicule, and even hatred from their contemporaries, dared to speak their truth, often against the Church and other distorted structures and establishments. This is the beloved heart of the gnostic – better, the theosophist, Paracelsus would say – ever bridging what might feel like a terrible chasm between these and the upper realms, and reminding us that, in truth, there is no chasm.
 
Topics covered include wisdom to be found in Nature; magic, sorcery, and alchemy; holistic medicine, false medicine, and the nature/causes of disease; “signatures”; astrology; theosophy; reincarnation; elementals and other beings; phenomena; knowledge, wisdom, and faith; the interconnectedness of All things. His exploration on the powers of malcontented women seems… a bit extreme, but fascinating still. Interesting dreams these writings are bringing. Someone has been talking talking talking through the night in wise phrases that I note in a perpetual half-wake state, only to forget them upon waking fully. All that remains is, “Everything is preparatory; there is no end goal,” and “Flow with everything, and everything will flow through you.”
 
This morning, while opening a bean pod from the garden, I noticed one tiny bean clinging to the inside of the pod that hadn’t fully grown. “Not developed,” I said aloud. “Underdeveloped,” the Voice, which has been following me all the day, corrected. Then we enjoyed the miracle of beans in January.
 
Paracelsus - “But if this is incomprehensible to you, remember that only he who desires with his whole heart will find, and to him only who knocks strong enough the door shall be opened.
 
… many a man kicks away with his foot a stone that would be more valuable to him than his best cow, if he only knew what great mysteries were put into it by God by means of the spirit of Nature.”
 
Hartmann - “But this physical body, which is believed to be of so little importance by those who love to dream about the mysteries of the spirit, is the most secret and valuable thing. It is the true ‘stone which the builders rejected,’ but which must become the corner-stone of the temple. It is the ‘stone’ which is considered worthless by those who seek for a God above the clouds and reject Him when He enters their house. This physical body is not merely an instrument for divine power, but it is also the soil from which that which is immortal in man receives its strength.”
 
(( thank you to a Beautiful Being who walks the planet for re-membering me and reminding me ~ ))

[Signor Mambrino · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to give up with this one. It's just too stupid to waste my time on. I wrote a fairly in-depth review comparing this work to the book on Paracelsus by Pachter if you're interested.

[aaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite a passing century, Hartmann's effort is still the definitive work on anything Paracelsus. Wizard's Bookshelf still publishes an excellent edition, much better than the Kessinger.

[Mariasole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Con questo libro Hartmann ha creato un compendio di idee e principi che Paracleso affrontò nei suoi vari libri, i quali sono, non solo difficili da reperire, ma che non hanno nemmeno una traduzione in italiano. Qui vengono trattati temi di magia, alchimia, astronomia e medicina. Paracelso fu avversato dai suoi contemporanei perché lui affermava che i medici non capivano nulla delle malattie, intenti solo a guarire un sintomo invece che capirne la causa. Ogni elemento in Natura è contenuto nel corpo umano, che è suddiviso in tre corpi: quello fisico, costituito dai corpi elemetali, quello astrale, interno, che è collegato con le forze magnetiche della natura, piante, animali, stelle e poi la parte divina, collegata con Dio. Ogni cosa in questo mondo è connessa l'una con l'altra attraverso legami simpatetici o antipatetici, e hanno differenti effetti sul nostro corpo. La magia è la vera sapienza e ci viene da Dio, così come il nostro pensiero e collegato con la Mente Universale. Il libro non è facile e l'ho trovato anche un po noioso, ma ciò non toglie il valore degli argomenti di Paracelso che ha cercato di dare una visione olistica dell'uomo, secondo i dettami della ben più antica disciplina ermetica, (che ha tra i suoi più famosi esponenti Ficino e Agrippa), definendo il suo ruolo nel microcosmo e il suo collegamento con il macrocosmo. Paracelso non ha avuto una vita facile, venne perseguitato in qualunque paese andasse, quando lui voleva solo aiutare gli umani. Qualunque idea abbiate a riguardo, questo uomo merita almeno un gran rispetto.

[mono · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes - I'm 100 pages in & the only thing Paracelsus has gotten right is that most thought experiments produce bullshit. I'm inclined to think most of his supernatural claims were made tongue in cheek - blaming evil thoughts for birth defects, claiming women's blood is akin to boors'.

I kind of expected this when he vehemently objects to humanity originating from the stars, but I was hoping he would still be interesting in an Aleister Crowley way. I suppose he is in an almost heroic way - going against the grain of willfully ignorant powerful Christians.

[Jared Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[CA Ram Melam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book Paracelsus contributed by Franz Hartmann. A great book to read and read.

[Gabriel Campisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

For seekers of Light.