RE: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts

["Paul Condran" <paulcondran@...>]

Hello Hilda

I ordered it through this publisher online a few days ago


> -----Original Message-----
> From: hilda cain [mailto:celticlady2u@...] 
> Sent: Wednesday, 4 August 2004 11:53 AM
> To: BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts
> 
> Could someone please, tell me where I can find a copy of 
> Beat's book? I can't seem to locate A copy. Hilda
> 
> Richard Scott <rscott@...> wrote:
> Thanks for the links & commentary.
> Two of the links are familiar, but when I get the time I'll 
> definitely check out the others.
> 
> 
> R
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Graeme Wilson [mailto:gnwilson@...]
> Sent: 02 August 2004 23:12
> To: BardonPraxis@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [BardonPraxis] Classic Alchemy texts
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> (My views follow, some thoughts to mull over, grist for the 
> mill so they
> say)
> 
> There is much debate over the 'value' of classic alchemical 
> texts. First of all, many alchemical texts were written by 
> people who already knew alchemy and (it is said) wrote more 
> to show that they knew the process, and let other alchemists 
> know that they knew. So, it is claimed, often they missed 
> important steps in the process out, or they mixed some of the 
> steps around, so those who don't know what they're doing 
> cannot follow them. And of course much was written in 
> allegorical language, and it can be difficult to tell which 
> is being spoken plainly and straight up, and which is being 
> alluded to, or described by extended metaphor (unless you 
> already know the secret).
> 
> Secondly, there is debate over who actually 'knew' the 
> 'right' way, or any way at all.
> 
> If you read the article on the Ingaleses, entitled "Did they 
> confect the philosophers stone"
> ( http://www.crow-caw.com/TPS%20Pages/Articles/INGALESE.TXT) 
> Richard Ingalese is quoted as having stated that he agreed 
> with the statement: "Some one has said, 'You can destroy all 
> other books on alchemy, for their knowledge and more is 
> contained in the alchemical writings of Paracelsus." Mrs 
> Ingalese told the Occult Review's Mrs McKenzie that A. E. 
> Waite's edition of _The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of 
> Paracelsus_ were "the volumes that afforded her the most 
> encouragement and help in her subsequent efforts."
> 
> If you look at Pernety's "The Great Art"
> ( 
> http://www.geocities.com/librorumprohibitorum/pernety-the-grea
t-art.htm)
> You will find his thoughts on arriving at 'the Secret':
> 
> "Of the Means of Arriving at the Secret
> 
> The requirements necessary in order to arrive at this Secret, 
> are: the knowledge of Nature and of one's self. One may not 
> understand the first perfectly, or even the second, without 
> the aid of Alchemy. The love of wisdom, the horror of crime, 
> and of falsehood, the avoidance of cacochemists, the 
> association of the wise, the invocation of the Holy Spirit; 
> not to add secret to secret, to attach one's self only to one 
> thing (because God and Nature delight in unity and 
> simplicity), such are the conditions necessary for obtaining 
> the divine revelation.
> 
> Man being the epitome of all Nature, must learn to know 
> himself as the summary, the miniature of Nature. By his 
> spiritual part he is allied to all immortal creatures, and by 
> his material part, to all that which is transient in the Universe."
> 
> If you do intend to work your way through the classic 
> alchemical texts, then I highly recommend reading Pernety, as 
> he helps describe the world of hermetic philosophy through 
> which many of the classic alchemists wrote about their works.
> 
> Regardie's "Philosophers Stone" (available from 
> http://www.geocities.com/librorumprohibitorum/ ) is another 
> good way to get aquainted with Hermetic Philosophy as it 
> relates to alchemical texts.
> However it was written at a time when Regardie believed the 
> texts to only relate to spiritual matters, and said 
> laboratory alchemy was a load of old cobblers. (Later he 
> studying alchemy from Frater Albertus).
> 
> Another recommended technique I've seen (which makes sense 
> from a magical
> perspective) is to read all you can about the life and times 
> of the alchemist whose text you wish to study. Then meditate 
> on the alchemist. In you inner mind assume their energy, and 
> see yourself reading books on alchemy, working in the lab, 
> making realisations, etc, etc... being as creative as you can 
> about the whole process. From this, you can assist your 
> learning about the process. If you have someone to work with 
> you (who knows Hypnosis or related trance processes) perhaps 
> they can guide you in this process.
> 
> Also, don't overlook modern books such as Herbert Stanley Redgrove's
> "Alchemy: Ancient and Modern ( 
> http://www.hermetics.org/ebooks.html ) which also contains 
> brief biographies of some of the classical alchemists. There 
> is also plenty of thoughts (pro and contra) which can arise 
> after reading modern alchemists' views on the classic texts. 
> There are various groups on Yahoo dedicated to alchemy, and 
> some of the practicing alchemists are willing to teach you 
> what they know, but often they will require some committment 
> from you in the beginning, such as obtaining labware and 
> doing some of the herbal work (with little assistance) to 
> "prove your worth"
> (perhaps) ... at very least most of them seem to have a low 
> tolerance to time wasters (can't blame them really).
> 
> Finally, I know the address of Adam McLean's site has already 
> been posted but I thought it would be worthwhile mentioning 
> that there is also a mirror site located at: 
> http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ (easier to remember).
> 
> Cheers,
> Graeme
> 
> 
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