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Product Description
A concise and straightforward overview of the principles of traditional spiritual practice. Subjects include: the role of a teacher, the optimum disposition of a student, the function of community in 'self'-liberation and many other topics of use to seekers and serious students alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Lee Lozowick shines
The book is taken from several seminars that Lee taught in Europe but it doesn't read like transcripts from a meeting.It gives clear insight into what is involved in being a part of a spiritual school with a spiritual master.Lee is often times irreverant and controversial but he is always pushing towards transformation for his students.Great read and thought provoking.

Captures The Master!
Lee Lozowick is an underrated Master. I think he is criticized by many because he scares many. Out of the hand full of Guru's that have fallen from "grace" in the last 20 years, Mr. Lee is still going strong. This book is a condensed articulation of his way of teaching;his living philosophy. What makes Lee a MASTER par excellence is hisexample. He once said: "The work you have come here to do is the workI have come here to do. The difference is, I have assumed it, you have not.His amazing discipline is the furtile manure that informs his wit andshining clarity. Lee's words are time bombs that will explode in yourconsciousness six months later.Whether or not this Man fits yourpreconeptions of what a spiritual teacher "should" be or not,even more so than Evander Holyfield, This MAN is the REAL DEAL. Back tothe book. Lee clearly states his vision of the importance of such themesas: community, diet, spiritual practice, the role of the teacher amongother important topics. Remember as you read, this Master is not a masterof rhetoric he is an exemplar of the highest degree. Not until you can walkthe kind of walk that he has walked will you be qualified to be even closeto having an inkling of where from this Master speaks. Jai Guru!

The role of spiritual teacher and student.
Lee Lozowick lets us all know in this book that he is a true spiritual teacher. He educates the reader to what a true spiritual teacher asks of his students. He takes the confusion out of spiritual practice by writing in clear, concise language.Spiritual practice is shown to be difficult for most seekers. Surrender is difficult for all but a few. The ego dies hard. ... Read more

Product Description
Dance is intrinsic to most women as a form of expression, although many women have become disconnected from this. Dance is meditative, healing, and empowering. It bridges the sexual/spiritual gap that most women have lost, touching all levels of existence: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Sacred dance, tapping into inherent, primordial movements, is as ancient as creation itself. It can help women reconnect to the creative and sacred parts of themselves. Having lived in Egypt since 1986, Leslie Zehr has studied esoteric wisdom for decades. After becoming initiated at the Dendera Temple in Luxor, Egypt, she developed a simple method of teaching sacred dance and esoteric wisdom that has taught many women from all over the world how to reconnect with the divine feminine aspect within them. She incorporates some of the major arcana of the tarot deck, universal archetypes, and alchemic principles in her teaching. Let The Alchemy of Dance: Sacred Dance as a Path to the Universal Dancer help you tap into your innate, divine feminine energy utilizing rhythm and movement through sacred dance. Become the universal dancer who is fully integrated with life, and dance with the universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sensational!!!!!!!!
This is truly a fabulous book on sacred dance. I've been practicing sacred dances for many years and I highly recommend reading it and tell others about it. The author shares her own experience in the magic of dancing alchemy. It was both insightful as well as inspiring and empowering. She brings in the the Tarot, the elements , power animals and there are some illustrations of the movements. Even though dance is clearly a kinesthetic experience, it's a great read. ... Read more

Product Description
Following such luminaries as Newton, Jung, St. Thomas Aquinas and Zosimus, who devoted most of their lives to searching for the Philosopher's Stone, Peter Marshall set out to unearth the secrets of alchemy in the lands where it was traditionally practiced. The result is a fascinating piece of historical, scientific and philosophical detection, as well as an exciting physical and spiritual adventure. Exploring the beliefs and practices, the myths and the symbols of the alchemists, Peter Marshall takes us on an enthralling journey into this arcane world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

In search of "the stone"...
I enjoyed this book, with a few reservations. The range of content covered was excellent, and the author's clear prose made for an easily-understood journey through the many streams of Alchemy (islam, Chinese, Western, etc).

However, his writing style at times is almost "too" dispassionate, and on a few occasions he seems to not follow-through with an intriguing line of enquiry. For instance, taking the Rosicrucian documents of the early 17th century at face value, rather than mentioning their more allegorical significance, as outlined by Paul Foster Case in "The True And Invisible Rosicrucian Order".
Or after an important meeting in his search for Chinese alchemy, he admits afterwards that he forgot to ask several key questions of his subject. Better planning, Peter!

In terms of narrative drive, Marshall is no match for Graeme Hancock's "Fingerprints of The Gods", although that author's later works (e.g. "Supernatural") have become, to my mind, almost too zealous.

In summary, I would say Marshall has done an admirable job, and can recommend this book. He has since written a book focussing soley on Prague and the court of Rudolph II, which was apparently published in September of this year, but I've not found listed on Amazon yet.

Unpretentious and Honest
This is really an excellent book!Globe-trotter and author Peter Marshall provides a fascinating overview of the history of alchemy in diverse cultures in both ancient and modern times.I am struck by the author's candor and sincerity, never pretending to know something he doesn't know in this arcane field of study.

Light workers, Healers, Seekers, and would-be Alchemists would do well to start here with this book, before tackling the clasic texts and the actual Practice.

From confusion to clarity, chaos to harmony, desert to home.
From the moment I took this book into my hands I struggled to put it down. Not knowing anything about alchemy this book probably was the best introduction I could ask for. The book reads like a novel, taking the reader through all the paths of discovering more about alchemy. Loads of information is distilled into assessable paragraphs that contain the essence of each topic covered. Referenced material supporting the book is well documented in the back of the book enabling the serious reader to do further research on the topic. Starting from ancient history, the book is organised in a chronological order to end in its significance for contemporary times. Each paragraph reveals a bit more of this fascinating and mysterious subject. Interviews, visits to significant sites, papers, quotes and interpretation of symbolism ignite the readers curiosity.Excitement grows within the reader to the extend of an expectation that the philosopher's stone might jump somewhere from the pages. True to the basic principles the author does not try to provide an objective view of alchemy. The author gets so passionately involved with alchemy that one wonders if the author might be biased towards seeing alchemic symbolism even where they do not exist. But after closing the last page of the book, the author most definitely has planted within the readers subconscious a seed of hope. Hope that there is more beyond the aims of immortality and turning metals into gold , towards actual transmutation. ... Read more

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The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling The Pleiadian Agenda

In 1995, a Pleiadian goddess named Satya told her amazing tale of the nine dimensions of human consciousness in The Pleiadian Agenda. In this exciting sequel, Barbara Hand Clow takes these teachings to a practical level so that we can all discover multidimensionality in our daily lives.

Based on more than ten years of experience with students, and years of research into the new sciences that validate the breakthrough concepts in The Pleiadian Agenda, Clow presents each dimension in detail. Alchemy of Nine Dimensions:

Finally, Clow reveals the true significance of the date December 21, 2012—the end of the Mayan calendar—and tells you what you need to know to begin physical and spiritual preparation.

Customer Reviews (10)

Enlightenment
Barbara Hand Clow has quickly become one of my favorite writers and this book is one of her best. One recommendation that I would make about this book, is that you first read her book the "Plaiedian Agenda" which will prepair your mind to be able to comprehend what this is all about. Without doing this, you will most likely be lost during the first half of this book and wonder where all of this is going and why.

I recently discovered this writter and have now read all of her books and haven't found a bad one in the lot. Her research and reference sources are all laid out so you can take the same journey as she has if you wish to expand on your own knowledge further. I personally have used several of these links to continue my own study of the new age of light that is descending upon us rapidly.

intriguing and confusing
I bought this book after reading the author's website and listening to a recorded interview of her views on the 2012 benchmark.
She sounded highly cogent, intelligent, sensitive and serious.

I could not understand most of what she was talking about in this book; there were too many references to matters I'd never heard of before; this process continued throughout the book so that by the end I had no idea at all of what she was discussing.

Please save your money!
I am sorry folks. I read material on the paranormal of one kind or another all the time and, have done so all my life. But, this book borders on being unreadable. If you have a PhD in Geometry, Algebra and Physics you might be able to understand this book. For all I know it might have been sent to her by a Space Goddess. But, this book could have been written in Latin and, I would not even have noticed. This book is as dry as reading footnotes in a physics book. If your going to write a book write it so your readers can have a change to understand what you are saying (I am a college grad with a major in Accounting). This book should not have been published. This book should not have been sold. It borders on being thief. Please do not waste your money on this book.

Good Read
Interesting book.Crappy shipping from Amazon.Tossed all the books in the box loose with DVDs which worked their way between pages damaging them.Highly recommend NOT purchasing books via Amazon.

Alchemy of Nine Dimensions
Hi,

Greetings from Giovanni Orlando. I start to read the book, and plan to complete soon. It looks and includes excellent sources.
For the people that like Pleiadian channeling, I advice "Awakeing your Divine Ka" by Amorah Quan-Yin, like a companion book for "The Pleiadian Agenda", and this book "Alchemy of Nine Dimensions" as a sequel. ... Read more

Product Description
America's racial odyssey is the subject of this remarkable work of historical imagination. Matthew Frye Jacobson argues that race resides not in nature but in the contingencies of politics and culture. In ever-changing racial categories we glimpse the competing theories of history and collective destiny by which power has been organized and contested in the United States. Capturing the excitement of the new field of "whiteness studies" and linking it to traditional historical inquiry, Jacobson shows that in this nation of immigrants "race" has been at the core of civic assimilation: ethnic minorities in becoming American were reracialized to become Caucasian.Amazon.com Review
When we speak of race, we tend to categorize nonwhite people into rigidclassifications--but how is whiteness itself determined? Yale AmericanStudies professor Matthew Frye Jacobson looks at the American constructionof whiteness out of its polyglot European immigrant population. In 1790,United States naturalization law granted citizenship to "free whitepersons"--which meant, mostly, those of Anglo-Saxon descent. Thus,Celtic-descended Irish immigrants were discriminated against. As the U.S.population became more culturally mixed beginning in the 1820s, with anincrease in immigration from non-Anglo Europe, the nation experienced "afracturing of whiteness into a hierarchy of plural and scientificallydetermined white races."

In other words, people who came from Poland, Germany, Italy, and Greece, aswell as Jews from many nations, all became, by virtue of the "melting pot"ethic, "Caucasian" whites. But, as the graphically racist cartoonsreproduced in the book show, the creation of whiteness was--and is--by nomeans an easy, continuous process. Jacobson details the political assaulton white racism that culminated in the civil rights movement and cites thecontemporary "revival and denial of white privilege" in the United States.Although he expresses doubt that a dismissal of white privilege will happenanytime soon, he does hope that in "recognizing the historical fabrication,the changeability, and the contingencies of whiteness, we might begin tolook in a new way upon race, the power relations it generates, and thesocial havoc it wreaks." --Eugene Holley Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

What modern genetics says
This book is misleading.

According to Cavalli-Sforza's research, the genetic distance between Anglo-Saxons and the Irish is less than 1.They are extremely closely related.Both northern Celtic and Germanic tribes had been closely related for a very long time.Contrast this relatedness, for example, to people who are not related.The genetic distance separating the English from the Japanese is 59.The genetic distance of the English from Sub-Saharan blacks is 109.

I think you get the picture.

fast and easy!
The book was in great condition and was delivered quickly! Pleasure doing business with you!

great racial history
Jacobson provides a great deal of the formation of whiteness and how it has changed through time. It shows how the construction of a white race came about in America from Anglo Saxons to all Euroepans. It shows how legislation and attitudes about white ethnic groups and Jews have changed through time. It also takes a good look at how whiteness has been transformed by contacts with other races through non-European immigratin, civil rights and America's colonies such as the Phillipeans.

How we got into this mess...
Matthew Frye Jacobson 's Whiteness of a Different Color tells us all how we got in this mess. The book is subtitled European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race. "Alchemy" is correct. It means that the "base metal" of Nordic, Alpine, Mediterranean and even Western Asian "races" were turned into the "gold" of unadulterated white status. Jacobson explains how "whiteness" was created by colonial elites for the purpose of defending the state from Indian invasions and slave insurrections, and continued by the American republic in order to create a sense of unity in its polyglot European immigrant population. In 1790, United States naturalization law granted citizenship to "free white persons" -- which meant, mostly, those of Anglo-Saxon descent. As the U.S. population became more culturally mixed beginning in the 1840s, with an increase in immigration from non-Anglo Europe, the nation experienced "a fracturing of whiteness into a hierarchy of plural and scientifically determined white races."

In other words, people who came from Ireland, Poland, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Jews from Russia and other Slavic nations all became, by virtue of the "melting pot" ethic, "Caucasian" whites. But, the creation of whiteness was - and still is - by no means an easy, continuous process. The Celtic, Nordic, Alpine and Mediterranean "races" were abolished in favor of the myth of one homogenous "white" race (with the adoption of the "scientific" term "Caucasian" providing a new legitimacy to the honorific "racial" term "white."

Jacobson contends that traditional historians have deliberately dismissed the "racial" distinctions of the 19th century and before as "misuses" of the word "race." Of course they didn't mean that Irish, Germans, Bohemians, Nordics, etc. were separate races; they just didn't know what they were saying. This is a courtesy not given to mulattoes. Jacobson, however, shows that there was no "misuse." "Patterns in literary, legal, political and graphic evidence" show that the perception of race was very different from the standard rhetoric promoted in today's U.S. I have a sense of deja vu here. As I stated in a review of Lawrence R. Tenzer's The Forgotten Cause of the Civil War, mainstream historians' inability to acknowledge the fact that 19th century Northern "whites" saw predominately European slaves as "white," makes them deliberately blind to the role "white slavery" played as a cause of the Civil War. Few historians wish to deal with the fact that, while "white" privilege in various forms has been a constant in American political culture since colonial times, whiteness itself has been subject to all kinds of contests and has gone through a series of historical vicissitudes.

Jacobson divides the history of whiteness in the United States into three great epochs:

The nation's first naturalization law in 1790 (limited naturalized citizenship to "free white persons") demonstrates the republican convergence of race and "fitness for self-government"; the law's wording denotes an unconflicted view of the presumed character and unambiguous boundaries of whiteness.

Fifty years later, however, beginning with the massive influx of highly undesirable but nonetheless "white" persons from Ireland, whiteness was subject to new interpretations. The period of mass European immigration, from the 1840s to the restrictive legislation of 1924, witnessed a fracturing of whiteness into a hierarchy of plural and scientifically determined white races. Vigorous debate ensued over which of these was truly "fit for self-government" in the old Anglo- Saxon sense.

Finally, in the 1920s and after, partly because the crisis of over-inclusive whiteness had been solved by restrictive legislation and partly in response to a new racial alchemy generated by African-American migrations to the North and West, whiteness was reconsolidated: the late nineteenth century's probationary white groups were now remade and granted the scientific stamp of authenticity as the unitary Caucasian race - an earlier era's Celts, Slavs, Hebrews, Iberics, and Saracens, among others, had become Caucasians so familiar to our own visual economy and racial lexicon.

Excellent content analysis of a social construct....
WHITE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR by Matthew Frye Jacobson is an excellent historical summary and deconstruction of the social construct called "the white race." Anthropologists, sociologists, demographers, and historians like Jacobson who study race and ethnicity have suggested over and over that even if race differences exist they are not fixed (the definition of white has changed over time and no consensus has been formed concerning it's constiuent parts). The biological sciences provide no evidence that race exists. Humans with different hair color, skin color, eye color, eye shape, and/or other "race" characteristics straddle all the "race" groups.

Jacobson uses a variety of written sources to make his case --that "non-Anglo-Saxon immigrants and their children were perhaps the first beneficiaries of the modern civil rights movement." He has compiled evidence from many historical legal cases involving various individuals who attempted to establish evidence of "whiteness" in order to obtain U.S. citizenship or some other perq reserved for the "native white race." He points out that the legal evidence is conflicted. Are Armenians white or aren't they? How can Japanese with a white skin be nonwhite and Italians with a dark skin be white in one set of court proceedings and the reverse found in different courts on different days?

Jacobson includes information from literature, news journals, and other written sources to illustrate that authors as diverse as Mark Twain and Joseph Conrad and Mr. Hearst of newspaper fame all offered an opinion about race at one time or another, and that while everyone started out assuming they knew what it meant to be white, most soon discovered the operational definition was another matter. There is not now nor ever has been a consensus on what it means to be white.

I enjoyed Jacobson's book very much and I think it is an excellent qualitative analysis. However, I have a few concerns:1) Race is a contentious topic, but mixed race is even more troublesome. In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau identified more than 60 race groups in the U.S.; While Jacobson alludes to this issue, he might have discussed it a bit more as it supports his idea that race is a nebulous notion; 2) In discussing the acquisition of civil rights, Jacobson makes the mistake many men make--Black men had the vote and basic rights many years before women of any color; 3) Jacobson begins his history with 1790 and assumes (as did many) that the so-called Anglo-Saxons were a monolithic group--they were not. The early settlers were a diverse lot from many nations and included landed gentry, endentured servents, and prisoners who worked side by side with slaves in Georgia and other colonial penal colonies until the Revolution. I have read that Jews funded the Revolotion, Poles and French trained the military (a highway in VA is named for general Pulaski); and that the first person to die in the Revolution was a free Black man named Crispus Attucks. 4) Jacobson starts the civil rights movement with the acceptance of "non-white" immigrants to "white" privilege, but evidence suggests that the U.S. Revolution was about the rights of the property owners or Aristocracy. Not until Andrew Jackson did the "common" man get the vote. Black men got the vote 30 years later and women got the vote in the 1920s although many rights were not accorded them until recently. The history of the U.S. is the history of the Civil Rights Movement for all human beings and as Americans we should be grateful for our rights. ... Read more

Product Description
From a young age Albie Sachs played a prominent part in the struggle for justice in South Africa.As a result he was detained in solitary confinement, tortured by sleep deprivation and eventually blown up by a car bomb which cost him his right arm and the sight of an eye. His experiences provoked an outpouring of creative thought on the role of law as a protector of human dignity in the modern world, and a lifelong commitment to seeing a new era of justice established in South Africa.

After playing an important part in drafting South Africa's post-apartheid Constitution, he was appointed by Nelson Mandela to be a member of the country's first Constitutional Court. Over the course of his fifteen year term on the Court he has grappled with the major issues confronting modern South Africa, and the challenges posed to the fledgling democracy as it sought to overcome the injustices of the apartheid regime.

As his term on the Court approaches its end, Sachs here conveys in intimate fashion what it has been like to be a judge in these unique circumstances, how his extraordinary life has influenced his approach to the cases before him, and his views on the nature of justice and its achievement through law.

The book provides unique access to an insider's perspective on modern South Africa, and a rare glimpse into the working of a judicial mind. By juxtaposing life experiences and extracts from judgments, Sachs enables the reader to see the complex and surprising ways in which legal culture transforms subjective experience into objectively reasoned decisions. With rare candour he tells of the difficulties he has when preparing a judgment, of how every judgment is a lie. Rejecting purely formal notions of the judicial role he shows how both reason and passion (concern for protecting human dignity) are required for law to work in the service of justice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Unexpected ways-
PRE AND POST-APARTHEID:
ALBIE'S INSIDER PERSPECTIVE

An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers

If you love justice as much as you abhor and detest injustice, you will be deeply moved by this engrossing 300 page jurisprudential memoir by Albie Sachs.The same is true for judges who, in the words of our former Lord Chief Justice, Harry Woolf, believe judging is much more than merely deciding cases! Yes, this is one of the few entertaining books which can be classified as a work on judicial reasoning and how a judge might decide from the insider perspective.

So, every judge should be encouraged to read it, continues Lord Woolf, adding `I am sure it would improve their understanding of what the job really involves and what justice is about.

Sachs is a doughty and courageous fighter in the struggle for justice in South Africa under the malevolent apartheid regime which made that country a world pariah.Following the release of Nelson Mandela in 1994 - who can forget that day - Sachs played an important role in drafting South Africa's post-apartheid Constitution and was appointed by Mandela as a member of its first constitutional court.

With the startling lucidity which characterizes his writing, Sachs reveals what it was like to be a judge in circumstances which are particularly unique, especially in view of the fact that he was himself a victim of apartheid.

As an advocate at the Cape Bar from the age of 21, he defended people charged under racist statures and repressive security laws, incurring the wrath of the authorities.He was subjected to banning orders, placed in solitary confinement for two spells of detention and exiled in 1966.After working for some 20 years in the UK and Mozambique, he was seriously injured by a bomb.

Now as his term on the Constitutional Court nears its end, Sachs looks back on his extraordinary life, writing with passion and insight about the ways in which his experiences have influenced his judicial approach and his views on the nature of justice.

When one has suffered oneself under an irrational and oppressive regime, including detention and torture, one's personal and judicial outlook will inevitably be influenced accordingly.

`It was the worst moment of my life,' recalls Sachs, describing a particularly appalling incident of torture. `It was not a hypothetical situation of the kind that some academics conjure up when discussing the costs and benefits of the government using torture,' he comments,`the practice was systematic, it was organized, it was condoned, it was part of policy.'

Policy makers worldwide, even in the enlightened democracies, who have been tempted to believe that there are pros as well as cons which justify torture in whatever form, should read this powerful and enlightening book.

And `how do life experiences affect legal decision making?' asks Sachs in the preface.`The answer,' he concludes, `is in unexpected ways.' Yes, this is a book for the jurisprudent's jurisprudent and great for students and legal philosophers alike in 21st century.

Amazing man, amazing book
Albie (and he does encourage all to call him by that name) has written a book that all judges should read.He demonstrates that humanity and the rule of law not only can, but must, exist side by side.He is one of those rare individuals who combine heart, humour, intelligence, vision and wisdom in one stimulating package.If we all followed his path, the world would be both a more peaceful and exciting place to be.

Lois
Amazing book which explains revolutionary legal and constitutional concepts in post-Apartheid South Africa and how they are applied by the court. Written by a judge who was part of the ANC struggle against Apartheid. Section on Truth and Reconciliation is heart-wrenching.

Law's Elvis
At a recent retirement dinner for Justice Albie Sachs of the South African Constitutional Court, one of his colleagues remarked that Sachs is universally known as "Albie," even in the stuffy world of constitutional lawyers."Not many judges are instantly recognizable by their first names," the speaker said."Albie is like Elvis."

This book shows why.Comprised of autobiographical snippets, reflections on judging, and excerpts from judicial opinions, the book's a lot like Sachs himself: wise, funny, humane, eloquent, and committed to the project of building a new South Africa on the basis of respect for human dignity.And, also like Sachs himself, it's loosely structured, underargued, and too uncritical of the role of heart and feeling in constitutional adjudication.Sachs, after all, has a great heart and he feels deeply.One suspects he made an essential contribution to the court's groundbreaking jurisprudence -- and that it was a good thing ten other judges also had votes.

In any event, Sachs is a hero, a gentleman, and a freedom fighter.He made a huge personal sacrifice in the struggle to end apartheid.He wears outrageous shirts on formal occasions.And he's a thoughtful and compassionate judge.All lawyers, law students, and students of jurisprudence should read his book.
... Read more

Product Description
Leveraging her training as a traditional painter and printmaker, Bonny Lhotka brings new innovations and inventions that combine the best of centuries of printmaking techniques with modern technology to create unique works of art and photography. After years of experimentation and development, these new processes allow alternative photographers, traditional printmakers, and 21st century digital artists to express their creative voice in ways never before possible. Both by adding digital images to their traditional prints and taking their digital works into the tactile world, photographers, printmakers, and artists will find that they can easily add these processes to their studios.

The book covers the basic processes and materials to transfer images to a variety of surfaces, including wood, plaster, stone, and plastic. It moves on to allow the creation of images on metal through either direct printing or transfers using affordable printers.  More advanced processes include the creation of decals, skins, and complex mixed media compositions that are truly unique. For each of the more than 20 individual projects and processes, the book provides step-by-step instructions and tips suitable for professional photographers and artists, interested students, and enthusiastic hobbyists. ... Read more

Product Description
Jon Elster has written a comprehensive, wide-ranging book on the emotions in which he considers the full range of theoretical approaches. Drawing on history, literature, philosophy and psychology Elster presents a complete account of the role of the emotions in human behavior. Combining methodological and theoretical arguments with empirical case studies and written with Elster's customary verve and economy, this book will have a broad appeal to those in philosophy, psychology, economics, political science, as well as literary studies, history, and sociology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Superlative work about emotions
This superlative work belongs on the shelf of any serious student of art, literature, philosophy and psychology - not to mention those readers who seek self-knowledge. Author Jon Elster explores the complex cognitive antecedents and consequences of emotional experience. Noting that much of what society needs to know about emotions is inaccessible in the psychology laboratory, he makes original, insightful use of literary and philosophical sources. He uses the work of such authors as Francois de La Rochefoucauld, Michel de Montaigne, Jean de La Bruyère and Alexis de Tocqueville to examine how emotional mechanisms function. This approach sheds light on the emotions and on the way you might read literature or listen to music. We highly recommend this book and find it valuable not only for what it says, but for what it inspires. It is capable of changing how you think and feel in ways that are (just as emotions themselves) far from predictable.

Endlessly helpful- making psychology for the social sciences
I cannot praise this book enough. The writing is clear, the thinking is meticulous and infinitely clever, and the usefullness of understanding thedifferent theories of the emotive being in the social scinces cannot beover-emphasized.

This book is Elster's best since "PoliticalPsychology".

If you are not an Elster partisan, what is wrong withyou? ... Read more

Product Description
"The Alchemy of Awareness" reveals with unmatched clarity Lorraine Sinkler's experiences of living the principles of the Infinite Way. "This is a truly uplifting book, and one which all students of The Infinite Way, and those interested in Mysticism or Spiritual Healing should have on their shelves. There have been few books that have such relevance to today, when we are blinded by appearances, both positive and negative. Here is the subtle alchemy which will enable us to see through the problems and the false glamour of some of the solutions that are regularly presented to our senses. Here is a book that takes us straight to the One, and shows how the simplicity of the Divine is the only lasting answer." The Science Of Thought Review --- from book's back cover ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Amazing
This book continues to amaze me daily with it practical insight into the spiritual priniciples of the Infinite Way.

Alchemy of Awareness
I love this book for its practical application of the principles outlined in Goldsmith's books which has given me a deeper understanding of the Infinite Way message. It is my most used book in that I read a meditationfrom it every morning which helps me live a God-centred day.I also use itas a general reference to help me when I'm feeling stuck.I would not wantto be without it. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tradition of Galileo's Daughter and Brunelleschi's Dome, this exciting story illuminates the captivating world of the late Renaissance—in this case its plagues, remedies, and alchemy—through the life of Leonardo Fioravanti, a brilliant, remarkably forward-thinking, and utterly unconventional doctor. Fioravanti's marvelous cures and talent for self-aggrandizement earned him the adoration of the people, the scorn of the medical establishment, and a reputation as one of the age's most colorful, combative figures. Written by Pulitzer-prize nominated historian William Eamon, The Professor of Secrets entices readers into a dangerous scientific underworld of sorcerers and surgeons. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this gripping narrative will appeal to those interested in Renaissance history, the development of science, and the historical thrillers so popular today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

So so book
I was expecting a much more cohesive view of Medieval practices along this line and was really not impressed here. The focus is on one person who made the rounds in Europe and was an impressive (for that time) "doctor", but there seems to be a lot of glorification for this fellow that his deeds did not really deserve. Contrast this with Enguerrand VII, Lord of Coucy, the subject of Barbara Tuchman's excellent book (I've read it 3 times). Coucy too was there it seems at a pivotal period of time in Europe during the Middle Ages. He was involved in all the important battles and diplomatic schemes and his legacy spoke for itself. The "Professor of Science" is no Coucy, to quote Benson on Quayle. In short, the book is just not as wide-ranging a dive and flight into/over the expanse of those times. Perhaps I was looking for too much here.

Fascinating and spellbinding !!
Imagine this: you are sitting in a hall together with many other people anxiously waiting for the show to start. All of you have paid an entry fee. At one end of the hall stage there is one famous doctor,and at the other end stands another doctor. Both physicians have different views about many medical issues. Then,when everything is ready,three cadavers are introduced to the audience. The bodies belong to criminals who were convicted either of murder or theft.
The show is about to begin. Here another doctor shows up,and he will perform an anatomical dissection live. He asks the audience to be quiet and all the jokes and chats stop.
This kind of thing actually took place in Italy during the sixteenth century,when Flemish anatomist Andreas Vesalius arrived in Bolognia to perform a series of anatomical demonstrations. Among those who attended one such show was Leonardo Fioravanti,23 years old and the subject of this fascinating volume. He was disgusted by what he saw,and the whole affair reminded him of a butcher's shop. He concluded that doctors might know a lot about the various body organs,but when it comes to knowing the reasons for so many diseases,their knowledge is almost nil.
The times were hard: devastating plagues were rampant,corsairs were abundant prowling the Mediterranean Sea,violence was everywhere in Italy,murders were committed en masse in Rome,and barbers bled their patients along with giving them a shave.
Fioravanti believed,like many others,that it was the duty of the doctor to find a miracle cure for each disease. He asserted that all diseases stem from one ot two causes: either the bad quality and indisposition of the stomach,or "the alteration and putrefaction of the blood". The solution: purgatives,emetics, and other strong drugs concocted by him and his colleagues.This mode of thinking was an alternative,counter-Galenic way to look at the afflictions which attacked the body. His many and different remedies and talent for self-aggrandizement earned him with the admiration of the people,the derision of the medical establishment and the reputation as one of his era's most colourful and combative figures.
The book reconstructs the life of not only a fascinating character lost to history,but the whole concept of the alternative medical thinking during the Renaissance. Fioravanti roamed Italy and other parts of Europe seeking for the Magna Medicina-the Great Medicine.In short,he was looking for the philosopher's stone. Alchemy was the superstar of Europe and Fioravanti did not intend to be left out. In the eyes of the common people he was a man of miracles but in the eyes of the establishment he was just a quack,and the result was that at the end of his life he spent some time in prison because he was accused of poisoning some of his patients.
Even centuries after his death,he continued to be remembered,through his many books which he wrote.His many treatises and books were compiled,abridged and translated into many languages.Some of these were still used during the 19th century.His writings were especially popular in Spain. He was also a genius of advertising and used brand names,published remedies in print rather than face-to-face,and took care to publish personal testimonies from his patients. Precipitato,a powerful emetic he invented,was his best-known cure for fevers and earned him most of his fame. He was among the first to advise the use of "magic bullets",that is: agents,pills,concoctions which would be targeted at the agent causing the disease.
Was he indeed a charlatan? It depends,according to Professor Eamon,on who is being asked. After all,Fioravandi held a medical degree from the University of Bolognia,which was one of Italy's most respected medical colleges. The establishment was full of envy and considered him as a fraud.By our contemporaray standarts,he probably was not.His untrammeled curiosity and naive sense of wonder about the marvelous properties of things put him at odds with the medieval tradition.For the Renaissance people,experiments were more important than theories.
The book is extremelly well-researched and documented,and contains many examples-and intrigues-from the daily lives of the Italians and Fioravanti in the sixteenth century. The historical context is splendidly rendered to the reader and the book reads like a first-rate thriller. This is popular history at its best! ... Read more

Product Description
Alchemy is the last and highest knowledge which can be committed to paper in the form of letters. Beyond that, another language is required, one which cannot be committed to paper. Most people confuse iatrochemistry with Alchemy. When an Alchemist speaks of Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, he speaks of his spiritual, astral and physical bodies, not of the elements. Alchemy Unveiled describes the tribulations that a human being has to pass through in order to purify these three bodies. However, to achieve the level of an Alchemist requires daily study and strict daily mental, astral and physical exercises for many lifetimes. Many individuals have already achieved this goal. The purpose is not to convert a lower metal into gold, but to change an impure body into a pure body, namely the spirit, soul and physical bodies. An Alchemist is one who has passed the levels of a magician, spheric magician and Kabbalist. All these levels can be achieved without the help of a teacher! These Western writings are by those who have reached levels higher than an Alchemist. They have given us these writings, philosophically and practically. These sciences cannot be learned intellectually, but have to be approached with a clean heart. One's character has to be completely free of all negative characteristics. And for the one who embarks on this journey, the first thing to be learned is what a positive characteristic is and what a negative characteristic is. And the reader will be surprised what negative characteristics are, because many of these characteristics are considered by most as positive. Alchemy Unveiled will lead the reader on a journey of a complete purification of the body, soul and spirit, and for the first time the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone is openly explained. Much has been written about this subject, most of which is and remains incomprehensible for most. Many of the alchemical writings available were and are based on error and point the way to the wrong path. This is mainly due to the fact that many individuals do this for personal, material gain. Alchemy Unveiled begins with an explicit explanation of the symbolic language of Alchemy, which is a must for any further clear understanding of the entire text of this book. It explains the errors of many who were not in possession of the true knowledge regarding this art. It takes the reader on a journey through the ancient mysteries of Initiation, the Osiris mysteries, the Eleusian Mysteries, the Mysteries of Israel, the Christ-Mysterium and the Mystery of Alchemy. An excellent addition to the Franz Bardon books on Hermetics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

good and informative
this book puts all rumors aside on alchemy. it tells straight up what is real alchemy and what is fake. it is extremely informative and i would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject

First Impressions
I recently purchased Alchemy Unveiled, wondering if it was part of the revelation of the "holy mysteries" referred to by the publisher. I had also read that this volume explains the "secret of the philosopher's stone" for the first time. This review is intended to help potential buyers know what this book is, and what it is not.

First and foremost, this book is NOT remotely related to those revelations of the holy mysteries, which arose in the late 1950's, by the author Franz Bardon.

The claim that Alchemy Unveiled explains "the secret of the philosopher's stone" for the first time, is - in my opinion - nothing but hype. The nature of the substance of the philosopher's stone has - in part - been described quite openly within other literature, by comparison with which, Alchemy Unveiled seemingly says nothing.

The style in which Alchemy Unveiled is written, is one which is *only allegorical*. The content has almost no structure, and there is no index. Allegorical references are frequently accompanied by a multitude of alchemical synonyms, and historical quotes, which pad out much of the book. Helmond shows an extensive knowledge of alchemical writings, but whether he has any genuine mastery of practical laboratory work is questionable. It is difficult to imagine who could gain any practical clarity from this book, other than those who have studied old alchemical texts for most of their life.

Contrary to other reviews here, Alchemy Unveiled is certainly *not* a suitable book for anyone looking for an introduction to alchemy. The whole book is obscure, and its text is dull, lifeless, and rather machine like. It has no beauty; no inner rhythm; no "writing between the lines". Considering alchemy's relationship to energies and forces of life, this is surely significant. Helmond makes alchemy appear impenetrably complicated, and his writing style actually isolates the reader from living nature.

As wonderful information on *practical alchemy* was released long before Alchemy Unveiled was published in 1991, Helmond's level of obscurity is simply not justified. In addition, Helmond says nothing of plant alchemy, even though this is THE *practical* path towards understanding alchemical transmutations of matter.

Anyone looking for a practical introduction to laboratory alchemy, will surely desire to know of the (online) material from the "Essentia Journal", and the Parachemy volumes of the "Paracelsus Research Society". Also, in my mind, there are a couple books standing far above all others that I have encountered. These writings *in combination*, are perhaps the finest *practical* guidance into the "secrets" of alchemical practice, in the world. They are:

1. Initiation Into Hermetics. (Franz Bardon).

2. Spagyric Tinctures - Tradition, Preparation and Usage. (Beat Krummenacher).

The first book describes (in detail) the occult path by which the astral & mental senses are developed, so that the living energies within matter can be observed and studied and directed.

The second book describes (in detail) the path to alchemically purifying plant substances. The possibility for taking things further is hinted at, and at this point individual exploration really begins.

Mumbo Jumbo
I bought this book because it was supposed to be a good intro into Alchemy. WRONG!!! I've had exposure to some basic terms and concepts from other books, but this author immediately begins with terms and processes that no beginner will have knowledge of and which the author never explains. It ends up being mumbo jumbo for the first 75% of the book. The rest of the book is in English but the first 75 % is never explained and will still remain incomprehensible. If you're a beginner forget this book.

Azoth revealed
This has some passages illuminating for the working lab alchemist. Thedevelopment of the Azoth as an intermediary between the upper light and thelower light (i.e., your body & the water, that is, the two dragons,emerging as a tincting oil during their dissolution) helped me. This middlesubstance partakes of both, and is the priest or go-between thataccomplishes the marriage.

Azoth revealed
This has some passages illuminating for the working lab alchemist. Thedevelopment of the Azoth as an intermediary between the upper light and thelower light (i.e., your body & the water, that is, the two dragons,emerging as a tincting oil during their dissolution) helped me. This middlesubstance partakes of both, and is the priest or go-between thataccomplishes the marriage.

Also the explication of the 'mumia' of Paracelsus reveals it to be related to the etheric vehicle, and correlates to the mention of ectoplasm as being similar to the qualities of mercury (Kenneth Rexroth in the Intro to the Works of Thomas Vaughn). This helped me to better understand the vital matter I am extracting. Time of month and year, and freshness are important to preserve the inner etheric Fire.

Small clues are all one who seriously pursues the Work can hope for. I found enough here to make this book a favorite.

If you're looking for easy introductions to Alchemy (of the lab type), you're not ready for this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The summer of 1984 was a golden time in America. From California, where gymnast Mary Lou Retton was winning Olympic gold, to Cape Cod, where explorer Barry Clifford was discovering pirate gold, the nation seemed obsessed with the precious metal. But for 15-year old Al, that obsession hits a little too close to home when he finds a code-filled notebook belonging to his missing father that may contain the ancient formula for turning lead to gold. Convinced that his father’s sudden disappearance is connected to his secret experiments in alchemy, Al sets out to find the truth. He enlists the help of Cammie, a beautiful girl staying for the summer while her marine biologist father tracks a wayward manatee, and together they begin unraveling the mystery. But the closer they get to an answer, the closer they grow to each other, and as the end of summer draws nearer, Al wonders if they can break the code without breaking his heart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Escape on the Cape
Glancing at powerful imagery on the cover of Alchemy, my 5 year old son asked me if the book was about strength. I replied "Yes".

We meet the young teenager Al in the dawning of a transitional summer of his life. We are endeared to him in his early exploits as curious kid and grow and learn with him as he meets his first love, finds his lost dad, and embraces the dawn of adulthood while still cherishing his innocence.

With the colorful group of friends and family you are immersed in Al's summer of mystery & mayhem unfolding on the beautiful Cape. While it is fun escape at most times, you will find yourself with a pang in your heart & tears on the page unable to put the book down.

Flipping through the pages before you begin, it is well presented with clear font & good type space. Charming illustrations & quotes by Albert Einstein guide you from one section to the next.

I was not expecting to be able to see so vividly & lovingly through a teenage boys eyes, but the author's voice made that so easy. My kids were enchanted by the photos & the illustrations & when they are old enough I will gladly give this book to them as part of their essential library.

I enjoyed it & have shared it & you will as well.

Alchemy - true chemistry!
To me the definition of a truly great book is one that pulls you in so completely that you become the characters.You see through their eyes, you feel their emotions, and you live through their experiences.And that is exactly what Alchemy does.Beautifully written - a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, comedy, romance, mystery and adventure.I could not put this book down until I got to the very last page, then passed it along to my mother, and then my daughter to read.And we all loved it.Can't wait to see what Mike Wood comes up with next!

Alchemy by Mike Wood
Mike Wood takes you for a summer adventure that you don't want to end.I found myself laughing, reflecting on my summer experiences, and moved by the events that take place. A must read for this summer!For the first time, I started a book club just to get my friends into this book.You will not be disappointed after reading this heart warming novel that's a love story, a mystery and a life lesson.You will immediately feel connected to the charachters and often think how did they author think of that!I promise that you too will become a Mike Wood fan after reading Alchemy.I can't wait for another novel by this author.If there are any producers reading this review, I'd recommend investing in this script for a movie!

Surprising.
Alchemy is a well written story about a boy realizing truths about himself and people around him.Al is a great character that spends a summer, during the 80's, learning about love and acceptance from all aspects.The author captures the era very well.
Alchemy is written in a lightweight manner and though it takes on some substantial topics the writing remains uncomplicated and smooth flowing.I enjoyed the story, though it took a turn I did not expect.I was caught off guard but the unexpected twist didn't detract from the book at all.Get yourself a copy, you won't be disappointed.

Quick, fun read
I read the ABNA excerpt and rated it 5 stars because of the wonderful voice and lyrical writing this author showed. The rating of 4 stars on the full does not mean that it lost its appeal as a book - or that I liked it any less.

As a YA writer, I read this with the expectation that I was reading a book for teenagers. What I got was a wonderfully written story that shows the nostalgia of the 80s that should appeal to anyone who grew up in that era. I had a few areas that I felt could have been played-up or played-down, so I went with a 4 star rating - with the expectation that he will turn this one or the next into a hands-down 5!

If you're looking for a charming story that makes you wish you were back in 1984, falling in love, or thinking your family was the strangest one EVER, please read Alchemy.You'll be glad you did. ... Read more

Product Description
Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Herbert Silberer is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Herbert Silberer then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Don't pay for the digital version of this book
This is a good book, and worth the read. However, don't "buy" the digital edition from Amazon. This book is part of the gutenberg project, and is available for free at a number of websites.

Where Jung found his life work
Despite the title, this appears to be Jeliffe's English translation of Silberer's magnum opus, "Problems of mysticism and its symbolism".

Jung acknowledged his debt to Silberer in his seminal works on alchemy and psychology.However, I don't think he went far enough.Silberer has preceded Jung's major conclusions, and argues his case in a far more objective and less polemical style.Moreover, Silberer effectively provided Jung with signposts to the important works and figures in the history of alchemy and Rosicrucianism.Despite mentioning Silberer, Jung still attributes his interest in alchemy to one of his own dreams (see "Memories, dreams and reflections").

If you are at all interested in Jung's investigations, you need to read this.It is also useful background to help understand why Freud so vigorously rejected Jung after first asking Jung to help defend his new science against "the black tide of occultism" (Silberer hanged himself after his book was rejected by Freud and he was effectively excommunicated from the Vienna circle).
... Read more

Product Description
The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by M. M. Pattison Muir is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of M. M. Pattison Muir then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Product Description
This is Mary Magdalen’s personal story of her tantric relationship with Yeshua ben Joseph, known today as Jesus Christ.A love so deep it has survived over 2000 years of lies, to be finally told now, in this, "the beginning of the ending of time."A High Initiate of the Temple of Isis, Mary Magdalen was the Holy Grail, the cup that carried the blood of Christ.And the long-prophesied "sun" that was born to her was a girl named Sar’h.

In the Magdalen Manuscript, given by her and reprinted here, word-for-word as she gave it, she describes the alchemy that she and Yeshua practiced.This is the alchemy that prepared him to sustain life after death, so that he could meet his destiny and lay a trail of light through the death realms, a light path each of us can follow.

This is Her Story, revealing some of the deepest secrets of the Temples, as requested by Isis. To this remarkable test, Tom Kenyon has added a comparison of the major streams of internal alchemy, plus an in-depth look at Egyptian High Alchemy and a clarification of the Alchemies of Horus.Judi Sion, at the request of Mary Magdalen, has added One Woman’s Story, which is every woman’s story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

This book changed my life.
This is a beautiful and relevant story for EVERYONE regardless of religious or spiritual leaning. You will know truth when you hear it. Prepare to cry. Thank you Judy & Tom. Expensive & worth it.

Transcending
I could not put the book down. The information on the Alchemical relationship between Jeshua and Mary Magdelen is a must read. I loved Judi's story as well it is a profound journey and inspires women all over the world to tell their own story. I have found Tom to be an incredible and authentic channel. I have followed his work for many years now and highly recommend his work.
Susan Mavity Author The Light Within, The Gift of a Rose

One of the best book on Mary Magdelen
I love this book, Judy and Tom produced a wonderful book.Tom is definitely very knowledgeable and is able to explain estoeric material in a concise and relevant manner.Judi's story telling was lucid and easy to read.Her story was a page turner, I read it in two nights, I couldn't put this book down.I was so involved with her story and the magnitude of their mission in sharing this material, I am eternally grateful.I have read many other books on the subject of Jeshua and Mary Magdelen, none compare to this.I believe anyone interested in this subject will thoroughly enjoy it.

Profound and thought provoking
I highly recommend reading and contemplating the content in this book. I find that weeks after having finished it, that I am continuing to have insights. Although the principal subject matter is the alchemical relationshop between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, that more universal themes about sacred relationship and the divine feminine predominate thoughout. In some regards I felt like I was reading 3 books here, with the last, affecting me most. The first section, after a descriptive prologue, contains the supposed channeling of Mary Magdalene to Judi Sion through Tom Kenyon. These two people co-authored the book. I could not put this manuscript down. I have some knowledge of alchemy, but Tom Kenyon described it in a way that I had never grasped before. He described the connection to Isis in terms and examples that were understandable but not overwhelming. It's up to the reader as to whether the channeling resonates with them. I believe that the authors are sincere and there is no attempt to sway anyone to their way of thinking. The final section of the book was written by Judi Sion. It was worth waiting for. It was autobiographical in nature and showed how the phenonmenon of this channeling and her struggles throughout her life brought about her awakening. Her openess will speak to many. Enjoy!

overall very good but a few problems
This book is written in three parts: (1)the manuscript supposedly channelled from Mary Magdalen, (2) principles of internal alchemy, and (3) one woman's story.

I am always very skeptical about channelled works, as is (interestingly) the book's first author.The "channelled" manuscript is an interesting read regardless of its validity.I found a major error, however, that causes me to seriously doubt the authenticity of the channel.On pages 29-30 there is a description of the Virgin Birth, but it is described as the "immaculate conception" which is a very common misconception.According to the church, the immaculate conception is that Mary Mother of Christ was born without sin; NOT that Mary was inseminated by God in order to conceive Jesus.Because of this error the channelling is highly suspect.

The second and third portions of the book are excellent. ... Read more

Product Description
Deft humor and poetic wisdom combine into a transformative new book of poetry by Utah author Lance Larsen. Offering golden glimpses of ordinary moments, Backyard Alchemy prompted poet and American Book Award winner Jim Barnes to write: "This book may save your life. You will learn something you will need to know with each poem you read." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Poems to live with
Perhaps Larsen's best poems yet. On a first reading, many can seem difficult, even bizarre, but as I lived with one or two poems at a time, I was always rewarded with rich meaning and honest insights. Many have a touch of the sublime. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

A wonderful find.
I found a used copy of this in the occult section of the Strand book store in New York City. The price was 6 dollars, and it was intriguing enough after reading only a few pages, that I decided it could be a very good investment. It turned out to work out very well.

The quantity and quality of illustrations in this book alone is enough reason to find a copy.

The writer has a sort of passion for what he is dealing with, and yet does not get at all wordy about it. Every paragraph is interesting, and it will only pull you into the next one.

The way the author uses so many illustrations throughout history to explain things about the occult does not seem so common with most authors. To some, parts may seem like a mere history lesson on the subject, but it becomes much more than that--you'll find that there are so many things to learn from this book, it's surprising how much information has been packed into it.

It's a very, very interesting read no matter what your intentions are when buying this book, or however they may change, I doubt you will regret purchasing it--we should be thankful it is still fairly easy and cheap to obtain.

Almost 5...Almost
I feel no need to present the obvious beneficial aspects of this book. They have been stated by many reviewers already. I agree that this book is an amazing piece of literature, and should be in any occult library. The myriad of information is astonishing, and the presentation is fantastic. However where my review differs is the comments on the pictures in this book. Yes, there are many amazing pictures, and yes, it really does help to have a visual representation and aid. Regardless, he puts way too much faith into the artists of the time periods. On page 55, he states "Even if all these works were lacking, however, it would be easy to reconstruct what passed at the assemblies of sorcerers from the numerous engravings which the artists of the period took such pains to leave for our benefit." I believe my problem with this statement is clear-just because an artist depicts something, doesn't mean it is factual. The artists, for the most part, were heavily influenced by the Christian dogma; therefore their art would reflect this, especially if it was commissioned by the Church. True, the art of a time period reflects the religion and the cultural rights and wrongs, but it also shows the fears and many times, the misconceptions. I am not trying to undermine any of the artwork, but I think my point is fair. Nevertheless, the book is great!

worth reading just for the history and artwork
this book is an excellent investment both beginners and the well studied in alchemy. it is full of historical pictures (100's of them)and paintings relating to alchemy and conveys just how important alchemy's dicovery was and is. there is a lot of ancient lore associted with sorcery and witchcraft so if you are into the sheer chemical compositions of physical alchemy, this may not be the choice for you. however, for those interested in great and rare artwork depicting alchemical scenes, unusual information on witchcraft (including death spells and love philtres) and history associated with alchemy, this is the book for you. i have yet to come across a better book of alchemical history. a must have for any alchemist, historian, or witch.
*** i do not condone nor promote the usuage of any of the information in this book relating to "death spells" or any other harmful magick.

Very Enjoyable
Givry gives an excellent overview of certain areas of occult study and a unique perspective since he substantiates much of his observation with data gleaned from art images of the time periods involved.Quaint and entertaining, and the narrative is delivered with a sort of good-natured offhand manner that makes it quite enjoyable to read.

Many fascinating bits of information and illustrations make this an all-time favourite of mine.

An Art History of Occult Traditions---and vice versa...
This is a classic photo-reproduction of the Artium Magister, Grillot de Givry's: 'Le Musee des sorciers, mages et alchemists' (1929). It is an Art Historical tour of the Occult heritage in virtually all the classical Arts; from painting and illuminated manuscript, to sculpture and architecture, as well as a vast body of Literature, including many extremely rare & beautiful manuscripts "writ in the sublimest poesy" found mostly in private French and Parisian libraries, the Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal, and from the exemplary Art Historian's own collection. Some 375-plus high-quality Black & White Illustrations on archival glossed paper make this a valuable document for both Occultists' and Artists/Art Historians of varied fields of inquiry. This is the book which more than any other inspired and taught the SURREALIST'S about all the Occult Arenas which were so much a part of their heritage dating back just a few decades before to the late 19th century 'European Occult Revival' which was infiltrated by the SYMBOLIST's-DECADENT's (perhaps the largest singular influence on the Surrealist's versatile agenda) who undertook the immense task of making ART THEIR OWN RELIGION by finding their individualized spiritual definitions in the magical world of Occultism.

Fulcanelli's 'Mystery of the Cathedrals' & 'Dwellings of the Philosophers'---of which de Givry's catalogue is a pictorial companion-piece---is the only other work(s) which so affected the Artistic Advanced Guards between the World Wars to an immeasurable degree and literally unlimited extent, especially those working in a non-literary medium.

For, the writers, both linear and poetic turned to the Occult Authors such as Eliphas Levi, or Paschal Beverly Randolph, or Paul Christian, and of course the Theosophical Madame, her big Russian self---and Steiner's Anthroposophist's...the list goes on & on.
But there is Nothing to compare too this pictorial archive as de Givry's assembled for the sheer bulk of their numbers and the high quality of the works he labored valiantly to include, reveling in the many mysteries abounding all over the European landscape, especially within the sculpture of the cathedrals from several historical era`s. Many criminally unknown (or just ignored) medieval & Renaissance Artist's that have somehow gotten buried by those ladies of T.S.'s still talking of Michelangelo are herein restored.

Occultist's/Occult Historians should find this book an immensely helpful anthology for use alongside such Classical scholars as the English dame Francis Amelia Yates' and D.P. Walker's works on the subject of Renaissance Hermeticism and both kinds of Magical professors. Or works dealing with any other era in European `Hidden History'.

All in all, this is a highly informative and absorbing compendium of a wide variety of works that would find a good home in so many differing disciplinarian's studios! Also, the translation by J. Courtenay Locke is excellent, as de Givry's prose is always insightful and has an down to earth romantic quality imbuing it as a whole, allowing for some rather fantastic humor which the translator has indeed caught well. The book is published by DOVER PRESS in photo-facsimile (the best mass Paperback Publishers still around when it comes to quality and unbeatable prices! It was originally pub. by Houghton Mifflin Co. in 1931) and it therefore has a whiff of ages about it which confers upon it an antiquated sense of thumbing through a tome from a far distant time, making it seem even more of a miracle such a unique Art Historical work as this is still so readily available in the early days of century number MMI.

Such an area of European Spiritual heritage has yet to be explored in any depth approaching the deeps which Grillot de Givry succeeds in delving to! As much as the Arts have a rich cultural heritage in Esotericism---so does Occultism have a long and flourishing tradition in the Arts; both are wondrous facets of a single fact this book documents well! I am surprised it is not more well-known?

If you like gazing at works with a very Gothique edge; with a definitely Sublime terror about their subject matter, and executed by the European continental likes of Goya, Bosch, Brueghel, Cranach, Rembrandt, Van Der Weyden, etc...to Paracelsus, Magnus, Barrett, Fludd, Kircher, etc... & all variety of Faustian caricatures and outtakes from innumerable incunabular texts of both Literary and Goetic/Theurgical origins...This is a visual Feast that will ravage your visions after you go to sleep just as much as you will frequent the hellish sights within its pages!

This book builds a bridge made to last, that many have already passed through...it should be a more frequented path in academia as well as independently trodden again, Amen! ... Read more