The Hieroglyphic Monad
Doctor John Dee
“The symbolic mathematics of existence in twenty-four theorems. Numerous line drawings accompany the text.”
Publisher: Holmes
Paperback
Illustrated
Natas
Hermetico-alchemical knowledge has been described as a “sacred” science, but the prevailing designation that better characterizes it is that of Ars Regia or “Royal Art.” . . . It is no accident that the hermeto-alchemical tradition should call itself the Royal Art, and that it chose Gold as a central royal and solar symbol, which at the same time takes us back to the primordial Tradition. Such a tradition presents itself to us essentially as the guardian of a light and a dignity that cannot be reduced to the religious-sacerdotal vision of the world. And if there is no talk in this tradition (as in a cycle of other myths) of discovering, but only of making it, that only goes to show how important, the already indicated sense of reconquest and reconstruction, the heroic moment had become. . . . With the fall of the Roman Empire, the predominating principles of the West went on to become the basis for the other tradition—the sacerdotal—which in its decadence was almost completely stripped of its entire esoteric and metaphysical range in order to convert itself into a doctrine of “salvation” in the name of a “Redeemer.” Things being so, the hermetists, in contrast to other iniatory organizations that were tributaries of the same secret royal vein, instead of coming out into the light and presenting themselves for battle, chose to go into hiding. And the Royal Art was presented as the alchemical art of transmuting base metals into gold and silver. By so doing it no longer fell under the suspicion of heresy, and even with the faith; even among the ranks of Catholics we can discern the enigmatic figures of hermetic masters, from Raymond Lully and Albertus Magnus to Abbot Pernety.
— Julius Evola, from The Hermetic Tradition: Symbols and Teachings of the Royal Art
Reviews
Paracelsus' Alchemical Catechism
Paracelsus
“This valuable and noteworthy piece was said to have been found in the Vatican Library by the Swiss Mason, Baron Tschoudy.”
Publisher: Holmes
Paperback
The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy: An Herbalist's Guide to Preparing Medicinal Essences, Tinctures and Elixirs
Manfred M. Junius
Intensely detailed information on adapting practical alchemical techniques for making tinctures, essences and elixirs. These formulas, made according to alchemical processes, are termed by the author “spagyrics,” a combination of the Greek words spao (to divide) and ageiro (to join), or in other words, the classic “solve et coagula” familiar to most with a passing acquaintance with alchemy. The author says that most contemporary medicine only succeeds in the first step and not in the last. He uses his extensive background in Ayurveda, which he learned while growing up in India, to draw parallels between Alchemy and Chinese methods of healing which involve maintaining a body's integral balance. He goes into the principles of Salt, Mercury and Sulfur in great detail and sticks to the seven classical planetary principles of alchemy. The book goes into great detail about how to make herbal medicines. The author says in his forward that the reader should have a “fundamental knowledge of botanical medicine,” but the reader should also have some background knowledge on alchemy too. MM
Publisher: Healing Arts
Paperback: 272 pages
Illustrated
The Secrets of Doctor John Dee: Being the Alchemical, Astrological, Qabalistic, and Rosicrucian Arcana Together with the Symbolic Trees of the Planets
Gordon James
“A manuscript which is often attributed to John Dee but is more likely the teachings of a true alchemical school. It embodies a subtle esoteric knowledge and a symbolic system of self development. Mr. James conveys the secret process for the unfoldment of the Stone and the mystery of philosophical geomancy. The Alchemical Trees of the Planets have been reproduced here for the first time, having been restored from the original British Museum manuscript. The use of the gematria as a key to the hidden language of Alchemy makes this an original contribution—the most important alchemical commentary since Fulcanelli.”
Publisher: Holmes
Paperback: 184 pages
Illustrated