Spells8 Book Club Entry XXV
- The Alchemist’s Handbook Frater Albertus
Important note: I am currently traveling, so I was not able to complete the book in it’s entirety. I have, however, read quite a bit of it as it is a short but very comprehensive book.
Importance to the Craft: I must say, that I do believe that Alchemy, although institutionally replaced by chemistry, et al, is still very important and surprisingly overlooked.
Potentially Surprising Facets of Alchemy: Although I have been intrigued with Alchemy for some time now, one thing that I was surprised to learn was how much of current New Age or Modern Wicca is derived from fields such as Kabbalah and Alchemy.
For Example:
- Alchemy, in addition to being the study of discovering one’s personal Philosopher’s Stone, is defined as the “raising of vibrations,” that use the Lesser Circulations, Greater Circulations, and Greater Arcanum. These refer to the herbal (vegetable), animal and mineral kingdoms where the latter is of the highest order.
- The Alchemist believes not only in reincarnation, but that all things, even minerals, have an inherent soul, which is called the Mercury (the physical form is referred to as the Sulfur).
- Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spiritual Aether are acknowledged and sought by the Alchemist in the pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone, the quintessential life force.
*A belief in neutral, next life Karma
*The Alchemist also believes that one should understand and have a certain level of control over dark and light forces in order to achieve that higher vibration. But, most importantly, that seeking that Philosopher’s Stone must be done with a deep desire to help humanity, because otherwise the power obtained will be corrupt and lead to despair or destruction.
This book also has some quick herb-planet correspondences, when is best to cultivate or gather herbal materials, meanings of alchemical symbols, etc. For example, “Roots: These should be dug after the leaves are dead in the fall at which time all the strength has gone down into the root. Or better still, dig them in the early spring before the sap rises” (pg.14).
Surprising Quote: “However, to form a cure is just as contrary to nature as contracting an illness” (pg. 37).
Summary: Some of the language may seem archaic to certain readers. If that’s not a problem, I would recommend this book to all those interested in herbs, Hoodoo, and herbal magick of all kinds as this describes the various extraction processes such as maceration, tinctures, etc in good detail. It also works as a primer for Wiccans, witches, etc as it provides a sufficient amount of information on topics such as correspondences, minerals, herbs, spirituality, symbols, etc that may not be covered from the same perspective. This may in turn help those who have been stuck in their spellwork, are unsure where to start, or wish to learn more about other branches of the craft.
Needless to say, one doesn’t have to do any of the experiments described, but reading about them will definitely help those more interested in producing their own oils, tinctures, aethers, etc.