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Title: Alchemy Unveiled by Johannes Helmond, Gerhard Hanswille ISBN: 1-885928-08-4 Publisher: Merkur Pub Co Pub. Date: April, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (6 reviews)
Rating: 1
Summary: First Impressions
Comment: 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.
Rating: 1
Summary: Mumbo Jumbo
Comment: 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.
Rating: 5
Summary: Azoth revealed
Comment: This has some passages illuminating for the working lab alchemist. The development of the Azoth as an intermediary between the upper light and the lower light (i.e., your body & the water, that is, the two dragons, emerging as a tincting oil during their dissolution) helped me. This middle substance partakes of both, and is the priest or go-between that accomplishes the marriage.
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Title: The Tower of Alchemy: An Advanced Guide to the Great Work by David Goddard ISBN: 1578631130 Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser Pub. Date: June, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Alchemists Handbook: (Manual for Practical Laboratory Alchemy by Frater Albertus ISBN: 0877286558 Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser Pub. Date: June, 1987 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Seven Hermetic Letters : Letters for the Development of the Secret Powers of the Soul by Georg Lomer, Gerhard Hanswille, Franca Gallo ISBN: 1885928092 Publisher: Merkur Pub Co Pub. Date: August, 1999 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Practice of Magical Evocation by Franz Bardon ISBN: 1885928130 Publisher: Merkur Pub Co Pub. Date: 11 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $44.95 |
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Title: Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon ISBN: 1885928122 Publisher: Merkur Pub Co Pub. Date: March, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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