Brian Cotnoir

Alchemy is the art of transmuting base metal into gold - a material process that also functions as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and creativity. This book contains all the information and skills you need to start practising alchemy - to unite your inner spiritual work with your outer work, to decode the most complex alchemical texts and also, if you wish, to take up practical laboratory alchemy. The book is aimed at all those who are excited about alchemy's potential for spiritually enriching their lives and art, as well as practising alchemists who want key to the difficult texts and to explore how inner work can be united with their outer practice. Mind-blowing exercises include: The practice of geometry to purify the inner eye The meditative practice of rehearsing a process from beginning to end to solve a problem Observation exercises using alchemical images and processes Dreamwork to question the gods On Alchemy puts the conceptual tools and practices of alchemy into the hands of readers and show creators of all types how to use art-making as a spiritual path.

A concise guide to the history, theory, and practice of alchemy (the "great work")--the art of working with the energies of nature for spiritual development, healing, and transformation. Alchemy is a means of understanding and working in concert with the energies of nature for spiritual development, healing, and transformation. In this book, Brian Cotnoir offers a step-by-step introduction that explores alchemy's mysteries while illustrating its use as a modern spiritual system of attainment. He provides an overview of the history of alchemy, from the first meldings of Egyptian technology to the Middle Ages--the golden age of alchemy--to contemporary techniques. He demystifies the relationship between alchemy and chemistry, and provides evidence that alchemy is much more than a medieval form of psychotherapy. The guide also includes practical laboratory experiments that safely and intelligently lead readers to an understanding of this ancient art and spiritual practice. Provides step-by-step instruction for beginning a practice in alchemyExplains the theory underlying the art and science of alchemy and how it worksDemystifies the relationship between alchemy and chemistry, while going well beyond the "psychological interpretation" advanced by nonscientistsIntroduces the practice of alchemy to students of the Western magical arts