Practical Alchemy
A Guide to the Great Work
by Brian Cotnoir
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 alchemy
- Explains the theory underlying the art and science of alchemy and how it works
- Demystifies the relationship between alchemy and chemistry, while going well beyond the "psychological interpretation" advanced by nonscientists
- Introduces the practice of alchemy to students of the Western magical arts
Revised and Expanded Edition
This book was previously published as The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy. This new edition includes an introduction by James Wasserman and a foreword by Robert Allen Bartlett, author of Real Alchemy.
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Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
Preface
Ora
Overview of Alchemy
Part One: THEORY
The Aspects of Alchemy
Cosmology
Time
Microcosm: The Body and Its Composition
Inner Practice
Tabula Smaragdina
Part Two: PRACTICE
The Basics of Alchemy
The Preparatory Work
The Art of Distillation
The Purification of Salts: Calcination, Crystallization, and Sublimation
Further Work with Water and Alcohol
The Herbal Work
Plants as Medicines and Initiatory Substances
The Mineral Work
The Aurum Potabile
Opus Magnum
A Parting Contemplation
Appendix One: Technique and Equipment
Appendix Two: Plants and Planets
Bibliography
Notes to the Text
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Paperback Edition
192 pages. Matte printed card cover.
ISBN: 978-1-57863-804-8
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Press, reviews, endorsements
Author Talk by Brian Cotnoir at Watkins Bookstore, London - watch on YouTube here
Interview with Brian Cotnoir by Rebel Spirit Radio - watch on YouTube here
“The famous Swiss physician and alchemist, Paracelsus, said that Alchemy is the art of separating the pure from the impure, the true from the false and that is what Brian Cotnoir has done for us concisely. If you are new to the study of Alchemy, or even if you've been around it for a while and need some additional guidance or inspiration, this is a book for you.”
Robert Allen Bartlett, author of Real Alchemy: A Primer of Practical Alchemy
"In this compact, digestible guide to alchemy, alchemist, artist, and filmmaker Brian Cotnoir offers step-by-step instructions for readers who want to begin alchemy as a practice of spiritual development and transformation. The book includes overviews of the history and theory of alchemy, as well as practical experiments that allow the reader a more concrete understanding of this practice."
Patricia Thang, Book Riot Reviews
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About the Author
Brian Cotnoir is an alchemist, artist, and award-winning filmmaker. A contributor to Frater Albertus’ Parachemy, he is also the author of a series of Alchemy Zines. His books include Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter (2017), Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great Work, Alchemical Meditations, and the Emerald Tablet, his translations of and commentary on, the earliest Arabic and Latin versions of this seminal text. And most recently, On Alchemy: Essential Practices and Making Art as Alchemy.
Brian has presented workshops and seminars around the world on various aspects of alchemical theory and practice based on his research. His film work has been screened at Museum of Modern Art, Sundance Film Festival, HBO, PBS and other international venues.
Khepri Press, launched in 2014 with the publication of the Emerald Tablet, is the vehicle and portal for his alchemical work.
