Real Alchemy: A Primer of Practical Alchemy

Excellent, available, understandable book.

This book is very helpful in understanding the practice of Alchemy, but can be hard work for a beginner. The book itself is filled with a wealth of interesting historical and scientific facts, along with ancient beliefs which intrigue. The book goes in to detail about the development of the art, and explains just this... Alchemy is an ART, it is something you must learn to perfect, you must live and breathe alchemy, believing all that it is in order to even come close to achieving the goals you set out before yourself.The book explains the development and separation alchemy has from pagan magic and chemistry, but also how these have both influenced one another to become what they are today. The processes of creating herbal remedies to cure illness, and the legendary process of turning lead in to gold is also explained, to an extent to which you believe this can be done by the end of the book. The altering of metals can only be perfected once the alchemist has achieved a higher mental state, which is why not just anyone can turn lead in to gold. Alchemy is the foundation of experimentation and in turn, the medicines we have today.This is a good read, yet at times it is too cryptic, and it doesn't follow any line of continuity, instead it repeatedly states that we'll get to a specific part later on. One read of this book is no good if you which to begin practicing alchemy, or if you wish to understand the full processes, as the reader is thrown back and forth, so I do recommend rereading it and make your own notes.It is very informative, but throughout the book there are bad line breaks and punctuation, as though the book has previously been laid out in a different format and changed in a rush, with no care taken to correct this, which lets the book down. If reproduced I hope they address this and set it out with the audience in mind to make this real alchemy more accessible to those who wish to learn more.Stick with it and you will be rewarded with great knowledge.

this was the book I was waiting for and now I got plus got here super fast !

This book calls itself a 'primer of practical alchemy', and to be fair, in a way it is. But the book could have been much more because it left out much which would have made an outstanding book. The problem is the book only gives a true, 'how to' on one very basic aspect of plant alchemy. The rest of the book is full of operations but they are so lacking in detail when it comes to attempting them you soon become lost and have to work out what the author didn't tell you.Also, the equipment needed is never really detailed and there is no list of suppliers or websites where you can obtain it. No information given on the best way to set up your home alchemical lab, all what I consider pretty vital information for the budding alchemist.I was also unconvinced towards the end of the book that the author had actually done what he was writing about. The last couple of chapters for instance detail how to make the Red Stone (the Philosophers Stone). I found myself asking, 'if it's that easy, why doesn't everyone do it'? I would question, 'A' how helpful in a basic primer that section was. And 'B' has the author ever really done this? Actually turned silver to gold? I would imagine not.Don't buy this if you're looking for an Alchemical Workbook, it's not.

For all you who want a real take on alchemy, be it the spiritual understanding or the practical application this book is a perfect book for both beginners and those with a steady understanding. It is well written with easy to understand information that you can discuss and share with others. Highly recommended.

Looks awesome, came in even faster than it was suppose to, I'm about to start reading it.

Such an awesome piece of magik, such an important book for me on my path anyway. Thank you Mr Bartlett!!!

Just what I was looking for to get started between the old and new terms in alchemy