Alchemy

[ilweran]

While looking into the importance of Red & White in the Greenwood Tarot I've fallen down a bit of an Alchemy rabbit hole. Or more accurately - enthusiastically dived in head first and indiscriminately read random bits here and there while wildly googling.

 

I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction of a book or online resource, because I'm bewildered by the options right now.

 

I'm looking at Place's "The Tarot, Magic, Alchemy, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism", is that a good place to start?

[Scandinavianhermit]

Lyndy Abraham's A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery (1998) is worth buying.

 

Adam McLean is running The Alchemy Web Site since many years. Many source works are available there.

[Scandinavianhermit]

I have nothing smart to say about the book by Robert M. Place you are mentioning, since I haven't read it, despite my interest in Hermeticism and Neoplatonism. I enjoy his style of drawing, and bought his The First Occult Tarot earlier this year.

[Raggydoll]

I have read that book but it was a long time ago and I don’t remember any specifics other than that I did think it was a good read at the time. So maybe try it? 😊

[ilweran]

4 hours ago, Raggydoll said:

I have read that book but it was a long time ago and I don’t remember any specifics other than that I did think it was a good read at the time. So maybe try it? 😊

 

It's quite expensive in the UK, which is why I'm asking for recommendations! I have found his "The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination: History Symbolism & Divination" very useful.

[Raggydoll]

4 minutes ago, ilweran said:

 

It's quite expensive in the UK, which is why I'm asking for recommendations! I have found his "The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Divination: History Symbolism & Divination" very useful.

Oh I see! I checked and you’re right, it IS expensive 😞 Maybe someone has a used copy that you can buy or trade for.  

[ilweran]

The used copies are actually more expensive than buying new - Watkins has it for £40 with shipping, a quick look on eBay and the prices were £70 and up! I suppose if it's not what I want it'll hold it's value and I can sell it on.

 

I've been looking at a lot of academic books recently and complaining bitterly about the cost of them - there are so many fascinating books out there that are so expensive.

[Raggydoll]

18 minutes ago, ilweran said:

The used copies are actually more expensive than buying new - Watkins has it for £40 with shipping, a quick look on eBay and the prices were £70 and up! I suppose if it's not what I want it'll hold it's value and I can sell it on.

 

I've been looking at a lot of academic books recently and complaining bitterly about the cost of them - there are so many fascinating books out there that are so expensive.

Some academic books can be found in libraries, but I agree, it’s very expensive to buy such literature! 

[ilweran]

I've been thinking of seeing if my local library could get any of them in, but they have such restricted opening hours now it would mean booking time off work and we're snowed under atm. Plus I find going to the library very expensive as I end up buying copies of many of the books I've borrowed, but that's a long standing problem of mine.

[alethian]

I have a copy of Hermetic Alchemy Science & Practice by Paul Foster Case, and it is also a very nice book for the topic.