Alchemy

This Reference book is for use only in the Library. Paperbound, 249 pp. including profuse black-and-white illustrations, bibliographic references in endnotes, a bibliography, an appendix, and an index. First published by Rosenkilde and Bagger, Copenhagen (©1976); revised edition published 1989. This edition (a reprint of the revised 1989 edition?) was published in 1994 by Diamond Books. This book explores alchemy from the standpoint of individuation, analytical psychology, and entheogens. Contents: Preface Ancient origins of a medieval subculture Prima materia: The opening of the work The first, or Earthly, trauma of rebirth The first coniunctio: Earthly rebirth Nigredo: "Black" death and putrefaction Albedo: The 'whitening' work of ablution The second, or lunar, trauma of rebirth The second coniunctio: Lunar rebirth Citrinitas: 'Yellow' death and putrefaction The third, or solar, trauma of rebirth The third coniunctio: Solar rebirth Rubedo: 'Red' death and putrefaction The trauma of death: Fourth coniunctio Recovery of the great, or cosmic, stone Psychedelic psychology: The "new alchemy' Acknowledgements and bibliography Notes The individuation process reflected in the poetical work of T.S. Eliot (1886-1965) Three diagrams of the individuation process Appendix: Survey of picture series General Index