Path of Alchemy

Mark Stavish has published nearly one hundred articles, book reviews and interviews on the traditions of Western Esotericism. He has also served as a consultant to print and broadcast media and several documentaries. In 1998, Stavish founded what became the Institute for Hermetic Studies. In 2001, he established the Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund, a non-profit fund dedicated to advancing the study and practice of Western Esotericism.

"This book contains concepts and ideas relevant to any metaphysical path...A concise and practical primer of alchemy that often gives the practice useful context within the continuum of other esoteric disciplines."—Library JournalFinalist for the Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Best Magick/Shamanism Book"The Path of Alchemy is an insightful, highly practical work, dedicated to the perpetuation of this ancient Art and Science...I highly recommend this book..."—Joseph C. Lisiewski, PhD, Author of, Ceremonial Magic, Kabbalistic Cycles and the Mastery of Life and Kabbalistic Handbook for the Practicing Magician"The Path of Alchemy lays down a golden thread for the student to follow as a guide into the secretive world of the most arcane art in the Western Inner Tradition, transporting the reader into the actual workings of laboratory alchemy. From the basics of making simple, yet powerful, spiritual and physical medicines from plants, to detailing some of the most closely guarded secrets of mineral alchemy, The Path of Alchemy holds aloft the Lantern of Nature to help illuminate the Novice's path. For those who do the work this book will ignite the spiritual flame within."—John H. Reid III, author of Alchemical Gnosis, and A Course in Practical Alchemy"Mark Stavish has been a prolific writer on alchemy over the years and this book represents his finest work yet. It is a must for any study of alchemy in understanding the subtle side of its process. He writes with a knowledge and insight that comes from years of experience and yet is presented in an easy to read format. Mark's work is quite unique and is a valuable addition to the various alchemical paradigms that are starting to expand through the literary fields."—Pat Zalewski, author of Golden Dawn Enochian Magick and The Kabbalah of the Golden Dawn

• Contents Foreword by Russell House xi Acknowledgments xv Introduction xvii one Alchemy: An Introduction to the Royal Art 1 Why Study Alchemy? 1 The Land of Khem: Where It All Began 4 The Key of All Magic: Separating the Gross from the Subtle 5 The Stages of the Great Work and Astrology 6 Qabala and Alchemy: A Fool’s Journey 8 Qabala 101: Using the Tree of Life with Alchemy 9 Conclusion 13 two Basic Spagyrics 17 The Three Essentials: Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury 17 The Three Essentials and the Elements 18 Experiments for the Beginning Student of the Art 22 Basic Spagyric Tincture 25 Calcination 28 Meditation: The Basics 35 Alchemical Meditations 36 three Creating a Plant Stone 41 A Plant Stone: Key to the Astral World 41 The Astral World and Alchemy 42 Lunar Cycles and Alchemy 47 How to Make a Plant Stone 49 Leaching Salts 50 The Stone 52 Sea Salt and Alchemy 55 Suggestions for Study 57 four Distillation 61 Red Wine and Alchemy 62 Distilling Alcohol from Red Wine 63 Distillation and Creating a Plant Stone 70 Creating an Elixir 72 five Water Distillation 79 Psychic Experiments with Water 82 Distillation of Water 85 Scented Water and Water Elixirs 86 six Initiatic Alchemy 91 Initiation 92 How to Make an Ens 97 Using the Ens 99 seven Physical Health and Healing with Spagyrics 107 Why We Seek Health 107 Problems of Dosage 108 Alchemy and Homeopathy 110 Salt Structures and the Tree of Life 115 Planets, Plants, and Their Healing Qualities 116 eight Ritual Use of Spagyric Products 127 Inner Tools of Alchemy 127 Ora Et Labora 128 Meditation and Alchemy 132 Ritual Charging of Alchemical Products 135 Holy Blood, Holy Grail 142 nine The Red and White Stones of Alchemy 147 The Stones of the Royal Art 147 The Role of Saturn in Alchemy 157 ten Alchemical Symbolism and the Tarot 165 Symbolism: The Language of the Birds 170 Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Astral 172 Alchemical Pathworking 178 Conclusion 183 Appendix A: Planetary Hours 185 Appendix B: The Longevity Formula of Comte de St. Germain 193 Appendix C: The Path of Nicholas Flamel and the Philosopher’s Stone 195 Glossary 211 Selected Bibliography 217 Alchemical Reading List and Resources 219 Index 225