1st Edition

The Secret Tradition in Alchemy Its Development and Records

By Arthur Edward Waite Copyright 1926
    440 Pages
    by Routledge

    440 Pages
    by Routledge

    A complete history of alchemy revealing the subject as much more than the attempts in early science of turning base metals into gold or silver, this book goes about intimating the mystical experience underlying hermetic symbolism. It outlines some of the ‘secret’ inner meanings to alchemy - symbolism, metaphysics, and spirituality. This book contains a universe of information and is worthwhile reading for anyone wanting to know more on this engaging subject. Originally published in 1926.

    Preface  1. Alchemy and Supernatural Life  2. Modern Views on the Hermetic Mystery  3. Further Speculations on Philosophical Gold  4. Ancient Hermetic Books and the Way of the Soul Therein  5. Alchemy in China  6. The Testimony of Byzantine Alchemy  7. Arabian and Syriac Alchemy  8. The Early Latin Literature  9. The Later Chain of Hermes  10. The Myth of Flamel  11. The Chariot of Basil Valentine  12. Paracelsus  13. Denys Zachaire and Others  14. Famous English Philosophers  15. Alchemy and Exploitation  16. The New Light of Alchemy  17. The Reformation and German Alchemy  18. Thomas Vaughan  19. The Cosmopolite  20. John Frederick Helvetius  21. An Alchemist of Mitylene  22. The Mystic Side of Alchemy.  Appendices

    Biography

    Arthur Edward Waite was a scholarly mystic who wrote extensively on occult and esoteric matters. He studied the history of western occultism as a spiritual tradition extensively but is best known as co-creator of a popular tarot deck.