The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic

This book remedies one of the main problems in publications about alchemy - it is both understandable and practical! The basic practices and symbolism of alchemy are detailed, with emphasis on spagyrics (plant alchemy), including how to make various tinctures and plant stones. The author is to be commended for laying open so clearly this complex area of esoteric study. This book is not for the lazy! It gives you material that will take years to work through, though it is all explained in a way that will encourage you to try things and see for yourself. It has certainly got me thinking about purchasing some of the equipment to give it a go! A cautionary note, some of the alchemical symbolism differs from the classic Qabalistic symbolism. The author does explain this, so pay attention to these sections to avoid confusion. All in all this is an excellent practical and thought provoking book that I would recommend to everyone who is genuinely interested in magick. I hope the author will write a further book exploring the wealth of alchemical symbolism with a similar level of clarity to further the availability of the huge corpus of alchemical material which is largely ignored today. Now pass me that alembic!

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic, offers an interesting introduction into the philosophy and methods of alchemy as they apply to the Plant Kingdom of Nature. The author's suggested meditations are useful in that they reflect the laboratory work instead of replacing it. His techniques and ideas train the aspiring alchemist the think alchemically, and thereby better experience and understand the working of Nature. The book also presents additional information on the stages of alchemy and its relation to the Major Arcana of the Tarot, dream work, and interpreting the Path of Flamel into an operative laboratory technique. I find all are interesting personal penchants of the author, and are aimed at those who wish to move from `spiritual' or `psychological' Alchemy into the real nuts and bolts of the Great Work by following such lines of thought. Overall, a very good read, and one that deserves the attention and effort of anyone who wants to call him or herself, "Alchemist."

Mark Stavish has written a must-read book for anyone interested in the many facets of alchemy. From its historic origins to how to practice it in the family kitchen, he has found a way to make this complicated and murky subject crystal clear. As a child, I loved science and had the ubiquitous 1960's style chemistry set, but as I matured, my interests moved to spirituality, philosophy, natural healing, and energy. The Path of Alchemy brings back physical science and frames it in a spiritual context, finally making it possible for me to reconcile and integrate science and spirit. Alchemical practice, as described by Stavish, may indeed be the only way to tangibly verify one's level of enlightened awareness. The author explains lucidly how to perform spagyrics, taking the reader from distillation to creating the stone through how to use alchemical products in ritual and healing. The step-by-step operations and exercises make it possible for anyone to benefit from this Royal Art. With his direct and engaging style, Mark Stavish has, in The Path of Alchemy found a way to make a leaden subject positively golden.

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic by Mark Stavish is simply the finest book on practical alchemy that I have ever read. While focusing on introductory material and plant work, or spagyrics, it has enough meaty stuff for everyone. There is a fascinating discussion of the role of homeopathy in alchemy; extensive meditations and practices to link laboratory work (Labora) with inner work (Ora); initiation and the Tree of Life via alchemy; and some good background material on alchemy in the 20th Century. However, even the appendices are juicy in their description of the Tarot and the Alchemical process; the famed Longevity Tea of the Comte de St-Germain, similar to the confirmed recipe found in the long out of print, and very valuable biography on St. Germain by Jean Overton Fuller, and a fascinating description of the Flamel Path, of Nicholas and Pernelle Flamel, made famous in the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone". If you are going to read just one book on alchemy this year, or ever, I suggest "The Path of Alchemy". P.S. Speaking as someone with next to no background in the Art, Mark Stavish has delivered a user friendly manual that renders the most obscure and complex material in plain language. However, this does not imply that the work is simplistic. As the Alchemists say, it requires both prayer and labor, "ora et labora".

This year I have read three very good works on alchemy. "The Path of Alchemy" by Mark Stavish, "Real Alchemy" by Robert Bartlett and "The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy" by Brian Cotnoir. If you buy just one book on practical alchemy this year make it "The Path of Alchemy" by Mark Stavish. Marks book presents easy and clear laboratory instruction while also presenting detailed and clear references to Qabala. The solid hermetic meditations that go hand in hand with the physical work, are practices that can be fit into anyone's daily routine with ease.