Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World [Paperback]

Thom F. Cavalli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2002

Far from legends of turning lead into gold, psychologist Thom F. Cavalli reveals how the ancient art of alchemy can be used today to create powerful and lasting transformations in our personal lives.

Alchemical practices have been reborn in our contemporary world under the rubric of Jungianism, transpersonal psychology, or depth psychology. But in Alchemical Psychology, Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D., takes us directly to the source-and on a wonderful adventure into the true nature of our hearts and minds.

In a book that sparkles with verve, life, and practicality, Dr. Cavalli explains how alchemy was one of humankind's earliest efforts to transform the nature of consciousness. What little-known or underground arts did alchemists practice in pursuit of self-transformation-and how can they enrich us today?

Using the same practices that he employs with patients, Dr. Cavalli offers readers a plethora of personal exercises that, among other things, enables them to "type" themselves according to ancient alchemical identifiers of nature and personality. He then provides practices that can help free them from the grip of familiar problems and foster true personal growth.

Beautifully illustrated with medieval prints from the alchemical tradition, Alchemical Psychology gives readers both a richer understanding of their own natures and of the traditions on which many of our modern therapies are based.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This ambitious book seeks to cover the history of the art of alchemy and its current use, both as a study in itself and as a counterpart/forerunner to today's science of psychology. Psychologist Cavalli here makes a legitimate case for the importance of "the Royal Art" in personal transformation, spiritual healing, and raising global consciousness. General guidelines and an outline of the steps necessary for courting inner growth through alchemy are offered, but the book lacks enough practical exercises to help the reader truly begin. Still, medieval illustrations, rich symbolism, and a discussion of how planetary influences and elements such as air and fire align with mystical experience and scientific experiment make this a refreshing choice. Cavalli cogently argues that the profound wisdom that all humans possess is already alchemy at work, but we must take action in harmony with our true nature to see conscious results. Newcomers and psychology students alike will be drawn to the author's invitation to live more fully in the magical world. For psychology collections of academic and larger public libraries. Lisa Liquori, MLS, Syracuse, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

THOM F. CAVALLI, Ph.D., is licensed as a psychologist, a marriage, family, and child therapist, and a Qualified Medical Examiner. In addition to his twenty years of private practice, he has conducted many seminars and workshops for community agencies, industry, and private organizations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (February 28, 2002)
• Language: English, Portuguese
• ISBN-10: 1585421405
• ISBN-13: 978-1585421404
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Welcome to my Author's page. In addition to writing I am a practicing Jungian psychologist, artist, author, teacher and psychological alchemist. While having authored two books on alchemical psychology my vision extends to include other media including a unique combination of lecture and performance art. The concept of my first book, Alchemical Psychology, emerged from a presentation to the O.C. Jung society where, in addition to the lecture, I served a special dish from a recipe that originated in a Nazi concentration camp. In a workshop on the Alchemical Mummy, participants are wrapped in mummy cloth as verses from the Book of the Dead are chanted!

My latest book, Embodying Osiris, The Secrets of Alchemical Transformation, is an alchemical interpretation of the 5000 year old myth drawn from the Pyramid Texts. In this book I've applied alchemy to a deeper understanding of the myth of Osiris. For the first time, it reveals hidden formulas encoded in the myth, proving that alchemy did in fact originate in ancient Egypt, and more importantly, that by "becoming Osiris" we are initiated into his timeless world. The book is filled with stories, dreams, mystical practices and strange synchronicities. Already, this book has received critical acclaim:

"A brilliant book." Chris Downing, Professor of Mythological Studies

".great tour-de-force." Robert Bauval, Egyptologist

"Jung would have welcomed this work as a creative continuation of his own discoveries." Stan Marlan, Jungian analyst

".a brilliant new interpretation." Dennis Hauck, alchemist, president of the Alchemy Guild

"a good scholar and alchemical chef." Fred Alan Wolf, physicist

".groundbreaking..illuminates the transformation which lies at the heart of alchemy." Cherry Gilchrist, author


I wrote this book for anyone who takes his or her psychological and spiritual development seriously. Embodying Osiris is for those serious students of history and mythology, magic and alchemy, Jungian psychology and metaphysics, religion and consciousness, and most especially for those interested in ancient Egypt, its strange gods and their profound mystery.

Egyptian mysticism is the wellspring for ancient wisdom - Plato, Pythagoras, and Euclid all drank from its sacred waters. Ancient Egypt is much, much more than pyramids and mummies. It is a place of endless mystery and many secrets that are still buried beneath the sands.

Writing this book was an adventure that forced me to go to Egypt and discover the actual places where this myth originated. I walked the paths that pilgrims journeyed 5000 years ago to celebrate their favorite god. I sailed along the Nile where Osiris' son Horus and Seth fought their last battle. I crawled through pyramids and climbed to the tops of ancient temples. Now, I invite you to accompany me back to our ancestral home.

In Embodying Osiris, the Secrets of Alchemical Transformation we find an ancient path of individuation, one riddled with secrets, recipes and mystical formulas. Let me take you down this path, decoding the symbols, opening doors and discovering the alchemy that delivers the sacred knowledge of how one becomes a whole, complete and divine human being.

For more information on my work visit my websites, www.CavalliBooks.com, www.AlchemicalPsychology.com or email [e-mail]. Most importantly I hope my work brings you a greater understanding in how to individuate your life and simultaneously bring peace to our world. Many blessings!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alchemy From a Psychological Perspective, January 29, 2003

By 

Diana L. Klimek, Ph.D. (Huntington Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World (Paperback)

Reviewer: Diana L. Klimek, Ph.D. student, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Reading the first few chapters of Dr. Thom Cavalli's book, Alchemical Psychology, is a bit like listening to Bill Moyers interview Joseph Campbell as they meander and weave myth, religion, history and culture into a labyrinth of discovery. There is a powerful background in the field of alchemy spanning thousands of years and for some, it is still steeped in the mystical mixings and stirrings of elixirs and potions. To bring these mysteries into a modern world where demands for logic and reason overwhelm our sensibilities, Dr. Cavalli is indeed his own brave alchemist.
Stirring a pot with ingredients as diverse as ancient drawings, Carl Jung's notion of the Individuated Self, the four elements and a little quicksilver, Dr. Cavalli keeps the fire turned up. His determination to let alchemy speak for itself and to let alchemy find its natural connection to psychology is commendable, especially in doing a comparative analysis such as this.
The subtitle of this book is "Old Recipes for Living in a New World" and although each ancient recipe (there are ten in the book) is interesting and helpful, one struck me as unique to the symbolic nature of alchemy. It is important to understand that taking the ingredients literally loses the point of the experiment. For example, in recipe seven "the rose gives honey to the bee" which we all know is impossible in logic and in nature because roses do not give honey. However, as Dr. Cavalli walks us through the steps of the alchemical recipe drawing on his own personal career and Jungian psychology, we are encouraged to accept the immediate significance to the personal psyche and the power of collective symbolism.
Although it is helpful to have some background in Freudian and Jungian psychology, this book holds potential interest for both the novice and the professional. Dr. Cavalli has succeeded in bringing alchemy out of the archives and within focus of the modern world. This book is richly educational but it is entertaining as well because Dr. Cavalli still manages to pay homage to his archetypal muse, the Trickster.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Going for the Gold...........in your Self, March 22, 2004

By 

liana kelley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World (Paperback)

This is a great read. Anyone interested in the transformation of the soul, the refinement of their base nature into pure golden light and transparency should read this book. Thom Cavalli has poured an enormous amount of love into this work and clearly shows. Not a work is wasted. You read a paragraph and have to walk away to ponder it. A book to return to time and time again as your understanding grows. It is rich with symbols, ancient alchemical art and mystery. I absolutely love this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Read Book on Alchemical Psychology, November 5, 2004

By 

Laura De Giorgio "hypnotherapist" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World (Paperback)

This book takes the complex language of alchemy and alchemical processes and translates it into easy-to-understand language. The author guides you step-by-step through alchemical symbolism and alchemical operations as they relate to different psychological processes.

The alchemical recipes expressed through different alchemical operations presented in this book are intended to help you create desired psychological transformation - whether you desire to apply them in your therapeutic practice or to gain further insights and effect the desired transformation in yourself.

Understanding of alchemy is based on practical application and as the author points out "Unlike medical prescriptions, alchemical recipes require full engagement of the mind, body and soul, as well as active participation of the imaginative faculty to make them work." [As a hypnotist, I may add, that this truth applies to successful work with hypnosis, too].

The author does quote excerpts from Corpus Hermeticum - and this particular excerpt is the jewel of the Corpus Hermeticum:

"Rise up above every height: descend deeper than any depth;
Concentrate into thyself all the sensations of created things
Of water, fire, dry and wet.

Think of finding yourself simultaneously everywhere in the
Earth, sea and sky;
Think of having never been born,
Of still being an embryo;
Young and old, dead and beyond death,
Embrace everything at the same time;
All times, places, things, qualities and quantities."

The author also at times draws parallels from the world of quantum physics, and other spiritual and esoteric traditions,
to ellucidate specific points he desires to make.