Alchemy Unveiled [Perfect Paperback]

Johannes Helmond (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1885928084 | ISBN-13: 978-1885928085 | Publication Date: June 2, 1997 | Edition: 2 Ed

Alchemy is the last and highest knowledge which can be committed to paper in the form of letters. Beyond that, another language is required, one which cannot be committed to paper. Most people confuse iatrochemistry with Alchemy. When an Alchemist speaks of Mercury, Sulphur and Salt, he speaks of his spiritual, astral and physical bodies, not of the elements. Alchemy Unveiled describes the tribulations that a human being has to pass through in order to purify these three bodies. However, to achieve the level of an Alchemist requires daily study and strict daily mental, astral and physical exercises for many lifetimes. Many individuals have already achieved this goal. The purpose is not to convert a lower metal into gold, but to change an impure body into a pure body, namely the spirit, soul and physical bodies. An Alchemist is one who has passed the levels of a magician, spheric magician and Kabbalist. All these levels can be achieved without the help of a teacher! These Western writings are by those who have reached levels higher than an Alchemist. They have given us these writings, philosophically and practically. These sciences cannot be learned intellectually, but have to be approached with a clean heart. One's character has to be completely free of all negative characteristics. And for the one who embarks on this journey, the first thing to be learned is what a positive characteristic is and what a negative characteristic is. And the reader will be surprised what negative characteristics are, because many of these characteristics are considered by most as positive. Alchemy Unveiled will lead the reader on a journey of a complete purification of the body, soul and spirit, and for the first time the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone is openly explained. Much has been written about this subject, most of which is and remains incomprehensible for most. Many of the alchemical writings available were and are based on error and point the way to the wrong path. This is mainly due to the fact that many individuals do this for personal, material gain. Alchemy Unveiled begins with an explicit explanation of the symbolic language of Alchemy, which is a must for any further clear understanding of the entire text of this book. It explains the errors of many who were not in possession of the true knowledge regarding this art. It takes the reader on a journey through the ancient mysteries of Initiation, the Osiris mysteries, the Eleusian Mysteries, the Mysteries of Israel, the Christ-Mysterium and the Mystery of Alchemy. An excellent addition to the Franz Bardon books on Hermetics.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German, Latin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

We are all very fortunate to live in a time when all the Mysteries have been revealed. In reality the Mysteries are no longer veiled, but this fact is not yet known to most people on earth. In the last one hundred years two major events have taken place. These events effect every man, woman and child, yet only very few are aware of it, and this is in keeping with the prophesies. In accordance with the prophesies in the Bible the first event took place in the latter part of the last century and it was the proclamation of the Eternal Gospel; and in the 1950's the Holy Mysteries were revealed. Alchemy Unveiled is part of the Holy Mysteries and it is available to those who make the effort to study it.

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Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Merkur Publishing, Inc.; 2 Ed edition (June 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885928084
• ISBN-13: 978-1885928085
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars First Impressions, November 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Alchemy Unveiled (Perfect Paperback)

I recently purchased Alchemy Unveiled, wondering if it was part of the revelation of the "holy mysteries" referred to by the publisher. I had also read that this volume explains the "secret of the philosopher's stone" for the first time. This review is intended to help potential buyers know what this book is, and what it is not.

First and foremost, this book is NOT remotely related to those revelations of the holy mysteries, which arose in the late 1950's, by the author Franz Bardon.

The claim that Alchemy Unveiled explains "the secret of the philosopher's stone" for the first time, is - in my opinion - nothing but hype. The nature of the substance of the philosopher's stone has - in part - been described quite openly within other literature, by comparison with which, Alchemy Unveiled seemingly says nothing.

The style in which Alchemy Unveiled is written, is one which is *only allegorical*. The content has almost no structure, and there is no index. Allegorical references are frequently accompanied by a multitude of alchemical synonyms, and historical quotes, which pad out much of the book. Helmond shows an extensive knowledge of alchemical writings, but whether he has any genuine mastery of practical laboratory work is questionable. It is difficult to imagine who could gain any practical clarity from this book, other than those who have studied old alchemical texts for most of their life.

Contrary to other reviews here, Alchemy Unveiled is certainly *not* a suitable book for anyone looking for an introduction to alchemy. The whole book is obscure, and its text is dull, lifeless, and rather machine like. It has no beauty; no inner rhythm; no "writing between the lines". Considering alchemy's relationship to energies and forces of life, this is surely significant. Helmond makes alchemy appear impenetrably complicated, and his writing style actually isolates the reader from living nature.

As wonderful information on *practical alchemy* was released long before Alchemy Unveiled was published in 1991, Helmond's level of obscurity is simply not justified. In addition, Helmond says nothing of plant alchemy, even though this is THE *practical* path towards understanding alchemical transmutations of matter.

Anyone looking for a practical introduction to laboratory alchemy, will surely desire to know of the (online) material from the "Essentia Journal", and the Parachemy volumes of the "Paracelsus Research Society". Also, in my mind, there are a couple books standing far above all others that I have encountered. These writings *in combination*, are perhaps the finest *practical* guidance into the "secrets" of alchemical practice, in the world. They are:

1. Initiation Into Hermetics. (Franz Bardon).

2. Spagyric Tinctures - Tradition, Preparation and Usage. (Beat Krummenacher).

The first book describes (in detail) the occult path by which the astral & mental senses are developed, so that the living energies within matter can be observed and studied and directed.

The second book describes (in detail) the path to alchemically purifying plant substances. The possibility for taking things further is hinted at, and at this point individual exploration really begins.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mumbo Jumbo, March 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Alchemy Unveiled (Perfect Paperback)

I bought this book because it was supposed to be a good intro into Alchemy. WRONG!!! I've had exposure to some basic terms and concepts from other books, but this author immediately begins with terms and processes that no beginner will have knowledge of and which the author never explains. It ends up being mumbo jumbo for the first 75% of the book. The rest of the book is in English but the first 75 % is never explained and will still remain incomprehensible. If you're a beginner forget this book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book., December 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alchemy Unveiled (Perfect Paperback)

This gives the reader a fascinating and thorough guide to Alchemy. It goes into some subjects other Alchemy books might not, like analysing and discussing the problems of pseudo-alchemists. The only problem is it's short length but, nonetheless, I think you will find this an excellent introduction to Alchemy.