The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series) [Paperback]

Joscelyn Godwin (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series | Publication Date: October 1, 1991

The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz, often looked upon as the third Rosicrucian manifesto, has an entirely different tone from the other Rosicrucian documents. Unlike the Rosicrucian manifestoes, which address the transformation of society, The Chemical Wedding is concerned with the inner transformation of the soul. It is a deeply interior work, one which asks the reader to step into its world of symbols and walk with Christian Rosenkreutz along his path of transformation. Despite its importance as a key text of the Western esoteric traditions, this is the first ever contemporary English translation of The Chemical Wedding, made especially for this edition by Joscelyn Godwin. Also included in this edition is an introduction and commentary by Adam McLean, which illuminates the transformative symbolism.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Phanes Press (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933999356
• ISBN-13: 978-0933999350
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lynchpin of the Rosicrucian Philosophy, August 4, 2001

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David Brehmer "'I once had a gorgeous shining... (Cape Fear) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series) (Paperback)

Surfacing in 1616, the Chemical Wedding was the third and last commentary released by the Rosicrucians. Whereas the first two manifestos-the Fama and Confessio-were seditious declarations which seem to possess more of a fairy-tale quality than anything else, the Wedding stands on its own merit as one of the most profound and impenetrable hermetic allegories ever written. The story centers on a man who is summoned by an Angel to witness and take part in a mysterious process that bears very little resemblance to an actual wedding. Despite the success of he and his compeers (qualified by a selection where the other candidates who are not worthy to participate are killed) the story ends in sagacious irony, leaving the protagonist to stand guard over his reward, forbidding him to ever glimpse it.

Joscelyn Godwin provides the translation, and though my knowledge of medieval Latin is not complete enough to grade her work, her reputation is impeccable and warrants little scrutiny. Adam McLean provides introduction and commentary, and it is for his efforts that this volume is most valuable. He abandons the arrogance shown by J. W. Montgomery who quantified the story as an expression of Orthodox Lutheranism, and doesn't attempt a literal translation of the book's intricate symbolism as any specialized religious banter. Instead, he lists the literary symbols (actual and metaphoric) one by one and shows how they link to key Rosicrucian and Hermetic ideologies, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions, never attempting to force feed any specific brand of Gospel. Indeed, despite the fact that the commentary's length rivals that of the text itself, my only complaint is that it is not longer, much longer, as I'm sure his valuable insight could literally fill hundreds of pages: it leaves the readers curiosity piqued more than sated.

All of the drawings and diagrams from the original are faithfully reproduced, and summarily analyzed for their symbolic content as well. As a bonus McLean shows links between the Chemical Wedding and other allegories afterwards, paying close attention to Goethe's `Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily', and includes the Parabola of Hinricus Madathanus Theosophus (an anonymous translation from `The Secret Symbols of the Rosicrucians') as an appendix. If you are looking for further readings on this subject, my best suggestion is `Foucault's Pendulum' by Umberto Eco. Despite being a work of fiction, it describes a very thorough picture of the Rosicrucian's world, and other medieval secret societies too. Showing them as wildly diabolical, it stills bears the immutable signature of a dedicated and terrifyingly intelligent scholar.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Foundation of Rosicrucianism, July 9, 2000

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Christopher W. Chase "Christopher W. Chase" (East Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series) (Paperback)

An essential text. Godwin is the premier scholar in America in this area. This text, along with two manifestoes (the Fama and Confessio) made a major cultural and political impact in 17th century Europe and up through the 18th century in Germany. The Chemical Wedding is an allegorical tale of the processes of "alchemy." Written in coded and highly symbolic language, the book is historically important, but also important for the practicioner of spiritual alchemy or ritual magic in the Golden Dawn or Rosicrucian traditions. For the other two manifestoes purchase Frances Yates "The Rosicrucian Enlightenment," a controversial but excellent scholary text on 17th century Europe and the influence of Esoteric Christianity.

This is the first modern and accurate English translation of this work, attributed to a renegade esoteric Lutheran minister.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, Fascinating & Symbolic, July 11, 2011

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L. C. Lessnau - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series) (Paperback)

I purchased this book from a friend's recommendation and I am very pleased that I did. I found the rich symbolism very intriguing and the allegory is translated well as it reads smoothly. The tale moves along quickly and the visual images that arose from it's words were a fantastical treat, yet symbolizing real spiritual processes. It has been almost a year since I have first read it and I find that I keep the book very close as I fondly refer to it upon new spiritual discoveries of my own. It is a book that I will pass down to my children when they are ready for this magical journey of alchemical work.