A series of gatherings took place in 2006 to discuss the contemporary relevance of the ancient sacred science of hermeticism, or alchemy. This book is a partial record of those meetings, focusing on finding a spiritual and cultural path for the healing of the current ecological crisis. Peter Lamborn Wilson, explores the many ramifications of the alternative worldview offered by Hermeticism; Christopher Bamford provides a broad historical overview of the tradition from the Ancient Mysteries to contemporary manifestations of the alchemical tradition; while Kevin Townley brings a practical dimension, teaching the preparation of herbal elixirs and demonstrating that cosmology and philosophy can become a truly healing path for the Earth.
Green Hermeticism: Alchemy & Ecology
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more |
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
What others have said:
"In Alchemy, there is an injunction to quicken, or revive, the dead, which is illustrated by a dead tree growing verdant again. That is exactly what this wonderful and rare work does in awakening human consciousness to its Divine potential and Ultimate Destiny. Art thus helps Nature to achieve its ideal Perfection. The authors must be congratulated for their insightful words. I wholeheartedly recommend reading it again and again, and again." --Stanislas Klossowski de Rola, author, Alchemy: The Secret Art
"Environmental solutions today are largely technical, but the planetary crisis is also a crisis of soul--or better yet, of the Imagination. Too tricky for religion, too poetic for reductionist science, Green Hermeticism reheats a prophetic imagination still in love with the material world--a new alchemy of ancient nature." --Erik Davis, author, The Visionary State: A Journey through California's Spiritual Landscape
"Just when you felt numb and disenfranchised, thinking the world had become bleak and dead, along comes this rare, much needed book to remind us that there is still some sanity, depth, and creative energy percolating up from the heart of Reality. Thank God (and the Goddess Nature) for this smart and inspiring breath of fresh air! Green Hermeticism is where the wasteland ends--and where the world becomes re-enchanted with genuine living thought that goes beyond superficialities. It's a rare pleasure to be in the presence of living minds who actually know something wonderful and have not been deadened by the opiates of capital or the tenure track. Very highly recommended." --David Fideler, publisher (Phanes Press), editor (Alexandria), author, Jesus Christ, Sun of God
"The publication of Green Hermeticism has the sense we so rarely get, of a genuine moment in cultural history. It is not just the eloquence of its authors' knowledge and arguments or that they are showing us, once again, the depth and range and beauty of alchemy, and the Hermetic tradition, and what Peter Lamborn Wilson calls Romantic Science. Nor is it even the links they establish between the Hermetic tradition and ecology, and the value of a science that perceives the world as alive rather than a machine. What makes this work significant is the sense that it shows us how we can use these ideas and knowledge to create a genuine counter to destruction and despair, an alchemy of our politics as well as of our spirit." --Rachel Pollack, author, 78 Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot
"Green Hermeticism reminds us that the art of the Great Work is to enter more deeply into the dynamic and practical wisdom of the universe, which is our laboratory, where work and prayer combine. When we engage with the All, we know ourselves to be one kindred with all in the viriditas--God's greening power--where body, soul, and spirit honor each other." --Caitlín & John Matthews, authors of Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus
About the Author
Peter Lamborn Wilson is a scholar of Sufism and Western Hermeticism and (under the pseudonym Akim Bey) a well-known radical-anarchist social thinker. His books include Sacred Drift: Essays on the Margins of Islam and Escape from the Nineteenth Century and Other Essays. Christopher Bamford is Editor in Chief at SteinerBooks, and is a scholar of Western esotericism, esoteric Christianity, and Anthroposophy. Kevin Townley is an esotericist and practicising alchemist. He is the author of The Cube of Space: Container of Creation. Pir Zia Inayat Khan is the spiritual leader of the Sufi Order International and founding director of the Suluk Academy, an esoteric school in upstate New York. He holds a master's degree in religion from Duke University.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An impressive, thought-provoking, and much-needed work,
By
This review is from: Green Hermeticism: Alchemy & Ecology (Paperback)
I cannot rave enough about this book. I forget exactly where I heard about it, but given the dearth of material on ecological spirituality/magic, especially outside of a shamanic or neopagan perspective, I fairly jumped at a chance to pick this text up.This is not a how-to book, with the exception of one chapter. It is primarily rather dense and inspiring theoretical discussion of the links between hermeticism and alchemy, and the need for a more eco-friendly approach to life, the Universe, and everything. Rather than try to summarize the book as a whole I'll go through each chapter independently. Chapter 1 (Wilson) - The Disciples at Sais: A Sacred Theory of Earth - This was originally a paper presented by the author at a 2003 "Sacred Theory of Earth" conference. Wilson traces the influences of green hermeticism, focusing particularly on the works of Romantic scientist and hermeticist Novalis, whose novel provided the title for the chapter. However, Wilson also draws on everyone from Paracelsus to Goethe. However, the bulk of the chapter is dedicated to Novalis, and is liberally adorned with quotes from his works that aptly illustrate foundations of green hermeticism. Chapter 2 (Bamford) - One the All: Alchemy as Sacred Ecology - Chapter 2 examines the basic philosophy and worldview of alchemy, while highlighting those portions that are particularly applicable to modern ecological concerns. It is also part history lesson, following the progress of alchemy from Egypt to the East and back to the West. And, perhaps most importantly, the idea of One the All is discussed-a deep, pragmatic awareness of the interconnection of all things. We are not merely presented with wishy-washy pleas to "all just get along", but convincing arguments towards revamping how we approach the Universe, and ourselves and everything else as the All. Chapter 3 (Wilson) - Green Hermeticissm - Here's where the book starts getting really good. Wilson dives deeper into hermeticism-as-ecological spirituality, and shows more examples of where the green roots in hermeticism come from throughout its history and development. However, modern implications are also discussed; I was particularly delighted by the section on mycoremeditation-cleaning up toxins through mushrooms which break down the chemical compounds-as a modern form of alchemy. There's also a marvelous interpretation of lycanthropy as eco-magical awareness and activism, but in a way that takes animals on their own terms instead of through our usual anthropocentric perceptions. While the chapter flows from one topic to another, all together it paints a picture of a very different, much healthier way of viewing reality from what we're raised with. Chapter 4 (Bamford) - Quilting Green Hermeticism: A Tissue of Texts and Tracings - This chapter adds texture to the previous material. It's a delightful collection both of Bamford's own thoughts, and extensive quotes from various classic alchemical/hermetic texts. By far my favorite part was the section entitled "Ouroborous ('Tail-eater') or the Coincidence of Opposites", an excellent tool for shattering dualistic preconceptions and tendencies towards dividing the world up just so. "Perception and Imagination" is also incredibly important in its promotion of change starting in the very way we view things; unless you are able to shift your perception, none of this will be nearly as useful. By the end of the chapter, my head was reeling from all the information and paradigm shifts, and yet I was left with a sense of a greater, all-encompassing reality-not just "out there" somewhere in the heads of strange old men tinkering with antique glassware, but "in here", "right here", "right now", relevant to All. Chapter 5 (Townley) - The Manufacture and Use of Planetary Tinctures - I'm afraid to say that while this essay was exceptionally well-written, it seemed rather tacked on to the end of this book. It's a practical guide to creating and using planetary tinctures, with a brief explanation of various substances created through alchemy. Do not, however, skip it just because it shifts gears. Give your mind a rest for a few days from the rest of the book, and then read this chapter as its own entity. Despite the difference in styles and focus, you can see elements of the theory of green hermeticism within the processes. In fact, try reading it once before reading the rest, and once after. What I really think, though, is that Townley should author or co-author a practical, hands-on book of green hermeticism techniques. He's got the right idea, and if there had been more practical material in this book, this chapter would have fit in much better. I honestly don't believe I have done this book justice. Truth be told, I'm still digesting what I've read, and will go back to it numerous times to re-inoculate myself. However, I wanted to get the word out there as soon as I could, because this is by far one of the most impressive and thought-provoking texts I have ever read. I can't speak too much as far as the alchemical/hermetic purity goes, since I'm not particularly well-read in those topics at this time. However, as a guidebook for ecological spirituality and magic, and a healthier way of being, it's beyond essential. In fact, this is another one of those "anyone magical at all should read this" texts (I need to make a list someday....). It's not an easy read, but it is one of the best.
9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Does saying green make it green?,
This review is from: Green Hermeticism: Alchemy & Ecology (Paperback)
I found this book to be more of an intellectual/theoretical approach to Hermeticism and the green/environmental aspects of it, as opposed to a practical manual that offered thoughts on how to blend sustainability with hermetic practices. In reading most of this book and the essays in it, I'm left with the thought that it seems great that people came together and discussed these ideas, but I'm unsure what the practical implications of that discussion boil down to in terms of integrating a set of magical practices/beliefs into responsible environmental practices and policies.There were some interesting sections. I enjoyed the section on using mushrooms as a way of remediating pollutants, as well as enjoying the last chapter on the manufacturing of planetary tinctures. But I'm still left overall with a sense that while this book attempts to reveal relevant and important concepts, it gets bogged down in the academic inclination of over intellecualizing what's being discussed. In reading this book, I can't say that the connection between alchemy and ecology has been amply demonstrated. I'm also unsure as to how the authors propose to wed alchemy to ecology in a manner that is green and promotes sustainability.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hermeticism,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Green Hermeticism: Alchemy & Ecology (Paperback)
If your definition of Hermeticism is obscure , convoluted and esoteric then this is the book for you. I liked The endless trace by Christopher Bamford. I did not like this book and would not give it to the average reader plus there are some errors in the chapter index.... Wilson sounds like a anti science ranter and some of the books he mentions like the Tao of Physics have some serious errors as pointed out in a copy of the Buddhist publication Tricycle ( The bootstrap theorem as a case in point ). I am a Herbologist so i liked the last chapter . I am retired from Industry and teach at a local University a Green course for Buisness majors. I am a big fan of Parabola Magazine and a long time reader of Christopher Bamford, the one chapter labeled with him as the writer in the front of the book is labeled Wilson... I am sorry to have to give this book a low rated 2 ....... If your new to this get "The Endless Trace " and or subcribe to the Journal parabola
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
