Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus, Part 1 [Paperback]

Arthur Edward Waite (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2002

Volume one of a two volume set. (This description is for all volumes.) Edited with a biographical preface, ellucidatory notes, a copious Hermetic vocabulary, and Index, by Arthur Edward Waite. Originally published as two volumes, now combined into one volume for easy reading and affordability. "The work, as it stands, consists of (a) the large body of literature, entire and unabridged, attributed to Paracelsus, and treating directly of alchemy, and the transcendental doctrines and physics of the Magnum Opus; (b) The whole Paracelsian literature of the Great Elixir and the Universal Medicine; (c) So much of the Hermetic philosophy and cosmogony of Paracelsus as has been judged necessary to illustrate his alchemical teachings; (d) One important treatise illustrating the application by Paracelsus of metallic and mineral substances to the treatment of diseases; (e) An exhaustive collection of alchemical references scattered through the chirurgical works of Paracelsus." Contents: Coelum Philosophorum; Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers; Gradations of Metals; Treasure of Treasures for Alchemists; Concerning the Transmutations of Metals and of Cements; Aurora of the Philosophers; Concerning the Spirits of the Planets; Economy of Minerals; Composition of Metals; Concerning the Nature of: Generation of Natural Things; Growth of Natural Things; Preservation of Natural Things; Life of Natural Things; Death of Natural Things; Resuscitation of Natural Things; Transmutation of Natural Objects; Separation of Natural Things. Paracelsic Method of Extracting Mercury from all the Metals; Sulphur of the Metals; Crocus of the Metals, or the Tincture; Philosophy of Theophrastus Concerning the Generations of the Elements of: Air; Fire; Earth; Water, with its Fruits. Book about Minerals; Concerning Salt and Substances Comprehended Under Salt; Concerning Sulphur; The Mercuries of the Metals; De Transmutationibus Metallorum; The Vatican Manuscript of Paracelsus; Manual

Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (July 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766126218
• ISBN-13: 978-0766126213
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,887,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be sure to follow this up with Part 2!, October 3, 2005

By 

Queen of Cups (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus, Part 1 (Paperback)

Paracelus is my personal favorite of the "famous alchemists." He took an approach that diverged greatly from his contemporaries: "harmony of the man is the microcosm and Nature the macrocosm." He veered from soul purification and concentrated on how bodies got out of natural balance and how he could cure them. He summarized his own views by saying: "Many have said of Alchemy, that is for making of gold and silver. For me such is not the aim, but to consider only what virtue and power may lie in medicines." And I am sure that many of the pharmaceutical giants today wholeheartedly agree with him! The work is fascinating as well as the man. This book as well as Part 2 bring him fully to light for all of us to appreciate!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good job by Waite, March 17, 2006

By 

L. Giliberto (Duvall, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus, Part 1 (Paperback)

Waite usually does a good job of translations. He generally seems to be the most objective of 19th Century esotericists and occultists.

Paracelsus was and is a huge influence on the subject of alchemy. Anyone who is interested in alchemy or the philosophy of the Renaissance would get much from this book.

The edition I have is the paperback reprint from Kessinger. In my experience, their reprints are of decent quality, clear, and readable. They make difficult-to-find texts affordable. I have several books published by them, and they are all of decent quality.

1 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Highly disappointed!, July 15, 2007

By 

Vladimir Petukhov "thatsit" (Potsdam, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus, Part 1 (Paperback)

I didn't get the above-mentioned item. It arrived not on 06.07.2007 but on 29.06.2006, when I was on my business trip. Actually, I was misled by your e-mail to me which said that the book would be delivered within the time interval from 06.07.2007 and 21.07.2007. When I came back from the business trip and tried to take the book from my post office they told me that my item had been already sent back to the sender, that is to your company, I guess.