Customer Reviews

The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic by Mark Stavish is simply the finest book on practical alchemy that I have ever read. While focusing on introductory material and plant work, or spagyrics, it has enough meaty stuff for everyone. There is a fascinating discussion of the role of homeopathy in alchemy; extensive meditations and practices to link laboratory work (Labora) with inner work (Ora); initiation and the Tree of Life via alchemy; and some good background material on alchemy in the 20th Century. However, even the appendices are juicy in their description of the Tarot and the Alchemical process; the famed Longevity Tea of the Comte de St-Germain, similar to the confirmed recipe found in the long out of print, and very valuable biography on St. Germain by Jean Overton Fuller, and a fascinating description of the Flamel Path, of Nicholas and Pernelle Flamel, made famous in the first Harry Potter book, "The Sorcerer's Stone". If you are going to read just one book on alchemy this year, or ever, I suggest "The Path of Alchemy".

P.S. Speaking as someone with next to no background in the Art, Mark Stavish has delivered a user friendly manual that renders the most obscure and complex material in plain language. However, this does not imply that the work is simplistic. As the Alchemists say, it requires both prayer and labor, "ora et labora".

This book is a true gem. Before reading it I had little interest in laboratory alchemy and while I still have little interest in the path of mineral alchemy, my interest was more than just a little piqued by this book.

Plant Alchemy or spagyria is the application of alchemical theory to herbal products. By breaking up the plant into it's "Mercury" (alcohol product), "Sulfur" (essential volatile oils) and "Salt" (the white/gray ash left over from a slow, low temperature burn) these three principles are then recombined in various ways (even producing a plant "stone") to enhance and purify the occult, energetic properties of the plant.

The true value of this book is in the author's ability to make the work seem so possible, even easy. Mr. Stavish also has the courage to admit that he believes that plant alchemy can be more than just a healing art but also has the potential to be an initiatory path in and of itself (a claim usually reserved for the path of laboratory mineral alchemy). I agree with him with the caveat that a strong energetic bond must first be forged with the very plant whose product is being worked upon. The practice of "dieting" a plant as practiced in some South American shamanic traditions would seem to be a useful practice as a preliminary to such laboratory work (see Plant Shamanism by Heaven and Charing).

The only criticism I have for this book is that it would seem to make it all look too easy. In fact I would prefer to have more guidance in the actual temperatures at which to heat the product at various stages and for how long to expect each stage to take. I would also have liked to learn more about the distillation processes as the technique Mr. Stavish goes into is only for those on a shoe string budget. However, as the title of my review states, this book is the best of all possible beginnings.

Other sources to study are the works of Junius Manifred and the works of Jean DuBuis whose works expand upon and fill in the gaps of this brilliant primer.

The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic, offers an interesting introduction into the philosophy and methods of alchemy as they apply to the Plant Kingdom of Nature. The author's suggested meditations are useful in that they reflect the laboratory work instead of replacing it. His techniques and ideas train the aspiring alchemist the think alchemically, and thereby better experience and understand the working of Nature.

The book also presents additional information on the stages of alchemy and its relation to the Major Arcana of the Tarot, dream work, and interpreting the Path of Flamel into an operative laboratory technique. I find all are interesting personal penchants of the author, and are aimed at those who wish to move from `spiritual' or `psychological' Alchemy into the real nuts and bolts of the Great Work by following such lines of thought. Overall, a very good read, and one that deserves the attention and effort of anyone who wants to call him or herself, "Alchemist."

Mark Stavish has written a must-read book for anyone interested in the many facets of alchemy. From its historic origins to how to practice it in the family kitchen, he has found a way to make this complicated and murky subject crystal clear. As a child, I loved science and had the ubiquitous 1960's style chemistry set, but as I matured, my interests moved to spirituality, philosophy, natural healing, and energy. The Path of Alchemy brings back physical science and frames it in a spiritual context, finally making it possible for me to reconcile and integrate science and spirit. Alchemical practice, as described by Stavish, may indeed be the only way to tangibly verify one's level of enlightened awareness. The author explains lucidly how to perform spagyrics, taking the reader from distillation to creating the stone through how to use alchemical products in ritual and healing. The step-by-step operations and exercises make it possible for anyone to benefit from this Royal Art. With his direct and engaging style, Mark Stavish has, in The Path of Alchemy found a way to make a leaden subject positively golden.

Unlike many people who pick up this title, I am not in search of the rumored Philosopher's Stone. I started reading this book to find ways to change myself for the better. Within its pages, I found not only philosophical alchemy, but practical alchemy as well. I took my time, created a few of the basic tinctures, used them over a period of time, and I have to say that I have indeed changed. Now, I'm not saying I sprouted a third arm or anything, and I'm certainly not going into specifics via this medium. But, I will say that my communication skills have improved, I'm more understanding and compassionate when dealing with everyday concerns, and I'm just generally more pleasant to be around. And yes, I am attributing much of that to this very book (and my own elbow grease of course.) You don't have to believe it can be this easy. Buy the book; read it; re-read it; perform the exercises, and you'll find out for yourself.

In "The Path of Alchemy", author Mark Stavish gives an introduction to the concepts and practices of Alchemy that, in all honesty, surprised me with its depth of knowledge that contrasts with the simple and very user-friendly presentation used. And when I say "depth of knowledge", I don't necessarily mean sheer amount of knowledge, but the quality right amount thereof. To quote him in the Introduction to the book, "'The Path of Alchemy' seems to walk the thin middle ground between these giants, and like Baby Bear's porridge, it is 'just right' in the information department." I wholeheartedly agree with this. There's a lot packed into this little book, though. There's enough information and an abundance of exercises and meditations to get the Alchemical student's feet wet. What's even better is that the entire book is pretty much structured like a self-paced course of study. That being said, I do think it is more or less a beginner's book on Alchemy, but what a beginner's book!

Most of the book focuses on Spagyrics, or Plant Alchemy. Stavish, with his easy, friendly writing style, starts off with a chapter introducing the overall concepts and ideas central to Alchemy. After this he goes into the specific concepts and operations of Spagyrics, going from basics in tincturing to creating a plant Stone.

After this he moves into some technically-based chapters by discussing distillation using basic equipment that can be utilized in one's kitchen. He even goes into how to distill pure alcohol from wine!

After going through the material on distillation, it seems like he moves into specific aspects of Alchemy and its uses. Included in this is Initiatic Alchemy, Alchemy in health and healing, use in ritual, a discussion of the Red and White Stones, and finally a discussion of Tarot-related symbolism. That last, by the way, includes a dreaming exercise that I've found very effective so far, and it's only been 2 days of use. Last, but not least, the Appendices include such articles on things as Planetary Hours, the Longevity Formula of St. Germain, and the Path of Nicholas Flamel.

The one and only thing I wish were a little different about this book is that I think it should have been a little more illustrated with a few more classic alchemical symbols, although it already has plenty for the essential concepts.

If you want to learn about Alchemy, but have been intimidated by all the older works on it, don't want to wade through confusion, or if you don't know where to start, buy this book!

The three traditional pillars of the Hermetic arts are Alchemy, Astrology, and Qabalah. None of these are stagnant but are all living, growing and evolving arts which are completely compatible with both religion and science.

This amazing tome, written by one of the foremost living authorities on Alchemy, gives a guided path to anyone wishing initiation into the mysteries of this amazing process. It combines practical modern science with the ancient Alchemical sciences and gives working students a firm foundation on which to build their temples of ascendant light.

This book is truly a treasure which provides years of practice and work, and with it one could ascend to mastery in this both ancient and sacred art/science/religion/philosophy (collectively known as Magick.) For a deeper understanding of the philosophy I suggest "Sorcerer's Stone," by Hauck. And for a more scientific introduction to the subject, especially for students with a background in other schools of sciences, I suggest, "Real Alchemy," by Bartlett.

These three books I have called (semi jokingly but still in truth) the "Holy Trinity of Modern Alchemy." They compliment one another perfectly, each focuses in a slightly different manner and the combined information is a very nice place to start your journey in preparation for the actual process. Read all three, make sure you understand them well, and then patiently, and with utmost care begin your Great Work!

Mark Stavish has a very clear and concise means of cutting through all the complexities of spagyrics. I was also impressed in how he ties it all together. If you have any interest in real world Alchemy, this is where you should start.

This year I have read three very good works on alchemy. "The Path of Alchemy" by Mark Stavish, "Real Alchemy" by Robert Bartlett and "The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy" by Brian Cotnoir. If you buy just one book on practical alchemy this year make it "The Path of Alchemy" by Mark Stavish. Marks book presents easy and clear laboratory instruction while also presenting detailed and clear references to Qabala. The solid hermetic meditations that go hand in hand with the physical work, are practices that can be fit into anyone's daily routine with ease.

This is an engaging, entertaining book, very accessible and a pleasure to read. This, unfortunately, functions as a seductive allurement to misleading or incomplete laboratory alchemy instructions. I was willing to overlook certain odd techniques such as using sea salt as the basis for a plant stone (why would you do this? why use an animal salt as a substitute for a plant salt? the seed must be planted in its corresponding womb in order to grow and become an alchemical child, so that's like trying to mate an octopus with an orchid) or doing the cohobation of the spagyric tincture one pinch at a time (this would probably work, but it's more convenient to cohobate all at once and then filter the result after they have been well-mixed), but the section on Ens Melissa really got my goat.

It's so incorrect and incomplete that someone following these instructions would waste a lot of energy creating a poison. The deliquescence of potassium carbonate is not "angel water," it was called "oil of tartar per deliquiem" - its distillate is angel water. You should use the oil of tartar. The melissa must be removed from the oil of tartar before the alcohol is added. The alcohol must be 95% pure ethanol, or it will not separate, and then your solution will be half-lye and undrinkable!

Anyway, I really wanted to like this book, but considering the trouble it takes to make the deliquescence I was taken aback that the rest of the instructions for creating the Ens were slapdash.