Customer Reviews

Splendor Solis (Hermetic Research Series)

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

 

 

Alchemical symbolism in this book is so delightful. Adam McLean has contributed a great deal of effort in assisting people who desire to work with alchemical emblems get the most of them, through this book and through his wonderful courses related to alchemical emblems.

This his work both of coloring emblems and helping us to work with them, he has brought them to life. They are not longer just breathtaking images, but a vivid reality one gets to experience in meditation and contemplation.

I particularly appreciate Adam McLean's admonishion that one should not interpret the emblems using the symbolism from other traditions that just doesn't fit here, but work only with what is present.

Alchemical emblems work in a way just like zen koans do - there is a point where in order to grasp the meaning, to exprience them, you have to drop your preconceived ideas and let the emblem speak to you and through you. The emblematic images, through meditation upon the symbolism, eventually bring forth the knowledge that is already present deep within, but is yet out of conscious awareness. Through contemplation upon the emblems, this deep inner wisdom bursts into conscious awareness, not in words, but in knowingness and deep realization of the truth.

This sixteenth century books is often cited. It contains many pictures and the commentary by the accomplished modern alchemist Adam McLean is interesting. This book is a must. It is wonderful that one can have these famous medieval works in ones own bookshelf.

Mats Winther

The other reviews discussed different editions Of Splendor Solis, NOT the one you will get if you order THIS book--the paperback from Kessinger Publishing, by Elizabeth Sharpe. I ordered it, having read the reviews, thinking that this book was the one being referred to. Not so. This book is only 104 pages, rather than the 140 pages listed in the product description. The illustrations are all black and white, and poorly reproduced. The images are blurred and undefined, almost like Xerox copies. The text is interesting, but I would recommend spending a little more and getting a copy with good color illustrations.