A Dictionary of Western Alchemy

An amazing storehouse of information, A Dictionary of Western Alchemy focuses on terms related to the history of alchemical ideas rather than the scientific aspect that is more frequently examined. With an easy-to-read introduction explaining the history of alchemy and what it means today, Stratford delivers a whirlwind tour through the ancient history of this captivating science --Excerpted from: Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition Alchemy is written in the language of the unconscious. In A Dictionary of Western Alchemy, Jordan Stratford brings cryptic words and images alive with rich, deep and practical meaning. Heading each letter with a quote from one of the great masters adds a unique touch to this clear and concise dictionary. It is filled with fascinating etymological and historical detail. Dragon's blood, beeswing, Red Lion - these strange words are among four hundred terms defined in this insightful work that does not spare the kind of accuracy needed in a working alchemical laboratory --Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Embodying Osiris: The Secrets of Alchemical Psychology, and Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World A useful glossary of metals and minerals; black, red and green lions; alchemists; mythical beasts and mysterious processes. Discover the keys to the salt, sulphur and mercury of alchemy in this succinct dictionary. --Andrew Phillip Smith, author of A Dictionary of Gnosticism The fascinations and wonders of alchemy have been with us for a long time. Jordan Stratford's fine encyclopedic work on this subject is precisely what has been missing on the shelf of every student of the 'great art.' Its content is accurate, insightful and accessible! --Stephan A. Hoeller, author of Alchemy for a Volunteer Society, The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead, and other works An extremely useful compilation of alchemic terms and symbols, explained with admirable clarity. Anyone interested in alchemy for its own sake or as an important cultural stream in Western thought will benefit from having this work to consult. -Excerpted from: Theosophy Forward Alchemy is written in the language of the unconscious. In A Dictionary of Western Alchemy, Jordan Stratford brings cryptic words and images alive with rich, deep and practical meaning. Heading each letter with a quote from one of the great masters adds a unique touch to this clear and concise dictionary. It is filled with fascinating etymological and historical detail. Dragon's blood, beeswing, Red Lion - these strange words are among four hundred terms defined in this insightful work that does not spare the kind of accuracy needed in a working alchemical laboratory.--Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Embodying Osiris, the Secrets of Alchemical Psychology and Alchemical Psychology, Old Recipes for Living in a New World The fascinations and wonders of alchemy have been with us for a long time. Jordan Stratford's fine encyclopedic work on this subject is precisely what has been missing on the shelf of every student of the great art. Its content is accurate, insightful and accessible!--Stephan A. Hoeller, author of Alchemy for a Volunteer Society, The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead and other works A useful glossary of metals and minerals; black, red and green lions; alchemists; mythical beasts and mysterious processes. Discover the keys to the salt, sulphur and mercury of alchemy in this succinct dictionary.--Andrew Phillip Smith, author of A Dictionary of Gnosticism Stratford presents more than just a dictionary, but an impressive collection of concepts and ideas; a vocabulary for a living language. He often details his entries with notes from primary sources and biographical details of important contributors to the tradition, much to my delight. This book bids well to become a standard and a classic in the field.--Brendan Myers, author of The Other Side of Virtue and Loneliness and Revelation Read this dictionary! Doing so will allow you to see the world with new eyes.--from the foreword by Jeffrey S. Kupperman, Ph.D.