A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery

When I first bought this, I thought it is going to be a book of literal imagery with explanations, which it is not. However, it's value in deceipting alchemical termonoligy easily won it a place on my shelf. Very few good alchemical dictionays out there, this is definitely one of them. I'm you are an alchemical researcher, regardless of the path, this is for you. Thank you 😊

The ultimate resource on the subject.

Having come from no background or experience in alchemy whatsoever, my work on Fixed Stars Govern a Life: Decoding Sylvia Plath (out in Spring 2014, Stephen F. Austin State U. Press) immersed me in the world and I had a lot to learn fast. This book, along with Carl Jung's Psychology and Alchemy, were my bibles. A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery takes a hard-to-grasp, weird world and simplifies alchemy in friendlier and even fun terms. I may not want to take up chemistry on the practical level, but it is understood that in this journey of life, the world would be a better place if we were all striving to turn lead to gold.

WHEN I PURCHACED THIS BOOK I WANTED A BOOK ON ALCHEMICAL SYMBOLISM. THIS BOOK HAS COMEPLETLY OUT DONE WHAT I EXPECTED. THE ONLY THING ABOUT THE BOOK IS IT IS VERY ADVANCED AND USES TERMS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND IF YOUR NEW TO ALCHEMY. HOWEVER THE BOOK IS INCREDIBLE THOURGH. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO USE IN COJUCTION WITH OTHER ALCHEMY BOOKS.THE PRICE MAY STOP SOME BUT IF NOT IT IS WORTH THE MONEY.

I needed this for two term papers and my thesis. It's easy to use, VERY rich in definitions and examples and has a full bibliography in the back. Great, great compilation of alchemy.

Fascinating. Probably the best book on alchemy out there.

Absolutely fantastic, tons of information all organized and detailed.

this book is fun, well written, and detailed. most useful for literary and artistic readings of alchemy, or "comparative religion" type studies, less so for detailed info on the protoscientific aspects (try Lawrence Principe). I'm using this book for a class on alchemy I'm teaching this semester. It's a good way to approach the rich terminology and symbolism, though it can get a bit repetetive as the same idea gets explained in different ways in different articles. Could have better footnotes and cross-referencing, but very useful for the casual reader or beginning student who is just becoming familiar with a confusing and difficult set of terms and images.