The Emerald Tablet?an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings?has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.
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From Publishers Weekly
An emerald slab inscribed with the esoteric wisdom of Hermes Trismegistus that may be more than 2000 years old has inspired alchemists throughout history in their quest to understand the relationship between humans and the universe. Hauck, who has written about mystical experiences (Haunted Places), explores the tablet's message, drawing primarily on the work of classical scholars such as the Persian alchemist Zoroaster, the 16th-century physician Paracelsus, Pharaoh Akhenaten and the pre-Christian alchemist Maria Prophetissa to illuminate his substantial review of the history and principles of alchemy. In the Hermetic tradition, the physical and metaphysical worlds are mirror images: the transformation of a base metal into gold corresponds to the evolution of an ego-dominated person into one who possesses a permanent state of enlightened consciousness. Hauck's elucidation of the laws governing the refinement of energy, such as the Doctrine of Correspondence, the Seven Steps to Transformation and the Octave of Creation, will strike a chord with students of modern esoteric traditions such as the Fourth Way and Theosophy. His explanations of alchemical principles are difficult to understand, however, and will require scrutiny on the part of readers new to the material. However, those who have dabbled in the esoteric arts may find real gold in these teachings. 43 illustrations. Author tour.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
There is no phenomenon of Western culture more surprising and perennially fascinating than that of alchemyAthe endless search of learned fanatics for the secret of making gold, or wisdom, or both. Hauck, a practicing alchemist, is the latest in a line of re-inventors of the old tradition, and his reflections on the inner meaning of calcination, coagulation, and other alchemical processes is both idiosyncratic and fascinating. Highly recommended for larger libraries, or where books on occult traditions are popular.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
Over the centuries, many esteemed philosophers have declared that the Emerald Tablet contains the sum of all knowledge, and a handful of seekers have reported actually seeing and touching the mysterious gemstone tablet. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Over the centuries, many esteemed philosophers have declared that the Emerald Tablet contains the sum of all knowledge, and a handful of seekers have reported actually seeing and touching the mysterious gemstone tablet. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Anne
Format:Paperback
This book serves as a plain language introduction to alchemical symbolism and concepts. It includes an English translation and line-by-line explication of the Emerald Tablet. It also devotes a complete chapter to each of the seven operations of alchemy and includes several black and white illustrations from traditional treatises on alchemy. Unfortunately, the author spends a little too much time attempting to demonstrate his personal alchemical achievements, with results that can be downright silly ("Those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know" -Lao Tzu). The suggested exercises are unhelpful (for greater benefit, I would recommend taking up a discipline like yoga), the inclusion of celebrity star signs (not to mention a subchapter called "The calcination of William Shatner") undermines the credibility of the whole, and the absence of a strong editor shows up in several avoidable errors (using the word "courtesan" for "courtier", referring to Antonin Artaud as a 19th-century figure, etc.). Still, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a basic guide to alchemical processes and symbolism.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
did not expect this level of quality, scholarship, readability, or engagement
Dec 2 2009
By G. Wilkes
Format:Paperback
I read a lot of esoterica. Most esoteric books are crap. I expected this book to be crap but I wanted a commentary on the Emerald Tablet. This seemed like the best option. I only wish I had discovered this book sooner. The author walks you through the entire hermetic and alchemist traditions (Western, mostly); he names names, and he provides references.
The text is readable, engaging, authentic, richly researched, and deeply explanatory. In the first few chapters you will know and understand the rubrics of the Emerald Tablet and the initiatory path that it lays out. The practice that the author derives from the rubrics I am not qualified to evaluate.
The author doesn't like William Shatner. I think Shatner deserves more credit.
The text is readable, engaging, authentic, richly researched, and deeply explanatory. In the first few chapters you will know and understand the rubrics of the Emerald Tablet and the initiatory path that it lays out. The practice that the author derives from the rubrics I am not qualified to evaluate.
The author doesn't like William Shatner. I think Shatner deserves more credit.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By "adamkadmon"
Format:Paperback
Generally good material for the beginner & some even for the more advanced student. What I didn't like was the author's reliance upon so called "new age" terms & philosophy. The "exercises" I found especially weak & tending toward a new age "anything goes" approach. The author also seems to be fascinated by UFO's & psychic material, which to me seems far afield of alchemy. The bibliography contains much psychic claptrap as well, relying heavily upon "alternative history" titles. The author's website seems less inclined to the new age & psychic material.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Start
The book is most suitable for people who are new to alchemy because it is written in a very simple language. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Laura De Giorgio
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth re-reading
Not just for the good writing, organization and fascinating topic, but also for the fact that i've read this book twice, and last night started browsing through it again - one of... Read more
Published on Dec 21 2003 by Daren Scot Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comprehensive intro to alchemical processes
This book would appear tobe another book that is so full of blind that it is more suitable as a replacement for nyquil, however this just isn't the case. Read more
Published on Oct 5 2003
3.0 out of 5 stars
Almost, but Not Quite
I really was looking forward to reading Mr. Hauck's book as my introduction into Alchemy. There are some very interesting topics and a few exercises, but they are obfuscated by the... Read more
Published on Jun 5 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally a transparent alchemy book
If you've tried to understand the alchemical and Hermetic
traditions from primary sources, or translations thereof,
you have probably been as frustrated as I was. Read more
traditions from primary sources, or translations thereof,
you have probably been as frustrated as I was. Read more
Published on Nov 23 2002 by F. Presson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just alright; not spectacular
I'm hardly an expert in alchemy; as a matter of fact, I justrecently developed an interest in it, but this book seemed to me likeit could have been condensed into half the pages... Read more
Published on July 24 2000
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inspired,insightful...truly alchemical!
This is a rare book combining knowledge with a hands on approach intending to initiate the reader into alchemy as a way of life. Read more
Published on Dec 8 1999 by Bete Noire
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Theory, Weak Practice
The first section of the book was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's discussions on the Tabula Smaragdina and the Azoth bear much re-reading and were a sort... Read more
Published on Jun 27 1999 by Scott F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable book that may start your own personal alchemy
This book is well put together and gives you a mixture of history, myth, alchemy, drawings, and the authors own personal experience in alchemy of self. Read more
Published on May 24 1999 by mark@go-symmetry.com
2.0 out of 5 stars
"New Age" formulation based on alchemy, but not Royal Art
Alchemy nowadays is quibbled over between the "Parachemists" and the Jungians, but neither of them achieve much but a profaning of the merits of the art. Read more
Published on April 11 1999 by Edward
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