Hermetic Alchemy: Science and Practice - The Golden Dawn Alchemy Series 2

This book is too advanced for me right now. But, I couldn't help but order it, knowing I would need its knowledge soon. Just browsing through though, I can see that it is more invaluable knowledge from Case. Once I understand my Tarot deck better, I plan on really studying this book. I find myself thumbing through it and reading bits of it, and I know that I made a good decision buying it. I also like to see that someone is taking the time to publish stuff like this and share it with people outside their organization. I am not sure yet if I will ever affiliate with the Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn (there just seems to be so many schools now, I'm not sure which ones I will subscribe to), but I think its great that they are publishing material that they find to be essential.

As others before me have said, this book is a must for students of the Great Work - whether you are a member of BOTA or the Golden Dawn System. It truly is a masterpiece. Much of the information was withheld from the later BOTA teachings as being too advanced, which it may be for some without an alchemical background. However, this book fills in and explains many things as well as gently guides you to explore your Inner Teacher as well. Thank you to the ROGD for releasing this & other Paul Foster Case teachings.

Cannot go wrong with P.F.C. His usual thoroughness brings understanding. He explains that according to his understanding alchemy's focus is basically the transmutation of the alchemist.

I highly recommend Paul Foster Case's works, if you are a student of the Esoteric. Extremely knowledgeable and written accessibly.

essential reading

Very interesting and quite revealing in some aspects but definitely not needed for BOTA members who studied the respective course (The Great Work)

A brilliant study...Paul Foster case at his peak. Not for the weak of Will. These are tough lessons, but transformative and expertly written. A must-have, in my opinion.

Case's original treatise on Spiritual Alchemy and the Great Work is presented for the first time in a publicly available format. This manuscript has been in the hands of a very few individuals until this time, unavailable to serious seekers until now. This publication was obviously painstakingly proofed, edited and researched, to make sure that the text is faithful to the rare manuscript version that was never before publicly available. A few years ago, the first portion of this document was published in a very nice book format, under the title Esoteric Alchemy. The most important portions of the text - those dealing with the 12 stages of the work and the practical work of Spiritual Alchemy - were missing. So, if you have a copy of the first part of this manuscript in another book form, you won't be disappointed purchasing this. As a student of the Builders of the Adytum, founded by Paul Foster Case, and continued by Anne Davies, I have benefitted tremendously from the coursework on Alchemy provided by Case and BOTA. I recommend that if you are not a BOTA student, that you check out the lesson materials as a starting place on the subject of Alchemy, Astrology, Tarot, etc. If you are a BOTA student, or a long-time student of Western Esoterica, Alchemy, etc., this work will be a satisfying "advanced level" treatise on Spiritual Alchemy. If you are taking BOTA coursework, this publication fills in some important information not present in the second, edited version of this treatise by Case, which is available as coursework through BOTA ([...] It is wonderful to read various different "takes" by an author if you are serious about what they have to say, because you get a more complete picture of the subject, and their thinking. There are gems in this book you will not find in other source materials. If you are serious about doing the work of Spiritual Alchemy, the Great Work, I highly recommend obtaining this version of this material as a source text, in conjunction with the materials available in the coursework of the BOTA.

Paul Foster Cases writing here on the subject of Alchemy presents the subject in a easily understood manner exploring mainly the spiritual aspects of the alchemical symbols (not so much the laboratory aspects). A particularly good book to read to help navigate ones understanding through the various jumble of medieval alchemical books and symbols. Case takes various topics in sequence and elaborates upon them making reference to alchemical authors and commentators such as (Ripley, Waite, Levi etc). Sometimes upon reading it I felt that case was holding back some information and hinting more at the symbolism - perhaps more in an effort for the reader to discover more for themselves. At one point case remarks 'Men have spent whole fortunes just to know what you have learned here in these pages' - and I definately believe this is true. The second part of the book focusses upon the link between the Tarot images and the alchemical images and processes particular the zodiacal sequence of alchemical operations. This is a must for students of the tarot (who are interested in more than a superficial 'fortune teller' approach - here case reveals symbolism from alchemy incorporated by Waite (for it is the Waite and bota expanded decks he refers to)into the Tarot decks. For students of the tarot it will reveal a whole additional deeper level to understanding the tarot images. Definately a book to be read more than once for full illumination - a highly recommended purchase for anyone with at least the slightest interest in spiritual alchemy or tarot.

Case erklärt die alchimistischen Vorgänge bis in die symbolträchtigen Tiefen des hebräischen Alefbeth, desen Symbolgehalt er zusätzlich und anschaulich mit den Tarotkarten verknüpft. Wohlgemerkt, es geht hier beim Tarot nicht um Wahrsagerei, sondern um eine saubere Verknüpfung der Astrologie (die der Kräfte !) mit der Kabbala und der Alchimie. Case räumt gründlich und überzeugend mit der allgemein falschen Meinung über die Alchimie auf. Er erklärt haarklein, dass es sich dabei nicht nur um spirituelle innere Alchimie handelt, sondern um tatsächliche Praxis. Er stellt aber auch korrekt dar, dass diese Praxis rein gar nichts mit der allgemein bekannten Laborarbeit an Metallen zu tun hat. Er erklärt die Kräfte sowie die vielgesuchte Prima Materia. Und er erklärt, dass das Labor sowie der Athanor unser Körper ist. Was er nicht erklärt - vielleicht auch nicht wusste - ist, dass die zusätzliche äußere Laborarbeit mit der Prima Materia durchaus als Indikator für den Fortschritt der inneren Laborarbeit an unserem Körper dient.

This is just a short heads up for those who are looking to study the Tarot from an alchemical point of view. Divided into chapters which include 'What Alchemy really is', 'The First Matter', 'The Three Principles', 'Fire', 'Water' and 'The Alchemical Process'. Case explains his chapter on 'The Alchemical Process' using the Major Arcana of the Tarot Keys :) This book is an expanded version of Case's 'Esoteric Keys to Alchemy'