The quote below is from Alchemical Psychology: Old recipes for Living in a New World by Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D. It is intended as an introduction to the topic of alchemy. For more information on alchemy stay tuned, also take a look at Dr. Cavalli's website.

Alchemy is the process of changing lead into gold; at least this is its most popular definition. It was practiced in many countries throughout the world for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. As a result, alchemy has many definitions. It meant one thing to an Egyptian high priest and quite another to a fifteenth-century apothecary. Still there are common elements that bind alchemy together into a coherent subject having well articulated principles for theory and practice. Alchemy, as we will see, set the stage for modern civilization, and its wisdom continues to inspire us in many ways. In light of enormous advancements being made today in the physical and psychological fields, this is a particularly good time to review alchemy.

Alchemy is the archetype of change, whose energies perpetuate all that is conscious and unconscious, miniature and macroscopic, spiritual and physical, to evolve along an accelerated course of evolution by synthetic means, into superior and whole form.

Journal entry dated 1 July 2006
Category: Alchemy