Alchemy : the medieval alchemists and their royal art

Ancient origins of a medieval subculture. Prima materia; the opening of the work. The first, or earthly, trauma of rebirth. Nigredo: 'Black' death and putrefaction. Albedo: The 'whitening' work of ablution. The second, or lunar, trauma of rebirth. The second coniunctio: lunar rebirth. Citrinitas: 'Yellow' death and putrefaction. The third, or solar, trauma of rebirth. The third coniunctio: solar rebirth. Rubedo: 'red' death and putrefaction. The trauma of death: fourth coniunctio. Recovery of the great, or cosmic, stone. Psychedelic psychology: the 'new alchemy'. Acknowledgements and bibliography. Notes. The individuation process reflected in the poetical work of T.S. Eliot. Three diagrams of the individuation process. Appendix: survey of picture series

'For the first time, this sunken treasure of medieval culture is unearthed and recreated by the author in a fascinating work of literary archaeology, presenting the alchemical work in its uninterrupted sequence, from its chaotic beginning to its solar conclusion and apotheosis.'

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