Product Description

It is with great pleasure that we introduce "Hermetic Alchemy : Science and Practice" by Paul Foster Case, the second volume of the Rosicrucian Order of the Golden Dawn's 'Golden Dawn Alchemy Series', a collection of distinguished books on Alchemy written by leaders of the Golden Dawn Tradition. This book will be of great value to those who have not had the opportunity to pursue the B.O.T.A. lesson coursework through the 'Great Work' course but would like to study Alchemy from one of the greatest leaders of the Golden Dawn in the 20th century; those who have already progressed to Paul Case's 'Great Work' course will find this current volume of interest in tracing the evolution of his thought and assisting them in understanding some of the more cryptic passages. This book includes the advanced material of the Alchemical Process and the Twelve Stages of the Great Work which has not been publicly available for over 75 years. Enjoy!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #196369 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Review
This volume is an excellent resource for gaining a greater understanding of Alchemy and the Hermetic tradition. Tony DeLuce should be commended for producing such a wonderful edition of Case's original Alchemy course material.

Paul Foster Case - a true Adept within the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (Alpha et Omega) in America - worked for several years under the guidance of Moina Mathers. Upon leaving the Order, he founded his own magical organization called B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum). Case wrote a number of courses for the students in the B.O.T.A. and the material in this book comprised an early version of one of these courses.

Case is known for communicating complex esoteric information and ideas in a clear and precise manner. It is a pleasure to read Case's lesson plan for cutting through the enigma of Alchemy, getting right to the powerful heart of what Spiritual Alchemy is, and how it can be used to benefit the magical life.

Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in the writings of Paul Foster Case and this book is an excellent addition to the library of any Hermetic scholar. I am looking forward to the next book in the `Golden Dawn Alchemy Series'. --Mr. Darcy Kuntz, author and publisher of Goldendawntrust.com

Customer Reviews

Paul Foster Case at his best!
The content of the first half of this book is identical with Esoteric Keys of Alchemy but the second half of this book includes advanced material not included in 'Estoteric Keys of Alchemy', i.e. 'The Alchemical Process', 'The Twelve Stages of the Great Work', and PFC's practical instruction. Also this edition has much improved diagrams than the original material published in the early 1930s.

This is Paul Foster Case at this best - articulating the esoteric aspects of Spiritual Alchemy in the clear and concise manner we have all become accustomed to expect from him. This is arguably Paul Case's Magnum Opus - highly recommended to every student of Alchemy in general and Paul Case in particular. I would give it more than 5 stars if Amazon.com would let me.

Important source text for Western Occultists
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 (www.bota.org). 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.

A Clear and Concise Look into the Alchemy of Paul Foster Case
The alchemical work of PFC has been a subject of interest to many members of the esoteric community. There is a limitation in the number of circulated articles or essays upon which one may firmly build his understanding of "Caseian Alchemy". To gain access to this information one had to travel one of the few roads that most people do not get a chance to partake. It brings me much delight and comfort that these very powerful and potent lessons have been made available for the public to partake.

Contained in this books is Case's own words and lessons on how through the understanding of Qabbalah will open up the reader to the keys of alchemy. He describes in great detail the symbolic and magical aspects of the Three Mother Principles of alchemy in easy to understand language that any seeker can learn and grow from. Case makes numerous quotations from various alchemical treaties, which to the neophyte would bring confusion, but using this book as a key unlocks the various texts and shows openly the processes of Spiritual Alchemy.

The book itself is very easy to read compared to the original writing. The type set is very clear and the book has kept to the original order and flow, while at the same time keeping Case's own words intact. The pictures and diagrams are very concise and add to the readers growing understanding of the alchemical principles defined within the book. All in all I believe this book to be a great contribution to those seeking to learn about the many facets of alchemy.

On a side note I would like to see other members of the esoteric community come out with more books like this. There are so many individuals out there with unpublished papers ranging from Case, to Mathers to Dion Fortune and many others. The esoteric community has many unknown essays that already been written but few get to a chance to see and integrate into their knowledge and practice. Students inside and outside the various lodges of the world would all benefit from these enlightening treasures.