Introduction to Alchemy (FIA Lecture)

This is a lecture I gave last year at the Flint Institute of Art on the history, theory, and symbolism of alchemy. It's going to serve as an introduction to alchemy until I make a series for the channel.

Recommended Readings:

Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century. An amazing wok of scholarship.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!

Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation

Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.

#alchemy #transmutation #hermeticism

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You are a wonderful lecturer, Dr. Your approach to a series of serious topics was always touched by humour as well as important insight.

[kagitsune]

The idea of forensic chemistry delights me. It reminds me of how anthropologists figured out that the 'magical' eye kohl cosmetic-medicine of the ancient Egyptians actually turned out to have some important anti-microbial properties. We just might rediscover some crucially important chemical techniques in the next few years!

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I need to find me a teacher for alchemy somewhere, I absolutely love your videos and the in depth information you provide to us about all sorts of Occultism and magic/science.

Keep smashing the knowledge Mr. Sledge!

[MM-ogwt]

I got so much out of this video. I really hope that you have more in the future with this kind of depth and wonderful explanations of things that someone like me who is not a scientist or scholar just a curious person who just wants to know can fully comprehend and appreciate subjects like this. Thank you 🙏

[Nekkiri]

An absolutely wonderful lecture! Thank You so much!
I finally understand the meaning of the image of the Green Lion devouring the Sun, it makes so much sense but it simply didn't occur to me before as I kept seeing it. The Sun corresponds to gold, so the "beastly" thing that "bites" the Sun and devours it totally makes sense as a depiction of Aqua Regia that dissolves gold, portraying the active principle of the compound that turns green in the process - hence, the lion is green. Truly fantastic! I'm so happy! The symbolism of that image always perplexed me.
I'm a new subscriber to Your channel and I'm slowly watching through all of Your videos. Thank you so much for making them, You're amazing!

[SpiralBreeze]

Thank you so much for posting this! I learned a great deal. I watched this with my 13 year old who has been fascinated with alchemy since reading Harry Potter. I even took some notes.

[IdealEmpiricist]

I've been loving your videos - as a pharmacist, I find the vast history of Alchemy as intriguing. Then, I heard that you were born in Jackson, MS - even better.

[astrosuse]

Thank you Dr Sledge for a brilliant presentation!!

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I've been binge watching your videos. I would love to support the channel on patreon once I find steady income. I love everything I've seen so far. Keep it up, I'm a huge fan

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Great channel! It’s so refreshing to find such content on YouTube

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my life would suck without your knowledge brought - thank you <3

[Zekec]

Outstanding!
Simple, well researched. Plainly presented.. like a thread he ties in so many beliefs, realities, world views.
I realize now anything else is simply propaganda.

[helendunn]

I really enjoyed the lecture. Thank you so much for sharing it here on YouTube. 👍🏻😄💖

[PrismaticTarot]

Absolutely love this video!! I love the power point with it it helps me to learn and absorb the information !! Thank you so much for this!!