Different ways of looking at alchemy There are many different ways of looking at alchemy, the practical, the symbolic, the psychological and the scholarly being the primary perspectives. As a proto-chemistry, which gave a new impulse towards the preparation of medicinal remedies As a source of symbolism, in which various groupings of powerful archetypal symbols were brought together As providing insights into psychology, the inner archetypal structure of human thinking and feeling As a meditative exploration of the human soul through undertaking allegorical journeys As a type of mysticism, in which the alchemical transformation is paralleled with mystical experiences, and religious ideas. As giving insights into the metaphysical, which in a strange way elaborates parallels between alchemy and the investigations of present day physics As a newly recognised influence on cultural history, alchemy is now seen by historians of ideas as an important shaper of the world view of various writers, artists and musicians

Introduction Reading list Some quotations Frequently asked questions Common misconceptions Timeline The different ways of looking at alchemy ------- Proto-chemistry Symbolism Psychology allegorical journeys mysticism metaphysical historians of ideas