Study Course on Alchemical Symbolism

Book excerpt: Adam McLean's well known course of instructions and exercises on the interpretation of alchemical symbolism now available in book form.This study course explores in detail the individual symbols that compose alchemical emblems and develops the ability to analyse and read them. The focus is entirely on European alchemy. A great deal of graphic material, nearly 200 colour illustrations of alchemical emblems, is contained in the twenty four lessons. The lessons include: How to recognise alchemical symbols - The geometry of alchemical emblems - Triangles, squares and circles in emblems - Symbols in opposition to one another - Resolution of opposites (Male/female) - Resolution of opposites ( snake) - Trees - An initial look at birds - Variations between different versions of emblems - Animals in the emblem space - The human figure - The Lion - The Dragon - Different types of emblems - Reading some emblems - The general alchemical process.It focuses entirely on European alchemy.