THE RIDDLE OF ALCHEMY

Kiritsis, a clinical psychologist, explores the history, symbology, and modern relevance of the ancient practice of alchemy.

“The word ‘alchemy’ has very powerful connotations,” opens the author, as it evokes images of “potent fizzling panaceas able to cure all ailments” and “medieval maverick men at work in their subterranean laboratories.” A ubiquitous feature of antiquity, examples of alchemy can be found not only in medieval Europe, but in China, India, and Tibet as well. Even the more well-known branch of Western alchemy traces its origins to Ptolemy’s Egypt, a society that blended Greek philosophy and intellectualism with native Egyptian culture and spirituality. The writings of Bolus of Mendes, an esoteric thinker who combined the mathematical philosophy of Pythagoras with a mystical understanding of metallurgy and chemistry, argued that “it was possible to convert one form or substance into another.” This history of alchemy is thoroughly covered in the book’s opening section, which examines the rise of Western alchemy from Hellenistic philosophy through its ascendance in Renaissance Europe and tenuous relationship with Christianity. The book’s second part draws on the approach of Carl Jung, whose classic Psychology and Alchemy (1944) connected the myriad of symbols found in alchemical works to psychological processes. To Jung, alchemy was less about the chemistry of turning lead into gold than it was a metaphor for individuation. The book’s final section explores the potential validity of alchemical theories based on contemporary, empirical science and cutting-edge research that challenges traditional scientific orthodoxy. A licensed medical psychologist with graduate degrees in clinical psychology, history, and English, Kiritsis expertly leads an interdisciplinary exploration of alchemy supported by a solid understanding of history, literature, and modern psychology. This analysis is backed by more than 150 scholarly footnotes that carefully balance astute commentary with an engaging writing style. The book does not overwhelm readers with academic jargon, and the text is accompanied by a wealth of visual aids, from historical drawings to full-color reproductions of art found in illustrated manuscripts. Even skeptics will find much to appreciate in this beautifully crafted work.

A well-written, expertly researched analysis of the history and legacy of alchemy.