On Alchemy
Essential Practices and Making Art as Alchemy
Published on 13. June 2023
Book
Hardback
120 pages
978-1-78678-770-5 (ISBN)
Description
Alchemy is the art of transmuting base metal into gold - a material process that also functions as a metaphor for spiritual transformation and creativity. This book contains all the information and skills you need to start practising alchemy - to unite your inner spiritual work with your outer work, to decode the most complex alchemical texts and also, if you wish, to take up practical laboratory alchemy. The book is aimed at all those who are excited about alchemy's potential for spiritually enriching their lives and art, as well as practising alchemists who want key to the difficult texts and to explore how inner work can be united with their outer practice. Mind-blowing exercises include:
The practice of geometry to purify the inner eye
The meditative practice of rehearsing a process from beginning to end to solve a problem
Observation exercises using alchemical images and processes
Dreamwork to question the gods
On Alchemy puts the conceptual tools and practices of alchemy into the hands of readers and show creators of all types how to use art-making as a spiritual path.
The practice of geometry to purify the inner eye
The meditative practice of rehearsing a process from beginning to end to solve a problem
Observation exercises using alchemical images and processes
Dreamwork to question the gods
On Alchemy puts the conceptual tools and practices of alchemy into the hands of readers and show creators of all types how to use art-making as a spiritual path.
Reviews / Votes
"This wise, lucidly-written book is his canonical distillation: here, in concentrated but lucid fashion, he offers explanations and exercises that will be of immeasurable help to anyone hoping to navigate this enormous field." - Sukhdev Sandhu directs the Colloquium for Unpopular Culture at New York University"Magister Cotnoir distills and multiplies his ideas and sources with easy and unforced erudition. Finally, a book on Alchemy that tells us what to do." - Bill Breeze (known as Hymenaeus Beta), Frater Superior, O.T.O.
"Brian Cotnoir's study of the Royal Art is here distilled in a form perfect for the student of alchemy and for those seeking to use the ideas, concepts and discipline of alchemy in their own creative practice." - Jesse Bransford, artist, Clinical Associate Professor of Art, NYU Steinhardt, and author of A Book of Staves
"Well-organized, clear and concise, this study provides an understandable framework for students of all levels to enter into this notoriously complex and difficult terrain." - Susan L. Aberth, Edith C. Blum Professor of Art History and Visual Culture, Bard College and author of The Tarot of Leonora Carrington.
More details
Edition
New edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Watkins Media Limited
Edition type
New edition
Dimensions
Height: 189 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
276 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78678-770-5 (9781786787705)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
06/2023
Watkins Publishing
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Brian Cotnoir is an alchemist, artist and Emmy award-winning filmmaker. His books include Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter, Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great Work, Alchemical Meditations, On the Quintessence of Wine and the Emerald Table. His film work has been screened at the Museum of Modern Art, Sundance Film Festival, HBO, PBS and other international venues.