Reddit mentions of The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz (Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series: No. 18)

I posted these comments several days ago.

Adam McLean's site is a treasure. Start with closely observing - by which I mean, meditating upon, alchemical art. I think this is a good place to start because it really appeals to one's intuitive sense. He also has some interpretation courses available.

If you want to talk directly to people engaging in modern lab alchemy, there is a mailing list called Alchemistica which is quite a trip.

There is this documentary which gives a very high level view of correspondences.

Here's a big caution for you:

Having been trying to dig into this for nearly a year, I have doubts anyone has any comprehensive knowledge of how to actually create quantifiable or even sensible alchemical processes in a way you can read, learn from, and duplicate - either spiritual or chemical.

This is because (a) there are a lot of bullshit artists in the world, including at least some of the old-time alchemists, (b) because the entire thing is bullshit, which is possible if not probable, (c) the art was never completed and/or knowledge gained was lost over time.

Be prepared to sift through endless mountains of incomprehensible bullshit, astoundingly psychedelic artwork, and stumble around in related concerns, including Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Gnosticism.

What happens to me is occasionally I catch just a glimpse of insight out of the corner of my mind's eye. Just a flash of something, and it's kept me interested.

If you find differently - if you come across the comprehensive explanation of all of this that I'm looking for FOR THE LOVE OF GOD POST IT IN THIS SUBREDDIT.

In the end, though, it may well be that the human mind conceived of alchemy and pursued it, that is the relevant thing here. It may tell us about the mind of those who conceived it, believed it, and worked with it, than it tells us about the universe itself.

The difficult thing is knowing where to start. Start by admiring the art in old alchemical texts, which you can do on Adam's site (although I have since purchased many old alchemical texts and compendia to have in my library).

Then read The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz. I recommend the version I linked to - many translations online are Olde English style translations which are rough to get through (the material is complicated enough without adding in outdated language).

If your reaction to The Chymical Wedding is one of fascination, frustration, leading to obsession, then alchemy is for you.

If instead your reaction is, "What the fuck did I just read?" surfing, might, you know, be a better use of your time.

No value judgment attached.

I can tell you from personal experience that alchemy is not for everyone. In fact, I don't know anyone but me, who gives a flying fuck. But I give ONE HELL of a flying fuck.

That is so cool! Thanks for linking it. I've put it on my wishlist to possibly buy later. Right now I'm looking through this and I have this on the way, so I'll wait on that Seaborg book.