The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic (Pathways to Enlightenment) Paperback – November 1, 2006

Some occultist think esoteric knowledge should be complex and far out in order to be effective. Some occultist disregard fundamentals and want to go on invoking beings and creating potions of immortality or wealth or whatever. This book is not for them. This book is simple yet true through and through. Though this book is simple in its explanations, it takes time to reveal the keys it gives. Mark Stavish truly is necessary for modern esotericism. What he gives are, these in-depth alchemical keys that have been hidden by metaphors and special classes of people, that for a would be practitioner, made accessible and flexible in its execution. No longer are the days of locking yourself in the basement working on alchemical procedures. The modern working man/woman can also become a well learned alchemist. If it is your sincere desire to transform your soul by this path, this book is a great start! If you are looking for complex mysteries to brood over-I’m sorry. This book is work. The instructions are there. Either you do it and see the results yourself or you read this book as if a fantasy novel and miss the call to initiation.

The three traditional pillars of the Hermetic arts are Alchemy, Astrology, and Qabalah. None of these are stagnant but are all living, growing and evolving arts which are completely compatible with both religion and science.This amazing tome, written by one of the foremost living authorities on Alchemy, gives a guided path to anyone wishing initiation into the mysteries of this amazing process. It combines practical modern science with the ancient Alchemical sciences and gives working students a firm foundation on which to build their temples of ascendant light.This book is truly a treasure which provides years of practice and work, and with it one could ascend to mastery in this both ancient and sacred art/science/religion/philosophy (collectively known as Magick.) For a deeper understanding of the philosophy I suggest "Sorcerer's Stone," by Hauck. And for a more scientific introduction to the subject, especially for students with a background in other schools of sciences, I suggest, "Real Alchemy," by Bartlett.These three books I have called (semi jokingly but still in truth) the "Holy Trinity of Modern Alchemy." They compliment one another perfectly, each focuses in a slightly different manner and the combined information is a very nice place to start your journey in preparation for the actual process. Read all three, make sure you understand them well, and then patiently, and with utmost care begin your Great Work!

When I got this book, It was on a whim, I wanted to book to learn laboratory alchemy. Boy was I surprised when I got it in the mail and "digested the material". I read it in a week then read it over again. I then started practicing the material presented and found a new thing that I really like and enjoyed allot. The material as presented shows laboratory works, prays, hermetic and kabbalah as it relates to alchemy, he goes into spagyrics and other types of alchemy. he also goes into mediation, practical exercises, and the Tarot and how it relates to alchemy.what I also liked about the book, you can use things out of you kitchen or go down to the local store and buy cheap material and start right out of the book. While yes I later bought chemistry equipment. There is no need for it at this stage. The book was not about that, but a teaching book that will when you choose to go further in your studies you will have a foundation stone to work from.Over all the book was excellent and should be read by all who want to learn alchemy or want to further there studies in he western mystery tradition.

This book was very well written and was a wonderful guide for those interested in alchemy. The book has a great overview and history of Alchemy and teaches great theory and principles for the novice. This book talks about "Vegetable Alchemy" or Spagyrics--working with plants. It has 2 or 3 basic recipes in included and several meditations to get you started on your path. It also includes appendixes on Nicolas Flamel, Planetary hours, and the Longevity Formula.I do have to say, however, that The Path of Alchemy could have gone over certain aspects in greater detail and others less redundantly. Stavish could have also been more specific on which plants and herbs should be used for different tinctures and their effects.

Mark Stavish has done something I didn't think was possible. He has made the practice of alchemy clear and completely understandable. I've tried in the past to learn about alchemy from a variety of texts. I read some of the history in these other books but was soon so caught in coded secrets and heiroglyphic chicken scratches my head was spinning. In the end,I just gave up on the whole subject. On recommendation of a friend, I picked up Stavish' The Path of Alchemy and I'm so glad I did.Stavish includes just enough history to frame the subject then gets right to how to do it. No chicken scratch diagrams! The illustrations are presented as the reader needs them and are clear and concise. The author lays it all out, no secrets, makes his subject sing, and made it possible for me to begin the practice of alchemy in my home immediately.I'll be looking for more books by Mark Stavish in the future. I see he has one coming out about Kabballah in February. I will definitely be buying it!