The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic author: Mark Stavish Llewellyn Worldwide 2006 ISBN #0-7387-0903-4 "Solve et Coagula" "The Path of Alchemy - Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic" focuses the process and techniques of Alchemy on healing ... specifically based on the technique of spagyrics, or plant alchemy. The gift that Stavish presents in this book is that he has taken Alchemical wisdom that is currently available and worded it in a manner that will be easily understood by a majority of readers. The importance here cannot be overstated, because the techniques used in Alchemical studies/experimenetation do carry an inherent amount of danger/risk with them. Stavish shows the reader and prospective Alchemical student how to create and work with plant medicines. A solid background on Alchemy is included, including its associations with Qabala, astrology, and the four elements. The techniques of Alchemical work have been updated, so that the work can be done with utensils that are commonly found around the home, rather than forcing the student to purchase laboratory quality items. I was impressed here in that Stavish is quite clear on what utensils can be substituted, and what cannot be, and why. Each chapter has a brief chapter overview int he upper right hand corner of the first page, the material is presented, and a conclusion is formed. At the end of each chapter is a listing of key points, along with general assignments (activities for the student to perform). Charts are included throughout the book, as well as Alchemical symbols and an explanation of the symbols. Instructions are given for combining meditation and the herbal elixirs. A solid study of the three Alchemical basics - Salt (physical body), Sulphur (soul essence/consciousness), and Mercury (Spirit/Life Force) - forms the basis of the Alchemical work being presented here. Among the techniques worked with include distillation, water distillation, calcination, creation of a plant stone, and charging spagyric products. I appreciated many things in this book - the focus on safety, the common sense approach to checking local regulations, the timing of alchemical works (working with astrological associations connected to specific plants being worked with), and the respect for the plants being worked with, and the work being done. As befits a work of this magnitude, Stavish has included a comprehensive glossary of terms, quite an interesting excerpt on 14th century alchemist Nicholas Flamel, and a extensive reading list. The focus of the work presented here is on physical healing and spiritual growth, as well as psychic experiments, initiation, consecration, and spellwork. For anyone who has an interest in Alchemy in general, or wants to specifically work with plant medicine, this is a perfect reference book. © November 2006 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web