The Story of Alchemy
and the Beginnings of Chemistry
by: M.M. Pattison Muir

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Author: M.M. Pattison Muir
Length: 125 pages
Download Price: $8.00 USD
Format: .pdf file
File Size: 6,941 kb

In this book, The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry, Mr. M.M. Pattison Muir explains that the systematic study of the changes that material things undergo is Chemistry, while Alchemy is the examination of these changes.

He goes on to say that some of the Greek philosophers who lived four or five hundred years before Christ formed a theory of the transformation of matter which is essentially the theory held by naturalists today. The system which began to be called Alchemy in the 6th and 7th centuries CE had no specific name before that time but was known by 3 different names. They were the "Sacred Art," "The Divine Science," and "The Art of Hermes."

These philosophers taught that to understand nature and man's nature, we must get beneath the superficial qualities of things! The great Sages concluded that to become a true Alchemist, you must follow nature. They agreed that nature is wonderfully simple and simplicitiy is the seal of truth. The great simplicity of nature and the knowledge of the ways nature works were apparent in their writings. The Alchemical view of nature still forms the foundation of the system of ethics in philosophy and art.

The author reveals in this book that man is the most perfect of animals. In man there is the union of three parts. These parts are, the body, the soul, and the spirit. Metals are also said to have a body, soul, and spirit. In order for the spiritual nature to become the dominate partner, the body must be transformed through 7 stages. This results in the unification of the soul and the spirit, or the "union of opposites." Through this process, perfection is attained and is seen as "The Philosopher's Stone."

Anyone looking to transform their physical, emotional, or spiritual nature will benefit from reading this most wonderful work. Many noted and famous Alchemists down through the ages are touched on for their wisdom and contribution.

As the Alchemists set forth on their quest, this dramatic literary work will assist us on our quest. We will conclude, as they did, perfection is attainable. We need only to look within for our changes.