Alchemy - Where to Begin - Introduction to the Summa Perfectionis (Sum of Perfection) Pseudo-Geber
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 10. 2020
- Alchemy is one of the most difficult fields of study in Western Esotericism for a host of reasons: texts are often in ancient languages, practically encoded, full of arcane symbolism and obscure instructions. One of the most daunting tasks is even where to begin. There are thousands of alchemical texts spread over 1500 years - which is the best starting point if you want to study alchemy? In this episode of Esoterica, we argue that the Summa Perfectionis (c. 1310) is the best answer. We explore the question of the text's authorship, transmission, composition, alchemical theory of substance, change, and, of course, metallic transmutation.
Recommended Readings
Newman - The Summa Perfectionis of Pseudo-Geber: A Critical Edition, Translation, and Study - 978-9004094642 (ILL this one)
Summa Perfectionis (Latin Reprint of 1542 edition) - 978-0282332815 - read online - archive.org/details/geberisph...
Works of Geber (including the Summa Perfectionis) (English translation of 1678 reprinted in 1928) 978-1162568676 - read online - archive.org/details/WorksOfGe...
Other Readings:
Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts.
Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy.
Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century.
Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book!
Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation
Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy.
Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy.
von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.
#alchemy #geber #hermeticism #occult #chemistry
Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by
becoming a monthly Patron - www.patreon.com/esotericachannel
New Channel Goals & News !
Winter 2020 Seminar - This goal will allow me to host a 2020/1 winter seminar on a topic set by my patrons and enjoyed by you! My goal is to provide a reader, discussion group, and 1.5 hour long sessions over the course of 4-5 weeks deeply exploring a text or topic in Western Western Esotericism in addition to my weekly content. This will also support my longer term goal of teaching a university level Introduction to Western Esotericism course next summer!
Next Summer Class - My goal here is to get enough support to teach a university level Introduction to Western Esotericism and Hermetic Philosophy course next summer spanning an entire academic semester starting in May and ending in August. We could meet twice a week for lectures and discussion. I would provide a pdf reader for the class along with discussions and office hours. It would be a fully online course with the sessions available to the public as well - a real attempt in totally open, crowdfunded education on one of the most difficult to find fields in academia.
Thank you for this opportunity to study with you!
@@DianaRowanBrightWay and many thanks for your support and kind words - and your lovely music!
@@TheEsotericaChannel oh my goodness, I'm honored - thank you for words on my music! The harp has very interesting arcane connections. Love your Chopin theme music key choice ;)
As a practice step back see how plants make sugar.
Magnesium sulfate well that's crystal vegetable oil.
The philosophical stone is you.
Your urine baked in ashes of hardwood and pine.
What's there?
What makes the tree petrified?
Silver is aluminum and potassium!
Potassium and sand is red!!
Yet nitrogen chromate is as well.
Potassium and sand gives platinum with aluminum!
Nitrochromate makes everything gold it's already silicate so no need for sand!!
It's epi genetics.
Perhaps the greatest contribution of Alchemy to a modern day student is to serve as evidence of the legitimacy and actuality of the art. A kind of "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" analogy at least that has been my experience. The huge collection of unintelligible kaleidoscopes of confounding images form an aggregate that can speak to your soul and awaken it.
We are so lucky that a channel like this exist, it is so hard to learn about this stuff from people who aren't infected by woo. Thank you so much!
Woo?
@@marshallmcluhan33 Nonsense.
@@pinkimietz3243 Thanks 🙏
Specifically new age, rambling, incoherent superstition
Exactly what I was thinking as well.
Talk about coincidence, here I was thinking of where to start my alchemical journey and then I found this video.
Glad it worked out!
It’s not a coincidence it’s called algorithm 😉
Well, once you further your understanding of alchemy and more specifically Hermeticism, you will realize there is no such thing as coincidence.
Sameee
synchronicity
This channel is why I haven't deleted CZcams yet. Thank you!
Wow - glad you are sticking around!
"Deleting CZcams" would be quite an undertaking! :)
Check out Let's Talk Religion and Robert Sepehr if you want a lot of comparative religion context to go along with it. Still a few good channels on here.
CZcams can be deleted???????? I thought it was in build
@@sentientcardboarddumpster7900 I vouch for both.
I'm an Autistic 59 year old cybersecurity analyst studying psychology part-time. I live the concept of alchemy for therapy. Side note. Your humour is perfect for said Autistic 50 year old student...take that for whatever...:)
I'm just writing so that the algorithm understands that this stuff is epic quality and that I and others want to see more of it.
It finally worked
Hey, I'm just a homeless person barely out of my teen years, but I love that you do this, and ive been listening to your videos while trying to get my life together. I wanna study esotericism more when I get settled. I grew up in a very spiritual and superstition filled community and the philosophy of religion and belief in general is so interesting me. Anyway, thanks for doing what you do. Youre dropping like major wisdom so casually and I need it in my life rn.
How are you doing, Theo? The fact that you are reaching out for knowledge is strong and wise of you. I don't want to pry, but I have been where you are. Are you safe?
@@TheMurray1922 its how I was raised! Thank you for reaching out!! I am safe for now. Im in a hotel and we're really behind on the bill, but im hoping we can crowdfund to keep it through the holidays. My roomate and I are both very physically disabled, so we can't be on the streets, thats a death sentence. After, I should be able to get an apartment? My roomate is getting money from a relative that died, just enough to get through the fees and first months rent on a place. We just have to wait for the check and the processing once it arrives. Again, thank you so much for reaching out. It really means the world!!! I hate youve been in the same place, but the past tense there is a relief.
@@theob.6588 Hopefully you are still doing well
@@kamcat2901 I am making it! My partner is sick and the situation for us hasn't changed, but we are getting through.
@@theob.6588 How are you doing now? I would like to talk with you about this stuff and I have a similar situation myself...but I feel I'm more like a witch living in the woods. 😉
I'm really loving this channel so far, it's good to finally find academically rigorous yet casually watchable content on esoteric tradition. (plus, I enjoy the subtle goofs thrown in)
Thanks - no reason why we can't have fun as well! Glad you like the content!
Agree 👍👍
Sameeeee😂❤
I dig your alchemy day idea. We'll see what we can do about that.
What a beautiful, elegant, and practical foreshadowing of subatomic and statistical theory. There's a delightful method of philosophy demonstrated here, that can only illuminate a continued quest for greater knowledge. The continuum of historic acquisition and sharing among purveyors of wisdom is quite lovely to behold.
quite eligant yourself -_-. we should chat sometime.
Lmao nerd
As of January 2024, Newman's critical edition of the Summa Perfectionis is available in its entirety on the Internet archive in pdf (since July 2023). Grab it before Brill finds out and has it taken down.
When I strike it rich, Esoterica, Mystery History, and Praveen Mohan are getting their dues for so many hours of fascinating content I've consumed
if you do transmute gold :) remember me. made me smile
This guy is awesome. A key into the world of alchemy. Thank you brother
very few channels are concise like this, thank you
Glad you think so!
Theres a chemistry professor, principal, who does the alchemy stuff from pure chemistry perspective but keeps the traditional names to reproduce e the stuff early alchemists did.
Very fascinating
What amazing about this channel, is the number of people who are interested in this subject.
The best place to start studying alchemy is this channel, no doubt 👌🏼
What is this gem of a person?! I love history of medieval philosophy and esoteric tradition, but so often you have nutjobs on CZcams taking it at face value. Thank you for this amazing perspective and awesome explanations!
Dr. Justin Sledge is gutsy and daring. He is the epitome of an academic and a paragon of scholarship. I am thankful that he has created this channel to share his knowledge with us.
Your knowledge and sense of humor are an absolute blessing. Thank you for making such incredible videos.
Justin you are absolutely awesome man! Not only do I love your intros and your theme music and visuals, but your delivery is priceless.
Storyteller here, i've been intrigued by alchemy due to the use some stories make of it (specifically the interest was sparked in me by the game Elden Ring). What a fascinating practice humans concieved, and anyone who wants to learn about alchemy nowdays is real lucky channels like this exist, kudos!
I tripped really bad one night recently and figured out what the flames of madness felt like. Funnily enough Elden ring helped make the connections from the flame storyline to its deep connection with humanity, and the bible/spiritual journey
@@childpeanut5095 Well that's a hell of an experience lol, hope that didn't affect you too negatively in the long term.
Your channel rocks! I have been studying alchemy (primarily Hermeticism) for a while. I could speak to you for hours! Great job and thank you! I would totally take your course.
Your the big homie for bring this heavily researched n academic element to the online archive in which the modern seekers rely. It's so barren and great to see your videos spanning the edges of topics many other find obscure to attempt, previously leaving one's own thoughts or the few Carl Jung or esoteric occult texts that tend to confuse more unless ones in the know. But just wanted to say thank you man "The Works" been waiting for ya!
Or maybe better put(as I dont want to downplay whatever the previous history of your influence may have been unbeknownst to me) the marriage of your knowledge and the online medium for your prescence to have the possibility reaching all interested, was bond by fate! Much love sir
I love your channel, been enjoying your binders and content for well over a year now! Keep up the excellent work🙏💎
The way you said his name, I figured Paul's text would have a lot of "you have to be very polite while changing lead into gold, eh."
You're awesome. Very intelligent, articulate and you crack me up. Thank you! Keep doing what you do!
Fantastic video. I've been following your work for the last year or so but I love going back and discovering gems from earlier on.
Engaging and concise ... you summarised the essentials of the text wonderfully well...
Respect due to this man. From my experience studying with him, the knowledge is always sound, better yet, cuts through the bullshit in an effective manner. Definitely wouldn’t be where I am today in the esoteric without this man. Grateful for his desire to share his knowledge with us. Good luck climbing the rings ya’ll.
Love your channel. Please keep the content coming.
I stumbled upon your channel yesterday. I am watching this episode - on 11 February! Best regards from the Netherlands: Brill country. Happy World Alchemy Day!
This channel is exactly what I want to listen to while I am gardening! I'm so happy you popped up in my feed.
Water to my soul,these videos are. So much so I'm watching them twice. In fact,they're great reference. That you once again!
THANK YOU!! this is all so helpful to beginning the journey of alchemy! God bless
Your knowledge and humor is appreciated.
What a dazzling mind as well as a talent for research. Thank you!
I love this channel. It's truly educational, inspirational, and responsible in the information being conveyed. Also, am I the only one who finds the doc hilarious? He cracks me up sometimes. I love it
Cool that you've included Atwood's Suggestive Inquiry, one of my favs.
Your channel is great! Thanks for the work.
Thanks for your service. 🙏🏼 I enjoyed the content and will continue to study.
Can't believe I stumbled on this one on February 11th, World Alchemy day.
Greetings fellow alchemists.
Thank you for the alchemy videos! Love them.
I learned a lot with this one. The argument of human vs nature and who is greater in art opened my eyes .
The lvl of analysis of some alchemical texts is quite intense and deep, I've spent a month trying to analyze a paragraph and the internal transmutation that this entails
This makes me wish I had gone beyond high school chemistry. You can see the path from the Summer Perfectionais to modern chemistry.
Substances do have 3 states, in which their molecules (corpuscles?) are more or less dense: solid, liquid, gaseous.
I wonder why they latched onto mercury as being so critical, though. Sulphuric compounds are so common and modernly used, sulfates and sulfides, etc. I feel like they were chasing the wrong tail by going after mercury.
You have certainly given me a reason to exist that may stave off dementia as I get older. The pursuit of knowledge and art for its own sake, the quest for paths not taken, even to imagine a world in which Nature worked the way they thought it should…. It could be research that inform my future art or maybe even writings.
And this is why I will end up selling my own work, so I can support your work, to inspire my work, to sell to fund your work which will inspire mine….
Mercury is vital in the production of gold. Mercury added to gold ore will form an amalgamation which then can be heated to vaporize the mercury and leave behind the gold. Subsequent heating would lead to a more pure metal. This is likely why they latched onto the idea as the transmutation of base metals into noble metals was a goal of the alchemic sciences. In the modern day the terms "base" and "noble" still exist in chemistry, but don't refer to the same concepts. Interestingly, of the 12 alchemical changes of state, 11 have been achieved by modern chemistry. This includes transmutation, lead to gold, by way of nuclear physics and particle accelerators. The final Magnum Opus, which is projection, eludes us, though there exist plenty of legends surrounding it. Hope that helps!
@@MrPSaun Good comment, thanks
Mercury also just stands out while being fairly easily accessible. Like it defies our intuition by being a metal that is liquid at room temperature, that just doesn't feel like it should happen. It also looks like silver and is incredibly reflective. For all of those reasons it's easy to understand why people across cultures have latched on to it.
But yeah it is very ironic that they ignored what ended up being one of the most useful chemicals, but of course alchemy has roots from long before gunpowder was created so no one had any idea what potential sulfur had.
Also I'd just like to say that it's never too late to learn a science like chemistry and it's more accessible than it has ever been. There are a ton of great chemistry channels, I'd personally recommend NileRed if you want to see some cool examples of chemical synthesis like creating cherry soda from plastic gloves.
Thank you Justin for this wonderful knowledge and presentation.
I have a lot of books on Alchemy, Spagyrics, and Hermetics, ive been wanting to get a copy of the Summa Perfectionis for many years,
Love your sense of humor so far
I found this channel after getting Jung’s ”Mysterium coniunctionis” which is pretty hard to decipher and I’m only at the beginning of the book. However, it’s good to understand historically speaking what we now understand what the alchemists did and what they were trying to convey with their texts, so that I can separate out where the alchemists intention and what Jung projected onto that. Which is not to say Jung’s writings would not contain useful information on processes of the psyche, you just have to put them into the right perspective.
Thank you for this very wise and detailed synopsis of how to begin the Great Work.
I really like your videos. Found one and now I want to watch them all. Binging Esoterica rn.
Amazing video as usual! Thank you for the wealth of information you provide for the world
Thanks for watching!
Robert Shrewsbury Feb. 2021
I wrote this in such a way that one does not have to be a Scientist (with a degree) in order to understand it.
Metallurgy and Alchemy Brief.
What might be said about where element-particles come from, how they are made and if they can be altered? From the internet...“The entire variety of the elements and isotopes found in today's universe were created by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, stellar nucleosynthesis, supernova nucleosynthesis, and by nucleosynthesis in exotic events such as neutron star collisions.”
An Alchemy definition, from the internet: “The medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir. (Includes) occult sciences, such as alchemy and astrology."
These statements I found on the web under “Nucleosynthesis” and it made me think a bit on them. After my years of researching and experiments, I’d agree The “Big Bang” belief has some merit to it, however the amount of heat, pressure and radiation, I found works with far less than what is postulated or theorized and I have done tests to evidence this many times. Observing a natural form, a Volcano, exploding with heat and pressure, also produces a little radiation. The seeds of future metals, etc. are created in the pressure and heat. Sometimes, when it comes from deep enough in the Earth (where Potassium 40 is), it has even more radiation, because Potassium-40 is radioactive. Other times, there is Uranium or Thorium in the Earth where a Volcano explodes and this further ensures Nucleosynthesis from the combined materials, heat and pressure. In that type then, so many, many elements are spontaneously created, like platinum group metals, copper, zinc, silver, gold, rare-earth metals, etc. In short, Nucleosynthesis is Nature’s form of Alchemy on earth.
This Nucleosynthesis can also be produced artificially in a Laboratory, a form of Alchemy and I have done this at least a hundred times with success and no failures. A mini-explosion produces radiation as well as a rifle or cannon shot out of the barrel of a weapon, but it is minor. However (powdered) Metal, even Iron placed in a container with the Proper Chemicals and a lid on it (like a bomb) and then heated to its ignition or flash-point, will spontaneously (explode). A mini “Big Bang”, it then changes the isotope configuration and creates multiple stable elements, including P.G.M’s, Au and Ag. This is Alchemy and nothing mystic about it. During WW2 the Germans were working on this in a similar way as I did.
These tests have to be done with caution, sensibility and knowledge so that no one gets injured or other problems created.
Cordially, Robert Shrewsbury
robertshrewsbury13@gmail.com
Justin Sledge has a great style and delivery. What a jewel of a channel. Glad I found it! I dig these deep dives into antiquated alchemical texts. I think I picked up an interest in Lovecraft when I was about 14. He must've been inspired by some of these same books. Especially the Egyptian stuff. Lovecraft and to a much greater extent, Alister Crowley. The philosopher's stone. Heh heh. Yeah, that stuff has always interested me.
What a video, thank you! I have just recently finished The Silence of the Lambs, so your Lecter/Harris quote was quite the pleasant surprise! Best wishes and peak health to you, doctor!
No one expects HANNIBAL LECTER!
also his random dune insert!! do random but so cool
Thank you so much for putting out this content. You are delightful.
Crazy how he can remember all this information. Smart guy!
Beautiful intro and aesthetic 💕
This is the first time I’ve watched this video and as always it is so intriguing and educational. Your content is amazing and I have no regrets subscribing. Now that studying alchemy is finally starting, when I do convert lead into gold, I will remember you Dr. Sledge. Student loans can be a burden. This may just help me pay off mine. Awesome as always
Excellent as always!! I'm deeply grateful that someone very educated on these fields can actually share his knowledge with the world!!😀😊
Thanks so much for your support!
@@TheEsotericaChannel You're welcome, Dr. Sledge :)
You’re very sophisticated and articulate! I appreciate it thank you. ❤
luv when you blend in the funny stuff . very nice job always well done.
I remember looking at a Wikipedia article about it before and had no idea where to even begin, so I didn't even look. Been a few years and my interest was sparked again, and here I am! Thank you!
I got a copy from the R.A.M.S. library. If you have any experience with their books, what's your opinion on them? Because the grammar, so far, is abysmal.
I’m pretty sure the playfulness of your presentation is what has me hooked.
Amazing delivery.
Thank you
That was an awesome explanation, thank you!
Superbly lucid presentation - and a fine argument for the crucial relevance of this text. Many thanks. M.
❤
This is such a unique and excellent channel.
I appreciate your channel so much and should be ordering the original latin text to translate myself! Thank you! 🙏
This was really informative. Thank you!
I've Subscribed
Thank you very much Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸
Thank you so much for this video!!
this channel is a treasure
Okay. So the “looks around for what you can sell to buy a new piece of scholarship” we all recognize. 😂😂 that is gold in the mix of study for where we can study transmute base metals into gold. Love it. Thank you for your work.
Piqued my interest again, so i just started reading the SP. Found a PDF of it in Latin (1542 publishing). The history is a wonderful insight into the science and natural philosophy of the times, and definitely helps show a progression towards the modern age.
Great video. Really enjoying your channel, thanks a lot for your hard work and sharing what is clearly the result of years of careful study of the subjects.
It's interesting that you said the texts, especially in the 17th and 18th century, turned into "secret secret secret" and on and on, as if the substance that was contained within the information had decayed to a point of that being all that is left to say. :D
This is so clear, informative, orienting and hilarious 😂
Thank you Doctobr! This much of great information! Excellent world history!
I would love to Join one day your course on alchemy, if you ever create this program.
👍
Prior-posterior, infinitely exponentialized secret 🤣. Thanks for your work Dr Sledge; your discourses with Dr. Attrell enrich us all!
I always loved esoteric stuff
I love your comments and lessons, my respects for your knowledge sir...❤
Dr Justin, I truly appreciate you and your practice. It’s refreshing to see a “heavy weight” like yourself on CZcams. Sincere thanks.
Fantastic Dr.
I am so grateful to you and your channel. Just found you. ! Yeaaaa!
As a Canadian listening away from my computer, I thought you said Paul of Toronto! LOL
3 years into the future and i feel aligned with this
The spice must flow...
I just watched Dune on YT yesterday with several other folks! Hype!
Changing of the waters of Death to Life
Im 25, Brazil, Rio, never ever in any website nobody have your knowledge. Thanks. You don't waste time with " booboo-mystic shit " straight to the resume, impartial, not inducing nothing, not trying to make people believe you. You just give us a full complex YET simple resume of hours of your readings. You make it look easy even for a new dude like me that dont even speak native local english. your month subscription is worth tousands 1000$s. Web is full of freak conspiracy shit nobody really professional.
Id fight the good fight to make Feb 11th Alchemy day! Lets gooooo
Great video! Thank you! I would love to see a video on the Golden Chain of Homer. It is a text very close to my heart. And very unusual also. As one commentator wrote, "Instead it is an alchemical text of the absolute rarest kind ... a description of the alchemical machinery of reality. It describes how reality comes into existence, how it develops, how it is maintained, and how it folds back into the source. From this point of view the Golden Chain does something virtually no other alchemical text does, it marries allegorical qabalism with empirical alchemical science."
Thank you so much for teaching me.
Excellent! Thank you so much.
Nuclear physics: Ok so we made this bismuth sheet into gold
Hermes Trismegistus in his grave:🥳
Except it's highly radioactive and will quickly decay
@@TheEsotericaChannel Very true lol
@@TheEsotericaChannel I mean it's honestly like a Greek tragedy, we finally produce gold but it will kill you and then disappear.
I'm here for it!
I checked out shortly after five minutes when he diverted onto a tangential story about authorship in translation from greek to arabic concerning something that isn't even concerning alchemy. Gotta take a mental nap, but in the immortal words of a robot, I'll be back.
Thanks, I love how it isn’t even technical, it’s just Genesis and is as simple as gardening.
It just requires Mercury which is water from the rise and fall outside (Mer - Cury) and sulphur which is the light and heat from the sun which changes the conditions of the water (sol fire) and this makes a lovely silica, or a salt of the earth.
This makes a lovely guhr, or Golden Fleece.
After preparation all you need is a firmament or container which adheres to the golden ratio whether an egg or pyramid shape….a house of the poulet as ‘Flamel’ wrote.
Muchas gracias por la información. Muy valiosa.
God bless your channel It was so awesome I understand a lot of this and so want to dive deep
most excellent sir what a great bunch of dialogue you have spewed out to us I find it entertaining and perfectly serving the purpose of keeping me interested on a subject that I like and not deterred.
.... now I finally had to focus on capacity inconsistency of routine to read.... that big book looks amazing.
.. may your student loans and debt vanish what's the gross and Ascension of your being.
::Rough morning with focal aware seizures and such. Egresses to youtube for typical escapism and first thing I see is a 42min video on Alchemy and Hermeticism. Perfect.::
Thanks again Dr. S.
Glad the episode could help - hope you are well, friend!
ESOTERICA : Life is good. Focal aware seizures just make me see scatomas, have Déjà Rêvé (common with TLE), synesthesia/ideathesia and such. This stuff sort of feels like a super power. The focal aware can make my personality change a bit at the drop of a hat. They are mainly just exhausting, due to the muscle spasms and severe anxiety to panic attacks because I am scared of how
I will act and if it will lead to Tonic-clonic/Myoclonic/Atonic seizures that are the ones that really suck.
I got slotted by fate to share an ailment that many famous occultist and philosophers, and even artist like Di Vinci had. Called ‘epileptic personality disorder’ also called (Gestaut)-Geschwind Syndrome is more common medical term however it not well liked.
One of the symptoms is that I tend to be loquacious and extremely detailed.
Thank you, especially if you have made it this far.
However Geschwind Syndrome has so much to do with the subjects at hand if you are curious; it has its problems but I feel in love with my epilepsy.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geschwind_syndrome
Many benedictions.
@@TormodiR Thanks for helping me understand! I've often heard of folks that experience temporal lobe epilepsy (I think maybe of Dostoevsky?) also having profound mystical experiences. There is just so much about the world and our varied experiences of it - I am humbled to learn!
@@TheEsotericaChannel Herakleitos and a few others remarked that many of the greats like Empedokles had “falling sickness” which is often translated as “epilepsy”. There have been some arguments on the philology/etymology however with the way Empedokles prostituted himself with newly found revelations of godhood after a long absence, well he is a man after my own heart in a sense. He credited with giving us the four ριζώματα//roots or elements as the later came to be called after Latin Etymology. However Empedokles was said to travel and we know that Eastern Influences weren’t uncommon in his area of Asia minor. There are depiction of Indra in Greek fashion as an example. Empedokles’ work mirrors that of the Tattwas. Making me think the east vs west aspect is a bit more complicated than we generally accept.
I have quite the inner world myself. I don’t want to come off as chauvinistic but I am a very strong personality to say the least. Epilepsy is a weird colorful and picturesque world for me. It helps me see pattens and gives me the ability to visualize things fairly well.
I am an undergrad in cultural//linguistic anthropology. I am working on it but health, COVID and being a dad make it tough. Regardless I am also happy to be an independent as well, hey it’s more
grandiloquent than “arm-chair scholar” lol.
I find alchemy very confusing and intriguing. I am going to watch the rest of the videos in your series on the subject. great stuff.
Welcome, friend.
And yes, alchemy is very confusing; especially if you dont know where to start.
When you are at the point in your journey, you will see, that this is all necessary for it especially relating to its history; as well as its character as a tradition; also these symbols are not only significant themselves; but how they related to the other symbols with it; as well as juxtaposition.