Alchemy & Mysticism

Amazing collection of Images with brief descriptions. More of a reference book to be used while studying other Alchemy / Mysticism books than to be read on its own.

I wish this was offered in a bigger size for my older eyes. That's my only complaint. If you have eye problems, the type will be a tad too little for you. Beautiful book with numerous pictures with a plethora of information.

I bought this book for the images, not some overly wordy explanation, so i am very pleased. Alchemy has to be experienced not theorized about. Although some symbols are shared so can be understood by everyone, such as The Queen and King, certain colours, or Wings on the feet, the alchemists depicted their own interpretations so that Alchemy is not a "standard" language with agreed upon explanations.

An excellent Taschen book; informative and chock full of illustrations. Highly recommended.

When I received my copy in the mail it was damaged on the side. I was able to easily able replace it for a new one and it came the next day. This is a great book to use as a reference on illustration's of alchemy & mysticism. I wish the book was a bit bigger, but it is still a great addition to have.

This is a killer book, probably the best volume out there if you're interested in the art and symbolism of western esotericism. Pay attention to which edition you're getting, this is the 575-page version, not the 710-page version. If you're paying under US $40, you're getting the shorter version. Also be warned that the book is 8x5.75 inches, not even the size of full trade paperback. So it is beautifully illustrated, but the intricate images are tiny, and so is the print. But for a single volume, this is the one to get.

If you're looking for a book that goes deep into the practical study of alchemy then this isn't the book you want. If you're looking into symbolism and the roots to common archetypes then this will likely be of more use to you. It's true that most of the images seem disconnected from the text related to them, but again I think this book was meant to be more of a surface-level reference book, using these examples and various interpretations of them to give varying but connected viewpoints on motifs such as the elements, the serpent, the wheel, and so on, rather than be a primer on alchemy. So while I understand confusion from the misleading title and descriptions, it's not an utterly useless book like some people claim if you plan on using it to find new sources, themes, and ideas. Granted if you want something more in-depth or a book on the practical application of alchemy, I would say to look for a different book.At the very least, I'd recommend it as an art book (it's relatively cheap compared to other art compendiums, too) that can pad out a coffee table, even if you only open it for the images.

Enjoyed glad I bought, it is what it is.The lips of Wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.