The Royal art of alchemy has been practised in different ways in different times in different parts of the world, principally in Ancient Egypt, China, India, Islam and pre-‘Enlightenment’ Europe. This talk will briefly explore these overlapping traditions and consider their different emphases and commonalities before focussing on its fullest expression in Medieval and Renaissance Europe.

The baffling imagery and riddling writings of European alchemy present a formidable challenge to the rational mind. The fact that it commanded the attention of many of the most brilliant minds may reassure us that there are true treasures to be found within its dragon-guarded precincts. When subjected to its own processes – reduced to ashes and tried in the fire of our closest attention – we are able to distil from its purified prima materia the very principles upon which Creation itself is founded, according to Tradition. Learning to understand how union can be achieved through separation, and purity through degradation sets us on the path that leads to the sacred event referred to as the Chemical Wedding, the union of the material and the spiritual, whose offspring is the Sovereign Good.

About the lecturer:
Guy Ogilvy has been a student of alchemy since stumbling across it as a living tradition focused on medicine while living in Mexico in the mid-nineties. He returned to Europe and studied under the illustrious German alchemist Manfred Junius until the latter’s death in 2004. He has written several books on alchemy and related subjects, sometimes under the pen name Francis Melville. His recent books include 'The Alchemist’s Kitchen' (Wooden Books, 2006) and 'The Great Wizards of Antiquity' (Llewellyn, 2019).