Cracking the Philosophers'
Stone: Origins, Evolution and Chemistry of Gold-Making
Cracking
the Philosophers' Stone is a combination of
historical commentary with reproducible chemistry that thoroughly analyses one
of the most respected and mysterious chemical reactions in the history of
science and technology. This book guides the reader through the origins and
evolution of the archetypal recipe for the Philosophers' Stone of early
Alexandrian alchemy. LaPort and Gabrielsson also provide details for various
chemical reproductions based on the authors' interpretation and hypotheses of
ancient chemistry preserved in encrypted form in alchemical texts. The book is
written for both the curious layperson, historian of science and technology or
as a source book for the experimental aspiring alchemist / chemist. This book
will appeal to the student of ancient history, occult studies, historical
chemistry, or the layperson familiar with the Philosophers' Stone but wants to
learn more. The book is a must-have for every Rosicrucian and Freemasonic
library (or the like) due to its discussion of ancient systems of thought and
corresponding symbolism. Because of the human stories and historical backdrop,
every layperson will find something of value to expand their understanding of
the ancient world. Even scientists and specifically chemists will be fascinated
with the reproducible chemical experiments presented in this ground-breaking
work. Click on cover at left to order.
The book is actually three books in one: 1) an
introduction to alchemy, 2) a detailed history of alchemy's origins and
evolution, and 3) a technical reference for actual reproducibility of alchemy's
most sought-after prize - the Philosophers' Stone. Cracking the Philosophers'
Stone is organized into three major sections. The first provides the reader with
an overview of the Philosophers' Stone in the context of a general early history
of alchemy. This foundational understanding serves as a framework for
introducing newcomers and general enthusiasts to alchemical history, substances
and processes discussed further into the work. In this section, the reader is
systematically guided through major historical bifurcations that allowed for the
evolution of technique and novel recipes for the Philosophers' Stone. This
section is written in such a way that the reader follows the authors' sense of
discovery and logic in a pedagogical fashion. Section two is a record of
reproducibility. It includes details of each process, complete with frank
discussions in the language of chemistry, which greatly facilitate review and
reproduction of the experiments and syntheses detailed in the book. It is the
'how-to' section, if you will. Section three explores the practical applications
for the Philosophers' Stone along with a hypothesized mechanism of action for
each application. Conclusions are contextually counter-balanced by traditional
alchemical texts and original interpretations.
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From the FOREWORD to Cracking the
Philosophers' Stone
by Dennis William Hauck
What you have before you is not a book, but a key to one of the most mysterious
subjects in human history – the story of the Philosopher’s Stone. You will find
that this key morphs like mercury into many different shapes depending on what
you are looking for. Cracking the
Philosophers' Stone is not a fixed book but
a flexible compendium that can only be opened with a key like this. J. Eric
LaPort describes how to use this key in the following pages, and he urges
readers to refashion it to suit their needs.
The story of the Philosopher’s Stone began with
Alexandrian and Arabian alchemists and soon captured the imagination of the
entire world. By the Middle Ages, it was not only the touchstone that
transformed base metals into gold but also held the secret to eternal life and
spiritual perfection. However, as this book makes abundantly clear, the
Philosopher’s Stone was never just a psychological scheme or philosophical
construct to alchemists. Both Eastern and Western alchemists believed it was a
tangible, physical object they could create in their laboratories. . . .
read more in book below.
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