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The Forge and the Crucible : The Origins and Structure of Alchemy - Mircea Eliade

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The Forge and the Crucible

The Origins and Structure of Alchemy

By: Mircea Eliade

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Paperback | 15 March 1979 | Edition Number 2

At a Glance

Paperback
238 Pages

Edition Type
New edition

Dimensions(cm)
2.06 x 1.34 x 0.13

Paperback

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Primitive man's discovery of the ability to change matter from one state to another brought about a profound change in spiritual behavior. In The Forge and the Crucible, Mircea Eliade follows the ritualistic adventures of these ancient societies, adventures rooted in the people's awareness of an awesome new power.

The new edition of The Forge and the Crucible contains an updated appendix, in which Eliade lists works on Chinese alchemy published in the past few years. He also discusses the importance of alchemy in Newton's scientific evolution.

Industry Reviews

All who are interested in exploring man's past to trace his earliest thoughts, dreams, and actions to the end of shedding more light on his present behavior, will find this study fascinatingly interesting. Monsieur Eliade attempts to gain an understanding of the behavior of primitive societies in relation to matter, and to follow the spiritual adventures in which they become involved as they become aware of their power, through fire, to change the mode of being of substances. Here we find the myths, rites and symbols peculiar to the craft of the miner, smith and metal worker, as they have helped to fashion the cultures and shape the dreams of men of all ethnic origin. We trace the development of man as he learns to transmute nature, accelerate its processes, and thus control Time, and we are led to see the way in which the efforts of modern man to master Nature and Time, except for its secularization, are related to the work of the early alchemists. This book, translated from the French, is well documented. Any serious student of man will be well rewarded for the effort expended, and demanded, by this solid exposition of an unusual subject. (Kirkus Reviews)

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Religion & Beliefs Alternative Belief Systems Occult Studies Mind, Body, Spirit Mysticism, Magic & Occult Interests Science Chemistry Religion Comparative Religion History of Religion Philosophy

History

Foreword
Preface to the Phoenix Edition
Meteorites and Metallurgy
Mythology of the Iron Age
The World Sexualized
Terra Mater. Petra Genitrix
Rites and Mysteries in Metallurgy
Human Sacrifices to the Furnace
Babylonian Symbolisms and Metallurgical Rituals
'Masters of Fire'
Divine Smiths and Civilizing Heroes
Smiths, Warriors, Masters of Initiation
Chinese Alchemy
Indian Alchemy
Alchemy and Initiation
Arcana Artis
Alchemy and Temporality Postscript
Appendices
Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

The Forge and the Crucible

The Origins and Structure of Alchemy

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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