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Mercurius: The Marriage Of Heaven And Earth
This highly sought after novel was first published in 1990. It has been out of print for many years and until the release of this brand new edition was as rare as hen's teeth, with some old copies fetching prices of up to USD $600.00. This new edition features a beautiful new cover and has been revised and updated by the author.
Know this: I, Mercurius, have set down a ful...more
Know this: I, Mercurius, have set down a ful...more
Published
(first published January 1st 1990)
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Aug 03, 2011
Sienna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
alchemy-in-fiction
(Probably 4.5 stars, but certainly the best work of fiction about alchemy that I’ve read thus far.)
In general I don’t have much patience for novels with complex backstories, their authors refusing to take responsibility for the works created and instead ascribing them to mysterious, equally fictional characters or circumstances. It’s sort of like including an explanation for the meaning of a poem — a real nose-wrinkler. In this case, Patrick Harpur claims to have received the contents of Mercuri...more
In general I don’t have much patience for novels with complex backstories, their authors refusing to take responsibility for the works created and instead ascribing them to mysterious, equally fictional characters or circumstances. It’s sort of like including an explanation for the meaning of a poem — a real nose-wrinkler. In this case, Patrick Harpur claims to have received the contents of Mercuri...more
Absolutely stunning. If you have an interest in alchemy but don't quite get it, this is the book for you. Enlightening, informative, and a fantastically readable novel. How you turn such an esoteric subject into an intelligent page turner I don't know, but that's Patrick Harpur for you.
Re-read this in July 2011. Fascinating, mysterious. Again. There's so much in this novel. The material underlying this story is learned and complex, but delivered in a very accessible way. Worth several re-reads....more
Re-read this in July 2011. Fascinating, mysterious. Again. There's so much in this novel. The material underlying this story is learned and complex, but delivered in a very accessible way. Worth several re-reads....more
Am reading now. Most delightful thing I've picked up in quite a while!
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This isn't a flawless book, but it is great. The descriptions of Alchemy are balanced and grounded by the characters and their stories. The stories describe the process and the process describes the stories. Repetition, form, and story provide a way into understanding what cannot be described.
May 08, 2013
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Patrick Harpur is an acclaimed author, best known for his philosophical works, which include
The Philosophers' Secret Fire: A History Of The Imagination
and
Mercurius: The Marriage Of Heaven and Earth
, the latter of which, after being out of print for several years (and fetching a small fortune on auction sites like eBay) has finally been re-released in a paperback edition.
Other works include D...more
More about Patrick Harpur...
Other works include D...more
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“Know this: I, Mercurius, have here set down a full, true and infallible account of the Great Work. But I give you fair warning that unless you seek the true philosophical gold and not the gold of the vulgar, unless you heart is fixed with unbending intent on the true Stone of the Philosophers, unless you are steadfast in your quest, abiding by God’s laws in all faith and humility and eschewing all vanity, conceit, falsehood, intemperance, pride, lust and faint-heartedness, read no farther lest I prove fatal to you. For I am the watery venomous serpent who lies buried at the earth’s centre; I am the fiery dragon who flies through the air. I am the one thing necessary for the whole Opus. I am the spirit of metals, the fire which does not burn, the water which does not wet the hands. If you find the way to slay me you will find the philosophical mercury of the wise, even the White Stone beloved of the Philosophers. If you find the way to raise me up again, you will find the philosophical sulphur, that is, the Red Stone and Elixir of Life. Obey me and I will be your servant; free me and I will be your friend. Enslave me and I am a dangerous enemy; command me and I will make you mad; give me life and you will die.”
—
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