Theurgy, or the Hermetic Practice: A Treatise on Spiritual Alchemy

by E.J. Langford Garstin, Edward Dunning (Foreword)

Theurgy means "the science or art of divine works." In alchemy, this process is called the "Great Work," which is the purification and exaltation of our "lower" nature by the proper application of esoteric principles, so that it may become united with its higher counterparts, whereby we may attain spiritual, and ultimately divine, consciousness. Drawing on the teachings of the Egyptian, Greek, and Hebrew mystery schools and quoting extensively from important alchemical writers, Garstin details this process of purification. Students who are curious about alchemy but daunted by the body of its literature and its strange allegories will find this book to be an excellent introduction. Garstin discusses source alchemical works and clearly explains what their esoteric symbolism means. With the information in this book, students of alchemy can then proceed to make a more informed exploration of the alchemical works and other writings of the Western Mystery Tradition.

Genres: Esoterica, Alchemy

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ryan Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is going to need several reads to explore the depths of a topic not so easily understood and which has been written about in a way that only those desiring a deeper understanding can extract what is practical. This book does good in pulling together many writers throughout history into a sort of cohesion. I look forward to my next read through and with it a deeper knowing

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, this is a tough one to review. What you're reading here is an extended analogy illustrated by quotations form other works. The writing and arrangement is clever and apt - but I don't see who this book is for in this day and age.

It offers no real practical guidance in either Theurgy or Alchemy, but simple creates a way of viewing to Theurgy using the vocabulary of the Alchemic process. And most specifically the process on would use to produce a philosopher's stone. Again, clever and the comparisons and metaphors are apt - I guess I was hoping for more original insight or practical discussion.

[Bidisha Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

a heavy read for me considering that it is packed to its brim with citations of other work and substantiating its own argument by highlighting what has been written already.
I wanted more of what theurgy is, did not extract much from this.

[April Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few comments that I found interesting but overall I felt like I was wasting my time reading this.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was alright. It didn't go into depth on the practice of theurgy like I was hoping. It does though attempt to align alchemy and its processes with what theurgy was supposed to produce. Essentially all you really take away is prayer, meditation, and development of the will and possibly God will grant you your desire. I did find it amusing that he rags on his own organisation's (the Golden Dawn) methods of attaining visions as undesirable and possibly leading to mediumship, so I wonder if he wrote this after his involvement with that group. If you are into spiritual alchemy perhaps this is for you but for theurgy probably better if one sticks to Iamblichus.

[Nathen]

Its very good. It actually expalins the bleeding lion and the tears of the eagle, and the black and red dragon. Some of his explanations are a little off but in general its very insightful.