Commentary on the Mutus Liber

by Adam McLean

The fifteen plates of the Mutus Liber "the Mute Book," are well known, and this book without words is recognized as a classic of the seventeenthcentury alchemical tradition. Although the engravings seem to outline an alchemical process in detail, their message is not immediately obvious and it really requires a commentary to make it intelligible to the presentday reader. Adam McLean's extensive commentary on this series of engravings reveals the Mutus Liber as a synthesis of spiritual, soul, and physical alchemy. While the entire secret of the physical process is not fully revealed in the plates, enough information is given to piece together details of a modus operandi/ indeed, modern French alchemists like Canseliet and Barbault have found great inspiration and hints relating to the physical work in the Mutus Liber . As one of the most significant documents of the alchemical tradition, this edition of the Mutus Liber will be appreciated by all students of the Hermetic tradition, for Adam McLean's fascinating and insightful commentary throws a penetrating light on both the spiritual and physical dimensions of the Great Work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Alchemy

77 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Rytis · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Commentary on the Mutus Liber" tries to explain the meanings of plates from the 1677 book. The "Mutus Liber" (Latin for The Silent Book) is unique in that it represents the alchemical processes purely by 22 illustrations and no actual commentary around them. As such, the interpretations of the book and the meaning of the plates are many and varied.

The Adam McLean interpretation seems to be closely related to the ideas of other initiate alchemists, in that the book shows the way of Magnum Opus towards the Philosopher's Stone or the transmutation to gold.

It is great to read up on various perspectives on such a book, still, I recommend to read the original Liber and see what kind of meaning you could come to yourself.