Alchemy

[Veral42]

Ok, I've gone all around this forum, but still haven't found anything that I could use as a step into alchemy (if I in fact decide that it is something that I will persue), nor have I found any general concensious as to what it truely is.  Any help or information would be appreciated, thanks.

[MisterJingo]

Alchemy seems to be a form of "psychology" based upon symbolism. It's a means of self transformation through the use of this symbolism and the abstract meanings behind it. This is an overly basic description, but I think it gets to the heart of it


Ps: I use the word psychology as it is a system of mapping self and it's states.

[Veral42]

Hmm... interesting concept. XD

Do you know of any texts of web adresses that I could visit to learn more?

[bloodsong]

Here's a hell of a place to start:

http://www.alchemywebsite.com/

Bloodsong

[Sorlac]

There is a very informational post about alchemy here:

http://forums.astraldynamics.com/viewtopic.php?t=1227

[taoita]

http://www.kheper.net/topics/Taoism/Nei_Tan.htm

Key words in taoist alchemy:
tao te ching
microcosmic orbit
different energies (chi)
tan tien

An insight might come from a comparison between east and western practices.
Key words in western alchemy:
transmutation

[moogle_assassin]

this has 4 free ebooks on alchamy http://www.astralsociety.com/as/cms/Articles/index.php?DBN=&Type=Show&AID=5

[NoPowers]

Most alchemy books are based on a symbolic language that related to sex magic.