In alchemical symbolism Antimony is characterized as a lion (able to devour all metals except the royal Gold). The element itself has had a chequered past, being on occasion considered almost a panacea, and at other times condemned by both church and state. Basilius Valentinus is a shadowy 16th century figure, thought by some to have been Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany. Some of his writings, such as 'The Twelve Philosophical Keys' are as obscure as the author's own origins, but this present work, 'The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony' is a far clearer exposition of Antimony's alchemical properties, intermixed with vibrant Gnosticism and not a little medical perceptiveness. The Annotations of Theodore Kirkringus, (who claims to have known the mysterious author), are equally illuminating. Regarded by many as the first monograph on a chemical element, 'The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony' is an important primary text for all those interested in the 'Royal Art' of Alchemy and the occult wellsprings of modern science.

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, finance, mythology, the arts, medicine, and more, as told by the Periodic Table. Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters? The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery -- from the Big Bang through the end of time. Though solid at room temperature, gallium is a moldable metal that melts at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A classic science prank is to mold gallium spoons, serve them with tea, and watch guests recoil as their utensils disappear.

An exploration of how modern Freemasonry enabled Isaac Newton and his like-minded contemporaries to flourish • Shows that Freemasonry, as a mystical order, was conceived as something new--an amalgam of alchemy and science that had little to do with operative Freemasonry • Reveals how Newton and his friends crafted this “speculative,” symbolic Freemasonry as a model for the future of England • Connects Rosslyn Chapel, Henry Sinclair, and the Invisible College to Newton and his role in 17th-century Freemasonry Freemasonry, as a fraternal order of scientists and philosophers, emerged in the 17th century and represented something new--an amalgam of alchemy and science that allowed the creative genius of Isaac Newton and his contemporaries to flourish. In Isaac Newton’s Freemasonry, Alain Bauer presents the swirl of historical, sociological, and religious influences that sparked the spiritual ferment and transformation of that time. His research shows that Freemasonry represented a crossroads between science and spirituality and became the vehicle for promoting spiritual and intellectual egalitarianism. Isaac Newton was seminal in the “invention” of this new form of Freemasonry, which allowed Newton and other like-minded associates to free themselves of the church’s monopoly on the intellectual milieu of the time. This form of Freemasonry created an ideological blueprint that sought to move England beyond the civil wars generated by its religious conflicts to a society with scientific progress as its foundation and standard. The “science” of these men was rooted in the Hermetic tradition and included alchemy and even elements of magic. Yet, in contrast to the endless reinterpretations of church doctrine that fueled the conflicts ravaging England, this new society of Accepted Freemasons provided an intellectual haven and creative crucible for scientific and political progress. This book reveals the connections of Rosslyn Chapel, Henry Sinclair, and the Invisible College to Newton’s role in 17th-century Freemasonry and opens unexplored trails into the history of Freemasonry in Europe.

Robert Allen Bartlett dances with the Black Dragon in this first-ever glimpse inside his own lab notebooks documenting his alchemical path with antimony.

VOYAGES IN KALEIDOSCOPE is a little dadaist style book which undeniably reveals the Great Work. It is a must for all those involled in some form of Inner Work or practical Qabalah - the journeymen who seek the uncharted realms, the maze with its own order and images in kaleidoscope. The book was originally published in French, in the autumn of 1919. Shortly after publication in Paris, all copies of the book were confiscated and pulped. A few copies were overseen. Translated into English for the first time, it is now offered through Inner Garden Press. Enjoy this poetic little novel.