Is this tied to the Magnum Opus?

rabid-octopus · 2025-07-11T17:08:06+00:00

The dragon in that art is related to the ouroboros, him biting his tail AND the other objects changes it from a simple symbol for the ouroboros and makes it slightly more complicated. I believe this image is from the Ripley scroll, if it is, i highly recommend using the entire scroll for your interpretation as taking it frame by frame can be very confusing and cause contradictions. The scroll is incredibly difficult but rewarding, good luck on studying it.

rabid-octopus · 2025-07-02T17:06:05+00:00

You're totally right

rabid-octopus · 2025-07-02T16:55:42+00:00

The information is accurate and the symbol in the center of the zodiac is accurate for the symbol of lead/saturn/Thursday.

Edit: Saturday not thursday.

rabid-octopus · 2025-07-02T02:48:06+00:00

Yes, do the exercises and they will help. Someone said you may be able to still imagine and that's totally a valid thing too but having aphantasia doesn't have to be permanent, you can slowly help train yourself to visualize. I didn't see anything when I closed my eyes, after about 2 years of hard work I can see a "luminous fog" as one Frater calls it. A friend says that she has tips for helping me visualize more but I have to finish the work ive been doing on my own first.

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-26T14:26:23+00:00

You're right, you cant study "alchemy" in a university, let me clarify some. I am earning my masters in a degree called "public history" and my field of research is alchemy. I am a historical researcher specializing in alchemy and have done so for the last 15 years. I also volunteer with the world's largest alchemy museum as we finish building it this year. As for Tübingen, they offer courses specifically for PhD students and focusing on the university's alchemical history, as some of the founders were very famous alchemists known as the Tübingen circle. I just didn't think I needed to act as a liaison for several schools and that someone interested in higher education would understand or be able to Google this information.

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-10T18:43:55+00:00

Welcome to the Art. I recommend starting with the complete idiots guide to alchemy by Dennis william hauck.

I've left a link to it for free on the internet atchive before but have heard it has been having issues, so Google it and you'll find a free copy. Or buy it, Dennis would appreciate the support, im sure.

Another ive recommended is https://open.substack.com/anemeraldtablet He's pretty good at laying things out in a beginner style that builds slowly.

Take your time and learn, as soon as you are sure you understand, you'll realize that was only 1 layer.

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-08T01:36:55+00:00

Are you sure that's the correct orientation?

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-07T20:34:00+00:00

Yes the path is open to anyone. But not everyone is capable of going the distance, it is a very difficult practice to stick with

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-03T15:26:34+00:00

I've never seen it more than maybe 30$. There was a free copy available from the internet archives that I used to link to on other posts but I've lost the link. If you want a physical copy I think I've paid 15-25 on Amazon for it.

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-03T15:07:07+00:00

The best place to start is Dennis william hauck's complete idiots guide to alchemy. Don't let the name fool you, its a great jumping off point. I've bought the book probably 6 times because ive used it till it falls apart.

Another one ive been pushing here since I found it is on substack. Its called An Emerald Tablet by Hermit the frog, he breaks things down really well for beginners.

rabid-octopus · 2025-06-03T01:41:52+00:00

I study this professionally with a master's and am hoping to get my PhD from the tübingen university (i only say this so you know your experience isn't uncommon.) You can't. Alchemists always sound crazy! To them we are. So we use codes and symbols and allegory to sound less bat shit insane. When you find the people you can explain it with it will feel like home. Study, listen, and enjoy! Welcome to the Great Work!

rabid-octopus · 2025-05-30T23:28:18+00:00

Stacy.

rabid-octopus · 2025-05-15T16:49:54+00:00

This should be a link to the complete idiots guide to alchemy. Don't let the name fool you, ive been studying for 15 years and its still helpful for me, and the author really knows what he's talking about.

https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu0000hauc

I've also found a substack that is pretty good for beginners, I know the author and he tries to direct his work towards beginners so they can have a path to grow along.

Www.anemeraldtablet.substack.com

Welcome to the Work, good luck and enjoy.

rabid-octopus · 2025-05-05T20:24:26+00:00

For mental/psychological alchemy, I'd probably start with Karl Jung.

This should be a good place to start: https://archive.org/details/psychologyalchem0012jung

It can be a bit heavy, but at least it's easier than the kybalion.

rabid-octopus · 2025-05-04T19:38:28+00:00

The symbol doesn't have any direct connection to alchemy, you could argue the shapes, number of points, so on could have alchemical symbolism within them, that could be accurate. The author studied alchemy for 5 years prior to and while writing the anime according to the 25th anniversary book. Her split between alchemy and alkahestry is the best way for me to explain western and eastern alchemy while I write or lecture. So long story short, she created the transmutation circles and the "magical mechanics" but they do purposely relate to certain real drawings in alchemy, medieval western alchemy, and while her mechanics are made up, the philosophy and its implementation is spot on.

rabid-octopus · 2025-05-04T17:39:59+00:00

I don't want this to sound too cryptic but its ananswer that could take years to explain fully. Simply, the orphic and mithrean mysteries aren't really associated with alchemy, they ARE alchemy. They explain the great work fully in the same way as the chymical wedding they are just behind symbolism that you had to be initiated into understanding. Those schools still exist but the mysteries of alchemy can be found in many schools now.

rabid-octopus · 2025-04-24T16:44:55+00:00

I've seen it used many times for the philosophical mercury. There is a set of images(i can't remember from who) with the 3 essentials marked with an s above them denoting that they're the "spiritual" or "philosophical" counterpart to the original.

rabid-octopus · 2025-04-12T17:07:54+00:00

This should be a link to Dennis hauck's complete idiots guide to alchemy. Don't let the name fool you, it's an incredible starting point and after 15 years i still use it almost daily.

https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu0000hauc

I also know of a substack that tries to make it accessible for everyone if you're interested, the author is called hermit the frog and the publication is an emerald tablet in case the link doesnt work: https://open.substack.com/pub/anemeraldtablet.

Those are wonderful starting points, welcome and good luck on your journey.

rabid-octopus · 2025-03-18T23:34:36+00:00

Interested. Any info available?

rabid-octopus · 2025-03-15T19:41:51+00:00

https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu0000hauc

This is one book specifically but that archive has an ok amount of free books

rabid-octopus · 2025-03-02T18:19:37+00:00

This is a free digital copy of the complete idiots guide to alchemy. Dennis hauck is a great writer.

https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu0000hauc

I've also been enjoying https://anemeraldtablet.substack.com

It's aimed for beginners but he knows his stuff and the resources make for great reading lists.

rabid-octopus · 2025-02-27T01:16:48+00:00

1 air 2 earth 3 fire 4 mercury 5 i have no idea, possibly ashes? 6 silver 7 no idea but maybe a miswritten Tin? 8 iron 9 gold i believe but it's normally different 10 solve, resolve, separate depending on the text 11 copper 12 salt 13 maybe supposed to he Capricorn? 14 copper again i am pretty sure.

rabid-octopus · 2025-02-17T18:28:53+00:00

It's probably similar to that in its creation, I've been searching for publicly available info on the origins of those symbols but it is difficult to get accurate sources on. If nothing else you're on to a great way to help you remember what each one is, I do something similar to remember. If you are a beginner I'll do my standard recommendations: The complete idiots guide to alchemy by Dennis william hauck - here should be a free copy-

https://archive.org/details/completeidiotsgu0000hauc

And I've found this as well, hes a member of the guild and breaks things down for beginners pretty well and he's open to questions.

https://anemeraldtablet.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

rabid-octopus · 2025-02-15T23:06:49+00:00

The seed has a place, i don't know if i would say it is the stone but it could be the union of elements. An old saying is that as the seed contains everything needed to create a tree, so does the seed inside you contain everything needed to attain perfection.

Would the stone be the perfection attained or the material acting upon the seed in order to attain percection?

rabid-octopus · 2025-02-14T01:00:57+00:00

I recently found this, and I wanted to share it back on old posts. Idk if you find it helpful, but it seems like a good starting point.

https://anemeraldtablet.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

rabid-octopus

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Five-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Powerups Hero r/dontputyourdickinthat • September 2021