Alchemy - The Hermetic Gold-Making of Cleopatra the Alchemist - Ancient Alchemy in Theory & Practice

Cleopatra the Alchemist (fl. 3-4th CE Alexandria?) was a profound innovator in the field of the hermetic science of alchemy. From theory, to laboratory practice, to the literary character of early alchemical texts her influence can be felt centuries later in both Islamicate and European alchemy. Indeed, the powerful image of the Ouroboros or tail-devouring serpent with the Hermetic thesis that "ἓν τὸ πᾶν - All is One" is to be found on her famed Chrysopoeia ("gold-production"). This episode explores her theory and practice of alchemy. #alchemy #cleopatra #hermeticphilosophy Recommended Readings: Berthelot - Collection des anciens alchimistes grecs - https://archive.org/details/collectiondesanc23bert/page/278/mode/2up & https://archive.org/details/collectiondesanc01bert/page/130/mode/2up Lindsay - The Origins of Alchemy in Graeco-Roman Egypt - 978-0584100051 Buy the Ouroboros Press Reprint of the Chysopoeia- https://www.bookarts.org/store/p77/Chysopoeia_of_Kleopatra.html#/ General Alchemy Readings: Linden, Stanton J. (ed.) The Alchemy Reader: From Hermes Trismegistus to Isaac Newton. 978-0521796620. Nicely edited collection of alchemical primary texts. Principe, Lawrence. The Secrets of Alchemy. 978-0226103792. An up-to-date history of alchemy. Newman, William. Newton the Alchemist: Science, Enigma, and the Quest for Nature's "Secret Fire" 978-0691174877. Cutting edge research on alchemy in the 17th century. Roob, Alexander(ed.) Alchemy & Mysticism. 978-3836549363. A collection of alchemical imagery and symbolism, also a nice coffee table book! Spiritual / Psychology School of Interpretation Atwood, Mary Anne. A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery….(many re-print editions). The first text to introduce the ‘spiritual interpretation” of alchemy. Eliade, Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy. 978-0226203904. Religious-philosophical interpretation of alchemy. von Franz, Marie-Louise. Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology. 978-0919123045. An introduction to the Jungian psychological interpretation of alchemy.