Thom F. Cavalli, Ph.D.

Alchemy is the process of changing lead into gold; at least this is its most popular definition. It was practiced in many countries throughout the world for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years. As a result, alchemy has many definitions. It meant one thing to an Egyptian high priest and quite another to a fifteenth century apothecary. Still there are common elements that bind alchemy together into a coherent subject having well articulated principles of theory and practice. Alchemy, as we will see, set the stage of modern civilization, and its wisdom continues to inspire us in many ways. In light of enormous advancements being made today in the physical and psychological fields, this is a particularly good time to review alchemy.

What does alchemy mean to us today? What possible use can we make of it? How can we apply old methods to the problems we encounter in today's world?

To begin answering these questions, I need to make it clear that I do not believe alchemy is dead. We will therefore not be examining alchemy as if it were extinct or some sort of magical artifact of history. With over twenty years of research, I am convinced that alchemy represents a wisdom tradition that is generally neglected and misunderstood. In writing this book it is my intention to tell alchemy's story. I will primarily tell it from a psychological point of view because that is what I am most familiar with. While I respect the approach taken by others, for me the real gold in alchemy can be found in its magnificent psychology.

Though alchemy goes by many names, the essence of its long tradition continues to inspire the thoughts and ideas of contemporary artists, scientists and theologians. Increasingly, I hear the word used, and misused, in the media and even literature. We have some very old, superstitious ideas of what alchemy used to be. My aim is to correct some of these mistaken beliefs by adding factual data and, more importantly, having us discover what alchemy means in the course of our own personal development. When we deeply understand the efforts made by men and women who practiced alchemy in one way or another over thousands of years we immediately realize that alchemy left the laboratory long ago and has taken its place in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.