The elixir and the stone : a history of magic and alchemy

by Michael Baigent

Other authorsRichard Leigh
Paper Book, 1997

Status

Available

Call number

540.11209

Collection

Publication

London : Penguin, 1998, c1997.

Description

The authors of THE HOLY BLOOD AND THE HOLY GRAIL tell the story of the alternative philosophy of hermeticism, which originated in Greek Alexandria but went underground for many centuries under the assault of Christianity. Focusing on the oneness of everything, hermeticism is a central part of New Age beliefs.

User reviews

LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
A book that trudges through the first part and then in the second part starts sparking off ideas and issues in my head. The first part is history, tradition, where alchemy comes from, the second is modern. A look at the use and abuse of words and music.
Sometimes I wonder if Baigent and Leigh use
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their books as poking sticks to get people to think.
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LibraryThing member MiaCulpa
I read "Elixir and the Stone" as part of a deep dive into the writing of Baigent and Leigh, following my discovery of "Holy Blood and the Holy Grail". In retrospect, many of Baigent and Leigh's (and Lincoln's) historical facts were a bit far-fetched, and even at my young age, I guessed that I
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should take "Elixir and the Stone" with a grain of Hermestic salt.

The authors argue that esoteric Hermisticism, which had its heyday a couple of millennium ago, is responsible for alchemy and the present day interest in the occult. Like "Holy Blood and the Holy Grail", famous names are introduced without any great proof beyond their own beliefs and the conclusions they arrive at may not have much relationship with reality. Still, there are no doubt worse books to read about Hermisticism.
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Language

Original publication date

1997

Physical description

xxv, 482 p.; 19 cm

ISBN

0140247939 / 9780140247930

Local notes

Extensive annotations by Don Frew.

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