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Primitive man's discovery of the ability to change matter from one state to another brought about a profound change in spiritual behavior. In The Forge and the Crucible, Mircea Eliade follows the ritualistic adventures of these ancient societies, adventures rooted in the people's awareness of an awesome new power.
The new edition of "The Forge and the Crucible" contains an updated appendix, in which Eliade lists works on Chinese alchemy published in the past few years. He also discusses the importance of alchemy in Newton's scientific evolution.
The new edition of "The Forge and the Crucible" contains an updated appendix, in which Eliade lists works on Chinese alchemy published in the past few years. He also discusses the importance of alchemy in Newton's scientific evolution.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Since no one else has reviewed this yet, and a short synopsis is somehow lacking, I thought I'd give you a brief overview.
In "The Forge and the Crucible", Eliade traces what he sees as a pattern between primitive man's discovery that he can change the nature of matter, and the effect that this has on his subsequent religious behaviour. It is an interesting read that combines a diverse number of myths and establishes the similarity between the cult of sexualised world (mother earth as the womb of the ore, the miner as phallic participant, etc.) and metallurgic ritual. In Eliade's view, which the reader should remember is based on a 1950's academic milieu, alchemy evolves out of the practice of smithing. Its religious framework is dictated by the belief that ores and minerals are "ripened" in the earth, and that the alchemist takes up the work of perfecting this process. While this is hardly a revelatory position for readers well versed in alchemical lore, Eliade does succeed in explaining the religious mindset that gave rise to these significant beliefs. Rather than assuming a merely Platonic origin, the author indicates that at their core, a number of religions have shared these beliefs in the cosmos as a living being.
He attempts to define and interpret alchemy away from an impirical precursor to chemistry. Removing the presumption that it was a rigorous pursuit of perfectly replicatable laboratory procedures, it allows alchemy to shed the stifling position of being a naive science. I believe this to be a more balanced approach to the intepretation of alchemy's historical and spiritual effect.
That having been said, the position that the author holds with regards to alchemy may not be agreable to everyone. Furthermore, this book is an explanation of the religious phenomena that gave rise to alchemy and pervaded throughout its practice. It is not intended to be a summary of the history of alchemy or a detailed semiotic interpretation of its symbols. I hope that future readers will not misinterpret the subtite "the origins and structures of alchemy" to mean either of these.
Finally, this book is written by an author informed in the history of religion and social thought. It is not written by a theoretical or practicing alchemist.
Taking this into consideration, as well as the time of its publication, I think that the book is well constructed and pleasingly argued. It is not a difficult read. Whether I agree with all of it or not, I have found it a usefull source.
In "The Forge and the Crucible", Eliade traces what he sees as a pattern between primitive man's discovery that he can change the nature of matter, and the effect that this has on his subsequent religious behaviour. It is an interesting read that combines a diverse number of myths and establishes the similarity between the cult of sexualised world (mother earth as the womb of the ore, the miner as phallic participant, etc.) and metallurgic ritual. In Eliade's view, which the reader should remember is based on a 1950's academic milieu, alchemy evolves out of the practice of smithing. Its religious framework is dictated by the belief that ores and minerals are "ripened" in the earth, and that the alchemist takes up the work of perfecting this process. While this is hardly a revelatory position for readers well versed in alchemical lore, Eliade does succeed in explaining the religious mindset that gave rise to these significant beliefs. Rather than assuming a merely Platonic origin, the author indicates that at their core, a number of religions have shared these beliefs in the cosmos as a living being.
He attempts to define and interpret alchemy away from an impirical precursor to chemistry. Removing the presumption that it was a rigorous pursuit of perfectly replicatable laboratory procedures, it allows alchemy to shed the stifling position of being a naive science. I believe this to be a more balanced approach to the intepretation of alchemy's historical and spiritual effect.
That having been said, the position that the author holds with regards to alchemy may not be agreable to everyone. Furthermore, this book is an explanation of the religious phenomena that gave rise to alchemy and pervaded throughout its practice. It is not intended to be a summary of the history of alchemy or a detailed semiotic interpretation of its symbols. I hope that future readers will not misinterpret the subtite "the origins and structures of alchemy" to mean either of these.
Finally, this book is written by an author informed in the history of religion and social thought. It is not written by a theoretical or practicing alchemist.
Taking this into consideration, as well as the time of its publication, I think that the book is well constructed and pleasingly argued. It is not a difficult read. Whether I agree with all of it or not, I have found it a usefull source.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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3 reviews
68 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Great Introductions to a fascinating subject
11 Dec 2001
Format:Paperback
If I had my time over again I would read these three books on alchemy in the following order: All of them are excellent in their own sphere to introduce a complex process.
(1) The Forge and the Crucible - Eliade
This is an excellent prehistory of alchemy showing the patterns of thought out of which Alchemy most probably arose. An easy read.
(2) Anatomy of the Soul - Edinger
Set out according to seven processes involved in alchemy Calcinatio, Solutio, Coagulatio, Sublimatio, Mortificatio, Separatio, Coniunctio, this is an accessible book that puts each process in reasonably neat boxes, (though the considerable overlap and intermingling is acknowledged). The approach is somewhat mechanical.
(3) Alchemy, an Introduction... - Von Franz.
More 'organic' than Edinger, Von Franz has a very warm and human touch. She deals with the origins of alchemy in Egypt and Greece and delves into the 'Aurora Consurgens', attributed to Aquinas. She includes relevent and interesting case material. Being a transcription of lectures, it is a little haphazard, though none the less informative for that.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
TAKING A GLANCE TO THE MYSTERIES OF ALCHEMY
23 Nov 2000
Format:Paperback
Lucidly and masterly written, this study on the origins and meaning of ancient Alchemy is a highly useful and recommendable one. As always, M. Eliade has collected a vast amount of data concerning this issue and has reached far-reaching conclusions as for the value, the role and the meaning of the otherwise rather vague world of Alchemy. Very important for anyone interested in knowing about the theme.
10 of 17 people found the following review helpful
strong on ideas, research inconsistent
20 May 2007
Format:Paperback
As usual Eliade spins wonderful philosophical and spiritual ideas laid over history. And they make engrossing reading. I don't know how much one can trust the historical facts cited throughout this work. For example Eliade says the earliest known metallurgy was in the mountains of Armenia in 1200-1200 BC. In fact it is now widely accepted that the Ban Chiang (present-day NE Thailand) was forging bronze tools and ornaments at least by 2200 BC, possibly earlier.
Still, well worth reading for the ideas.
Still, well worth reading for the ideas.
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