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Reviews
Alchemy is not about additon; its effect on our lives is measured exponentially. The outcome is determined by what we are willing to put into our healing." Of Carl Jung's extensive writings, the last three volumnes were on alchemy, the ancient methodology of transformation. Cavalli has artfully combined his practice of Jungian psychology with the history and science of alchemy in order to offer us a deeper knowledge of the processes of the mind through pain and joy. It is Cavalli's intention to reveal not just the symptoms of mental dysfunction but to explore the layers of mind's functions in order to achieve wholeness. I love the way Cavalli has combined the terminology of Jung with the mysterious encryption of the ancient alchemists and offered us ten recipes for personal transformation." Alchemical Psychology provides a sumptous feast of alchemical thinking and moder psychology and is a worthy addition to Mind into Matter: a New Alchemy of Science and Spirit. Cooking modern science and ancient alchemy together is no mean feat, and Dr. Cavalli does not disappoint the reader seeking nourishment. He prepares recipes providing ancient insights to modern problems. Cavalli proves himself to be a good scholar and alchemical chef. Following the old alchemists, his insight should prove helpful to readers facing twenty-first century psychological problems. I recommend this book for its extensive research and scholarly content. It's high time to bring arcane wisdom into modern scientific thinking. Fred Alan Wolf, Ph.D. physicist and author of the Mind into Matter, The Spiritual Universal and the forthcoming second volume of new alchemy, Matter into Feeling. "In reading this book I found myself entranced by its magic and scholarship. Dr. Cavalli gives us just enough historical information to excite our imagination without becoming lost in unnecessary detail. He makes alchemy readable, simple and most important, useable." "It is a profound moment when one can witness transformation happening in multiple realites. That is my experience in knowing Dr. Thom Cavalli and as I now read the new book by him: Alchemical Psychology, Old Recipes for Living in a New World. Thom masterfully weaves the highest spiritual truths of healing and transformation with profound scholarship and practical tools. This book is a guide to entry into clear seeing with miracles revealing themselves in the spectrum of consciousness....This is an important work integrating spirituality and psychology...It is a chalice for the awakening of consciousness." "Using Jungian interpretations of medieval alchemical symbols, texts and recipes Thom Cavalli outlines a method for turning the lead, the dark matter, or shadow side of our psyches, into the gold, or the philosopher's stone of fulfillment. Cavalli first explores the history of alchemy and the riches of alchemical symbology. Although alchemy is not commonly part of our modern daily experience, Cavalli uses ancient texts and terminology to show how we can use alchemy to transform everything from bad habits to deep depression. He also explains how the grandeur, mystery, and excitement that is lacking in an unexamined or unconscious life can be rediscovered through alchemical elements and recipes. The beauty of nature, the mysterious cycles of death and birth, the symbolic act of sowing seeds and gathering honey, and the chemical complexities of mercury and sulfur, with their corresponding planets and astrological significance - these are just a few of the themes found within this adventurous work. It is a book that beckons us with a golden lantern to illumine our own self-development." - LA |