The Forge and the Crucible - The Origins and Structures of Alchemy 2 ed.

Eliade Mircea. The Forge and the Crucible - The Origins and Structures of Alchemy 2 ed. 1978 [pdf 239sc 238c. 3.53mb] Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 CONTENTS 6 Foreword 8 Preface to the Phoenix Edition 16 The Forge and the Crucible 18 1. Meteorites and Metallurgy 20 2. Mythology of the Iron Age 28 3. The World Sexualized 35 4. Terra Mater. Petra Genitrix 44 5. Rites and Mysteries in Metallurgy 54 6. Human Sacrifices to the Furnace 66 7. Babylonian Symbolisms and Metallurgical Rituals 72 8. 'Masters of Fire' 80 9. Divine Smiths and Civilizing Heroes 88 10. Smiths, Warriors, Masters of Initiation 98 11. Chinese Alchemy 110 12. Indian Alchemy 128 13. Alchemy and Initiation 143 14. Arcana Artis 154 15. Alchemy and Temporality 170 Postscript 180 Appendices 202 Index 236

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.

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. He also discusses the importance of alchemy in Newton's scientific revolution. -- from back cover IT WAS inevitable that meteorites should inspire awe.