“Lead into gold.” That’s how most people know alchemy. But the actual history of alchemy is ten times richer. Alchemy is a dual tradition: physical practice with substances in the laboratory, and spiritual discipline to achieve inner perfection. In this deep dive, we look at the three phases of the magnum opus, the symbolism of the philosopher’s stone, and the influence of Carl Jung, which changed the world’s understanding of alchemy.
How have different religions and traditions approached magic throughout time? We will explore Jewish Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, tarot, Gnosticism, Eastern traditions, and the symbolism of death. A comparative overview of the main branches of Western esotericism.
Movies and TV shows about witches, tarot videos on TikTok, alchemical symbols in fashion. The occult is everywhere, but few know what the term really means. In this first part of a deep dive series, we look at where Western esotericism began, how it has evolved throughout history, and why it still speaks to people today.