Introduction to alchemy

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Alchemy is a multifaceted subject. No longer can it be seen merely as a kind of proto-chemistry dominated by the desire to make gold from base metals or prepare an elixir that would prolong life. This reductionist view would confine alchemy to be of historical interest only. The wide sweep of different ideas and perspectives found in alchemical literature, both in printed books and manuscripts, shows us that alchemy in many ways holds in its kernel, philosophies and ways of looking at the world that are still entirely relevant to us today.
Here are only a few of the ways in which we can look at alchemy:

As a proto-chemistry, which gave a new impulse towards the preparation of medicinal remedies
As a source of symbolism, in which various groupings of powerful archetypal symbols were brought together
As providing insights into psychology, the inner archetypal structure of human thinking and feeling
As a meditative exploration of the human soul through undertaking allegorical journeys
As a type of mysticism, in which the alchemical transformation is paralleled with mystical experiences, and religious ideas.
As giving insights into the metaphysical, which in a strange way elaborates parallels between alchemy and the investigations of present day physics
As a newly recognised influence on cultural history, alchemy is now seen by historians of ideas as an important shaper of the world view of various writers, artists and musicians