A short Q and A that Paracelsus constructed in order to inform his students about the convolutions and basic factors of alchemy. It was very interestiA short Q and A that Paracelsus constructed in order to inform his students about the convolutions and basic factors of alchemy. It was very interesting to see through the eyes of a 16th century alchemist and their beliefs. I've read a few bits and pieces of ancient philosophy and alchemy, but even through reading this I was both inspired and befuddled at certain points, mainly because my modernist insight found it quiet hard to comprehend it at times.
I feel transfixed when I read things like this. The raw knowledge and connections they feel with the natural world is admirable. I'd recommend this to anyone that wants to get an introduction into the world of medieval alchemy. Perhaps may favourite question in the catechism is:
'Q. How many heavens can you enumerate?
A. Properly there is one only, which is the firmament that divides the waters from the waters. Nevertheless, three are admitted, of which the first is the space that is above the clouds. In this heaven the waters are rarefied, and fall upon the fixed tars, and it is also in this space that the planets and wandering stars perform their revolutions. The second heaven is the firmament of the fixed stars, while the third is the abode of the supercelestial waters.' ...more
incredibly good, I have seen other people describe it as just a normal commonplace fantasy, but I beg to differ. The tale of Jorg Ancrath is one wrougincredibly good, I have seen other people describe it as just a normal commonplace fantasy, but I beg to differ. The tale of Jorg Ancrath is one wrought with bloody violence and tearful moments of brotherhood companionship....more
Although incredibly dense and thoroughly confusing at times Frazer raises thought-provoking questions about mysticism and the way we fundamentally seeAlthough incredibly dense and thoroughly confusing at times Frazer raises thought-provoking questions about mysticism and the way we fundamentally see it....more
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I� I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."
Ah those classic lines are music to my ears"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I� I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."
Ah those classic lines are music to my ears ...more
Although the concept that "god is dead" is entirely controversial Nietzsche does raise some very interesting points. It is up to the reader to decide Although the concept that "god is dead" is entirely controversial Nietzsche does raise some very interesting points. It is up to the reader to decide if religion, specifically Christianity is built on the foundations of "false piety" and if a "slave morality" does really exist within the confines of a pious mind. His atheism was and still is met with swift criticising. I'd imagine someone who has a religious affiliation with some sort of deity reading this book and either burning it or tossing it in a heap. Nietzche's dismissal of religion is written eloquently with the precision of a knife. He challenged the conventional way of thinking during his time and although it would've rendered a few devout readers in a catatonic state his works did not sell that well.
"Dead are all gods: now we want the overman to live"
Another rather contentious idea Nietzche brings represents is the idea of "Ãœbermensch" that as humans we posses a sentient quality that allows us to transcend norms that may if fact bind us to certain constraints. Nietzche believes that we shouldn't be at all held back by the restraints of religion and that we and only we can shape our destiny rather than relying on guidance from a god that may or may not exist....more
An interesting book written in epistolary format. Although it's 600 pages it didn't read like it, I sped through the first 300 pages or so thanks to tAn interesting book written in epistolary format. Although it's 600 pages it didn't read like it, I sped through the first 300 pages or so thanks to the way it was formatted. On some pages the writing is slanted or wavy and I read a lot of it on the train. So all these people thought I was weird turning this book like a steering wheel when in fact I was just trying to make out what it was saying. Sci-Fi isn't usually my go to genre, but this has sparked an interest that makes my want to read the complete series. ...more
Interesting for my first ever steam punk read, although I had to constantly look back at the pages to grasp just what was going on most of the time itInteresting for my first ever steam punk read, although I had to constantly look back at the pages to grasp just what was going on most of the time it was overall a good read. ...more
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