Introduction: the ancient spiritual science -- The first practical sciences -- The advent of European alchemy -- Modern implications -- The art and science of alchemy -- The origin of the word "alchemy" -- Philosophic gold -- Philosophic mercury -- The alchemical marriage -- European alchemy -- The influx of alchemy into western europe -- The phases of the great work -- The perfected elixir -- Jewish alchemy -- Biblical code language -- The biblical flood -- The ark of the covenant -- Nourishment for the body and soul -- Egyptian alchemy -- Egyptian land symbolism -- The white and red kingdoms -- The inverted form of gold -- Eastern alchemy -- Alchemical wizards of the east -- The three bindus -- Chinese alchemy -- The missing ingredient -- The risks of public disclosure -- The spirit of antimony -- The preparation of philosophic mercury.