A Suggestive Inquiry into the Hermetic Mystery by Mary Anne Atwood, with a dissertation on the celebrated alchemical philosophers and an attempt towards the recovery of the ancient experiment of nature.
📘A Suggestive Inquiry Into the Hermetic Mystery:
with a dissertation on the more celebrated of the alchemical philosophers : being an attempt towards the recovery of the ancient experiment of nature:
also an appendix containing the memorabilia of M. A. Atwood.
by Mary Anne Atwood
Belfast: W. Tait, 1920.
Third Edition, Rare
First published in 1850.
One of the most extraordinary works of Hermetic philosophy, exploring alchemy not merely as a chemical art, but as a profound science of spiritual regeneration. Educated in the philosophical traditions of her father’s remarkable library, Atwood sought to uncover the hidden wisdom concealed within the symbols of the ancient alchemists. Her central premise was that the true Great Work takes place within the human being: the transformation of our base nature into spiritual gold, leading toward illumination and mystical communion with God and Nature. So controversial—or sacred—was this knowledge considered that the original edition was withdrawn, and many copies were deliberately destroyed. As Manly P. Hall observed, Atwood’s work stands as a remarkable bridge between Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and the ancient mystery tradition. For Atwood, alchemy was ultimately philosophy: the art of transforming the self and recovering the divine life within.
Condition
Substantial binding wear, with fraying, tears, and loss of cloth at the head and foot of the spine.
Surface deterioration, discoloration, and rubbing visible along the spine and boards.
Age-toned pages with scattered spotting and staining visible in the photographed leaves.
Faded but visible gold spine lettering.
Please examine all ten photographs carefully, particularly the spine views.
