What is the secret meaning of alchemical symbolism? Why was the royal art kept secret for so long? Could ancient mages really turn molten lead into gold with a mere pinch of the philosopher's stone? Alchemy is perhaps the last true magical art to survive the ravages of the modern world. In this book, laboratory alchemist Guy Ogilvy initiates the reader into some of the key concepts and practices of this extraordinary field of study, with extensive appendices.