Alchemical Metaphors are still metaphors -- vs. Cailan on Böhme's alchemical language

"In several works he used alchemical principles and symbols without hesitation to demonstrate theological realities. Borrowing alchemical terminology in order to explain religious and mystical frameworks, Böhme assumed that alchemical language is not only a metaphor for laboratory research. Alchemy is a metaphysical science because he understood that matter is contaminated with spirit." Calian 2010, p.184.

I can understand how writers like Böhme borrowed alchemical terminology, but I don't see how it follows that this means that alchemy was "not only a metaphor." If he's using it as a metaphor to make a theological point, isn't it important that the metaphor be a metaphor? It is not at all clear to me how this borrowing is evidence of alchemy being a "metaphysical science." Neither is it clear how this notion of "matter contaminated with spirit" makes alchemy more than a metaphor. Since there is already a theological reality to be described that doesn't necessarily require an alchemical explanation, it seems that to privilege the alchemical side of the metaphor is to fail to do justice to the theological side. Obviously alchemy has a spiritual important since it is being used to explain this theological reality, but we run into huge problems when we try to exalt it as a "metaphysical science."

Ambix Journal of Alchemy and Chemistry

View free content online March-April 15

Tara Nummedal introduces the "Alchemy and Religion" issue

Jenny Rampling editorial on new developments for the journal

New Alchemy Blogs and Webinars

Picturing the Triumphant Chariot of Antimony
http://www.ritmanlibrary.com/2013/02/picturing-the-triumphant-chariot-of-antimony/

Lawrence Principe Takes Basilius Valentinus to the Laboratory
http://www.ritmanlibrary.com/2013/02/lawrence-principe-takes-basilius-valentinus-to-the-laboratory/

Wouter Hanegraaff hosts the second "Infinite Fire" Alchemy Webinar 
http://www.ritmanlibrary.com/2013/02/introducing-the-second-infinite-fire-webinar-host-wouter-j-hanegraaff/

Oroboros in an 18th cent. Jewish manuscript

thanks to Aharon Varady

J. Coulthart on Alchemical illustration

"As Borges considered metaphysics to be a branch of fantastic literature it’s possible to consider this kind of alchemical illustration as a branch of fantastic art."
feuilleton -- Atalanta Fugiens

Alphabetic Body in F.M. Van Helmont's Alphabet of Nature

Lawrence Principe, The Secrets of Alchemy

I got this book as a Christmas gift and have not been disappointed. It's really the first reliable, scholarly introduction to alchemy that is both an easy read and a fascinating guide to the subject. It is well illustrated with useful diagrams that help explain the chemistry, which Principe shows was the real focus of the work. I especially appreciated the chapter on Zosimos, which sets the record straight about the nature of his dream as well as providing an interesting framework for thinking about his gnostic influences. There's lots of great stuff on medieval and islamic alchemical theory explained more clearly than I have seen in any book on alchemy, and Principe even tackles some of the more difficult renaissance cases like Maier and Khunrath, persuasively putting those strange texts into their religious and alchemical contexts. I only wish that it had been longer. A more lengthy review to come.