Pathways to the Universal Tincture: Collected Alchemical Writings

The collected alchemical works of Dorothea Juliana Wallich (1657-1725) represent the largest extant body of writings from a practicing female alchemist. Born in Weimar, Germany, Wallich was influenced by the operative alchemical traditions of Early Modern Europe as well as by the cosmic spiritual visions of Jakob Böhme. Wallich worked in an apothecary, owned a mine in Saxony, courted the Thuringian aristocracy, and made important discoveries in the chemistry of cobalt chloride. She also elaborated upon the reconciliation of scripture and nature through the Christic symbolism of alchemical processes. Following in the footsteps of figures such as pseudo-Cleopatra, Maria Prophetissa, and Theosebeia, Wallich's alchemical worldview ultimately encompassed operative, medicinal, philosophical, and religious alchemy, all of which come together in this fascinating trilogy of writings. Translated into English for the very first time, this dual-language edition presents a carefully revised presentation of the original German texts alongside a facing-page translation by Dr. Alexander Kraft, who also provides scholarly introduction and commentary. This 2025 publication commemorates the 300th anniversary of Wallich's death.