In the “About the Author” of The Alchemist, you say that a strange man encouraged you to walk the Road of Santiago de Compostela. Is the Road of Santiago de Compostela the same road that Santiago walks in The Alchemist?
Chesney, yes and no.
The road to Santiago is a pilgrimage that exists in the North of Spain whilst Santiago’s road to the Pyramids passes through the Sahara.
Yet, both paths can be seen as the same since they transform the person doing them. They are both an initiation.
When I wrote the Alchemist, a year later of writing about my pilgrimage to Santiago, I felt the need to tell my story through a metaphor. It’s no wonder then that the idea of a journey caught my imagination.
I’m first and foremost a pilgrim writer.
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Dear Flaming…Good
I never realised Alchemists were so pedantic.
;-)
I didnt know about N.Flamel.Is that true?Who knows.They also burned people that period for witchcraft,and personaly I dont believe there is any witch and never been.I mean one that flies on a broom….
But the book of Paulo Coelho “The Alchemist”,I read it after reading about Paracelsus,one of the greatest alchemist.I dont know if Nostradamus,Michele de Notre Damme,was also alchemist.But I am borned same day,in november.So I have some sympathy for him.
The idea of the spiritual journey was good,but the way that is told conquered me.I repeat that I like the parts with lyrism,as well as those regarding cultures,religions…
My dearest Paul from Austria, you gave me an idea about the book, I will ask for it in English, or ask my daughter to bring it in December..
Thank you so much for your offer to send it to me; just my …name and it will .. reach me, although I am not so …famous as..Paulo Coelho or … Santa Klaus!!![joking]
Another better idea it to take.. a ..Mirage and come here so that we will have the opportunity to see you!![These things happen only in Paulo Coelho's books!!]
Have a nice day.
LOVE,
THELMA
When you speak of being a “pilgrim writer,” dear Paulo Coelho, it makes me think of a poem by Yeats:
When you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you….
Each of us, if we were to let go and discover it, has a “pilgrim soul,” I suppose, for what else could we have in this life, which is so transient? Here, we are all just passers-through. Still yet, it seems some are more willing than others to admit the ephemerality of “things” and cease clinging, allow themselves to become unmoored from the norms of society, explore uncharted waters and experience life wholly new each hour.
At the edge of the map of the “acceptable world” it is written: HERE BE DRAGONS. But if the truth be told, the only dragons lurking, ready to devour us on this journey, are those that wash up from the depths of our own soul.
Thank you, Paulo Coelho, for sharing your Pilgrim Soul with us – for inspiring us each to set out on our own pilgrimage, whatever form it might take.
No so very long ago I drew a Tarot card and received “The Sphynx” – the card of Egypt in answer to where I might find my personal Grail, or as you might call it, “fulfillment of my personal legend.” The card surprised me at fist, as I really have no great desire to travel to Egypt and hadn’t actually ever seriously considered it. Thus, I concluded, the card must be interpreted metaphorically or symbolically. It must point toward a certain city or country, some specific destination symbolized by the Sphynx. If only I could interpret the metaphor! I even spent time on the web searching for places that might be represented by the Sphynx or the pyramids, a “Sphynx City” of sorts.
The problem, I realize now,is that I was thinking too literally, expecting the place to be a specific destination, one that could be pointed out on a map. As though I could say, “Okay, when I arrive there, I will find what I’m looking for.” But when I read your reply to Chesney’s question today, the real answer suddenly came to me: the card does not point toward a specific destination, but rather a means of getting there, a method of undertaking the journey, a way and a motive of travel. It represents not some golden gleaming Mecca, but the Pilgrimage itself: the undertaking of such a journey. It is on the Journey itself that I will find what I am looking for, not at the point of arrival at some specific destination.
Upon having this realization, all pressure suddenly drained away. I no longer felt the stress of having to find this one place on all there earth where my special treasure would be hidden. Instead, all I have to do is look within and follow my heart. The moment the Journey begins, I am already there.
Thanks again!
Savita
Hum most interesting. I read I was an alchemist in the 1500.
Using a metaphor is a wonderful way to express your journey -and who is this strange man that encourages you Paulo ! Well good job he did hey – Blessings Tania
Dear Pandora, thank you. A very interesting article.
Dear Paulo Coelho, I have read that in your book ‘The Valkyries’ you narrate the encounter with the man…
I asked for the book, but it seems it has not been translated into Greek yet or has not reached Cyprus yet!!?
LOVE,
THELMA
I was intrigued to learn of Nicholas Flamel the famous Alchemist who lived in the late fourteenth century, who also, after a visitation by an angel, puchased a mysterious book and went to Santiago de Compostella, where he discovered a master who assisted him with the tranlation.
Upon returning to Paris, he and his wife, who were staunch Catholics, alledgedly discovered the Philosopers Stone and became very wealthy.
Just a bit of general knowledge that may be of interest to someone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Flamel