Firstly thank you for such a beautiful book. There are many more depths to it than first meet the literal eye. Each time I have read it I have spotted more. Am I correct in thinking the Alchemist is a catalyst for learning? A metaphor for what we think we want?
hi Paulo
I just read The Alhemist, and i liked it very much. Is a very interesting novel.
I would like to ask you why did you chose the name Santiago, does it had any special meaning to you?
Thank You
hEADIN BACK HOME ARE WE? i’VE SOME ASSIGNMENTS THAT NEED TO BE PROOF READING? Can we work out a time? Line p leeze?
Ilove you Pleeze don’t forget to bring your books in as well so that we can discuss them at regular intervals.>:)
and
-ing
Excellent book, after reading I wondered: “What do I want? Do you only need to follow your star?” I think I will read this book many more times in my life. Thank you, now I understand life differently
This book really changed my life. It made me think that if you believe – everything can become true. I started to recommend it to all my friends, because I would like to show more people you amazing point if view.
Best regards and Happy new 2010.
First of all, I’d just like to emphasise and to thank you to all these things you are giving to us, your readers. You are quite generous, and I’ve never seen someone being so exposed and open to all the people, who read your books. I just think it’s something amazing, and I really like the way you do your job.
I have some questions, which are in a relation life-experience. I see you studied occultism and magic closely. Have you always been interested in that, or you suddenly wanted to change something in your life, and then you came to the point to start reading about this, or you liked these kind of things since you’re born ?
Also, do you really think that the pursuit of dreams is really worth if we drop our reality, or is the reality our dreams actually? I know you write a lot about this, but a more direct answer for me is way more helpful in distinguishing the opinions of yours.
an amaaaaazing book
really describes mans journey in life
following dreams and omens
i used to believe in dreams long time ago but i lost my faith somewhere on the road … hope i can feel this way again
“The boy reached the small, abandoned church just as night was falling. The sycamore was still there in the sacristy, and the stars could still be seen through the half- destroyed roof. He remembered the time he had been there with his sheep; it had been a peaceful night… except for the dream. Now he was here not with his flock, but with a shovel.”p.165
In the end of the alchemist Santiago gets all the way to the pyramids then realized that the treasure was under the tree where he had the dream about it all along. I really liked the way Paulo Coelho ended the book, it sort of pulls everything together and has a lot of depth and meaning.
The Alchemist -the book of the life ! I moved to another country to live before 2 years and i feel exactly like the person from the book. Everytime when i think i lost my way and myslef i just remember The Alchemist and realize: we are learning every day and there are reasons for everything happen in our life. Personally i met Paulo in Sofia/Bulgaria/ and can say:that is experience for life! Paulo, thank u so much for your books,for all the knoledge and ideas u give to us. God bless u!
The Alchemist is the Master. He symbolises wisdom and power. The wisdom to grow and change and the power to transform ourselves in order to transform what is around us.
The book, “The Alchemist”, is a wonderful experience. The dialog with heart, the dialog with the Hand of World are familiar in Indian mystisism also. Possibly, in the mystisism of the other parts of the globe, as well.
Finally, the boy discovers that the Infinite Bliss (or treasure, as told in the book) is not in a distant land, but right in the meadows where he was wandering all the time. Did U mean that the Infinite Bliss is within oneself, and one does not have to explore it outside ?
I didnot understand why the boy has to search for Fatima, after realizing the Infinite Bliss. As I know, the Infinite Bliss contains everything, including the love of Fatima.
Or, do U suggest that the boy gained ONLY a treasure of gold and precious stones, and not the Infinite Bliss, which we are all searching for ?
The language of the book is excellent even in (English) transaltion.
Paulo, even though the book is titled, “The Alchemist” I found it to be not about the Alchemist but about Santiago and what happens to him as he seeks a treasury that is unknown. He may think that the treasure is material in content but it is actually the wealth of wisdom and knowledge that he discovers on the journey. Nothing he finds at the pyramids will ever compare to what he gained from the insights of all the people he met along the path. He discovers God and even talks to Him without realizing He was. He touches love twice but only one is the match for his soul. Santiago’s free spirit drives his passion and his resourcefulness makes him a survivor where others would have persished. What is truly great about the book is that every character, every movement, every thought is PAULO”S!!! He is everyman, every woman! He had to become all to communicate all. That is what is intriguing to me about any author who can effectively create characters that have depth of breath. Can’t wait to read my next book. Paula Marie
It was such a great experience to read your book ‘The Alchemist’. I beleive that stumbling upon and reading your book is a an OMEN to pursue my destiny(or dream). Otherwise I would have never found and read this book because I am living at a remote village in India, other part of the world from where you are born. We both have a different mother tounge, we both live in a faraway place, but the common element is that we both are made by the same hand.
My prayers for you
Long live Paulo
I have The Alchemist read many times till today and is one of my forever favorites book. I was gifted the book for my birthday many years ago and always I read again every time.
Thank you for so wonderful book you write, I like too much. I want to one day meet you, you have saved my life manytimes when I was bad you can always change with your books.
Thank you for amazing book.
Please come to Russia!
Tatiana
I have read Robert Bly’s Iron John and Joseph Campbell’s Hero of A Thousand Faces. And I can see the journey that must be taken by every person on this earth.
The Alchemist is Gandalf, Dumbledore, Elminster, my good friend’s father, the warrior who retires to be a monk, the amiable uncle who knows how to gua sha. They hold secrets and no secrets. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition in my journey.
My teachers are every where. I just I have the mind to grasp, the ears to listen, the limbs to act and the fire that keeps on burning hot.
dear mr.paulo
i was wondering is there an alchemist in real world i actually feel kind of embaressed of asking such a qxn bcoz im an arab nd muslim and if alchemists exsists i am the one who’s suppose to know but then i remember im only 17 and still there is alot of things in the world i need to learn about so i give my self a break.
love u mr.paulo nd love how objective and honest u r when it comes to my religion.
take care
Dear sarah hope u are having great time.
Alchemist as u rightly feel is an Arabic legend, the most famous among them are names like Gaber or JABIR IBNE HAYYAN , RHAZES, IBN KHULDOON, IBN RUSHD etc. they mostly were found around the time abbasid caliphs ruled from Iraq , Baghdad and persia were great centres of learning under these scholors, what few people know is that all of these Alchemists were STUDENTS OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SCHOLAR in Arabia and he was a great grandson of the prophet mohammad his name was JAFFER AL SADIQ, he is burried in Jannat ul baqi the famous graveyard in Medina besides the prophet’s mosque in company of other family members of the prophet Mohd.
I don’t think there is any living alchemist in our times in the literal sense ( someone who is an expert in transforming ordinary metals in to pure gold)..Sir Issac Newton was a serious student of Alchemy but is not on record of succeeding . I think the term has more of a symbolic significance as paulo has rightly pointed out in THE ALCHEMIST that in pursuit of alchemy it is the seeker which gets transformed in to a wise illuminated being and that precisely is his reward.
Hope this helps you in understanding the alchemy process as we know in modern times of 21st century.
regards
The alchemist is the best book that I read.. Paulo , The biggest issue for all alchemist is alive forever . after finding love, his soulmate , money, he believes he is in heaven. after 100 years he lives in heaven , he will die and every thing will be finish .
can I ask 2 questions?
Do you think your alchemist have found a panacea for living foreverand everlasting ?or your charchter after coming back to fatima (his love)live like other people and then die?
please dont tell me he will die and finish everything.
Just thinking about my favorite scene in the book, first, where Santiago senses upcoming danger (he has become more ‘in tune’ with the signs around him by now)…then they are suddenly surrounded by 100 horsemen…the Alchemist tells the tribe’s chief that Santiago can destroy the camp by turning himself into the wind within 3 days. What an image, I can see it all!!! Imagining Santiago right then, his terror. But I was amazed also, because The Alchemist already had faith in suggesting that the boy, rather than himself, would perform this feat. WOW!!
I recall situations when faced with making decisions that would mean life or death, facing danger and fear, and the exact moments where the seemingly impossible became possible. A test of faith, shows me how god works with and through us, when we really want something.
Does anyone else have a favorite scene?
Thank You, Love to All, Jane : ) xo
The Alchemist must be the Greatest character in all literature. He is the epitome of Handsome. For a woman such as me, he is Passion. Gentle, yet Strong. Dressed all in black, Riding through the desert on his horse, leaving dust in the wind. Reminds me a bit of Zorro.
One has no choice but to be off guard with the Alchemist. A very wise man!
Interesting how he draws a drop of blood from Santiago, like Abby says, can be representative of the root chakra, identity.
I had not heard of Alchemy prior to reading the book, but the Alchemist characterization made me think of the power that love has to transform, of possibilities when keeping an open mind, interconnectiveness, and recently, reminded me that what is no longer needed, will melt away. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things!! My whole life I worried about corruption, wary of those with money (power), praying always to have ‘just enough’ so as not to fall into corruption, so reading about a character turning lead into gold seemed more of a metaphor at the time. Thank You Paulo, Love to All xo
I am also thankful for the opportunity to have traveled as well as the internet, to learn more, outside of what was said or taught, then to assimilate in order keep growing. Thank You Paulo, Love to All : )
Hello Dances:
The ancient practice of alchemy is a spiritual journey rather than concerned with attempts to transform base metals (although this is usually what it is associated with, in part due to the ‘neccessary mask’ the alchemist used to have to wear in order to avoid persecution by religious bodies, also alchemists have tended to experiment in transforming metals). This idea of turning lead into gold is indeed a metaphor but goes deeper than you may think: It is instead a charting of the journey through the human chakra system, where the root chakra (at the bottom of the spine,representing our primal urges and connections to the physical world) has been for thousands of years in esoteric teachings associated with the metal LEAD.As we go through each 7 year cycle of our lives our chakras are said to develop accordingly (i.e age 0-7 root chakra, 7-14 sacral chakra etc though note this is a general guide and if a person suffers a trauma so too will the development of the chakra, i.e that’s why it’s hard to catch up on emotional development at 25 that should’ve been dealt with at 15) Let’s say for arguments sake I was a perfectly balanced individual who had honed each of my 7 chakras to perfection with each 7 year cycle of my life, then by the age of 49 I would be entering the age of crown chakra development (representing the highest level of consciousness, enlightenment, connection to the non-physical etc). This chakra has always been associated in the esoteric schools with the metal GOLD. So alchemy and it’s practice relates to the honing of these energy centres with a view to reaching enlightenment and freeing the spirit from the endless physical cycles…I read the alchemist before I knew anything atall about alchemy itself, and now that I know a little ( a very little!) I’m going to read it again with this new perspective. Good luck to you and keep dancing with them crayons! :o)
I have read, The Alchemist, more than once but it is the first reading of a book I always remember. When the alchemist was introduced in the story I could not tell if he was going to be a friend or trouble for Santiago. He seemed harsh and unkind to Santiago and did not think of peoples well being.
I came to understand the title character the alchemist as a metaphor or analogy….it seems that what an alchemist does, transforming something mundane (metals) into something extraordinary (gold) is comparable to the change in the individual who lets life happen to him without purpose (mundane) when he strives for and reaches his Personal Legend (extraordinary). Santiago was able to be mentored by the alchemist and in so doing, he is changed into the extraordinary through his growth. Likewise, if we allow his example, through the story, to inspire that same direction of purpose for ourselves and we experience that growth in our own lives, then we become the extraordinary. I guess that makes Paulo our alchemist. Golden :)
The Alchemist seems to be a dark, very elegant character; ‘a horseman dressed completely in black’. The Englishman was looking for him, but the Alchemist instead appears to Santiago. This takes place after Santiago had been appointed the counselor of the oasis. It is as if the power of Alchemist was threatened by the young shepherd boy, and the Alchemist wanted to get to know him a little. Santiago perceives the Alchemist as a messenger from the desert, with a powerful presence. The Alchemist then invites Santiago to come and find him in the south, which Santiago later does. Only after the miracle, where Santiago transform the wind, does the Alchemist show him how to transform lead to gold! Santiago so to speak had to prove himself worthy first. I am asking; Is this just an allegory, or is it possible actually to change lead to gold? Is the real alchemy to be able to transfer any piece of nature, to be able to let the wind send kisses from your loved one, to be able to transfer dreams into reality?
The Alchemy is a completely unknown area for me. Transfer Metal to Gold, is it possible? I saw you referred to ‘Atlanta Fugiens’ by Michael Maier’s, which must be a classic about the subject, the alchemical emblem book from 1617. We can all search and learn more about this topic, see for instance http://www.levity.com/alchemy/images_s.html My understanding is you spent, was it 11 years, studying books about Alchemy. Are these books all regarded occult? Are they banned by the Catholic Church? You have said you had to pay a high price for some of the black magic you too part in. Would you talk a bit about how you would recommend us readers, to look into the Alchemy ‘field’ today? Your novel is so innocent and almost holy in form. There might be a couple of places I question, but to me it’s close to perfectly divine, so how could there be anything wrong with Alchemy?
Everyone who walks his path, and follows his Personal Legend , is an ALchemist..because this path is a process of a continuous transformation..to something greater
After all human in Greek is άνθρωπος < άνω + θρώσκω = κοιτάω ψηλά means look above (high)
SO we should believe in our abilities, in us, that we are capable, and have our eyes fixed to the sky..The sky is the limit..for all the Alchemists..
I love the idea of that boundary term, for an alchemist is nor magician nor chemist… He is both, but even more… I read about how much elements are used in that science, that is not science, but has a lot to do with spirituality… The Alchemist in your story is the same thing for the Englishman, as the treasure for Santiago, is a dream, a goal, an impulse that one need to grow. It is a element that is part of an initiation, and the Englishman proves to deserve the treasure, the wisdom and talent of the Alchemist.
Querido Paulo,
I also heard in an interview that a movie version of the book might be in the process, but I if I remember correctly you weren’t happy with the way the movie was being done and they were some coypyright issues involved. If I’m not mistaken, I also recall that Laurence Fishbourne also had some involvement. For us fans, could you maybe comment on what the status is of a movie based on The Alchemist? Could we expect one soon? Are you happy about this?
Obrigado Paulo
Biombo
this movie version would be a book! In fact, there is NOTHING concrete so far. But it does not affect the presence of the Alch world wide, as a whole new generation is reading it again.
Querido Paulo,
I heard in an interview that when you were first about to publish this book, the publishers did not like the title of The Alchemist. It is such a unique word and meaning. To tell you the truth I had never heard this word before I was given this book by my father. When did you first learn about this word and what it meant? Was there a fascination with the magic that made you want to include or write a book about an alchemist. Could you elaborate on how you discovered the word: alchemist. Gracias Paulo!
Dear Biombo,
I came upon this word when I was a teenager and I was reading extensively about occultism and magic.
Of course Alchemy cannot be reduced to this – but this is how I first came upon this word.
Much love
Paulo
Hola Paulo…can we pleeeeease get a forum going regarding the secret societies!? The mystery schools and the ancient beliefs? I just think now is the time more than ever when ordinary people like ourselves need to be informing each other and discussing such things, bringing them back out of obscurity and shedding light on their importance. It positively makes me a bit nuts to think that these teachings have mostly been kept for only a select few. C’mon Paulo, go on you know you want to, you do you do you do (I’ll make you a cup of tea if you do :o) I would start a blog myself on this subject but no-one would read it!!!
What a fantastic character. I would love to meet someone like this. He made me feel very safe and I felt I could trust him and would grow as a person for doing so.
I believe that when we look for love courageously, it reveals itself, and we attract even more love. If one person really wants us, everyone does. But if we’re alone, we become even more alone. Life is strange…
Hello Mr Coehlo,
Firstly thank you for such a beautiful book. There are many more depths to it than first meet the literal eye. Each time I have read it I have spotted more. Am I correct in thinking the Alchemist is a catalyst for learning? A metaphor for what we think we want?
Kind regards,
Jorgen
very sorry for the typing error Mr Coelho
Al che mystery – Brilliant -
i just want to know …
why alchemist is the title of your book?
it’s a very very fantastic novel, thank you very much
hi Paulo
I just read The Alhemist, and i liked it very much. Is a very interesting novel.
I would like to ask you why did you chose the name Santiago, does it had any special meaning to you?
Thank You
hello paulo i love your books, they have litarly changed my life, i love you. you should come to norway and visit our school.
hEADIN BACK HOME ARE WE? i’VE SOME ASSIGNMENTS THAT NEED TO BE PROOF READING? Can we work out a time? Line p leeze?
Ilove you Pleeze don’t forget to bring your books in as well so that we can discuss them at regular intervals.>:)
and
-ing
giannanoti
Excellent book, after reading I wondered: “What do I want? Do you only need to follow your star?” I think I will read this book many more times in my life. Thank you, now I understand life differently
This book really changed my life. It made me think that if you believe – everything can become true. I started to recommend it to all my friends, because I would like to show more people you amazing point if view.
Best regards and Happy new 2010.
My dear Magician,
First of all, I’d just like to emphasise and to thank you to all these things you are giving to us, your readers. You are quite generous, and I’ve never seen someone being so exposed and open to all the people, who read your books. I just think it’s something amazing, and I really like the way you do your job.
I have some questions, which are in a relation life-experience. I see you studied occultism and magic closely. Have you always been interested in that, or you suddenly wanted to change something in your life, and then you came to the point to start reading about this, or you liked these kind of things since you’re born ?
Also, do you really think that the pursuit of dreams is really worth if we drop our reality, or is the reality our dreams actually? I know you write a lot about this, but a more direct answer for me is way more helpful in distinguishing the opinions of yours.
Thanks enormously!
Love,
Damir.
an amaaaaazing book
really describes mans journey in life
following dreams and omens
i used to believe in dreams long time ago but i lost my faith somewhere on the road … hope i can feel this way again
“The boy reached the small, abandoned church just as night was falling. The sycamore was still there in the sacristy, and the stars could still be seen through the half- destroyed roof. He remembered the time he had been there with his sheep; it had been a peaceful night… except for the dream. Now he was here not with his flock, but with a shovel.”p.165
In the end of the alchemist Santiago gets all the way to the pyramids then realized that the treasure was under the tree where he had the dream about it all along. I really liked the way Paulo Coelho ended the book, it sort of pulls everything together and has a lot of depth and meaning.
The Alchemist -the book of the life ! I moved to another country to live before 2 years and i feel exactly like the person from the book. Everytime when i think i lost my way and myslef i just remember The Alchemist and realize: we are learning every day and there are reasons for everything happen in our life. Personally i met Paulo in Sofia/Bulgaria/ and can say:that is experience for life! Paulo, thank u so much for your books,for all the knoledge and ideas u give to us. God bless u!
The Alchemist is the Master. He symbolises wisdom and power. The wisdom to grow and change and the power to transform ourselves in order to transform what is around us.
Hey well we have to do a progect for class over The Alchmist and well what I have to do this step by step from like the end how will I do that .
The book, “The Alchemist”, is a wonderful experience. The dialog with heart, the dialog with the Hand of World are familiar in Indian mystisism also. Possibly, in the mystisism of the other parts of the globe, as well.
Finally, the boy discovers that the Infinite Bliss (or treasure, as told in the book) is not in a distant land, but right in the meadows where he was wandering all the time. Did U mean that the Infinite Bliss is within oneself, and one does not have to explore it outside ?
I didnot understand why the boy has to search for Fatima, after realizing the Infinite Bliss. As I know, the Infinite Bliss contains everything, including the love of Fatima.
Or, do U suggest that the boy gained ONLY a treasure of gold and precious stones, and not the Infinite Bliss, which we are all searching for ?
The language of the book is excellent even in (English) transaltion.
Love.
Raghu.
Bangalore, India.
Paulo, even though the book is titled, “The Alchemist” I found it to be not about the Alchemist but about Santiago and what happens to him as he seeks a treasury that is unknown. He may think that the treasure is material in content but it is actually the wealth of wisdom and knowledge that he discovers on the journey. Nothing he finds at the pyramids will ever compare to what he gained from the insights of all the people he met along the path. He discovers God and even talks to Him without realizing He was. He touches love twice but only one is the match for his soul. Santiago’s free spirit drives his passion and his resourcefulness makes him a survivor where others would have persished. What is truly great about the book is that every character, every movement, every thought is PAULO”S!!! He is everyman, every woman! He had to become all to communicate all. That is what is intriguing to me about any author who can effectively create characters that have depth of breath. Can’t wait to read my next book. Paula Marie
Hi Paulo,
It was such a great experience to read your book ‘The Alchemist’. I beleive that stumbling upon and reading your book is a an OMEN to pursue my destiny(or dream). Otherwise I would have never found and read this book because I am living at a remote village in India, other part of the world from where you are born. We both have a different mother tounge, we both live in a faraway place, but the common element is that we both are made by the same hand.
My prayers for you
Long live Paulo
Mukesh
Helo Paulo,
I have The Alchemist read many times till today and is one of my forever favorites book. I was gifted the book for my birthday many years ago and always I read again every time.
Thank you for so wonderful book you write, I like too much. I want to one day meet you, you have saved my life manytimes when I was bad you can always change with your books.
Thank you for amazing book.
Please come to Russia!
Tatiana
I have read Robert Bly’s Iron John and Joseph Campbell’s Hero of A Thousand Faces. And I can see the journey that must be taken by every person on this earth.
The Alchemist is Gandalf, Dumbledore, Elminster, my good friend’s father, the warrior who retires to be a monk, the amiable uncle who knows how to gua sha. They hold secrets and no secrets. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition in my journey.
My teachers are every where. I just I have the mind to grasp, the ears to listen, the limbs to act and the fire that keeps on burning hot.
Thanks,
Erwin Chua
dear mr.paulo
i was wondering is there an alchemist in real world i actually feel kind of embaressed of asking such a qxn bcoz im an arab nd muslim and if alchemists exsists i am the one who’s suppose to know but then i remember im only 17 and still there is alot of things in the world i need to learn about so i give my self a break.
love u mr.paulo nd love how objective and honest u r when it comes to my religion.
take care
Dear sarah hope u are having great time.
Alchemist as u rightly feel is an Arabic legend, the most famous among them are names like Gaber or JABIR IBNE HAYYAN , RHAZES, IBN KHULDOON, IBN RUSHD etc. they mostly were found around the time abbasid caliphs ruled from Iraq , Baghdad and persia were great centres of learning under these scholors, what few people know is that all of these Alchemists were STUDENTS OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SCHOLAR in Arabia and he was a great grandson of the prophet mohammad his name was JAFFER AL SADIQ, he is burried in Jannat ul baqi the famous graveyard in Medina besides the prophet’s mosque in company of other family members of the prophet Mohd.
I don’t think there is any living alchemist in our times in the literal sense ( someone who is an expert in transforming ordinary metals in to pure gold)..Sir Issac Newton was a serious student of Alchemy but is not on record of succeeding . I think the term has more of a symbolic significance as paulo has rightly pointed out in THE ALCHEMIST that in pursuit of alchemy it is the seeker which gets transformed in to a wise illuminated being and that precisely is his reward.
Hope this helps you in understanding the alchemy process as we know in modern times of 21st century.
regards
Dear Paulo,
I will want to ask you about the last part of the story of the Alchemist. Did santiago returns with Fatima?
Thanks for your book.
The alchemist is the best book that I read.. Paulo , The biggest issue for all alchemist is alive forever . after finding love, his soulmate , money, he believes he is in heaven. after 100 years he lives in heaven , he will die and every thing will be finish .
can I ask 2 questions?
Do you think your alchemist have found a panacea for living foreverand everlasting ?or your charchter after coming back to fatima (his love)live like other people and then die?
please dont tell me he will die and finish everything.
Just thinking about my favorite scene in the book, first, where Santiago senses upcoming danger (he has become more ‘in tune’ with the signs around him by now)…then they are suddenly surrounded by 100 horsemen…the Alchemist tells the tribe’s chief that Santiago can destroy the camp by turning himself into the wind within 3 days. What an image, I can see it all!!! Imagining Santiago right then, his terror. But I was amazed also, because The Alchemist already had faith in suggesting that the boy, rather than himself, would perform this feat. WOW!!
I recall situations when faced with making decisions that would mean life or death, facing danger and fear, and the exact moments where the seemingly impossible became possible. A test of faith, shows me how god works with and through us, when we really want something.
Does anyone else have a favorite scene?
Thank You, Love to All, Jane : ) xo
I love this part of the book also. Faith CAN move mountains. Thanks for including this,
Love and warmth,
Elaine
The Alchemist must be the Greatest character in all literature. He is the epitome of Handsome. For a woman such as me, he is Passion. Gentle, yet Strong. Dressed all in black, Riding through the desert on his horse, leaving dust in the wind. Reminds me a bit of Zorro.
One has no choice but to be off guard with the Alchemist. A very wise man!
Interesting how he draws a drop of blood from Santiago, like Abby says, can be representative of the root chakra, identity.
I had not heard of Alchemy prior to reading the book, but the Alchemist characterization made me think of the power that love has to transform, of possibilities when keeping an open mind, interconnectiveness, and recently, reminded me that what is no longer needed, will melt away. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things!! My whole life I worried about corruption, wary of those with money (power), praying always to have ‘just enough’ so as not to fall into corruption, so reading about a character turning lead into gold seemed more of a metaphor at the time. Thank You Paulo, Love to All xo
I am also thankful for the opportunity to have traveled as well as the internet, to learn more, outside of what was said or taught, then to assimilate in order keep growing. Thank You Paulo, Love to All : )
Hello Dances:
The ancient practice of alchemy is a spiritual journey rather than concerned with attempts to transform base metals (although this is usually what it is associated with, in part due to the ‘neccessary mask’ the alchemist used to have to wear in order to avoid persecution by religious bodies, also alchemists have tended to experiment in transforming metals). This idea of turning lead into gold is indeed a metaphor but goes deeper than you may think: It is instead a charting of the journey through the human chakra system, where the root chakra (at the bottom of the spine,representing our primal urges and connections to the physical world) has been for thousands of years in esoteric teachings associated with the metal LEAD.As we go through each 7 year cycle of our lives our chakras are said to develop accordingly (i.e age 0-7 root chakra, 7-14 sacral chakra etc though note this is a general guide and if a person suffers a trauma so too will the development of the chakra, i.e that’s why it’s hard to catch up on emotional development at 25 that should’ve been dealt with at 15) Let’s say for arguments sake I was a perfectly balanced individual who had honed each of my 7 chakras to perfection with each 7 year cycle of my life, then by the age of 49 I would be entering the age of crown chakra development (representing the highest level of consciousness, enlightenment, connection to the non-physical etc). This chakra has always been associated in the esoteric schools with the metal GOLD. So alchemy and it’s practice relates to the honing of these energy centres with a view to reaching enlightenment and freeing the spirit from the endless physical cycles…I read the alchemist before I knew anything atall about alchemy itself, and now that I know a little ( a very little!) I’m going to read it again with this new perspective. Good luck to you and keep dancing with them crayons! :o)
I have read, The Alchemist, more than once but it is the first reading of a book I always remember. When the alchemist was introduced in the story I could not tell if he was going to be a friend or trouble for Santiago. He seemed harsh and unkind to Santiago and did not think of peoples well being.
This book has changed my relation to much, I have looked at some things differently and have found answers to exciting questions. Thanks you for it.
I came to understand the title character the alchemist as a metaphor or analogy….it seems that what an alchemist does, transforming something mundane (metals) into something extraordinary (gold) is comparable to the change in the individual who lets life happen to him without purpose (mundane) when he strives for and reaches his Personal Legend (extraordinary). Santiago was able to be mentored by the alchemist and in so doing, he is changed into the extraordinary through his growth. Likewise, if we allow his example, through the story, to inspire that same direction of purpose for ourselves and we experience that growth in our own lives, then we become the extraordinary. I guess that makes Paulo our alchemist. Golden :)
~Melyssa
The Alchemist seems to be a dark, very elegant character; ‘a horseman dressed completely in black’. The Englishman was looking for him, but the Alchemist instead appears to Santiago. This takes place after Santiago had been appointed the counselor of the oasis. It is as if the power of Alchemist was threatened by the young shepherd boy, and the Alchemist wanted to get to know him a little. Santiago perceives the Alchemist as a messenger from the desert, with a powerful presence. The Alchemist then invites Santiago to come and find him in the south, which Santiago later does. Only after the miracle, where Santiago transform the wind, does the Alchemist show him how to transform lead to gold! Santiago so to speak had to prove himself worthy first. I am asking; Is this just an allegory, or is it possible actually to change lead to gold? Is the real alchemy to be able to transfer any piece of nature, to be able to let the wind send kisses from your loved one, to be able to transfer dreams into reality?
The Alchemy is a completely unknown area for me. Transfer Metal to Gold, is it possible? I saw you referred to ‘Atlanta Fugiens’ by Michael Maier’s, which must be a classic about the subject, the alchemical emblem book from 1617. We can all search and learn more about this topic, see for instance http://www.levity.com/alchemy/images_s.html My understanding is you spent, was it 11 years, studying books about Alchemy. Are these books all regarded occult? Are they banned by the Catholic Church? You have said you had to pay a high price for some of the black magic you too part in. Would you talk a bit about how you would recommend us readers, to look into the Alchemy ‘field’ today? Your novel is so innocent and almost holy in form. There might be a couple of places I question, but to me it’s close to perfectly divine, so how could there be anything wrong with Alchemy?
Everyone who walks his path, and follows his Personal Legend , is an ALchemist..because this path is a process of a continuous transformation..to something greater
After all human in Greek is άνθρωπος < άνω + θρώσκω = κοιτάω ψηλά means look above (high)
SO we should believe in our abilities, in us, that we are capable, and have our eyes fixed to the sky..The sky is the limit..for all the Alchemists..
Love and Graditude
Annie
I love the idea of that boundary term, for an alchemist is nor magician nor chemist… He is both, but even more… I read about how much elements are used in that science, that is not science, but has a lot to do with spirituality… The Alchemist in your story is the same thing for the Englishman, as the treasure for Santiago, is a dream, a goal, an impulse that one need to grow. It is a element that is part of an initiation, and the Englishman proves to deserve the treasure, the wisdom and talent of the Alchemist.
Querido Paulo,
I also heard in an interview that a movie version of the book might be in the process, but I if I remember correctly you weren’t happy with the way the movie was being done and they were some coypyright issues involved. If I’m not mistaken, I also recall that Laurence Fishbourne also had some involvement. For us fans, could you maybe comment on what the status is of a movie based on The Alchemist? Could we expect one soon? Are you happy about this?
Obrigado Paulo
Biombo
this movie version would be a book! In fact, there is NOTHING concrete so far. But it does not affect the presence of the Alch world wide, as a whole new generation is reading it again.
Dear Paulo,
we want to know that ALCHAMISt is available in URDU,or at PAKISTAN,
plz response,
regards
MAGI< Gulzar
Dear Magi,
you can get in touch with my publishing house in Pakistan :
Alhambra Publishing House
To get this type of information
Much love
Paulo
Dear Magi,Gulzar
Alchemist in Urdu translated by Shafiq Naz & Bilqis Naz is available in Pakistan.You can visit http://www.alhamra.com for booking your order.
Querido Paulo,
I heard in an interview that when you were first about to publish this book, the publishers did not like the title of The Alchemist. It is such a unique word and meaning. To tell you the truth I had never heard this word before I was given this book by my father. When did you first learn about this word and what it meant? Was there a fascination with the magic that made you want to include or write a book about an alchemist. Could you elaborate on how you discovered the word: alchemist. Gracias Paulo!
Dear Biombo,
I came upon this word when I was a teenager and I was reading extensively about occultism and magic.
Of course Alchemy cannot be reduced to this – but this is how I first came upon this word.
Much love
Paulo
Hola Paulo…can we pleeeeease get a forum going regarding the secret societies!? The mystery schools and the ancient beliefs? I just think now is the time more than ever when ordinary people like ourselves need to be informing each other and discussing such things, bringing them back out of obscurity and shedding light on their importance. It positively makes me a bit nuts to think that these teachings have mostly been kept for only a select few. C’mon Paulo, go on you know you want to, you do you do you do (I’ll make you a cup of tea if you do :o) I would start a blog myself on this subject but no-one would read it!!!
Dearest Paulo,
There is nothing more I can say on The Alchemist.You said it all and so beautifully.
Love,
Sheela
What a fantastic character. I would love to meet someone like this. He made me feel very safe and I felt I could trust him and would grow as a person for doing so.
with love