Alchemy & Spagyrics: The Living Art of Plant Transformation
Alchemy is both a historical tradition and a living philosophy of transformation. In this class, you’ll explore the roots of Western alchemy—from Ancient Egypt and the Great Library of Alexandria through Paracelsus and the development of early chemistry—and how this lineage continues today through herbalism and spagyric medicine. At its core, alchemy is the study of transformation in matter, nature, and the self, revealing the deep relationship between plants, people, and the forces that shape life.
You’ll then move from theory into direct practice, witnessing plant transformation through a live essential oil distillation in the Casa Curativa apothecary, followed by a guided tasting of spagyric preparations. These traditional alchemical medicines integrate the physical, energetic, and mineral aspects of the plant into a unified form of herbal medicine.
Led by Julia Bentley, herbalist, alchemical student, and founder of Casa Curativa, this class is grounded in the Vitalist tradition of Western herbalism, drawing from the teachings of Paracelsus and the lineage of spagyric practice. Julia brings over a decade of experience studying plant medicine and building an apothecary rooted in deep plant relationship and experiential learning.
Together we explore:
The historical and philosophical foundations of Western alchemy, from Egypt through Paracelsus
Core alchemical principles such as polarity, correspondence, and the trinity of Salt, Mercury, and Sulphur
How alchemical thinking deepens herbal understanding and reveals plant energetics and potency
The practice and symbolism of spagyrics as a method of complete plant transformation
A live essential oil distillation process and introduction to plant extraction techniques
A guided tasting of spagyric preparations and their role in herbal medicine
Through a blend of history, philosophy, and hands-on practice, this class offers an experiential introduction to alchemy as a living art—one that bridges spirit, matter, and plant intelligence, and invites a deeper understanding of transformation both in medicine and within ourselves.
Alchemy & Spagyrics: The Living Art of Plant Transformation
A journey into the history and philosophy of Western alchemy — the mystical tradition that gave birth to modern chemistry, medicine, and herbalism as we know it. We’ll trace the thread from ancient Egypt through the great alchemical physicians, exploring how the quest to transform matter was always, at its root, a quest to transform the self.
Then we move from theory into practice: a live essential oil distillation in the Casa Curativa apothecary, followed by a guided tasting of spagyric preparations — the alchemical form of herbal medicine that works with the full body, soul, and spirit of the plant.
Led by Julia Bentley
Herbalist, alchemical student, and founder of Casa Curativa. Julia’s practice is rooted in the Vitalist tradition of Western herbalism, drawing from the lineages of Paracelsus, spagyric medicine, and the living intelligence of plants. She has spent over a decade studying plant medicine and eight years building an apothecary and education center on Lake Atitlán.
