Collectanea Chemica

Collectanea Chemica is a book by Arthur Edward Waite, first published in 1893. It is a compact anthology of curious alchemical treatises and selections — translations and reissues of earlier hermetic and technical texts — gathered and edited by Waite for readers interested in the symbolic and practical literature of alchemy. The collection presents fragments and short essays on topics such as the Philosopher’s Stone, the alkahest, and classical preparatory processes, serving as a readable bridge between scholarly history and the practical lore that attracted occultists at the end of the 19th century. Waite compiled this volume as part of his wider effort to preserve and make accessible the secret tradition of alchemy and Western esotericism.

Best known for his broader scholarship on ritual, kabbalah and the tarot, Waite approached alchemical texts with a mixture of antiquarian respect and investigative curiosity, aiming to show how these writings fit into a continuous spiritual and symbolic tradition rather than treating them as mere proto-science. The book is especially useful for readers seeking primary-source glimpses of alchemical theory and practice, and it remains of interest to historians of esotericism, practicing occultists, and collectors of classic hermetic literature.