The serpent grail: the truth behind the Holy Grail, the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life / Philip Gardiner with Gary Osborn

London: Watkins, 2005. 1st edition. Hardcover. Fine cloth copy in an equally fine dust-wrapper. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Physical description; xv, 336 p., [24] p. of plates: ill. (some col.), 1 col. port.; 25 cm. Notes; Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary; ""'Extraordinary"" - ""Publishing News"". Philip Gardiner and Gary Osborn trace the extraordinary influence of the snake cult which was prevalent all over the world in ancient times. They demonstrate how a central rite in which snake venom was mixed with snake blood in a ceremonial mixing bowl, which came to be called ""the grail"", produced a healing elixir which formed the basis of myriad religious and symbolic rituals, including the Christian Eucharist. These rituals operated on a number of levels. On a physical level, the powerful healing properties of this elixir, which is now proven by modern science to enhance t-cell replication, was in fact the basis of the ""Elixir of Life"". But there is a deeper level for the symbolism of these rituals which can be found in all the great mystery traditions of the world, though shrouded in myth and symbolism. Whether it be the quest to find the elusive ""Philosopher's Stone"" or indeed the Holy Grail, the Ultimate Quest is in fact to achieve true enlightenment. Subjects; Cults - History. Serpents - Religious aspects. Snakes - Symbolic aspects. Grail. Alchemy. Religious experience. RELIGION / History.