Erynn Rowan Laurie, Author of Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom

The alchemy referred to in this book is not the traditional alchemy of plants and metals, but the metaphoric alchemy of bodily energies and processes. The book addresses introductory, intermediate and advanced materials dealing with transmutation of the self and the body through work with the five senses, with bodily processes and products, through Taoist breathing techniques, and through some very innovative material that approaches neurotransmitters as potential spirit allies.

Taylor is a friend of mine, and one of the most impressive young magicians of my acquaintance. I may not always agree with his approaches, but he's thorough and careful and he practices what he writes about so that he can speak from personal experience. This has always immensely impressed me, because so many so-called magicians tend to be more armchair theorists than on the ground magical workers. This attitude and practice allows Taylor to speak with much more genuine authority than most occult authors.

The work of the book moves from basic sense-expansion exercises through techniques for gathering and filtering energy (with a detour through ethical energy vampirism) into more and more complex and intricate methods of dealing with bodily systems. One aspect of the work that Taylor proposes is the magical change of one's DNA through the practices detailed in the book. I'll admit I remain skeptical on how much one can change one's DNA by these means, but I do think it might be theoretically possible.

In my opinion the most interesting and innovative section of the book is his material on neurotransmitter spirit allies. If people can make allies of animals, plants, stones, or land features, there's no reason to believe they can't make allies of these chemical entities within their own bodies. In many ways, neurotransmitters are essentially identical to the chemical compounds found in many entheogenic plants -- they are the fuel in the engine of trance. One might also approach the concept by thinking of a neurotransmitter as a point around which to create an egregore or energy entity with a specific purpose, which can then be approached as an ally.

Inner Alchemy is a dense but readable book with a lot of practical exercises and Taylor's notes about how these exercises worked for him. It's also a remarkable discussion of one magician's self-transformation process. While I wouldn't use all of the techniques described, it's an excellent guide to what appears to be a very effective systemization of a variety of techniques drawn together into a coherent whole by a talented working magician.

Five neurotransmitters of five.

Shade Oroboros, reviewer for Silver Star Magazine

This is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking work, and one that clearly evolved through years of deep study and personal practice and drawing upon science both fringe and mainstream, magic both popular and obscure, and even NLP and the New Age. The author explores the nature of the body, the gates of the senses, the hidden powers of our various secretions and the possibilities of sexual techniques both traditional and kinky, the yoga of Taoist breathing and Tantric chakra visualization, the secrets of DNA and a series of energy workings. This is a substantial and very intelligent work that is worth repeated visits, full of unusual insights and unexpected connections. The existence of our bodies and our minds seems to be one of life’s few relative certainties, and the artificial divide between the two appears to be one of the most fatal flaws of western culture. If we make the effort to explore within, to transform ourselves, there is a chance for us to evolve.

I have previously reviewed Mr. Ellwood’s other books, and he is rapidly becoming one of my favorite living magical writers.

Kelley, reviewer for If... Journal

The primary thing that strikes me about Taylor Ellwood's work is that he is not afraid to pioneer into his unknown. At this median of the New Age, in energy healing exploring the realm of the unknown is still taboo and shrouded with as much a social fog as a seemingly agreed upon lack of knowledge. Where it has become acceptable in traditional and energy healing to say, 'There's a barrier here; we can't go any further', it has become as common to find, 'There's a barrier here; we shouldn't go any further.' Ellwood perseveres through such esoteric dogma and boundaries, leaving a wake of opportunity for readers to forge ahead into the wild of their own wellbeing. "Inner Alchemy" reminds us that it is often within the imagination of the unknown that we find our purest most lasting remedies.

Ellwood demonstrates a deep understanding of the etheric form not as we're told it is, but as it truly is. He shares with his readers a dynamic understanding of the chakra system, a perspective that is lacking in most of the current material on energy healing. Where other practitioners would have us believe that there is only one true representation of energetic health, Ellwood understands that we are not all templates functioning from the same balance. No less, he encourages readers to explore and develop their own limitless approach in widening their perception of themselves, their health, the world around them and how all of these facets interconnect. He presents his views of our unique forms alongside the knowledge that we create ourselves. Moving beyond teaching merely that we create our own realities, Ellwood shows us through layers of personal example and research how the way we live affects our every level of being, and he gives us the tools for how we can effect change in our lives to recreate ourselves as we want to be. At the end of each chapter he gives exercises reinforcing the techniques presented. In his words, "With inner alchemy you learn to change the lead of emotions into gold that gives you more control of your life."

Using common sense as much as magickal know-how, Ellwood eloquently presents the body as the filter for all of our existence. Everything we experience emotionally, vibrationally, environmentally, sexually, psychologically... is processed by the body. How we process the events, thoughts and feelings of our lives is as significant as the result we make of them. Coupling these basic observations with core body function and the use of fetishes, sigils, helping spirits, and elements in rituals Ellwood lays out a well-written plan for focusing life through all layers of Being, using every outlet we have as a means of clearing and balancing our health. He's not shy about details either. Anyone wanting to know powerful uses of bodily fluids, how to alter brain function at a neurotransmitter level, or how to alter DNA energetically will find a thorough and compelling description of the function of each in the path of wellness. In that light this book presents magickal keys to improving health, and healthy techniques to broaden one's skills as an energy worker.

It is evident that Ellwood has powerful knowledge to convey in "Inner Alchemy." The one thing I wanted to feel more of in this work was his passion for this knowledge. This book is not a clinical read by any stretch, but it is also not a heart-centric offering, an observation that may well serve the information better. There is no sentimental attachment to the practice of or the wisdom imparted in Ellwood's work. It simply is the result of a lifetime of study, hard work and self-creation crafted for like active participants.

Four stars out of five

From Kohinoor, newWitch Magazine

Ellwood treats his readers like adults: he sets forth the dangers of his more radical exercises, but leaves it to the reader to determine their own acceptable level of risk. Many authors would shy away from talking about rituals involving self-mutilation with knives. Ellwood expresses the dangers of infection and excessive blood loss from deep cuts, but also admits to using a knife in one of his own bloodletting rituals. He shows similar candor in discussing the use of entheogens in ritual. While this may raise some hackles, it is a refreshing alternative to the bland, unthreatening "safe" material which is put out by all too many Pagan publishers.

Read the full Review in Issue 16 of newWitch Magazine

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