Table of contents : Prehistoric and mythic magic -- The return of the lion man -- Orpheus and the magic of music -- Prophets, caves and sages -- Plague/busters, skywalkers, and time-travellers -- The man with the golden thigh -- Sorcerers in philosophers' clothing -- The Western alchemical tradition -- Graeco-Egyptian and Islamic alchemy -- Chrysopoeia in Christendom -- The stranger of one night's acquaintance -- Epilogue: alchemy today.