Atwood, Mary Ann (18171910)
Author of a remarkable book, A Suggestive Enquiry into the
Hermetic Mystery, first published in 1850 under her maiden
Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology 5th Ed. Atwood, Mary Ann
115
name, M. A. South, putting forward an early statement of the
theory that the true goal of alchemy was spiritual perfection.
Atwood subsequently regretted publication, fearing that she
had revealed matters that should remain secret, and she therefore
bought up as many copies of the book as possible and destroyed
them. However, after her death, a new edition was
brought out in 1918, from one of the few surviving copies. The
new edition included Atwood memorabilia and an introduction
by Walter Leslie Wilmshurst.
Sources
Atwood, Mary Ann. A Suggestive Enquiry into the Hermetic Mystery.
1850. Reprint, New York Arno Press, 1976.
