My name is Benjamin Turale, I am the Director of the Temple of Mercury, a laboratory alchemist and teacher. I’m not an immortal, I don’t have any special powers that other people don’t already have lying within them. But I have walked the Hermetic labyrinth and found an exit. I've done a lot of work to integrate and be at One with what I am, completing advanced studies in laboratory and spiritual alchemy in the continuing traditions of Frater Albertus, Robert Bartlett and Dennis William Hauck. My work has received the Paracelsus Award for outstanding contributions to alchemy. Whether I'm crafting metallic tinctures, extracting herbs, practising ceremonial magic or running workshops for the temple, every day I live and breathe the Hermetic current.​ 

I proudly serve on the Board of the International Alchemy Guild (a not-for-profit charity) as Director of Education and also work to organise events like the 2018 Alchemy Conference and the recent 2022 Alchemy Conference. I've also presented at numerous occult conferences. I create projects where people from different branches of the western mysteries can come together and share in its rich spiritual tradition. I also work to help preserve and pass on the Albertian Alchemical lineage.

I worked for over 15 years as a transpersonal psychotherapist, counselling supervisor and university lecturer. For my masters degree I authored a scientific study on altered states of consciousness. I have been employed as a teacher in one way or another since 2007. I am also a lifelong musician, having been initiated as a bard into the college of Ynis Witrin (Glastonbury, UK) in 2018. I have also deeply explored Buddhist meditation practice since 2007 and done several long retreat intensives.

My teaching philosophy is focused on experiential pedagogy, meaning that I like my students to learn through practice, reflection and application of theory, rather than just theory alone. I also believe that people develop and change through this model and it is the most effective way, through holistically engaging learners, to instil confidence and competence.