External Alchemy is the study and understanding of transforming physical materials into gold or other valuable substances. In recent decades External Alchemy has began to also refer to the use of various artifacts, crystals and potions for the use of magic, meditation and manifestation.
Internal Alchemy is the study and understanding of transforming energies through direction of consciousness alone. Many Alchemists start on the external path and through understanding the “paths of power” gradually depend less on the external artifacts and move into using pure consciousness.