Alchemy

Alchemy

Earth is the representation of physical senses and of our ability to ground ourselves into earthly reality. Earth connects us to Mother Earth and is all about bringing the spiritual into physical form.

Water is the representation of emotions and the feeling mode of experiencing Life. Water holds the memory of events.

Air is the representation of mind and thoughts. Air is particularly connected to the intellect in all forms of communications.

Fire is the representation of the personal will and personal power. Fire is full of power, creativity and movement.

The Three Principles:

Salt is the third heavenly substance in alchemy and represents the final manifestation of the perfected Stone. The Emerald Tablet calls it "the Glory of the Whole Universe." For Paracelsus, Salt was like a balsam the body produced to shield itself from decay. It has also been associated with the Ouroboros, the Stone, and the Astral Body. In general, Salt represents the action of thought on matter, be it the One Mind acting on the One Thing of the universe or the alchemist meditating in his inner laboratory.

It is an abundant, tasteless, odorless, multivalent non-metal. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element or as sulfide and sulfate minerals. It is an essential element for life and is found in several amino acids. Also considered a transcendent elemental alchemy symbol – sulfur represents the multiplicity of human nature and the eternal aspiration to reach enlightenment. As indicated by the symbol, sulfur represents the triad of ascension – which can be viewed as a holy trinity. Sulfur is also one of the three heavenly substances in alchemical science.

A heavy, silvery, transition metal, mercury is one of only two elements that are liquid at room temperature. Also referred to as Quicksilver this elemental alchemy symbol is highly revered because of its dual nature. Therefore, Mercury is often seen as a transcendent element.

Signs and Their Meanings:

This is a Cabalistic charm with origins from Hebrew initials of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is an ancient alchemy symbol used for an antidote for illness and used to augment healing. This phrase was written on parchment and suspended from then neck by a thread in the triangular form seen here. This charm can be embroidered on the center front of a shirt or a sweatshirt – a perfect gift of mystic healing.

This ancient alchemy symbol is derived from the "Secret Tradition" or the Cabala. The Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and is the spiritual root of all harmony. Embroidered, this symbol brings our focus on spiritual grounding, and sets our intent for harmony.

Also symbolic of Mercury, the Caduceus is a figure of two serpents wrapped around a center rod. The rod is a symbol of transforming alchemical power. The two serpents represent polarity or duality. Together with the sprouted wings depict the caduceus having an alchemical meaning of balance, duality and following the alchemical process leading to unity. The caduceus are also seen in medical circles. This is a logical match as the caduceus calls for unity and balance on an internal level and is hailed as a symbol for healing.

The cube represents the earth in Pythagorean, Indian, and Platonic traditions. In Egypt, the Pharaoh is often depicted sitting on a cubic throne. In India, many statues of deities are shown standing on a cube – one under each foot. It is understood as a building block of all simple matter – and it is also understood that within it supernatural possibilities abound. Therefore cube represents the earth from which the spiritual king comes forth.

Signs Continued:

This is the spiritual ancient alchemy symbol for the right eye of the soul, by which it looks to the eternal. Embroidered, this symbol allows focus on higher, finer spiritual vibrations. It also ascertains the infinite nature of our soul, and our capability to tap into the infinite universe.

"That which the fire operates is alchemy, whether in the kitchen or in the universe" as stated by the alchemical forefather Paracelsus 1493-1541. More specifically this ancient alchemy symbol represents divine energy, purification, revelation, and transformation. As such, fire was (and still is) an important sign in the alchemist's arsenal of emblems.

Alchemically speaking, the moon represents Silver, the Lesser Work, or Mercury. It conjoins with the sun, or Gold in the Greater Work. In more practical terms, the moon represents fertility, resurrection, occult power, immortality and intuition. The moon is a feminine property and alchemists would incorporate it with the sun (gold) to assure balance.

Near the end of the alchemical Operation this symbol would appear. Its many-colored surface on molten metals heralded the nearness of the final stage of transformation. Further, when the alchemical Operation came to this point, the volatile parts of the residue were transcended, and the peacock, as all winged creatures, symbolized changeability. Thus the peacock's spiritual representation is that of smooth transition.

Signs Continued:

Quite the opposite of its unfortunate reputation, the pentacle is a symbol of harmony, health and mystic powers. The Pythagoreans adopted it as a sign of health and the marriage of heaven and earth. As a sign of heaven, earth, as well as human body and mind, the pentacle holds great power. So much so, that it was used as a protective emblem among alchemists and magicians alike. Specifically, alchemists would press this symbol on hermetic books to emphasize the knowledge within as being protected and sacred.

An arrangement of five figures within a square. Historically, it has infused the worlds of nature, man and the stars. As an ancient alchemy symbol, it represents the whole being more than the sum of its parts. In the alchemical mineral world, the quincunx occurs in the formation of metals, in atomic structures. Additionally the quincunx represents (wo)man's ability to cross from four to five his/her nature. Meaning we all possess the four levels of physical matter (stone, plant, animal, man) and we are able to ascend from these four elements to the final fifth – which is godlike or enlightened stature. Embroidered, this symbol sets the intent of this ability to ascend to.

Gothic circular windows, shaped like a rose – mostly seen in stained glass in cathedrals. Designed by Chartres, a master craftsman, this stained glass was made from a secret recipe using antimony. The windows have a transformational effect on the contemplation. Essentially a dodecahedron, this symbol is connected with the ether, or the fifth element. By viewing it as a mandala, the rose window brings about an altered state of perception, allowing the observer to tap into the ethereal planes.

The Sun is the ancient alchemy symbol of gold. Worshiped in many cultures, specifically Egypt where Amon-Ra was personified by the evening sun setting at the end of the creative process. Alchemists understood the process of creation, and utilized the symbol of the sun to focus on creating desired effects in their practice – both physically and philosophically.

Alchemy diagrams and pictures:

The Tree of Alchemy info:

1. Solution, the act of passing from a gaseous or solid condition, into one of liquidity.

2. Filtration, the mechanical separation of a liquid from the undissolved particles suspended in it.

3. Evaporation, the changing or converting from a liquid or solid state into a vaporous state with the aid of heat.

4. Distillation, an operation by which a volatile liquid may be separated from substances which it holds in solution.

5. Separation, the operation of disuniting or decomposing substances.

6. Rectification, the process of refining or purifying any substance by repeated distillation.

7. Calcination, the conversion into a powder or calx by the action of heat; expulsion of the volatile substance from a matter.

8. Commixtion, the blending of different ingredients into new compounds or mass.

9. Purification (through putrefaction), disintegration by spontaneous decomposition; decay by artificial means.

10. Inhibition, the process of holding back or restraining.

11. Fermentation, the conversion of organic substances into new compounds in the presence of a ferment.

12. Fixation, the act or process of ceasing to be a fluid and becoming firm; state of being fixed.

13. Multiplication, the act or process of multiplying or increasing in number, the state of being multiplied.

14. Projection, the process of turning the base Metals into gold.

Table of Alchemy Characters:

Tables and Diagrams:

Tables and Diagrams:

Tables and Diagrams:

Tables and Diagrams:

Recipe example:

The recipe of the alchemical flame of eternity is also in the old hand of the 1400's, and some procedures described have been lost in translation or unidentified, so there is a good chance that the true recipe might be lost in the eaves of time forever. the recipe for such a flame is as follows.

Take 4 ounce of sulfur, & so much of calcined alum, bruise them together, put it into an earthen sublimatory, place it into a coal fire, well lighted, let the sulfur ascend through the alum, and in 8 hours it is prepared.

Thereof take at the less 2 1/2 ounces, and one ounce of good Christalle venetian porras, bruise them two small together, put it into a flat glass that it may lie flatly, pour upon it a strong sharp 4 times distilled spirit of wine upon it, & extract it in ashes softly to the oil, pour it upon again, extract it to the oil, pour it upon again & draw it of again; take a little of the sulfur, lay it upon a red-hot copper plate, and when it flows like wax without smoking then is it prepared, if not then must thou extract thereof more of the spirit of wine, till it sustained the prove & it is prepared.

Now take alumephume, make thereof a top not as long as a little finger, and half as thick, fouled it about with white silk, put it thus whole into a venetian little glass, & join thereunto of the prepared sulfur, place it a day & night in hot sand, that the top be continually in the sulfur. Now take the top thereabout, and put it into such a glass, that the top look out a little, add thereunto of the prepared incombustible chyburals, place the glass into hot sand till the sulfur melting, and cleave beneath and upward about the top, that it be seen but a little above, kindle the top with a common light, & it beginning to burn presently, and the sulfur remain flowing, take the light and place it where you wilt, and it burned continually for ever.

Some Thoughts:

Without lie, certain and most true:
What is below is like what is above, and what is above is like what is below, to accomplish the miracle of the One thing.

In this manner, the world was created, but the map of this road is hidden.