Many people consider Alchemy a pseudo-science of the Middle Ages. The word alone raises images of wild eyed hermits with complicated systems of apparatuses and obscure formulas toiling in a laboratory in hopes of performing a metallic transmutation. It is widely believed that chemistry is the result of having done away with the superfluous eccentricities of Alchemy in favor of the purely objective and empirical. There are many good reasons for this kind of belief, but it is the purpose of this series to bring Alchemy out of obscurity into the true light which Schwaller De Lubicz called the "Sacred Science".
This is a very long and deep story so for the purpose of brevity this blog may appear more general than some people may want. This is meant to be an introduction to spark interest into to a vast subject which comprises years of contemplation and study.
Many people attribute the name "Alchemy" to the original name of Egypt which is "Khemet" or the black earth. Before it was adapted by the Arabs it was just called "Chemy" and then after its Arabic phase the prefix "Al" was added. "Al/"El" is an ancient name for God, so another way of interpreting the name "Alchemy" is the "Art of God". Esoterically the word refers to the dark mystery of the primordial or First Matter (the Khem), the One Thing through which all creation manifests. Alchemy, then, is the Great Work of nature that expresses and perfects this matter, whether it be manifested as the metals, the cosmos, or the substance of our souls. All of Nature is interrelated. In light of this knowledge it is relevant that the first phase of Alchemy is the "Black" phase and is called "Negredo".
When modern chemistry was arising and trying to become accepted as a viable science in Universities, its only option was to disassociate itself from the bad reputation Alchemy had gotten. Not only did the Alchemists speak with "dark sayings" or concealed language to hide their knowledge from those who would profane their Art, there is a long history of charlatans who manipulated their objectives while tricking unsuspecting victims who hoped to capitalize on the Art. Fraud in the name of Alchemy became such a problem that Alchemy was outlawed in 1403 by Henry IV of England. It was easier for chemistry to completely abandon (and even attack) its parent than to attempt to reconcile the historic baggage that accompanied it. A problem of similar confusion exists today. The word "alchemy" has been so overused in so many contexts that the true vision the Adepts have had of this Art has been over contextualized and lost in a sea of interpretations. Those who manipulate the terminology and pretend to understand this Art are called "puffers" and we still see many "puffers" today.
Many will say that the Art is primarily focused on the spiritual endeavor of metaphorically changing man's inner nature from "lead into gold". To those who interpret Alchemy spiritually all of the formulas, distillations, extractions, and so on, are all spiritual allegories intended for the refinement of man's life. There are others who insist that the spiritual interpretation is relatively a modern phenomena and that it can be proven that the Alchemists of the past were indeed working with what we now call chemistry. The truth of the matter is that its not an "either/or" problem. The often overlooked yet easiest explanation is that it is simultaneously spiritual and material. This understanding will become an obvious truth when one comes to see the operations of Nature as a perfect analogy for the operations of the soul. By understanding the underlying principles which result in the permutations of this creation one could become in resonance with the Creator. It is the understanding of this author that all religion and mythology is primarily interested with the analogue between what can be termed the Book of Nature and the Book of Man. This can also be called the objective and subjective nature of our experience. While Science and Religion/Spirituality tend to be in discord it is a fact that we have both realities ever-present within our experience. We have things we know, facts, information, and so on AS WELL AS the experience of how we react to this information. It is truly impossible to be purely objective or purely subjective. Even the self proclaimed atheist/scientist has a subjective, emotional, inner experience and even the subjective "create your own reality" new ager has to come to terms with the principles in Nature. These two types of people represent the imbalance which is typified by our modern culture which is completely confused and disconnected. With this being said, the working definition of Alchemy which will be used from here on out is that Alchemy is the process by which the objective and subjective realities are fused together with the purpose being to speed up or increase the rate by which Nature obtains perfection. Throughout the ages the great Sages have declared "Imitate Nature!". This is a way by which technology can come into harmony with Nature to create greater balance and equilibrium in our world. This is the beginning to a true understanding of the Alchemical marriage of the Sun and Moon.
"As Above, So Below - As Within, So Without"
Few people realize that many of the greatest minds of our time have concerned themselves with this subject. Isaac Newton seemed to be more interested in Alchemy than "pure science". This fact was hidden by those who wished to portray him in a certain light, but more recently it has come to be a well known truth. Here is his translation of the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus.
1. It is true without lying, certain and most true.
2. That which is Below is like that which is Above and that which is Above is like that which is Below to do the miracles of the Only Thing. And as all things have been and arose from One by the mediation of One, so all things have their birth from this One Thing by adaptation.
3. The Sun is its father; the Moon its mother; the Wind hath carried it in its belly; the Earth is its nurse.The father of all perfection in the whole world is here. Its force or power is entire if it be converted into Earth.
4. Separate the Earth from the Fire, the subtle from the gross, sweetly with great industry. It ascends from the Earth to the Heavens and again it descends to the Earth and receives the force of things superior and inferior.
5. By this means you shall have the glory of the whole world and thereby all obscurity shall fly from you. Its force is above all force, for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrates every solid thing.
6. So was the world created. From this are and do come admirable adaptations, whereof the process is here in this.
7. Hence am I called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of the philosophy of the whole world. That which I have said of the operation of the Sun is accomplished and ended.
A superficial reading of the Emerald Tablet may not seem to elucidate anything of value, but for "those who have eyes to see" the whole Mystery is expressed.
I have come to understand that there is indeed a "Prisca Theologia", "Perennial Philosophy", "Ageless Wisdom", "Sacred Science", or "Royal Art". This is also what is meant by the term "Hermetic Tradition". While it may seem outrageous to those who have fallen for the traditional interpretation of history, it is true that there is a "Chain of Union" by which major religious traditions are but shards of a once unified Sacred Science. Many Masons and modern initiates will call this the "Ancient Religion". In all likelihood most all of our ancient mythology, fables, sacred texts, allegories, and poetry are remnants of this forgotten Tradition. This is but an introduction to a series of writings which will be an effort to gather what has been scattered - to synthesize what has been used to divide in hopes of restoring unity and harmony to the culture of the world.
"In alchemy is found again the perpetuation of the Universal Mystery; for as surely as Jesus died upon the cross, Hiram (CHiram) at the west gate of the Temple, Orpheus on the banks of the river Hebros, Christna on the banks of the Ganges, and Osiris in the coffin prepared by Typhon, so in alchemy, unless the elements first die, the Great Work cannot be achieved. The stages of the alchemical processes can be traced in the lives and activities of nearly all the world Saviors and teachers, and also among the mythologies of several nations. It is said in the Bible that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." In alchemy it is declared that without putrefaction the Great Work cannot be accomplished. What is it that dies on the cross, is buried in the tomb of the Mysteries, and that dies also in the retort and becomes black with putrefaction? Also, what is it that does this same thing in the nature of man, that he may rise again, phœnix-like, from his own ashes (caput mortuum)?"
-Manly P. Hall; The Secret Teachings of All Ages
We are living in a very exciting time where so much that was hidden in the past is coming to surface. The true Alchemists of the Renaissance were essentially decoding the science that was being intentionally hidden by the Church. By keeping this knowledge hidden it allowed the rulers to maintain leverage and differential advantage over the masses, ensuring their suffering and thus their obedience. We are still just barely coming out of this Dark Age. We are now in the midst of a transition from Pisces and the fish religion to Aquarius.
All Secrets to be Revealed.
....More soon.....
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