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This is a book discussion for those who've read or are currently reading Frater Albertus' "The Alchemist's Handbook". Please do not derail or hijack the thread, as it is also a journal for me without being a journal, of my reading of the material as side reading for "Kabalah, Magic, and the Great Work of Self-Transformation".
What I know of Alchemy is this (so far):
Alchemy is the "raising of vibrations".
There are two circulations and two kingdoms: Lesser and Greater, plant and Mineral.
There are three elements to Alchemy: Salt, Sulphur and Mercury (not in that particular order).
There are four stages, though one is not emphasized (in parentheses): Blackening, (Yellowing), Whitening, and Reddening.
There are three forms or states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gaseous.
The rest is yet to be learned.
I know more, but this is in brief off top of my head.
Read pp 1-31. Started to dive into Herbal Elixers (Chapter 3), but have not fully absorbed Chapters one and two.
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It seems Alchemy loves the number three for some odd reason.
Solid, Liquid, Gas. Salt, Mercury, Sulphur. Maceration, Extraction, Circulation. Blackening, (Yellowing) Whitening, Reddening. Vegetable Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Mineral Kingdom. Vegetable Mercury, Animal Mercury, Mineral Mercury.
I wonder how many more examples exist.
This is a book discussion for those who've read or are currently reading Frater Albertus' "The Alchemist's Handbook". Please do not derail or hijack the thread, as it is also a journal for me without being a journal, of my reading of the material as side reading for "Kabalah, Magic, and the Great Work of Self-Transformation".
What I know of Alchemy is this (so far):
Alchemy is the "raising of vibrations".
There are two circulations and two kingdoms: Lesser and Greater, plant and Mineral.
There are three elements to Alchemy: Salt, Sulphur and Mercury (not in that particular order).
There are four stages, though one is not emphasized (in parentheses): Blackening, (Yellowing), Whitening, and Reddening.
There are three forms or states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gaseous.
The rest is yet to be learned.
I know more, but this is in brief off top of my head.
Am getting back on this, and will be including material from Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition, Mental Alchemy, and Adept Alchemy as well. The main emphasis however will be on Alchemy, particularly from The Alchemists Handbook. Where were we ...
Pp 32-56. Chapters 3-5. Here we get into Herbal Alchemy a bit more in depth.
2-20-2024 11:45-14:45.
Chapter One - Introduction to Alchemy - Notes
What is Alchemy? "The raising of vibrations". We know that certain elements of the three kingdoms have different vibration rates, thus it begs the question, "How do we raise vibrations through Alchemy?" By delving into the search for the Lapis Philosophurum through the virtue of patience and starting with the Lesser Circulation is what can be said here.
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The keyword of patience is emphasized, and the student is encouraged against rushing into laboratory alchemy experimentation before they have a solid grasp on plant spagyrics. In Alchemy there are the lesser and greater circulations. The former pertains to the herbal kingdom and the latter to the most coveted of them all, the mineral (metallic) realm. A correct understanding, and not just knowledge, of the herbal process will open the gate to the great Arcanum. If it were not for the cleansing, purging, and aging of the alchemist-to-be over a great length of time, like the subjectum he is working with, how could it be kept from the profane and the unworthy? Only that which has stood the test of fire has been purified. That there is still a cloak of secrecy covering alchemical processes, and that this must yet remain so will have to be accepted by all aspiring alchemists. For personal greed has no place in Alchemy. The aim of all true Adepts is to help relieve a suffering mankind in its physical and spiritual misery. To pursue for personal awe and glory does not fulfill the purpose of alchemy.
There is more to be gained in Alchemy than vainglory. This, in fact, cannot be obtained in Alchemy. Such vainglory is as far from the true goals of Alchemy as night is from day. This brings us back to the simple statement made at the beginning of this chapter: "Alchemy is the raising of the vibrations." He who sees no meaning in this seemingly unimportant sentence has no right to attempt alchemical experimentation. What do you know of alchemy? What do you know of chemistry? What of the elements? What of their true origin? What of their first state? To not be able to answer these questions in this day and age proves the answerer is not ready to pursue alchemy in a laboratory fashion or less. One may search, one may aspire, one may work and study hard until the wee hours of the morning, and yet it will not be evidence that he or she will ever attain that priceless jewel: the Grand Arcanum. For it takes more than mere study. An honest heart, a clean heart, a true heart, a benevolent and contrite heart accomplishes more than all the book learning can ever do. Yet, strangely enough, learning must accompany the virtues just cited. Without a knowledge and an understanding of natural laws and their corresponding spiritual parallels, no one could ever truly be called an Alchemist or a Sage. Many had to await another incarnation before they proved themselves worthy and ready to receive it. But, if all doubts are put aside and if a firm Belief has grown into a strong Faith, then that quickening moment that produces knowledge will eventually help one to come to "Understand," to "Realize" the oneness of the universe, the secret behind Creation and the unfolding of cosmic consciousness. This brings us to the natural questions: "What is the secret of creation? And what constitutes life force?" These questions must be answered before the would-be Alchemist can accomplish anything in his laboratory. Since everything that grows comes from a seed, the fruit must be contained in its seed. Mark this well, for here lies the secret of creation. The raising of specimen, as said before, is the raising of vibrations. Herbs, animals, as well as minerals and metals, grow from seed. To understand this secret of nature, which is only partly revealed to mankind generally, constitutes the main theoretical subject in Alchemy. Once this is known, then only the proper understanding is necessary in order to obtain results in the raising or elevating of specimen, which is nothing else but transmutation. If we can help nature in her ultimate goal, that of bringing her products to perfection, then we are in harmony with her laws. It is in harmony with the natural laws. For fire (heat), water, air, and earth are all that are necessary to cause a seed to grow and bear its predestined fruit. The life force originates not in fire, earth, air, and water. This life force is a separate essence which fills the universe. This essence, or fifth essence (quintessence), is the truly important object that alchemists seek. It is the fifth of the four: fire, water, air, and earth, and is the most important one for the alchemist to find and then to separate.
After such a separation has taken place, the answer to what lies behind the secret of creation will then manifest itself partly in the form of a dense smoke-like vapor that settles, after passing through the condenser tube, into a water-like substance of a yellowish color carrying with itself something oily which gives the tinge to the extracted water. This oily substance, or alchemical Sulphur, is just as essential to alchemical preparations as Salt and Essence. The aim laid down here is to help the alchemical aspirant on his laborious road. This road begins in the laboratory. Everything in the laboratory revolves around the fire or its emanation: heat. The rest is composed of a few flasks, a condenser, and some ingenuity. Where should a laboratory be located? How can one practice Alchemy in a crowded city? Such questions will have to be answered individually by each student. One must experience, learn, and reap the benefits themself. There is no riding on coattails except for initial study material.
End of page 20 notes.
