September 20, 2011
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The alchemical process
The Alchemical process
Alchemy
#Alchemy can be quite a complex topic to write about. I have been studying alchemy now for several years theoretically and also now practically. For the first time has some idea of what the alchemical process is all about. The alchemists believed that this process was the pattern formula that can be applied to all spheres to enable transformation. In essence alchemy defined itself as a science of transformation. Traditionally alchemy is mentioned in terms of seven primary steps: #Calcination, #Dissolution, #Separation, #Conjunction, #Fermentation, #Distillation and #Coagulation. I quess this will be Greek for most people and for me as an Afrikaans speaking person it is even more strange terminology. Even with an engineering background these words remained just words for me in the context of alchemy. Yet alchemists saw these processes on all levels and made it their prime focus of study. I have finally been able to give my own version of this alchemical process without using traditional definitions but rather trying to explain the process in simple terms. I expect that it is not a complete and accurate description and that this description will have to be refined over time. Alchemy uses specific terminology which I will include in brackets. The names does not have any relationship with the normal or traditional meanings. Salt for example refers to the earth or fixed component of the process and not to salt you put on your food. The aim of this writing is not to present complete fact but my best understanding at the present moment. Please be advised that I am fully aware that my rendition might not be the same as other sources on the internet. I do not just take what is elsewhere as fact but aim to develop my own interpretation. To be honest it all still does not make sense to me...I am still finding inconsistencies in my understanding...so best would be to stop reading here except if you are alchemist and can help me out of my predicament.
Calcination - The raw material (Prima Materia), fixed in nature (Salt), is stripped of all its impurities and increased to a more pure fixed structure (Salt) - usually through heat or fire.
Dissolution - The fixed structure (Salt) is emerged into a fluid, or transitory catalyst (Mercury), that acts on the structure and extracts the volatile essence (Sulphur) from the fixed structure (Salt).
Separation - The volatile essence (Sulphur) is removed from the fixed structure (Salt) and the fixed structure (Salt) and volatile essence(Sulphur) are separated from each other. The fixed structure (salt) on its own and the volatile essence (Suphur) contained in the transitory catalyst (Mercury).
Conjunction - This is also called the sacred marriage when purified fixed structure (Salt) and refined volatile essence (Sulpher) is brought back together to form a new substance (Quintessence)
Fermentation - The time allowed for the new substance (Quintessence) to aquire an integrated state.
Distillation - The refinement of the volatile substance (Sulphar) to a higher level of vibration and/or purification
Coagulation - The process of fixing the newly formed substance (Quintessence) into a permanent and stable manifestation of purified fixed nature and refined volatile essence.
What is interesting is that given the above understanding, it does not mean that these steps are followed in the said sequence. This is a conclusion drawn from my spygaric experiments.
In spygarics the process followed is the following:
Dissolution - When we put the grinded herb (Prima materia) in the alcohol liquid (Mercury)
Fermentation – When the mixture is left for days while the alcohol liquid extracts the herbal essence (Sulphur) from the herbal faeces.(Salt)
Seperation when we separate the herbal faeces from the Alcohol-herb liquid (tincture) through the use of a filter.
Now two processes happen in parallel:
- Calcination as the herbal faeces is burnt over and over until the ash (salt) has turned white which is the purified salt (salt).
- Distillation takes place at the same time to refine the alcohol/herb liquid.
Conjunction is the remarriage when the purified salt is remarried to the tincture in creating a plantstone or elixir.
Coagulation is the last step when a plant stone is finally formed or when the elixir is strengthened.
Comments (5)
I've learned few new words and few interesting-important info on your blog-post. Not that I fully understand what it all about, but it's really refreshing to learn something new. Thanks for blogging.
As you probably realize, the medieval alchemists were struggling to understand the new science of chemistry and were working from an entirely different viewpoint than that of modern scientists - they very much "Saw through a glass darkly"- but as they struggled to understand the results of their experiments and explain the results in terms which they understood, gradually they moved in the direction of modern scientific chemists and physicists.
What I think you, and other modern alchemists, are doing is attempting to focus and develop that ancient viewpoint, as you believe modern chemistry has disregarded an entire focus of the relationship of man to the physical world- and thus sort of rejected an entire dimension of humanity. This is a true gnostic viewpoint which has followed humanity through the ages.
@RestlessButterfly - With this blog entry I got myself confused in my own trap of logic, but blogging set the thinking juices free and ultimately I hope something of value will emerge.
@tychecat -I have great respect for modern day chemistry and sciences. As an engineer I studied metallurgy, chemistry and physics. Whatever the philosophy we accept today, should take into consideration advances in all fields of science. My study is to understand the thinking behind alchemy and other ancient disciplines, to see how they worked and understand the thought processes fed them. Too often these are considered out-dated and we lose their value. I would concur that a critical element of alchemy is that there was a definite perceived relationship between man and matter. In quantum physics we still sit with that same quandary where the observer cannot be fully dislodged from the observed phenomena. The true alchemist world view was significantly different from the scientist’s world view. I am not choosing sides in terms of right and wrong but would like to be able to formulate both views and see the value of both views.
@Zeal4living - Apparently modern physics also has its problems about certainty. For a century, Einstein's theory of the speed of light as a constant has ruled physics. Now the physicists at CERN have apparently discovered that it's not.
Read This.Perhaps the Existentialists' contention that we live in a chaotic universe that we apply our own order to is correct.
@tychecat - Thank you, great article to read. At least science continues to challenge its own primary propositions.
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