Alchemy :.
Change Lead Into Gold? It's Been Done!!

Alchemy is more than just the ancient form of chemistry. It is the underground sea from which chemistry sprang, yes. But that is not the sum total of what alchemy is.

Chemistry is the scientific application of the Earth's minerals, metals, and gasses to create a physical effect or change. Alchemists did much the same thing, but with one other, very important component...

Alchemists were not only chemists, they were magick users, as well.

Alchemy was born in ancient Egypt, where the word Khem was used in reference to the fertility of the flood plains around the Nile. Egyptian beliefs in life after death, and the mummification procedures they developed, probably gave rise to rudimentary chemical knowledge and a goal of immortality.

By 332 BCE, Alexander the Great had conquered Egypt. Greek philosophers became interested in the Egyptian ways. Greek views of how matter is made up of the four elements of nature - Fire, Earth, Air and Water, were merged with the Egyptian sacred science. The result was Khemia, the Greek word for Egypt. When Egypt was occupied by the Arabs in the 7th Century CE, they added 'al-' to the word Khemia and al-Khemia meaning 'the Black Land' is now seen as a possible origin for the word alchemy. The Greek word khumos, meaning 'fluid' has been suggested as an alternate origin for the word alchemy, there is as yet no consensus on the matter. It is unfortunate that more is not known about this early period in the history of alchemy. In 391 CE, invading Christians burned the great library in Alexandria, destroying many relevant works.

Alchemy was also developed independently in China by Taoist monks. The monks pursued both the outer elixir and the inner elixir. The former being minerals, plants etc. which could prolong life, and the latter being the use of exercise techniques, such as Qigong, to manipulate the chi or life force of the body.

Like China and Egypt, India developed alchemy independently. They had beliefs similar to the Chinese, in that they used external and internal methods to purify the body and prolong life.

In their work the Indians invented steel and long before Bunsen and Kirchhoff's work, realised the importance of flame colour in the identification of metals.

The introduction of alchemy to the west came in the 8th Century CE when the Arabs brought it to Spain. From here it quickly spread to the rest of Europe.

The Arabian belief was that metals are made up of mercury and sulfur in varying proportions. Gold was seen as the perfect metal and all others were less perfect, an idea popular among western alchemists. It was a very popular idea indeed, that these lower metals could be transmuted into gold by means of a substance known as the Philosophers Stone.

The Stone is also believed to be able to confer immortality, the Chinese name for it being the Pill of Immortality.

In Europe, alchemy led to the discovery of manufacture of amalgams and advances in many other chemical processes and the apparatus required for them. Eventually, by the 16th Century CE, the alchemists in Europe had separated into two groups.

The first group focussed on the discovery of new compounds and their reactions - leading to what is now the science of chemistry.

The second continued to look at the more spiritual, metaphysical side of alchemy, continuing the search for immortality and the transmutation of base metals into gold and other important projects.

Before one can hope to succeed upon the path of the Alchemist, one must first understand not only the basics, but the psychology behind this particular path. I sincerely recommend the work described in the paragraph to follow. It not only details the psychology, but also gives you the basics in a way which will expand your horizons, perspectives, and ultimately...your goals.

Below is geryn's summation of this work..

"Old recipes for living in a new world!" An old practice which has helped bring humanity to where it is today: Alchemy. "Psychological Alchemy" helps give an understanding of the basics of alchemy and how it can be used to assist in your psychological development. The alchemists' use of psychology, symbolism, astrology, their practices and utilization methods assisted them greatly in the attainment of their goals. This work will give you a look at alchemy and foster an insight concerning how to become your "true self," and face whatever is holding you back from reaching your true potential.

Psychology is an art of science which is a very recent development, historically speaking. It was developed to give us a better understanding of ourselves and our psyche. Two of the most famous practitioners of this field, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, are mentioned in this literary work. The use of dream interpretations to assist in understanding the human psyche is a Jungian technique. Symbols helped alchemists protect their secrets and assisted in providing more insights into the human subconscious mind, which understands symbols on a higher level than does the conscious mind. Jung saw the importance of symbolism as symbols are the language of alchemy, causing him to conclude that dreams are many times symbolic of events or issues with which our subconscious struggles. Using symbolism, alchemy, and the combined product [psychology], the alchemist maintains the great balance and remains in balance and in touch with his/her higher self. Therefore, psychology is not only an integral part of alchemy, it is also a by-product of alchemy.

For many ages, different cultures have studied the stars to see where they were going in life, and to determine latitude and longitude at sea. Astronomical objects affect people all throughout their lives, yet many take no notice of them. Alchemists use the stars to direct energies and to strive for different states of consciousness. The solar system represents the mind, the outer shell or the orbit of Saturn is the conscious mind. As you do more work on yourself and go deeper into meditation, you progress deeper into the subconscious mind. The experiments of alchemists were used to gain a better understanding of nature and by doing so, gain a better understanding of themselves. In so doing, they worked through different levels of consciousness or through each orbit until they reached the center of their consciousness, and thereby transformed lead into gold. There have been two documented cases of this occurrence: Glenn Seaborg, 1951 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, succeeded in transmuting a minute quantity of lead (possibly en route from Bismuth, in 1980) into gold and an earlier report of 1972 in which Soviet physicists at a nuclear research facility near Lake Baikal in Siberia accidentally discovered a reaction for turning lead into gold when they found the lead shielding of an experimental reactor had changed to pure gold. Today particle accelerators routinely transmute elements, thereby indicating the conclusion that modern day physicists are also the new Alchemists, in a way.

The elements also play a large part in alchemy as well as the Elementals. Alchemy is, among other things, a combination of science and metaphysics. The symbolism of the elements and their elementals help the psyche to open up and become enlightened. Fire is symbolic of illumination, transformation, and purification. Water shows us energy in motion and is cleansing and will assist in keeping control of our feelings. Earth is the representation of our physical self and can assist us in guiding our feelings with more purpose. Air is the element which represents thought, carries sound and represents the soul. Lastly, but certainly not least, there can be no true transformation without the Divine; Akasha. Akasha represents true knowledge and wisdom. It is that for which we all aspire. The observation and the use of the elements in experiments, with the assistance of the Elementals, raises the level of consciousness which leads to the Higher Self.

Throughout history, many different cultures used alchemy to achieve their own goals. The Egyptians developed their mummification techniques. The Greeks formulated mathematics and are widely known for their philosophies. The Chinese discovered both herbal and massage remedies to be used in healing and they also developed gun powder. Indians used meditation techniques to weave the conscious mind with the subconscious mind, as well as with the Universe. Arabian alchemy incorporates Islamic and Judaic alchemy which led to the development of the Qaballa. European alchemy brought in such greats as Albertus Magnus, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Nicholas Flamel; all of whom were reported to have created the "Philosopher's Stone." All of these great civilizations have given us something to push us further into the future with the use of alchemy. America is next.

One major element in being an alchemist and taking the path to reaching the Higher Self is Individuation, which is the gradual integration and unification of the self through the resolution of successive layers of psychological conflict. In other words, the working through of one's problems coupled with the ability to leave them behind once resolved, and forget them. This process is why alchemists secluded themselves from others and became hermetic. This step requires the individual to lift themselves above what is expected of them from society. They must also accept responsibility for themselves and their actions and rise above their upbringing to find their true Self; or whom they really are. Developing a good self esteem is another part of this system, as you must respect yourself. Having confidence in your abilities so you can be confident in your work is another aspect of needing good self esteem. After all this has been achieved the indivual must be able to maintain this state, regardless of the company they keep and their surroundings. The state of Individuation can be something that some alchemists never truly reach, but one they must all aspire to achieve. To arrive at this state would mean that the individual is one step away from the Philosopher's Stone; not a physical stone, the Philosopher's Stone of their psyche.

Present is also the hidden element of interaction with the Trickster. The Trickster's symbols are Mercury, Loki, and Hermes. The Trickster will purposefully place an obstacle in your path to trip you up and teach you an important lesson, as none of them are mean-spirited or dark-hearted. The Trickster is to never be seen as a wall in your way, but rather as a sWitch on the railroad to put you on the right path. Many find it difficult to understand them but they are catalysts in any experiment you undertake. The presence of the Trickster in your work helps you learn faster and gain a more full understanding by teaching you new perspectives as well as many other lessons that will, at first, seem to be stumbling blocks but which turn out to be the very catalysts to discovery. These lessons will invariably assist you in life.

This literary work, "Alchemical Psychology", will help you understand the basics and purpose of Alchemy. Through the teachings that are outlined in this book, you will find ways to lift your psyche and heart. Experience, meditation techniques, psychological self-work, an understanding of symbolism and what they mean to your psyche, and a connection with the Divine Beings are major keys to reaching the Higher Self. Our world is ruled by the laws of nature and what we can do with the energies we possess from Nature, Herself. Reaching the Higher Self is the main goal of Alchemy. You must heal the mind, body, and soul to be truly healthy. "Alchemical Psychology" is a fantastic place to start this journey and gives a wonderful introduction into the processes of finding your Higher Self.

A word of warning. This work was written with a Christian slant. You must overlook the occasional gratuitous references to Jehova and christianity to glean the real meat from the christian bones.

geryn™
Famous Alchemists of Note
Zosimus ca. 250 CE

Zosimus was an Egyptian born Greek alchemist who believed that all substances are composed of the four elements of nature - Fire, Water, Air and Earth.

He collected together all the knowledge on khemia, as it was then known, and compiled a 28 volume encylopedia.

It is thanks to Zosimus that we know what we do about Egyptian/Greek alchemy. Much of the knowledge was destroyed by the Roman emperor Diocletian and Christians who burned what was salvaged from the library in Alexandria in 391 CE [Ahab the Arab shoved most of the original Alexandrian Library into the ocean in 61 CE.].

Geber full name: Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan ca. 721 - 815 CE

Geber, as he was known by the Europeans, was an Arabian alchemist who lived in what we now know as Iraq.

He distilled strong acetic acid from vinegar and believed that metals are made up of mercury and sulfur invarying proportions. He also popularised the idea of the Philosopher's Stone which would combine the mercury and sulfur to make gold.

Geber is responsible for giving us the word 'gibberish', derived from his name!

Albertus Magnus ca. 1200 - 1280 CE

Albert von Bollstadt, or Abertus Magnus, (which means Albert the Great) was a German monk and practising alchemist.

Magnus closely followed the works of Aristotle, giving his philosophy prominence in the Middle Ages. He was the first to describe arsenic in its pure form and Thomas Aquinas, who was later to become, among other things, a famous alchemist, was one of his students.

Paracelsus full name: Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim 1493 - 1541 CE

The Swiss born Paracelsus took his name meaning 'better than Celsus', Celsus being a renowned Roman scholar of medicine.

He invented the word alcohol from the Arabic 'al-kohl', and his own branch of alchemy called 'spagyric alchemy'.

Paracelsus strongly believed in spiritual alchemy and that the purpose of alchemy was not to transmute metals, but to cure disease.

Isaac Newton 1642 - 1727 CE

One of the last well known alchemists was the English scientist Isaac Newton.

In addition to studying more "legitimate" sciences such as physics and maths, Newton spent most of his time on alchemy. Indeed it has been said that Newton was not the "first of the age of reason but that he was the last of the magicians."

In rediscovered documents deemed unfit to be printed by the Royal Society, it is clear that the inspiration for his work on light and gravity came from his obsession with alchemy. It is even suggested that Newton succeeded in transmuting lead to gold...