| Physical AlchemyTransmutation of one substance | | | | in the Id, the subconsciousness, to the detriment |
| into another such as base metals into gold, water | | | | of the psychological equilibrium and stability of the |
| into wine, etc., is the physical aspect of alchemy. | | | | waking consciousness.There are hierarchies of |
| It is often referred to as the "Greater Circulation." | | | | development and transformation of both male |
| Much charlatanry and quackery became involved | | | | and female qualities evolving within the psyche. |
| with this aspect and many people were cheated | | | | The "lowest" rung of the female hierarchy is the |
| by rascals who claimed that they had in their | | | | "Harlot," later transfiguring into the "Virgin" of the |
| possession the Philosopher's Stone that could | | | | succeeding rung, and on to the High Priestess" and |
| effect a transmutation of base metals into gold. | | | | the "Empress" of the higher stages. The masculine |
| Human greed knows no bounds; the poor wishes | | | | side has its transformation from "Barbarian," to |
| to be wealthy, the rich aims to be wealthier, and | | | | "Knight," "Hierophant," and "Emperor."The |
| with all their efforts, whether successful or not, | | | | Hermaphrodite symbolically represents the ideal |
| sorrow and suffering is the karmic result.Aspirants | | | | anima and animus in symbiotic conjunction; the |
| of the Ancient Wisdom are taught that the world | | | | highest aspect of the male and female qualities in |
| of form is transient and that one's happiness | | | | perfect balance and unity within the psyche. This |
| should not be based upon something that is | | | | is the state of unity that every man and woman |
| illusory. Illusions do not last and they are not | | | | unconsciously seeks in an external partner. The |
| eternal. They bind man to a false sense of human | | | | search for wholeness should really take place |
| limitation. They enslave man to matter by | | | | within. Man's union with Omneity is preceded by |
| seducing him to indulge in things that hampers the | | | | man's union with his alter ego within his waking |
| development of the soul. Truth and the Real are | | | | consciousness.Any individual with such a |
| that which is eternal and they are to be found in | | | | coordinated psyche functions balancely and |
| the "kingdom of God" within us. Unfortunately, | | | | creatively in society. An aura of holiness enfolds |
| most Christians overlook this one of the most | | | | the person; the world knows the person as a |
| important injunctions of the Nazarene Master. The | | | | compassionate, wise, and powerful being. He, or |
| ancient precepts advises us further that the less | | | | she, is the "twice-born."Esoteric tradition teaches |
| earthly desires one has, the richer one truly | | | | that in a future Root Race individuals will be |
| becomes.The "Lesser Circulation" of the herbal | | | | hermaphrodites. Aside from having an |
| family is also included in this category of Physical | | | | androgynous psyche, man would biologically |
| Alchemy. The main object of this work is the | | | | possess two spinal columns with the cerebra-spinal |
| search for a universal panacea that would cure | | | | and autonomic nervous system functioning in a |
| the ills and sufferings of humanity. This is quite a | | | | closer relationship. Individuals who are capable of |
| noble desire should the lucrative aspect and profit | | | | controlling autonomic functions such as the heart |
| motive be absent; it would exemplify the | | | | beat, is a certain indication of where the biological |
| Bodhisattva ideal.In contemporary times, there | | | | and physiological aspects of man are |
| are many of those who have claimed to have | | | | evolving.DragonsThere are many myths and |
| accomplished a successful transmutation in their | | | | legends concerning heroes slaying dragons that |
| laboratories, even teaching the secrets of the art | | | | are to be found in the mythology of various |
| to their ardent followers.Biological AlchemyWhen | | | | cultures. We hear in Greek myth of Apollo |
| alchemists realized that they were advancing in | | | | vanquishing Python; Siegfried, St. George, Krishna, |
| age and were no closer to the goal of physical | | | | Hermes, and many other heroic figures have also |
| transmutation, they sought a way to stall the | | | | had their dragons to slay. There are basically two |
| process of old age, to regenerate the body, and | | | | species of dragons to be found in alchemical |
| even to acquire a degree of physical immortality | | | | mythos: the celestial, and the terrestrial dragon. |
| and biological immunity to diseases that humankind | | | | The latter dragon is sometimes called "the red |
| is so prone.With such an object in view, they | | | | dragon."What do dragons represent? Dragons are |
| commenced their search for an "Elixir of Life" that | | | | symbols of raw energy within the |
| would prolong their physical existence. At the | | | | psycho-biological organism of man. The terrestrial |
| very onset, the search took them to the field of | | | | dragon in the microcosm, is the kundalini fire |
| herbalism, for many plants were believed to | | | | nesting in the kanda. In the average person, this |
| possess the traditional virtues of the fabled | | | | energy is used mainly in sexual gratification and |
| "Fountain of Youth." The Hindu mystics attribute | | | | indulgence in sensual activities. Slaying the dragon |
| such qualities to the "Soma" creeper. The Chinese | | | | symbolizes the tapping of this energy for higher |
| Taoists declare that a certain mushroom that | | | | uses of the Ego. The student-hero utilizes the |
| they call "lung chih" has the virtue of regenerating | | | | sword, symbolic of the will, to overcome the |
| the physical body. The Egyptian god Thoth is also | | | | beast within, does so by directing the kundalini fire |
| said to have described a life-giving mushroom | | | | upwards toward the brain centers via the channel |
| which conferred immortality.At a later period, | | | | called sushumna--stimulating creativity of a higher |
| however, the discovery was made that the real | | | | order as a result. Illumination is the consequence |
| Elixir lied within man himself, and it had to be | | | | of the internal marriage that takes place between |
| manufactured via psycho-biological means. Briefly, | | | | the negative kundalini force and the higher positive |
| this is the work to be undertaken at the biological | | | | Christic force, symbolised by the celestial dragon, |
| level.Psychological AlchemyPsychological, or "Mental | | | | within the Holy of Holies of the sanctum within |
| Alchemy," is the science of the development of | | | | the cranium. In a symbolical sense, the hero is |
| the Mind. Of the four lower bodies, the mental | | | | smeared by dragon's blood making him immortal. |
| sheath is the only one unstructured, as yet, into | | | | The resurrected Kundalini is sometimes |
| an organized body--that is, in most people. In the | | | | represented by the Phoenix bird.The individual who |
| course of evolution, the mental body will be | | | | has his kundalini raised permanently and hissing |
| constituted and coordinated so as to allow the | | | | through the Third Eye, is honorably called a |
| Ego, and the waking consciousness, to function | | | | "Naga," a Hindu mystic term for "dragon," or |
| fully in the mental realm. The "Secret Doctrine" of | | | | "serpent." With the experience of illumination, the |
| H.P.Blavatsky tells us that in the Fifth Round the | | | | Naga realizes the oneness and unity of life. The |
| mental body is expected to be fully developed. | | | | Naga is known for his wisdom in his words, action, |
| Mental Alchemy accelerates the evolution of the | | | | and behavior. Master Jesus is presumed to have |
| Mind. It permits its practitioner to acquire in the | | | | praised the enlightened Nagas by exhorting his |
| Fourth Round what Nature intends humankind to | | | | followers to be "as wise as a serpent . . ." |
| attain in the next with her somewhat languid | | | | Dragons, occasionally, represent the unresolved |
| process. Mental development entails the | | | | and repressed energies to be found in the |
| development and the refinement of the following | | | | psyche--the "monsters of the id"--such as phobias, |
| abilities, qualities, and faculties:1) A universal | | | | neurosis, guilt feelings, and the like.From the |
| attitude and perspective2) Imagination3) | | | | geo-terrestrial angle, dragons represent certain |
| Concentration4) The ability to reason inductively, | | | | currents of magnetic energy found in certain |
| deductively, syllogistically, analytically, analogically, | | | | parts of the earth's terrain. They could perhaps |
| etc.5) Mental quietude6) Abstract thinking7) Divine | | | | be called "chakras of the planet." They also |
| thinking8) Mental receptivity9) Visualization10) | | | | correspond to accupressure points in the body of |
| Discrimination (Viveka)11) Detachment | | | | man. Ley lines are, likewise, associated with |
| (Vairagya)12) Meditation13) Mental creation | | | | geo-terrestrial dragons. The Knights Templers had |
| Etc.Before quick progress can be made in | | | | certain knowledge in this regard--they knew how |
| developing the above faculties, the mind has to be | | | | to determine the locations of magnetically-charged |
| purged of all the phobias, neurosis, and psychosis | | | | regions. Such hallowed grounds were chosen as |
| that are infecting it; even the guilts, resentments, | | | | sites for cathedrals, chapels, and temples. Dragons |
| and sinful feelings torturing one's consciousness. | | | | are sometimes associated with the body, soul, |
| The aspirant is advised to forgive--forgive self | | | | and spirit of Man.The CaduceusMystic gurus, when |
| and forgive others. The steps of conviction, | | | | instructing disciples, sometimes adopt teaching |
| contrition, confession, consecration, and | | | | devices to train their chelas. The Caduceus is one |
| communion should be adhered to when one | | | | such device. It represents the major nadis, or |
| desires spiritual unfoldment.One of the other steps | | | | subtle nervous system to be found in man's |
| to be taken is the unification of the male and | | | | occult anatomy.The Caduceus, or staff of |
| female aspects of the psyche. Psychoanalysis, | | | | Mercury, is composed of a rod with two snakes |
| however, has only touched the outer fringes of | | | | intertwined around the rod. The rod represents |
| the mind with its inner probings.Mental Alchemy, | | | | sushumna, an etheric counterpart of the spinal |
| like the previous categories, is not considered the | | | | cord. Within the sushumna there are other subtle |
| ultimate goal of Alchemy. They are but stepping | | | | nerves, channels of refine energy; they are called |
| stones leading to Transcendental Alchemy. More | | | | by yogis "Vajrini," "Chitrini," and "Brahman." The |
| on Mental Alchemy and the general laws | | | | sushumna extends upwards and outwards into |
| governing transmutation may be read in the | | | | the Overself as the "Sutratma." Pingala and Ida |
| Kybalion written by anonymous | | | | are the two nadis depicted by the snakes. The |
| initiate-writers.Transcendental AlchemyAll things in | | | | junctions where the snakes and rod meet are |
| their natural unregenerated state are considered | | | | symbolic of the major chakras. Vagabond yogis |
| dead by alchemists. Man in his natural state is in a | | | | sometimes carry bamboo staffs with seven |
| state of death. Master Jesus voiced this precept | | | | knots on it to represent sushumna and the |
| when he declared, "let the dead bury the dead." | | | | chakras.Atop of the caduceus rod is a knob; a |
| Transcendental Alchemy raises Man from the | | | | vine creeper is sometimes attached to this knot |
| "State of Nature, to a State of Grace." The | | | | ending somewhere midway at the staff. The |
| process reunites the sadhaka, the disciple, to the | | | | protuberance represents the medulla oblongata |
| Atma, and later to the Monad in full awareness. | | | | with the vagus nerve, the creeper, connected to |
| This is the "unio mystica" sought fervently by | | | | it. The vagus nerve ends in the thoracic region. |
| mystics of all Ages. When Man unites with the | | | | Each of these components plays an important |
| totality of Life, he factually unites himself with | | | | role in man's mystic development. They serve |
| God, for Life and God are synonymous.Unity with | | | | various spiritual functions.Occasionally, a pair of |
| "Tao," Lao Tse's mystic term for the Absolute, | | | | wings are to be found appended to each side of |
| results in the realization of one's true Identity and | | | | the knob or rod. This indicates that the kundalini |
| Reality. The individual who is united with the | | | | energy at the base of the sushumna had been |
| Absolute is a Jivanmukta, a freed being--freed | | | | raised and resurrected. Angelic wings symbolize a |
| from ignorance, maya, and mortality; human | | | | superior degree of consciousness and mind.As a |
| consciousness expands and embraces Cosmic | | | | whole, the caduceus symbolizes regeneration and |
| Consciousness in this unified state. Figuratively, the | | | | enlightenment. It further depicts the attunement |
| Drop returns to the Ocean, and the Spark to the | | | | of the mind of man with the Cosmic Mind.In |
| Flame, and Man's essential divine nature shines | | | | bygone days, in the Mystery Schools, only the |
| forth with the splendour of the Sun. This is the | | | | adepts and those of a higher standing were |
| destiny of Man--to advance into the Kingdom of | | | | worthy enough to hold such a symbolic staff in |
| God and be all that God wants him to be.There | | | | their hands. Sometimes the caduceus, or versions |
| are various systems of spiritual unfoldment | | | | of it, were magnetized with odic energy and |
| catered to the basically, seven different | | | | Atmic force. The Thyrsus held in the hands of |
| temperaments of Man, that leads him to his | | | | hierophants of the Eleusian Mystery School was |
| ultimate goal. Transcendental Alchemy is one of | | | | one rod with such a divine quality impregnated |
| these sublime systems. It is essentially yogic in | | | | into it. It was primarily designed to stimulate the |
| nature. Meditation, concentration, and | | | | kundalini fire of the disciples and initiates when |
| contemplation are stressed and the work of the | | | | their gurus deemed it necessary and appropriate |
| previous levels of transmutation are conducive to | | | | at certain stages of their spiritual growth. The act |
| its successful outcome.Symbols of AlchemySince | | | | of impregnating a mystical or religious object with |
| ancient times symbols have been used to | | | | divine influences is called "consecration," or |
| describe something that words were not | | | | "magnetization."Some occultists interpret the |
| adequate enough to express. The intellect has its | | | | caduceus as representing the Universal Magickal |
| limitations in comprehending spiritual verities. | | | | Agent. This magickal force is used abundantly in |
| Intuitively, Man feels that the forces of nature are | | | | theurgic and thaumaturgic operations. Egyptian |
| intelligently directed. How and why, his human | | | | hierophants were adepts in the application of this |
| mind is unable to explain. Cosmic principles, though | | | | force. The laws and principles involved in controlling |
| inadequately described verbally by prophets of | | | | the agent were transmitted under oath of |
| God, finds its inculcation upon the human mind | | | | secrecy to seekers of Light. Appolonius, |
| expressively through symbols and signs.Symbols | | | | Pythagoras, and Moses are names that come to |
| are not restrictive, nor exclusive. Minds interpret | | | | mind when considering the display of so-called |
| symbols according to the level of their mental and | | | | miracles. These eminent individuals were all initiates |
| spiritual development. The child-mind interprets a | | | | of the Mystery schools in the Land of |
| symbol in one way, while the transcendental mind | | | | Khem.Nowadays, the Caduceus is an emblem |
| would interpret it in another.Most symbols are | | | | employed by the medical profession. Only in |
| taken from Nature; others invented by Man, | | | | recent years is this branch of science discovering |
| usually take on the form of combined geometric | | | | the subtle energies with which this emblem is |
| elements. Examples of the former are: the snake, | | | | silently pointing.Themes of AlchemyAlchemy, no |
| which symbolizes regeneration; the | | | | matter what its level of application, is essentially |
| scarabeaus--immortality; mountains--obstacles, etc. | | | | psychic in nature. All of the laboratory processes |
| Examples of the latter: the Martinist pentacle--the | | | | described by alchemists takes place mainly in |
| unity of Man and Omneity; the Egyptian ankh--Life | | | | man's consciousness. Consciousness is the key to |
| and Immortality; the circle--eternity.Symbols have | | | | transmutation. God-Consciousness is the secret of |
| a certain usefulness in transforming the mind. | | | | the royal Art. Functioning in higher dimensions, the |
| Whatever man thinks upon, that he becomes. By | | | | conscious mind in unison with higher levels of |
| meditating on symbols, or images representing | | | | consciousness, creates forms of perfection in |
| power, love, holiness, and compassion, for | | | | higher realms, in archetypal worlds. The |
| example, through mental induction man unfolds | | | | consciousness operating therein coalesces the |
| such qualities within his nature.Personally developed | | | | necessary electronic particles to bring about a |
| symbols are sometimes used as media for | | | | manifestation in the physical world. Consciousness, |
| communicative exchange between the waking | | | | when in the borderline state, easily experiences |
| consciousness and the subconscious mind. This is | | | | and produces psychic manifestations.The Mind is |
| effected by ascribing a certain attribute to a, | | | | the creator and director of the dynamism and |
| preferably, invented symbol by repetitious thought | | | | kinetics of subatomic particles. Out of Cosmic |
| and contemplation upon it. For example, the | | | | Root Substance, or Prima Materia, the Cosmic |
| waking mind may ascribe to lightning as a symbol | | | | Mind and Intelligence fashioned the entire universe. |
| the meaning of danger by constant focus and | | | | Man, being the reflection of the macrocosm, is |
| suggestion upon it until it is absorbed by the | | | | able to use the same Mind to manifest his designs. |
| subconscious mind. At a later date, when real | | | | Patterns of perfection held constantly in mind |
| danger is present, an intuitive impression with the | | | | becomes living archetypes which stimulates its |
| lightning symbol would flash through from the | | | | creator to work spiritually upon his redemption |
| subconscious to the waking mind, thus warning | | | | and salvation from bondage to human mortality. |
| the individual. This method is also applicable to | | | | We become what we think. Thoughts are living |
| enrich and enlarge upon symbolic dream content | | | | energy, and it is the proper directing of those |
| and to induce the subconscious to utilize the newly | | | | thoughts by the will that effects transmutation or |
| absorbed symbols which are non-mystifying to | | | | precipitation. It is declared that thoughts of a |
| the waking-consciousness.Alchemy is very rich in | | | | divine nature give rise to the vibrations of a |
| symbolism. The Royal Art itself is sometimes | | | | Master Soul. Thoughts influence us holistically. Our |
| represented by the Pelican and the Phoenix bird. | | | | nerve substances, composition of the blood, auric |
| The latter was invented by mystics in Alexandria | | | | energies and radiations, are all affected by the |
| during its heyday; the former, by a group of | | | | state of our mind, by the thoughts that we dwell |
| Knights Templer in the British Isles.Alchemical | | | | on a day to day basis.Every organism is an |
| symbols of past ages were designed to reveal, as | | | | embryo of a higher development and expression. |
| well as to conceal; to stimulate the mind to | | | | Nature is constantly striving to produce perfection. |
| awaken from its intellectual-complacency. | | | | Alchemists believe that it is Man's prerogative to |
| Alchemical mandalas describe processes of | | | | speed up the processes of nature to quickly |
| transmutation. Truths, laws, and principles, which | | | | attain perfection. This spiritual labor is conducted in |
| are pertinent to an aspirant's spiritual unfoldment, | | | | the laboratory of the soul. |
| are similarly depicted within mandalas. Such truths | | | | From the Absolute's point of view, we may |
| were obscured by vague language and inexplicable | | | | speculate that everything is perfect, for |
| diagrams for protection from persecution, | | | | "everything" does not truthfully exist--everything |
| because truths, for some reason, were, and still | | | | is his being. All is God in his omnipresence. God is |
| are, considered heretical by Christian orthodoxy. | | | | Immanent and Transcendent. Perfection is a divine |
| In accord with this dire situation, alchemical | | | | quality ever present within Nature and Man. This |
| symbols, as an expedient, took on Christian | | | | innate divinity is stressed by spiritual gurus. The |
| coloration.Let us examine the following common | | | | "know ye not that ye are gods" precept is |
| alchemical symbols:1) The Hermaphrodite2) | | | | emphasized repeatedly. |
| Dragons3) The CaduceusThe | | | | From the relative point of view, imperfections |
| HermaphroditeModern psychology has discovered | | | | are to be seen everywhere. Man's earthly mission |
| that the human psyche possesses both masculine | | | | is to transmute this disordered condition, this |
| and feminine qualities. The male and female | | | | cacophony of man's evolving principles by attuning |
| polarities are present no matter what our | | | | with the rhythm of the Cosmos--with the dance |
| biological gender. One polarity in the human psyche | | | | of Shiva. |
| is, however, usually repressed to the background | | | | |