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