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Aablution

Theprocessofwashingasolidwithaliquid,usuallyinwater.Spirituallyandpsychologically,itisfacingone'semotionsandlettingfeelingsflow,sothatinnocenceandpuritycanberestored.

Aion

(seeOuroboros)

Air

AirisoneoftheFourElementsofalchemy.Airinthealchemicalsensecarriesthearchetypalpropertiesofspiritintothemanifestedworld.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofSeparationandrepresentedbythemetalIron.

alchemy

ThewordisderivedfromtheArabianphrase"alkimia,"whichreferstothepreparationoftheStoneorElixirbytheEgyptians.TheArabicroot"kimia"comesfromtheCoptic"khem"thatalludedtothefertileblacksoiloftheNiledelta.Esotericallyandhieroglyphically,thewordrefers

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tothedarkmysteryoftheprimordialorFirstMatter(theKhem),theOneThingthroughwhichallcreationmanifests.Alchemy,then,istheGreatWorkofnaturethatperfectsthischaoticmatter,whetheritbeexpressedasthemetals,thecosmos,orthesubstanceofoursouls.

alembic

Theupperpartofastillastillhead.Thetermisoftenusedtorefertoacompletestill.(seecucurbuteDistillation)

alkahest

ThealkahestisthepowerfromAbovethatmakespossiblealchemicaltransformation.Thewordisusuallytranslatedas"universalsolvent,"whichalludestotheabilityofthealkahesttodissolveorreduceallphysicalmattertoitsbasicessence.Withmetals,thismeanttransmutingthemtotheirpurestform,whichwasgold.Inthehumanbody,thismeantthecreationorrevealingofagoldenbodyofconsciousness,theAstralBody.

aludel

Apearshapedearthenwarebottle,openatbothends.Itwasusedasacondenserinthesublimationprocessandthuscametosignifytheendstagesoftransformation.AlsocalledtheHermeticVase,thePhilosopher'sEgg,andtheVaseofthePhilosophy.

amalgam

Theamalgamisasolidmetalformedbythecombinationofmercurywithgold,silver,lead,orothermetals.

angel

Anangelinalchemicaltreatisessymbolizessublimationortheascensionofthevolatileprinciple.

Ankh

TheAnkhisahieroglyphiccharacterusedbyEgyptianalchemiststodenotetheascendancyofthelifeforceorspirit(thecircle)overthematerialworld(thecross).Inotherwords,throughcrucifixion,thesoulrisesandisrebornonahigherlevel.Itsusedatesbackover3,000yearsandisasymbolicrenditionoftheprinciplesexpressedintheEmeraldTablet.Initsdesign,thecircularOneMindprojectsdownwardintotheOneThing,whilethelateralmanifestedworldonwhichwearecrucifiedisindicatedbythehorizontalbar.

animals

Animalsareoftenusedtosymbolizethebasiccomponentsandprocessesofalchemy.TheymaybeusedtosymbolizethefourElementssuchasthelionorox(Earth),fishorwhales(Water),eagles(Air),orsalamandersordragons(Fire).Aerialanimalsgenerallyindicatevolatileprinciples,whileterrestrialanimalsindicatefixedprinciples.Whenevertwoanimalsarefound,theysignifySulfurandMercuryorsomerelationshipbetweenthefixedandthevolatile.

antimony

Themetalantimonysymbolizestheanimalnatureorwildspiritofmanandnature,andit

wasoftensymbolizedbythewolf.AlchemistBasilValentinenamedthemetal,afterfeedingittosomemonksinaBenedictinemonastery.Themonksgotviolentlyillandsomeevendied,hencetheLatinnamethatmeans"antimonk."Spirituallytoo,monksfeelmostthreatenedbytheirownanimalnature.Oddlyenough,theTinctureofAntimonycuresvenerealdiseases.

Apollo

ReferencestotheGreekgodApollosignifytheSunasspiritorsolarconsciousness.

aquafortis

AquafortisisLatinfor"strongwater"andreferstonitricacid.VariousgradesofaquafortiswereprepareddependingonthelengthofDistillation,whichconcentratedtheacid.

aquaregia

Amixtureofaquafortis("strongwater,"i.e.,nitricacid)andspiritussalis("spiritofsalt,"i.e.,hydrochloricacid)producesaquaregia("royalwater"sonamedbecauseitcandissolvegold).Itwasfirstpreparedbydistillingcommonsaltwithaquafortis.

aquavitae

The"livingwater"orwater"withspirit."AnaqueousalcoholconcentratedbyoneormoreDistillations.

arcana

Thearcana("magicalsecrets")arearchetypalinfluencesthattranscendspaceandtime.AccordingtotheancienttextArchidoxies,thearcanaarepreexistingpowersthat"havethepoweroftransmuting,altering,andrestoringus."Inthisview,thearcanaarethesecretworkingsofthemindofGod,thelogosoftheGreeksorwhatthealchemistsreferredtoasthethoughtsoftheOneMind.IntheTarot,thearcanaarerepresentedbysymbolicdrawingsthatthereadertriestoworkwiththroughmeditation.IntheCabala,thearcanaarerepresentedbytheesotericpropertiesofthelettersoftheHebrewalphabet,energiesthatthecabalisttriestoworkwithintheTreeofLife.IntheintheancientChinesesystemofdivination,theIChing,thearcanaarerepresentedbythesixtyfourtrigrams,eachwithitsownpropertiesandinfluences.Thealchemistsbelievedthearcanawereexpressedonalllevelsofrealityfromchemicalcompoundstoourinnermostmoodsanddesires.

ArcanumExperimentTheearlyalchemistsdividedtheirchemicalsintomajorandminorarcana.Themajorarcanaconsistedofthefourcompounds:Vitriol,Natron,LiquorHepatis,andPulvisSolaris.Threeoutofthefourconsistedofdualingredientsthatwereeasilyseparable.Vitriolcouldbebrokendownintosulfuricacidandiron.Natronappearedassodiumcarbonateandsodiumnitrate.PulvisSolariswasmadeupoftheredandblackvarieties.Thus,thesevenchemicalscomprisingtheminorarcanawere:SulfuricAcid,Iron,SodiumCarbonate,SodiumNitrate,LiquorHepatis,RedPulvisSolaris,andBlackPulvisSolaris.ThealchemistsbelievedthatthesesecretchemicalscouldbecombinedintheArcanumExperiment,thesinglelaboratoryexperimentthatwoulddemonstratethearchetypalforcesandevolutionoftheuniverse.Ideally,suchanexperimentshouldsucceedonmanylevels,notonlycorroboratingthedeepestphilosophicalandpsychologicalprinciples,butalsoprovidingconcreteevidenceoftheirveracity.TheArcanumExperimentexposedthehiddenprinciplesconnectingheavenandearth,offeringaframeworkin

whichtoexplainbothmicrocosmicandmacrocosmicevents.athanor

FromtheArabicword"altannur"(oven),theathanoristhefurnaceusedbythealchemiststoperfectmatter.Builtofbrickorclay,theathanorusuallywasshapedlikeatowerwithadomedroofandwasdesignedtokeepanevenheatoverlongperiodsoftime.Thealchemistsconsidereditanincubatorandsometimesreferredtoitasthe"HouseoftheChick."Symbolically,theathanorisalsothehumanbodyandthefireofbodilymetabolismthatfuelsourtransformationandtheultimatecreationofaSecondBodyoflight.Themountainisasymbolfortheathanor,sincetheperfectionofthemetalstakesplaceundertheguiseofNaturewithinmountains.Sometimesahollowoaktreeisusedtosymbolizetheatanor.

Azoth

Theterm"Azoth"isformedfromthefirstandlastlettersoftheEnglishalphabet("a"and"z"),whichstandforthebeginningandendofallcreationthealphaandomegaoftheGreekphilosophers,thealephandtauoftheHebrewcabalists.ThereforetheAzothistheultimatearcanum,theuniversalspiritofGodinallcreatedthings.Thealchemistsbelievedthattheliquidmetalmercurycarriedthesignatureofthisomnipotentarchetypalspirit.

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BBainMarie

TheBainMarieisawarmalchemicalbath.Chemically,itisadoubleboilerinwhichacontainerofwaterissuspendedinasimmeringcauldron.Psychologically,itisthegentlewarmthofemotionallycenteredmeditationusedintheDissolutionprocess.TheBainMariewasnamedafterMariaProphetissa,aJewishalchemistwhowrotemuchaboutthemethodsandequipmentoftheWateroperationsofDissolutionandDistillation.

balsamAbalsamisaresinousorwaxysemisolidcompoundthatcapturestheessenceofaliquidmedicineorperfume.ToParacelsus,thebalsamwasthe"interiorsalt"thatprotectedthebodyfromdecomposition,andearlieralchemistsconsideredtheBalsamoftheElementstobetheQuintessence,theresultoftheConjunctionofalchemicalprinciples.Becauseofitamalgamatingability,mercurywasconsideredthebalsamagentofthemetals.Inthechemicalarcana,LiquorHepatismixedwithfatorwaxwasknownastheBalsamoftheSoul.

Basilisk

TheBasiliskisasymbolicalchemicalcreaturesaidtohavetheheadofabirdandthebodyofadragon.Thewinglessserpentineanimalwashatchedfromahermaphroditiccock'seggandnursedbyaserpent.Psychologically,theBasiliskrepresentsthemeldingofourhigherandlowernaturesinConjunction,aprocessthatmustbecontinuedinthenextthreeoperationsofalchemyforthis"ChildofthePhilosophers"tobecometheLivingStoneofthefullyintegratedSelf.Biologically,theBasiliskrepresentsthemammalianembryology,thegeneticreplayingofthestagesofevolutionwithintheeggorwomb.TheBasiliskalsohaschemicalconnotations,which

probablyhavetodowithametallurgicalprocessinvolvingcinnabar.baths

BathsinalchemysymbolizetheDissolutionprocessinwhichthemetalsarecleansedandpurified.

birds

Ascendingbirdsindicatethevolatilizationofcompoundsortheirsublimation.Descendingbirdsindicatethefixationofcompoundsortheircondensationandprecipitation.BirdsshownbothascendinganddescendingindicatetheprocessofDistillation.

bezoar

Somechemicalcompounds,suchassulfurauretumwhenmixedwitheitherredmercuricoxideorblackantimony,clumptogetherinseparablyassoonastheyaremixedtogether.Thealchemistsconsideredsuchcompoundstobechemicalbezoars,whicharehardclumpsofundigestedfoodorsolidballsofhairsometimesfoundintheintestines.IntheMiddleAges,physiciansthoughtthestrangemassprotectedpeoplefrompoisonsandactuallyprescribedittotheirpatients.Egyptianpriestsdiscoveredbezoarsduringthepreparationofmummiesandbelievedthehardballsweremagicalpillsformedbythelargeserpentinman(theintestines).SomeevidencesuggeststhattheEgyptiansalsolookedforasimilarpillinthesmallserpentinman(thebrain)andfounditthereintheformofthepinealgland.Thispineshapedglandisimbeddedwithtinycrystalsofdarkmelanin,andcouldexplaintheEgyptianpineconeemblemsandtheoriginofthecaduceusitself.And,inthesamewaythatbezoarswereformedintheserpentinecontoursoftheintestines,sowasgoldformedinthebowelsoftheearth:goldwasconsideredamineralbezoar.

BlackPhase

TheBlackPhase(orMelanosis)isthefirststageinalchemy.ItphasebeginswiththeoperationofCalcinationandlaststhroughthePutrefactionstageofFermentation.

brimstone

(seeSulfur)

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Ccaduceus

ThecaduceusisthemagicalstaffofHermes,theMessengeroftheGodsandrevealerofalchemy.Thestaffisentwinedbytwoserpentsrepresentingthesolarandlunarforces.TheirunionistheConjunctionofalchemicalprinciplesandtheiroffspring,ifitlives,istheStone.ThisStoneisrepresentedasagoldenballwithwingsatthetopofthecaduceus.

Calcination

Thefirstoperationinalchemicaltransformation.Itisdenotedbythesymbolforthefirstsignofthezodiac,Aries.

Ceration

ApartoftheFermentationprocessduringwhichawaxysubstanceflowsfromtheputrefiedmatter.ThisistheFerment,theprecursoroftheStone.Cerationisthesofteningormollificationofahardmaterialtochangeitintoamorewaxystatecoveringwithwaxorsalve.

child

Anakedchildsymbolizestheinnocentsoul.Inalchemy,thechildistheoffspringoftheKingandQueen,theresultoftheirmarriageorunion.AchildcrownedorclothedinpurplerobessignifiesSaltorthePhilosopher'sStone.

cibation

Cibationistheadditionofnewmaterialtothecontentsofthecrucible.DuringDissolution,itrequiresaddingliquidtothedesiccatedmatteratpreciselytherightmoment.

cinnabar

Cinnabaristhebrightredoreofmercurysulfide.Knownas"Dragon'sBlood,"theroastedrocksemitathickreddishsmoke,aspureglisteningmercuryoozesfromcracks.Psychologically,cinnabarrepresentsthehardenedhabitsandterrestrialmarriagesofsoulandspiritthatmustbebrokenasunderinCalcinationtofreetheessenceswithwhichthealchemistintendstowork.

circle

Thecircleorsphereissymbolicofunity,theOneMindofgod.Itismathematicallyandpsychologicallyan"irrational"experiencebeyondthedualityofreason.

Coagulation

TheseventhandlastoperationinalchemicaltransformationisCoagulation.Cohobation

AkindofDistillationinwhichthedistillateispouredbackintoitsresidueamethodofredistillation.

Conjunction

Conjunctionisthefourthoperationinalchemicaltransformation.ItisthecomingtogetheroftheopposingarchetypalforcesoftheSunandMoonortheKingandQueen.

Congelation

AlooseortemporaryConjunctionofoppositesamixtureinwhichaliquidisgelledormadesemisolidintercourse.TheprocessisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofTaurus.

copper

Copperisoneofthesevenmetalsofalchemy.Copper(andsometimesbronzeandbrass)isassociatedwiththeoperationofConjunctionandtheelementEarth.

croslet

(seecrucible)

crown

Thecrownsymbolizesthesuccessfulcompletionofanalchemicaloperationortheachievementofamagisterium.Italsosignifieschemicalroyaltyortheperfectionofametal.

crows

CrowsarethesymbolsoftheblackphasesofCalcinationandPutrefaction.

crucible

Thecrucibleisthemeltingvesselofthealchemists.Itismadeofinertmaterialsuchasporcelainandcanwithstandgreatheat.Usedtoliquefythemetals.

curcurbite

Thelowerpartofastill,containingtheoriginalliquid.Itismadeofglassorearthenwareandwasalsoknownasa"gourd"onaccountofitsshapeareceiver.(seealembicDistillation)

cupel

Asmallcupordishmadeofboneashorotherporousandinfusiblematerial.Cupellationistheprocessofheatingasubstanceinacupelinacurrentofair,suchasdoneintherefiningofsilverandgold.

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Ddew

DewissymbolicofdivineincarnationormanifestationfromAbove.AlchemistsbelievednaturaldewcontainedthedivineSalt(thoughtsoftheOneMind)thatcouldtransformtheSulfurandMercuryoftheFirstMatter.Inmanyways,dewrepresentedtheElixirorcontentsofthecupofGod,theHolyGrail.

Diana

AppearancesoftheGreekgoddessDianainalchemicaldrawingsandtreatisessignifytheMoonandLunarconsciousness.

Digestion

AkindofPutrefactioninwhichthethenutrientsoressencesarereabsorbed.

Distillation

Distillationisthesixthoperationinalchemicaltransformation.DenotedbythesymbolfortheconstellationVirgo.Itisessentiallyaprocessofconcentration,nomatteronwhatlevel(physical,mental,orspiritual)itoccurs.

Dissolution

ThesecondoperationinalchemicaltransformationisDissolution.Theprocessofdissolvingasolidinaliquidthereductionofadrythinginwater.RepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofCancer.

dogs

Dogssignifyprimitivematter,naturalsulfur,ormaterialgold.Adogbeingdevouredbyawolfsymbolizestheprocessofpurifyinggoldusingantimony.

dove

ThedoveisasymbolofrenewedspiritorinfusionofenergyfromAbove.Chemically,itsignifiesthechangefromtheBlackStagetotheWhitePhaseoftransformation.

dragon

ThedragoninflamesisasymboloffireandCalcination.SeveraldragonsfightingissymbolicofPutrefaction.Dragonswithwingsrepresentthevolatileprincipledragonswithoutwingsrepresentthefixedprinciple.AdragonsbitingitsowntaleistheOuroborosandsignifiesthefundamentalunityofallthings.

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Eeagle

Theeagleisalwaysasymbolofvolatilization.Forinstance,aneagledevouringalionindicatesthevolatilizationofafixedcomponentbyavolatilecomponent.

Earth

EarthisoneoftheFourElementsofalchemy.Earthinthealchemicalsensecarriesthearchetypalpropertiesofmanifestation,birth,andmaterialcreation.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofConjunctionandrepresentedbythegreenoreofcopper.

Elixir

TheElixirofthealchemistsisessentiallyaliquidversionofthePhilosopher'sStoneandhasthesameabilitytoperfectanysubstance.Whenappliedtothehumanbody,theElixircures

diseasesandrestoresyouth.

egg

Theeggissymbolicofthehermeticallysealedvesselofcreation.Stopperedretorts,coffins,andsepulchresrepresenteggsinmanyalchemicaldrawings.

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FFermentation

ThefifthoperationinalchemicaltransformationisFermentation.ItisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofCapricorn.

Filtration

AkindofSeparation,inwhichmaterialispassedthroughasieveorscreendesignedtoallowonlypiecesofacertainsizetopassthrough.TheoperationisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofSagittarius,theArcher.

Fire

FireisoneoftheFourElementsofalchemy.Fireinthealchemicalsensecarriesthearchetypalpropertiesofactivityandtransformation.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofCalcinationandrepresentedbythemetallead.

Fixation

Theprocessofstabilizingandincarnatingasubstancedeprivingasubstanceofitsvolatilityormobilitytocongealorcombineit.TheprocessisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofGemini.

fountain

ThealchemicalFountainofFountainsisasymboloftheOuroboros.ThreefountainsrepresentthethreeprinciplesofSulfur,Mercury,andSalt.TheKingandQueensittinginafountainsignifiesabathortheWateroperationsofDissolutionandDistillation.

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GGeber

TheLatinnameofJabiribnHayyan(721815A.D.).HeisthefatherofbothIslamicandEuropeanalchemy.HeknewoftheexistenceoftheEmeraldTabletandspreadthe

doctrinesoftheFourElementsandtheMercurySulfurtheoryofthegenerationofthemetals.

gold

Goldisthemostperfectofthemetals.Forthealchemist,itrepresentedtheperfectionofallmatteronanylevel,includingthatofthemind,spirit,andsoul.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofCoagulation.

grain

Grain,seeds,orgrapessymbolizethematteroftheStone.

Griffin'sEgg

ThegriffinisahalflionandhalfeaglecreaturethatsymbolizestheConjunctionofthefixedandvolatileprinciples.AnallusiontotheVesselofHermes.

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HHermaphrodite

TheHermaphroditerepresentsSulfurandMercuryaftertheirConjunction.Rebis(somethingdoubleincharacteristics)isanotherdesignationforthispointinthealchemyoftransformation.

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IIosis

(seePurplePhase)

iron

Ironisoneofthesevenmetalsofalchemy.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofSeparation.

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J

Jabir

(seeGeber)JungianAlchemy

PsychiatristCarlGustavJungrediscoveredtheimagesandprinciplesofalchemysurfacinginthedreamsandcompulsionsofhispatientsandbeganalifelongstudyofthesubject.Heconcludedthatalchemicalimagesexplainthearchetypalrootsofthemodernmindandunderscoresaprocessoftransformationleadingtotheintegrationofthepersonality.

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KKing

TheKinginalchemyrepresentsman,solarconsciousness,orSulfur.TheKingisnakedintheearlyoperationsofalchemyandregainshisroyalrobesattheendofhistransformation.TheKingunitedwiththeQueensymbolizesConjunction.

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Llead

Leadisthefirstandoldestofthesevenmetalsofalchemy.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofCalcination.

Leukosis

(seeWhitePhase)

LiquorHepatis

LiquorHepatiswasthenamegiventoasulfurousliquidusedbythealchemists.Consideredthearcanumofthesoul,LiquorHepatiswaspreparedbydistillingasolutionofsulfur,lime,andsalammoniac.Theearlyalchemistssecuredlime(calciumoxide)byheatinglimestoneandmadesalammoniac(ammoniumchloride)bygentlyheatingcameldunginsealedcontainers.ThedistillationforLiquorHepatisproducedacombinationofhydrogensulfideandammoniagases.Sincenosolidsprecipitated,alchemistsconsideredthisanascendingreactiononly.ThatwasasignificantfacttotheEgyptians,whoassociatedtheLiquorwiththesoul.Theybelievedthesoulresidedintheliver,andthereddishbrowncolorofLiquorHepatisconvincedthemtheyhadisolatedthesoul'sessence.Thenamecomesfrom"hepar,"theGreekwordforliver.TheLiquorexudedanunnatural,pungentodorthatthealchemistsfoundquitemysterious.Theyassumeditwasduetoanetherealpresenceconcealedinthesulfurandactivatedbythefertileprincipleinammonia.

TotheEgyptians,theodorsymbolizedasouloraspiritizedpresencehiddenwithintheliquid.TheysolidifiedthatpresencebyaddingwaxandfattoLiquorHepatisandturningitintoathickpaste.TheemulsionbecameknownastheBalsamoftheAlchemistsorBalsamoftheSoul.Thepossibilityofcoagulatinganinvisiblepotentialintoasecondbody,likeabalsam,becameabasictenetofalchemy.

litharge

Thelitharge(orletharge)istheleftoverscum,spume,orashesofametallicoperation.

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MMagnesia

Magnesiawasamysticaltermtothealchemiststhatdenotedtheprimordialtransformingsubstanceintheuniverse.Itwasoneofmanysymbolsusedtodescribethecentralmysteryofalchemythatwasnevertobespokenofincommonwording.

matrass

Aroundbottomedflaskwithaverylongneck.Alsocalleda"bolthead."Melanosis

(seeBlackPhase)

menstruum

Analchemicaltermmeaningasolventoralkahesthavingboththepowertodissolveandcoagulateatthesametime.Basedonthebeliefthattheovumtakesitslifeandformfromthemenses,themenstruumwasalsoreferredtotheastheMercuryofthePhilosophers.

Mercury

Mercury,calledquicksilverbytheancients,isaliquidmetalthatcouldbefoundweepingthroughcracksincertainrocksoraccumulatinginsmallpuddlesinmountaingrottos.Itwasalsoobtainedbyroastingcinnabar(mercurysulfide).Theshinymetalwouldseepfromtherocksanddripdownintotheashes,fromwhichitwaslatercollected.Theearlyalchemistsmaderedmercuricoxidebyheatingquicksilverinasolutionofnitricacid.Theacid,whichlateralchemistscalled"aquafortis,"wasmadebypouringsulfuricacidoversaltpeter.Thereactionofquicksilverinnitricacidisimpressive.Athickredvaporhoversoverthesurfaceandbrightredcrystalsprecipitatetothebottom.ThisstrikingchemicalreactiondemonstratedthesimultaneousseparationofmercuryintotheAboveandtheBelow.Mercury'sallencompassingpropertieswereexhibitedinothercompoundstoo.Ifmercurywasheatedinalongneckedflask,itoxidizedintoahighlypoisonouswhitepowder(whitemercuricoxide)andtherapeuticredcrystals(redmercuricoxide).Calomel(mercurychloride)wasapowerfulmedicine,unlessitwasdirectlyexposedtolight,inwhichcaseitbecameadeadlypoison.Whenmixedwithothermetals,liquidmercurytendedtounitewiththemandformhardenedamalgams.Theseandotherpropertiesconvincedalchemiststhatmercurytranscendedboththesolidandliquidstates,bothearthandheaven,bothlifeanddeath.

ItsymbolizedHermeshimself,theguidetotheAboveandBelow.Multiplication

AprocessofDistillationinwhichthepoweroftransmutationisconcentratedanincreaseintheamountoftheStoneasobtainedfromitspristineform.ItisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofAquarius.

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NNatron

Natronmeanssalt.Totheearlyalchemists,however,thewordNatronstoodforthebasicprincipleinallsaltformationandthecreationofbodiesingeneral.TheEgyptiansaccumulatedthewhitesaltsformedfromtheevaporationoflakesandusedthemtopreservemummies.Knownassodaash(sodiumcarbonate),theoldestdepositsareintheSinaidesert.AnothernaturallyoccurringsodiumcompoundminedbytheEgyptianswascubicsaltpeter(sodiumnitrate).ThealchemistsreferredtoboththesesaltsasNatron(fromtheArabicwordforsodaash),becausetheysuspectedthatbothhadacommonsignatureorarchetypalbasis.

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OOuroboros

TheOuroboros(orUroboros)isthesymbolicrenditionoftheeternalprinciplespresentedintheEmeraldTablet.Thegreatserpentdevouringitselfrepresentstheideathat"AllIsOne,"eventhoughtheuniverseundergoesperiodiccyclesofdestructionandcreation(orresurrection).InOrphicandMithraicsymbology,theOuroboroswascalledtheAgathosDaimonor"GoodSpirit"andwasasymbolforthe"OperationoftheSun."InGreekterminology,theOuroboroswastheAion,whichHerakleitoslikenedtoachildatplay.TotheGreeks,theAion(fromwhichourword"eon"isderived)definedthecosmicperiodbetweenthecreationanddestructionoftheuniverse.

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PPelican

Acirculatoryvesselwithtwosidearmsfeedingcondensedvaporsbackintothebody.Ithasafanciedresemblanceinshapetoapelicanpeckingatitsbreast.

Philosopher'sStone

(seeStone)

Precipitation

AprocessofCoagulationinwhichsolidmatteriscreatedduringachemicalreactionandfallsoutofsolution.

Projection

ThefinalstageofCoagulationinwhichthepoweroftransformationisdirectedtowardabodythefinalprocessinmakinggold,inwhichtheStoneorpowderStone(thepowderofprojection)istosseduponthemoltenbasemetaltotransmuteit.ItisrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofPisces.

PulvisSolaris

PulvisSolariswasthechemicalarcanumthatrepresentedspirit.The"PowderoftheSun"wasamixtureoftwopowders,BlackSolarisandRedSolaris.CombiningblackantimonywithsulfurauretummadeBlackPulvisSolaris.Blackantimonywasacommonsulfideofantimony,nowknownasstibnite.Themineralwassmeltedandgroundfine.Puresulfurauretum,or"goldensulfur,"wasmadebyaddingsulfuricacidtoadriedmixtureofsodiumcarbonate,sulfur,lime,andantimony.Thereactiongaveoffhydrogensulfidegas,whilethesulfurauretumprecipitatedtothebottomofthecontainer.RedPulvisSolariswasmadebycombiningsulfurauretumwithacompoundofmercuryknownasredmercuricoxide.EgyptianalchemistsassociatedtheserpentwiththeredmercuricoxideandreferredtoRedPulvisSolarisasPulvisSerpentum.LateralchemistsbecameconvincedthatRedPulvisSolariswasindeedthepowderofprojectionthatwouldenablethemtotransformvirtuallyanythingintopuregold.

PurplePhase

ThePurplePhase(orIosis)oftheGreatWorkisthethirdandfinalstageoftransformation.ItismarkedbythepurplingorreddeningofthematerialandoccursduringtheCoagulationoperation.

Putrefaction

ThefirststageoftheFermentationoperationadigestioninwhichdecomposingessencesarereabsorbed.TheprocesswasrepresentedbythesymbolfortheconstellationofLeo.

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QQueen

TheQueensymbolizeswoman,lunarconsciousness,andMercury.TheQueenisnakedduring

theearlystagesbutregainsherroyalrobesattheendofhertransformation.TheQueenunitedwiththeKingistheoperationofConjunction.

quicklime

Quicklimeisunslackedlimeorcalciumoxide.Calciumoxideisobtainedbyheatinglimestone,eggshells,oranymaterialcontainingCalciumCarbonate,whichisoneofthesevenarcanaofalchemy.

quicksilver

(seeMercury)Quintessence

TheQuintessenceisthefifthelementwithwhichthealchemistscouldwork.Itwastheessentialpresenceofsomethingorsomeone,thelivingthingitselfthatanimatedorgavesomethingitsdeepestcharacteristics.TheQuintessencepartakesofboththeAboveandtheBelow,thementalaswellasthematerial.Itcanbethoughtofastheetherealembodimentofthelifeforcethatweencounterindreamsandalteredstatesofconsciousness.Itisthepurestindividualessenceofsomethingthatwemustunveilandunderstandinordertotransformit.

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RRebis

(seeHermaphrodite)retort

Theretortisasphericalcontainer(usuallyglass)withalongneckorspout.Itisusedtodistillordecomposesolutionsbytheactionofheatoracids.

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SSalt

SaltisthethirdheavenlysubstanceinalchemyandrepresentsthefinalmanifestationoftheperfectedStone.TheEmeraldTabletcallsit"theGloryoftheWholeUniverse."ForParacelsus,Saltwaslikeabalsamthebodyproducedtoshielditselffromdecay.IthasalsobeenassociatedwiththeOuroboros,theStone,andtheAstralBody.Ingeneral,Saltrepresentstheactionofthoughtonmatter,beittheOneMindactingontheOneThingoftheuniverseorthealchemistmeditatinginhisinnerlaboratory.

Separation

Thethirdoperationinthealchemyoftransformation.SymbolsofSeparationincludeswords,scythes,arrows,knives,andhatchets.TheoperationissymbolizedbythesignfortheconstellationofScorpio.

serpents

TwoserpentsrepresenttheopposingmasculineandfeminineenergiesoftheWork.ThreeserpentsstandforthethreehigherprinciplesofSulfur,Mercury,andSalt.Wingdserpentsrepresentvolatilesubstanceswinglessserpentsrepresentfixedsubstances.Acrucifiedserpentrepresentsthefixationofthevolatile.

silver

Silverisoneofthesevenmetalsofalchemy.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofDistillation.

skeletons

SkeletonssignifytheprocessofPutrefaction,onallthelevelsinwhichitoccurs.

Soul

Soulinalchemyisthepassivepresenceinallofusthatsurvivesthroughalleternityandisthereforepartoftheoriginalsubstance(FirstMatter)oftheuniverse.Ultimately,itistheOneThingoftheuniverse.Soulwasconsideredbeyondthefourmaterialelementsandthusconceptualizedasafifthelement(orQuintessence).

Spirit

Spiritinalchemyistheactivepresenceinallofusthatstrivestowardperfection.Spiritseeksmaterialmanifestationforexpression.Ultimately,itistheOneMindoftheuniverse.

square

ThesquareorcubeissymbolicofmatterandtheFourElementsofcreation.

Stone

TheStoneisthegoaloftheGreatWork.Itwasviewedasamagicaltouchstonethatcouldimmediatelyperfectanysubstanceorsituation.ThePhilosopher'sStonehasbeenassociatedwiththeSaltoftheWorld,theAstralBody,theElixir,andevenJesusChrist.

Sublimation

ThefirststageofCoagulation,inwhichthevaporssolidifyrepresentedbythesignfortheconstellationofLibra.Thevaporizationofasolidwithoutfusionormelting,followedbythecondensationofitsvaporintheresolidifiedformonacoolsurface.Theelevationofadrythingbyfire,withadherencytoitsvessel.TheastrologicalsymbolassociationwithSublimationisthesignofLibra,thescales.

Sulfur

Sulfur(Sulphur)isoneofthethreeheavenlysubstances.Itrepresentspassionandwillandis

associatedwiththeoperationofFermentation.

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Ttin

Tinisoneofthesevenmetalsofthealchemists.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofDissolutionandtheelementWater.Pewter(amixtureofleadandtin)representsametallicstatebetweentheoperationsofCalcinationandDissolution.

threelevels

Thekeytounderstandingalchemyistorealizethatalchemicalthoughtisextremelydynamicandtakesplacesonthreelevelsatonce:thephysical,thepsychological,andthespiritual.Thusturningleadintogoldmeantnotonlyphysicallychangingthebasemetalintothenoblemetal,butalsotransformingbasehabitsandemotionsintogoldenthoughtsandfeelings,aswellastransmutingourdarkandignoblesoulsintothegoldenlightofspirit.Bydevelopingthisabilitytothinkandworkonallthreelevelsofrealityatonce(becoming"thricegreatest"),thealchemistscreatedaspiritualtechnologythatappliednotonlytotheirlaboratoriesbutalsototheirownpersonalitiesandtotheirrelationshipswithotherpeopleandwithGod.

tree

Treessymbolizetheprocessesoftransformation.AtreeofmoonssignifiestheLesserorLunarWorkatreeofsunssignifiestheGreaterorSolarWork.

triangle

ThetrianglerepresentsthethreeheavenlyprinciplesorsubstancesofSulfur,Mercury,andSalt.

trituration

Grindasolidintoapowder.Pulverizewithamortarandpestle.Crush.AprocessjustafterCalcination,whentheashesaregroundintoafinepowderforDissolution.

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UUroboros

(seeOuroboros)

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VVitriol

Vitriolwasthemostimportantliquidinalchemy.Itwastheoneinwhichallotherreactionstookplace.Vitriolwasdistilledfromanoily,greensubstancethatformednaturallyfromtheweatheringofsulfurbearinggravel.ThisGreenVitriolissymbolizedbytheGreenLionindrawings.AftertheGreenVitriol(coppersulfate)wascollected,itwasheatedandbrokendownintoironcompoundsandsulfuricacid.Theacidwasseparatedoutbydistillation.Thefirstdistillationproducedabrownliquidthatstunklikerotteneggs,butfurtherdistillationyieldedanearlyodorless,yellowoilcalledsimplyVitriol.Theacidreadilydissolveshumantissueandisseverelycorrosivetomostmetals,althoughithasnoeffectongold.WhiteVitrioliszincsulfateBlueVitrioliscoppersulfate.

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WWater

WaterisoneoftheFourElementsofalchemy.Waterinthealchemicalsensecarriesthearchetypalpropertiesofcleansingandpurification.ItisassociatedwiththeoperationofDissolutionandrepresentedbythemetaltin.

WhitePhase

TheWhitePhase(Leukosis)isthesecondstageoftheGreatWorkandtakesplaceduringDistillation.

wine

WineissymbolicoftheprocessofFermentationandthespiritizationofmatter.

wolf

(seeantimony)

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XXanthosis

(seeYellowPhase)

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YYellowPhase

TheYellowPhase(orXanthosis)ofalchemyisanintermediatestagethattakesplacebetweentheBlackandWhitephasesoftheGreatWork.ThetermwasusedbyAlexandrianalchemiststodescribechangesthattookplaceduringtheFermentationoperation.

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ZZodiac

AccordingtotheDoctrineofCorrespondencesintheEmeraldTablet("AsAbove,soBelow"),thestarsmustfindexpressiononearthandinmankind.Inalchemy,itwasessentialtoconsultthezodiacbeforecommencinganyofthemajoroperations.

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HelpTopicsHowtonavigatetheAlchemyLab.Thealchemistsbelievedtherewerebasicallyjusttwowaysofknowingrealityandthatishowthiswebsitehasbeenorganized.Thefirstwayofknowingistherational,deductive,argumentative,intellectualthinkingthatisthehallmarkofscienceandourpatriarchalWesternculture.ThealchemistscalledthisSolarConsciousnessandassigneditmanycodewords,suchastheKing,theSun,Sulfur,Spirit,theFather,andultimately,theOneMind.Throughoutthiswebsite,wheneverthematerialinvolvesleftbrainsolaractivitylikelists,linearthought,schematics,formulae,argumentsandlogic,theiconusedwillbetheSolarbutton.ThealchemistscalledtheotherwayofknowingLunarConsciousness.Thisnonrational,imagedriven,intuitivewayofthinkingisanacceptedpartofmysticismandreligion.AmongitsmanysymbolsaretheQueen,theMoon,themetalMercury,theSoul,theHolyGhost,andultimately,theOneThing.Throughoutthiswebsite,wheneverthematerialinvolveslunar,nonlinearrightbrainactivitylikedrawings,paintings,mandalas,symbols,meditations,andmusic,theiconwillbetheLunarbutton.Trytousebothwaysofknowingwhentryingtounderstandalchemicaltopics.Thealchemistsbelievedtherewerebasicallyjusttwowaysofknowingrealityandthatishowthiswebsitehasbeenorganized.Thefirstwayofknowingistherational,deductive,argumentative,intellectualthinkingthatisthehallmarkofscienceandourpatriarchalWesternculture.ThealchemistscalledthisSolarConsciousnessandassigneditmanycodewords,suchastheKing,theSun,Sulfur,Spirit,theFather,andultimately,theOneMind.Throughoutthiswebsite,wheneverthematerialinvolvesleftbrainsolaractivitylikelists,linearthought,schematics,formulae,argumentsandlogic,theiconusedwillbetheSolarbutton.ThealchemistscalledtheotherwayofknowingLunarConsciousness.Thisnonrational,imagedriven,intuitivewayofthinkingisanacceptedpartofmysticismandreligion.Amongits

manysymbolsaretheQueen,theMoon,themetalMercury,theSoul,theHolyGhost,andultimately,theOneThing.Throughoutthiswebsite,wheneverthematerialinvolveslunar,nonlinearrightbrainactivitylikedrawings,paintings,mandalas,symbols,meditations,andmusic,theiconwillbetheLunarbutton.Trytousebothwaysofknowingwhentryingtounderstandalchemicaltopics.

Howtoworkwithfractaldiagrams.Fractaldiagramsarecomputerimagesthataregeneratedthroughtheformulaeofthemathematicsofchaos.Assuch,theyrepresentthe"irrational"componentsofalchemyoritsFirstMatter.Toworkwithfractaldiagrams,itisnecessarytoallowthemindtobecomedrawninbythemandmakeuseofone'sintuitivefeelingsratherthanthoughtprocesses.

PrintingProblems.IfonlypartofapagefromtheAlchemyLabprintsforyou,gotoyourbrowserFilemenuandchoosePrint.Inthe"PrintFrames"box,makesurethattheoption"AsLaidOutontheScreen"isselected.Ifthisdoesnotwork,selectthePageSetupoptionandchangetheprintoutstyle.Choose"Landscape"forwiderprintoutsand"Portrait"forhigherprintouts.

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