[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
is both the pure matter and mind he was originally endowed with.
Roughly speaking, if we were to take the average human body and separate
the pure matter it contained from that impure substance which has adhered to
it as a consequence of the fall we would find that the impurities out numbered
the pure by about 31 parts to 1.
Alchemical philosophy asserts (as does all true occult philosophy), that there
is a direct relationship between mind and body. Further, it asserts that the
impurities in the human body attract to them impure mental functions. By
certain occult processes, varying depending on which kind of school you look
at, it is possible, the Alchemist will tell us, to raise the vibrations in the body in
order to throw off these impurities and to develop more refined building blocks
of flesh and bone through which a more pure mentation is possible.
We might say that this understanding is the foundation of much of the
motivation behind Formal occult Training in general. We may attain the
purification of our physical bodies, as we have said, through various methods.
Some schools focus on physical exercise (as in yoga), some concentrate on
diet, others on creative visualisation or breathing techniques. Whichever path
one might take, the goal for all, almost, is the same. A more pure body that
may act as a clear lens through which to focus pure consciousness.
The Alchemist s Guild Page 65
The traditional Alchemist of past ages (and probably today as well) primarily
hoped to raise the vibration of the molecules that composed his physical body
by the ingestion of very pure vegetable, animal and mineral substances. We
speak here, of course, of the alchemical medicines (or remedies) that the
Alchemist spends so much of his time labouring in his laboratory to prepare.
Down through the ages Alchemists searched every department of nature in
order to find those substances that when prepared spagyrically would provide
the greatest source of purifying power. In the course of their investigations
they discovered a small number of special substances in the three kingdoms
that contained such Magickal powers. These substances were so effective at
purifying the human body that they could, if prepared properly and used
properly, maintain the length of a person s life indefinitely.
The most famous and most sort after of these secret preparations is the so-
called elixir of life. There are many lesser elixirs with life restoring and flesh
regenerating properties that are noted amongst Alchemists but there was
really only one fully reliable elixir of life. This substance was extracted from
the mineral realm for in minerals is concentrated the most pure and abundant
of natures life forces. The remedy itself was so revered not only because of its
ability to extend life expectancy and cure every disease but because it is a by-
product in the process of confecting the philosopher s stone.
The elixir of life and the philosophers stone are often confused in the mind of
the lay-person. The two substances are often spoken about in the same
breath. But in fact the elixir is a lesser product produced one stage before the
end of the process that completes the philosopher s stone. The difference
between these two substances is that the elixir is a medicine, a universal
panacea, and the philosopher s stone is a metallic catalyst that brings about
the purification or ripening of base metals. One provides health and the other
wealth.
This now brings us to the second aspect of the philosophy of Alchemy. If the
stone of the wise is only used to produce gold what place has this
achievement in the realm of spiritual development? The answer is twofold.
Firstly the action that the great stone effects is a living demonstrable proof of
one of the most important initiatory principles. The stone is itself made of the
pure matter contained in the mineral kingdom and it has the ability to
transmute matter into a higher more perfect state. The Alchemists therefore
assert that according to the law of analogy what is possible in the mineral
realm is also possible in the animal/human and vegetable realms. That is, if
man can separate the pure from the impure in this own body and discard the
impurities then he will transmute himself into a more perfect being.
The second reason for the necessity of producing the Stone is explained like
this. The arte itself demands so much of the Alchemist s time and expenses
that without good reliable funding he would hardly be able to complete his
work. The production of gold synthetically (i.e. alchemically) provides the
Alchemist with the financial means to support further research and the
The Alchemist s Guild Page 66
production of medicines and Initiatory remedies to further his own and others
spiritual aims.
In the past, in this way, we can take it for granted, that it fell upon the
shoulders of the Alchemists to finance the secret activities of esoteric
fraternities. Indeed in the Rosicrucian manifestos of 1614 and 1615 we read
that the brotherhood supported many of its activities from the production not
only of alchemical gold but of alchemical gems as well.
Coming back to the subject of alchemical remedies for a moment, we might
point out that these medicines were never really designed to be manufactured
for the mass healing of the mundane populace. Any intelligent student
involved in the study of alchemical products, manuscripts and books will
notice quickly that almost no information at all is provided on the safe dosage
for these remedies. Only the Alchemist, wise in his learning and experienced
in the arte will 'see' what amount of any medicine is safe to take at any time.
Nevertheless most Alchemists at one time or other have healed a great many
people of serious diseases with their spagyric remedies. Alchemical remedies
are really designed to be used as aids to spiritual development. For not all of
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]