The ancient system of knowledge and practice known as Alchemy remains today as relevant and useful as ever it was. The history of Alchemy is incomplete and has often been intentionally encoded to remain a mystery to the uninitiated. The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Mercurius Trismegistus is sometimes considered to be the oldest, of Alchemical texts, though it’s origin and age are debated. Regardless of these questions, The Emerald Tablet is widely accepted as a valid and authentic foundational statement on Alchemical Philosophy. Over time, The Emerald Tablet has been studied and translated by many influential intellectuals and scientists, with many others being influenced by general Alchemy. A short list includes Sir Issac Newton, (who wrote more words on Alchemy that on physics.) Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, Copernicus, Johanus Kepler, Heisenberg, Trithemius, Aristotle, Martin Luther, Thomas Aquinas, Paracelsus, Plato, Decartes, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangello, Jabir ibn Hayyan, Michael Maier, Roger Bacon, Albertus Magnus, Madame Blavatsky, and The Master Therion - Frater Perdurabo: Aliester Crowley. 


From The Tablet comes the axiom:


 “That which is above is like that which is below.” 




It is important to understand that The Emerald Tablet belongs either included or alongside the Corpus Hermeticum, that collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus,  who is the Greek counterpart of Thoth of Egypt, and the Hebrew Enoch. The esoteric school of Hermeticism teaches the interconnectedness of all things, and it is from the word Hermetic that today we derive the term “hermetically sealed” containers, meaning: sealed airtight, or completely contained.


Alchemy proper has roots in China, the Middle East, and Europe, though it can be argued that every culture has at some time developed and practiced their own Alchemy. Those unstudied in the esoteric systems may never have heard the term Alchemist, or might flash on images of primitive scientists working futilely to turn lead into gold, or worse, charlatans claiming to be able to do such, so as to gain the employ of some wealthy king or emperor. These things undoubtedly occurred, but The Great Work of Alchemy reaches far beyond worldly riches. 


The transmuting of base metals into gold was perhaps a side project, or an analog of the true Alchemist, or even entirely an allegorical description of their goal used to hide their actual undertaking from vulgar minds and the persecution of the religious authorities of the time.  A short and complete description of The Great Work of Alchemy is impossible, and unavailable through the exclusive use of words. It is for this reason that Alchemists used an intricate system of procedures and symbols to communicate their knowledge. (Also again, to hide that which should be hidden from the naïve, and from aggressive religious zealots.) Alchemy is best thought of as something that is learned by doing, not simply by comprehending. 
The Great Work involves the joining of opposites to attain a complete whole (The Alchemist’s Hermaphrodite). The base metals, often lead, makes reference to the state of the uncultivated human soul; low. The transmutation into gold describes the process through which one is raised to a pure and perfected state. Gold does not rust or tarnish, and is soft, malleable and beautiful. Gold has also been a highly valued and desired substance for peoples all over the world and for as long as we know history. Interestingly, being so soft, gold has little utilitarian purpose as a metal (tools, weapons etc.). It is only valuable as ornamentation or use as currency until a culture becomes technologically advanced enough to use it in electrical, radiological or other such applications. An intriguing theory on why it has nonetheless been sought and horded is available to those interested, but deserves, requires, and exists in entire other works.


As the etymology implies, Alchemy exists as the precursor to modern chemistry, and laid the foundation for today’s scientific laboratories and procedures. The Alchemists isolated, identified and experimented with a vast number of substances, many of which are included in the Periodic Table of the Elements. Though modern chemistry has progressed to concentrate on matter devoid of spirit, Alchemy can still be applied to all aspects of life by it’s practitioners. Carl Jung saw many of the universal archetypes in Alchemy’s symbols and concepts. With his contribution to modern psychology we know that the Alchemical process can take place within the individual not only as the lifelong pursuit of self mastery and understanding, but also in the daily choice to transform negative thoughts and stimuli into positive and beneficial energies before they are released back into the world. We can also consider the choice and subsequent actions taken to strengthen and enliven the health of ones body as a work of Alchemy, for this is true physical transformation. The Alchemical laboratory exists within each individual.


The result of The Great Work is: The Philospher’s Stone. Again, the meaning is multiple. The Stone is described as a substance which can turn the base metals into gold by a method of exposure to it. Also, The Stone is described as a substance which extends the lifespan of any who take of it, in this sense referred to as the Elixir of Eternal Life. Another explanation is that The Stone, when taken as a sacrament acts as a catalyst within the individual to promote the Alchemical process of raising awareness and spiritual refinement towards the highest goal. Within this description, indigenous peoples have been concocting their own Alchemical brews for thousands of years. Finally The Stone is referred to as all things to all people. If you are hungry it will feed you, if you are cold it will warm you, if you are sick it will heal you. The Stone becomes not only the end goal of the process, but the thing which gets you there. We might think of it as Living Will.


This has been an extremely brief and simplified explanation on the topic of Alchemy meant only for those otherwise unfamiliar with the concept. Extensive literature exists explaining in depth the history, theory and practice of Alchemy. The reader is invited to pursue this and other related topics by exploring our “Recommended Realities” list.


Thank You

Blessings,


The Janutica Foundation