A General Look at Alchemy Part 1

Alchemy's OriginAlchemy, according to esotericbase metals into gold. The work of alchemical
writers, is said to be the invention of an ancienttransmutation is designated as "the Labor of the
Egyptian sage called Hermes Trismegistus. TheSun." This "Eye of Ra" symbolically represents the
"Father of Alchemy" lived in an unknown age ofperfection with which Nature is gradually unfolding
Egyptian history, though he is thought by somein her creations. At the physical level the Sun of
Rosicrucian schools to have lived during the timePerfection is represented by gold. Alchemy is the
of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites. If true,science and art which hasten the creations of
being an Initiate of the mysteries of Isis andNature to attain perfection at their own
Osiris, Moses must have been tutored by Hermesrespective level. Gold is the perfection attain by
himself, which later enabled him to carry out hismetals and minerals. Minerals, however, are also
mission and to realize his I AM Presencefollowing another line of perfection--that of its
symbolised by the burning bush. The variousability to sustain life and consciousness. And Man,
precepts and the Ten Commandments of thethe acme of organic life, is evolving to the state
Lord of Hosts revealed to the Israelites by Moseswhere he acquires perfection in Divine
are the first alchemical steps of purification andSelf-Awareness.From the above it can be
putrefaction. Further steps were later added tosummarized that alchemy is the art of raising
the Mosaic revelation by the Nazarene Master.vibrations of an object in order to hasten its
Indeed, the Christ declared that he came not todevelopment or evolution into a higher expression
abolish the previous revelation, but to fulfill it.It isor state. The result is perfection of the object of
thought by some that "Hermes Trismegistus"the transmutation.Alchemy's Transmission to
constituted a title assumed by distinguishedChristendomAlexandria was the philosophical capital
hierophants of the Mystery Schools, in aof Egypt, and perhaps of the whole civilized
somewhat similar manner that Zoroaster, theworlds in the early centuries of Christianity.
founder of the "Fire Religion" is regarded byGnosticism, Neoplatonism, Alchemy and
certain scholars. Incidentally, alchemy may also beHermeticism flowered abundantly; these
considered a Fire Religion, or at least a philosophy,philosophies are intrinsically related, and to
because of its symbology of fire related to thecomprehend the Royal Art fully, the student of
alchemical principles, its prerequisite in the art ofalchemy is advised by Master teachers to be
transmutation, and to the respect and honor paidfamiliar with their doctrines. Alexandria's Golden
to it by alchemists.Jewish mystics identify HermesAge of occult philosophy did not last long, for the
as the antediluvian prophet Enoch, or Idris, as thereptilian mind of the fallen angels had seized
Muslims call him; while ancient Egyptians seecontrol of the rising new religion of Christianity (no
Hermes as Thoth, the god of Wisdom, Learning,offence to our Christian brothers and sisters). The
and Writing. He was given this apotheosis alongphilosophical sons and daughters of Hermes were
with Imhotep, the great architect under the reignpersecuted and murdered brutally by Christian
of King Zoser of the Fourth Dynasty. It wouldfundamentalists and fanatics. Fear and hatred
appear that both men were overshadowed bywere aroused among the masses and the ousting
the archetypal figure of Thoth, and wereof the so-called pagan religions from the land
acknowledged as such by both the inner andensued. One sad event was the cruel
outer circles of initiates of the Mystery Schools.assassination of Hypathia, an illustrious daughter of
Thoth, or his Greek counterpart, Mercury, was athe Mysteries--the Widow Isis, and propounder of
messenger of the gods; and as an archetypalNeoplatonism. She hardly had a philosophical equal
incarnation of this god, Hermes lived up to hisduring her day, and this caused the envy and
name by his literary productiveness. Ancientjealousy of a certain priest who contrived her
writers declared that the "Trice Greatest" wrotemurder.During the decline of the Roman Empire,
thousands of books on what later became knownthe Secret Doctrine, or the Ancient Wisdom were
as Hermeticism and Alchemy. It is unfortunatepassed on to the guardianship of the Arabian and
that very little of Hermes' works survived thePersian mystics. The tenets of occult wisdom
conflagration and destruction of libraries and bookswere later incorporated into the Muslim faith with
by Roman and Christian zeal in the early dawn ofits higher aspects promulgated secretly in the
the Piscean Age. The world as a whole is stilltraditional oral manner in certain sects, Orders,
ignorant of the great loss, and it will take someand mystical groups such as the Sufi and Dervish
time before the invocation is made by theOrders, and among the community of Druzes in
masses for the Greater Light, for disclosure ofLebanon and Syria.In the 8th to the 11th centuries
eternal principles that would shine upon the pathsA.D., in the era of the golden period of
of men, and consequently, for a full restorationalchemic-Islamic culture, we hear of eminent
and establishment of an occult library of thenames in the field of the Royal Art, such as
world, with an archive and database of everyal-Farabi, Rhazes, Geber and Avicenna. These men
known system and tradition of the metaphysicalstudied the mystery teachings and occult wisdom
side of life. Although little is known of Hermes, it isof the Egyptian and Greek schools. They were
evident through the works attributed to him thatmost notably influenced by Hermetic, Alchemic
he was an intermediary of the Wisdom Ray ofand Neoplatonic ideas, and the knowledge that
the Supreme Being.One of the most famedthey acquired was synthesized with Islamic and
works on Hermetic doctrine written, and inSufic doctrines. The Sufi adepts produced one of
concise form, is the Smaragdine Tablet attributedthe most beautiful symbols of spiritual unfoldment
to the authorship of Hermes. Its discovery isand progression: the rose. Its symbolism is
traditionally believed to have been made bycomparable to the lotus adopted by Hindu
Alexander of Macedonia in a cave near Hebron.mystics.The Knights Templer was an important
This conqueror of nations who had Aristotle for alink between both East and West, between
Master, was in search of immortality. Although heIslamic culture and the world of Christendom. The
failed to attain his personal immortality, Alexanderalchemical doctrine was passed on by the Sufi
did uncover a philosophical jewel that would haveadepts to these "Knights of the Holy Sepulchre,"
given him what he had sought if he had onlyas the Templers were originally called. Even the
applied the principles that the Emerald Tabletmythical Christian Rosencruez of Rosicrucianism is
contained. Tradition relates that the Tablet wassaid to have acquired his occult knowledge from
wrought out of artificial emerald, as a result ofthe Sufi Masters and adepts in Arabia.After the
transmutation, with the Hermetic doctrinedays of the disbandment of the Templer Order
embossed on it.Alchemy, as a philosophy and anby Philip the Fair of France, and the
art in the Western hemisphere in the past twodeath-sentence of their last Grand Master,
millenia, existed concurrently in other ancientJacques de Molay in 1314, the surviving Knights
cultures and civilizations--it was practiced intenselysought refuge in various countries; and in England
by Hindu Yogis and Taoists, in India and China. Thissome of them founded an alchemical Order which
parallel growth is probably the result of the Greatlater became known as the "Elder Brothers of the
White Brotherhood's periodic presentation of aRose Cross." It is said that this Order comprised
spiritual method designed for the development of33 members and that this group exists even to
certain types of temperaments andthis very day in our computer age.When the
belief-framework of those aspirants belonging to abelievers of Allah invaded and settled in Iberia,
certain era and stage of mankind's collectivethey brought with them the Secret Teachings.
evolution.Based on this parallel growth of alchemyColleges were established that had mysticism,
in the Orient and the regions of the Fertilemetaphysics, and alchemy in the curriculum. With
Crescent suggested to some Esoteric historiansthe establishment of the various schools, the
that alchemy may have had a common origin inAncient Wisdom finally took definite root in
that sunken continent Atlan, or Atlantis, as it isEuropean soil, and it spread gradually throughout
more generally known. Esoteric Tradition declaresthe other regions of the Continent. This expansion
that a handful of the Atlantean Root Racewas no doubt the result of the efforts put forth
survived the submergence of the land andby the spiritual hierarchy of this planet. Man's
transmigrated to Egypt, China, and the Americas.evolution is divided into certain steps, stages, and
It is reasonable to assume that they brought withcycles, and these have "time-tables" or schedules
them their sciences, art, and culture, whichassociated with them. It was expedient that the
influenced the inhabitants indigenous to the regionsFlames of Truth and Freedom be given to the
where they settled. This would explain thecustodian of the Islamic world if it were not to be
similarities in the traditions and beliefs of nativeextinguished by some of the ungodly minds of
cultures to be found both East and West.PrinciplesChristendom of the Dark Ages which would have
of Alchemy are the principles that Nature herselfcaused a setback to the Divine Plan already
works with, and thus alchemy, scientifically,established.The deviation from the right use of
existed in the inner planes long before it wasfree will by Christian fundamentalists had made
brought down to the earth plane by Masterthem unsuitable vessels for the Christic wine. In
teachers. A study of Nature's mysteries wouldspite of exoteric Christianity's blind attack on th
reveal to the discerning student that the higherLight that gave it birth, the esoteric circle
Intelligences, the Elohim, and the Great Architectcontinued its existence clandestinely, preserving
of the Universe utilized alchemical principles tothe secret teachings of Jesus and transmitting it
precipitate the starry bodies out of Chaos, out ofto a selected few who had the vision of the
Cosmic Root Substance or "Sunyata," as termeddivine plan within their hearts and minds.Idries
by the Buddhist. Qabalists believe that Adam wasShah, the eminent Sufi of contemporary times,
taught by the angels in Paradise the art ofmentions in his book "The Sufis," how an
transmutation, to prepare him for his "Fall" and hisEnglishman, one Robert of Chester, was
climb back toward his Monad, toward godhood--hisinstrumentally in 1144 A.D., in introducing alchemy
involution and evolution from a Divineto the Christian world by translating an alchemical
Consciousness to Divine Self-Consciousness.Theremanuscript originally written in Arabic. There were
is no general concurrence among scholars as tomany others like him, for bearers of the Flame
the origin of the word "alchemy." The consensuswere not few.Levels of AlchemyMost of the
is that the word is derived from the wordprinciples of alchemy conveyed to the public were
"Khem," the ancient name for Egypt, added tomade up of images, mandalas, and jargon. These
the Arabic article "al," meaning "the," thus formingobscure languages were necessary considering
the word "al-Khemy." However, Sir Wallis Budge isthe era that alchemical science was
of the opinion that alchemy comes from thestruggling--struggling for a recognition from the
Egyptian word "khemein," meaning the "blackmasses as a system of spiritual development in
powder" or "ore" which is presumed to be anthe midst of ecclesiastical persecution. The
ingredient in alchemy. No matter where it securedmentality of the masses of the Middle Ages were
its name, the word "alchemy," it would seem, firstnot much different from the time of Jesus.
came into prominence in the Mystery Schools inIgnorance, superstition, and fear still ruled the day.
Alexandria.Purpose of AlchemyBut just what isThe letter of the law, as propagandized by
alchemy, and what role does it play in theOrthodox Christianity were still at odds, and at
promotion of the welfare of mankind? If alchemyconflict with the spirit of the law, as advanced by
has any true value, it must be based upon eternalenlightened mystics. The inquisition, which lasted
values, upon the things that support Heaven'sfor centuries, showed how far the Church had
purposes; in other words, upon God's plan ofstrayed from the original precepts of Christianity.
humankind's becoming into the true Elohimic imageThe Christ taught love, forgiveness, charity and
of the divine. If alchemy simply had an earthlykindness; the Church Fathers and Christian leaders
objective, masterminds of the Ages would notonly knew personal ambition, with sadism, and
have concerned themselves with it. It would haveegoism set-up upon an unholy pedestal. The
been considered as something so trivial, sopersonal "I" was worshipped, the "Yekhidah," or
transient, as to distract Man from the real workthe Divine I AM, was forgotten.Neophytes of the
of extricating himself, specifically, from hisMysteries were given the keys of interpretation
bondage to the carnal self, the kama manas, orof Sacred literature when they were accepted in
animal soul; and generally, from samsara. Greedthe various secret brotherhoods. The candidates
was never the impulse that prompted theof alchemical initiation were noticed by the
invention of alchemy. It was, is, and always will beMasters when they had proven their sincerity, and
Man's desire for Truth and enlightenment of histhe sacrifices and effort that they had made. To
true nature and estate that motivates him tothe world at large, the existence of the Masters
seek through every channel and avenue for thatwas unknown and unsuspected, even though their
certain something that he subconsciously feels hepresence in the world of men was hinted at in
had "lost" and which is his to re-acquire--call it "thevarious alchemical manuscripts. It was only in the
Lost Word," "the Philosopher's Stone," or "the Holylast century that Helena P. Blavatsky, among
Grail," it matters not. Alchemy teaches Man theothers, who brought their existence to the world's
principles of regeneration and resurrection, laws ofattention; and even then, the world scoffed and
creation and transmutation; laws that would assistderided at the idea. This is a little unreasonable, as
Man to regain his former estate lost in "the Fall."people of various spiritual unfoldment and mental
This "Fall" from Paradise symbolically representsdevelopment may easily be seen and recognized.
involution of the human life wave into physicalIf some men and women are more perfect than
matter. The way back to the Throne of God isothers, why should not there be men and women
scientifically called "evolution," and the accelerationtotally perfect from our human point of
of the latter is the art of the hermetic gnosis.view?Esoterically, when a Master alchemist gave a
This Path of Return is esoterically and graphicallystudent of alchemy the "Philosopher's Stone,"
symbolised by Jacob's Ladder, and the paths ofwhat was actually conveyed were the teachings
the Qaballistic "Tree of Life."The drama of Jesus'of the Ancient Wisdom, and a certain yogic
life is an alchemical allegory of the steps ofsystem that when applied and practiced, would
regeneration and ascension to the I AM Presencetransmute an initiate into a god.To the public eye,
within, the "Father who art in Heaven." Orthodoxalchemical icons and terminology conveyed no
Christianity does not recognize or is unaware ofsense whatsoever, but the mystiqueness of
this vital truth, and because of the lack ofalchemical texts and images aroused interest in
mystical insight among most members of itspotential practitioners of the Royal Art, and it
priesthood coupled with the absence of esotericturned the average person into a seeker. This
truths in the doctrines and dogmas of the Church,was perhaps one of the intentions of the authors
the average Christian is ignorant and unaware ofof alchemical manuscripts. Modern chemistry,
the true message of Christianity--of the Light, thefeeling a little perplexed by alchemical ideas,
Christ substance, and the true saving blood thatcontemptuously considers her sire as a
Christ introduced to humankind. Esotericpseudo-science, in the same manner that
Christianity is fundamentally an alchemical scienceastrology is usually frowned upon by the students
and religion; its promulgator was a Masterof astronomy. Modern research will in time change
Alchemist--being taught in the initiatory halls of thethe opinions and prejudicial beliefs of a
Mystery Schools. It is related in the Gospels howmaterialistically-inclined science; already pioneers of
the Master transmuted water into wine, multipliedquantum physics are hypothesising what the
loaves and fishes, and walked on water--all ofAncient Wisdom has been teaching for ages.One
which were manifestations of the applied principleskey to understanding alchemy is to determine the
of alchemy, the Hermetic philosophy--or perhapsobjectives and the subject of transmutation.
these events were all allegories conveying someWithout keeping this principle in mind, one would
spiritual teaching.Alchemy is defined as an art ofbe lost in the alchemical wilderness.
transmutation and precipitation--the changing of