| Alchemy's OriginAlchemy, according to esoteric | | | | base metals into gold. The work of alchemical |
| writers, is said to be the invention of an ancient | | | | transmutation is designated as "the Labor of the |
| Egyptian sage called Hermes Trismegistus. The | | | | Sun." This "Eye of Ra" symbolically represents the |
| "Father of Alchemy" lived in an unknown age of | | | | perfection with which Nature is gradually unfolding |
| Egyptian history, though he is thought by some | | | | in her creations. At the physical level the Sun of |
| Rosicrucian schools to have lived during the time | | | | Perfection 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 and | | | | Nature to attain perfection at their own |
| Osiris, Moses must have been tutored by Hermes | | | | respective level. Gold is the perfection attain by |
| himself, which later enabled him to carry out his | | | | metals and minerals. Minerals, however, are also |
| mission and to realize his I AM Presence | | | | following another line of perfection--that of its |
| symbolised by the burning bush. The various | | | | ability to sustain life and consciousness. And Man, |
| precepts and the Ten Commandments of the | | | | the acme of organic life, is evolving to the state |
| Lord of Hosts revealed to the Israelites by Moses | | | | where he acquires perfection in Divine |
| are the first alchemical steps of purification and | | | | Self-Awareness.From the above it can be |
| putrefaction. Further steps were later added to | | | | summarized 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 to | | | | development or evolution into a higher expression |
| abolish the previous revelation, but to fulfill it.It is | | | | or 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 distinguished | | | | ChristendomAlexandria was the philosophical capital |
| hierophants of the Mystery Schools, in a | | | | of Egypt, and perhaps of the whole civilized |
| somewhat similar manner that Zoroaster, the | | | | worlds in the early centuries of Christianity. |
| founder of the "Fire Religion" is regarded by | | | | Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Alchemy and |
| certain scholars. Incidentally, alchemy may also be | | | | Hermeticism 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 the | | | | comprehend the Royal Art fully, the student of |
| alchemical principles, its prerequisite in the art of | | | | alchemy is advised by Master teachers to be |
| transmutation, and to the respect and honor paid | | | | familiar with their doctrines. Alexandria's Golden |
| to it by alchemists.Jewish mystics identify Hermes | | | | Age of occult philosophy did not last long, for the |
| as the antediluvian prophet Enoch, or Idris, as the | | | | reptilian mind of the fallen angels had seized |
| Muslims call him; while ancient Egyptians see | | | | control 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 along | | | | philosophical sons and daughters of Hermes were |
| with Imhotep, the great architect under the reign | | | | persecuted and murdered brutally by Christian |
| of King Zoser of the Fourth Dynasty. It would | | | | fundamentalists and fanatics. Fear and hatred |
| appear that both men were overshadowed by | | | | were aroused among the masses and the ousting |
| the archetypal figure of Thoth, and were | | | | of the so-called pagan religions from the land |
| acknowledged as such by both the inner and | | | | ensued. 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 a | | | | the Mysteries--the Widow Isis, and propounder of |
| messenger of the gods; and as an archetypal | | | | Neoplatonism. She hardly had a philosophical equal |
| incarnation of this god, Hermes lived up to his | | | | during her day, and this caused the envy and |
| name by his literary productiveness. Ancient | | | | jealousy of a certain priest who contrived her |
| writers declared that the "Trice Greatest" wrote | | | | murder.During the decline of the Roman Empire, |
| thousands of books on what later became known | | | | the Secret Doctrine, or the Ancient Wisdom were |
| as Hermeticism and Alchemy. It is unfortunate | | | | passed on to the guardianship of the Arabian and |
| that very little of Hermes' works survived the | | | | Persian mystics. The tenets of occult wisdom |
| conflagration and destruction of libraries and books | | | | were later incorporated into the Muslim faith with |
| by Roman and Christian zeal in the early dawn of | | | | its higher aspects promulgated secretly in the |
| the Piscean Age. The world as a whole is still | | | | traditional oral manner in certain sects, Orders, |
| ignorant of the great loss, and it will take some | | | | and mystical groups such as the Sufi and Dervish |
| time before the invocation is made by the | | | | Orders, and among the community of Druzes in |
| masses for the Greater Light, for disclosure of | | | | Lebanon and Syria.In the 8th to the 11th centuries |
| eternal principles that would shine upon the paths | | | | A.D., in the era of the golden period of |
| of men, and consequently, for a full restoration | | | | alchemic-Islamic culture, we hear of eminent |
| and establishment of an occult library of the | | | | names in the field of the Royal Art, such as |
| world, with an archive and database of every | | | | al-Farabi, Rhazes, Geber and Avicenna. These men |
| known system and tradition of the metaphysical | | | | studied the mystery teachings and occult wisdom |
| side of life. Although little is known of Hermes, it is | | | | of the Egyptian and Greek schools. They were |
| evident through the works attributed to him that | | | | most notably influenced by Hermetic, Alchemic |
| he was an intermediary of the Wisdom Ray of | | | | and Neoplatonic ideas, and the knowledge that |
| the Supreme Being.One of the most famed | | | | they acquired was synthesized with Islamic and |
| works on Hermetic doctrine written, and in | | | | Sufic doctrines. The Sufi adepts produced one of |
| concise form, is the Smaragdine Tablet attributed | | | | the most beautiful symbols of spiritual unfoldment |
| to the authorship of Hermes. Its discovery is | | | | and progression: the rose. Its symbolism is |
| traditionally believed to have been made by | | | | comparable 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 a | | | | link between both East and West, between |
| Master, was in search of immortality. Although he | | | | Islamic culture and the world of Christendom. The |
| failed to attain his personal immortality, Alexander | | | | alchemical doctrine was passed on by the Sufi |
| did uncover a philosophical jewel that would have | | | | adepts to these "Knights of the Holy Sepulchre," |
| given him what he had sought if he had only | | | | as the Templers were originally called. Even the |
| applied the principles that the Emerald Tablet | | | | mythical Christian Rosencruez of Rosicrucianism is |
| contained. Tradition relates that the Tablet was | | | | said to have acquired his occult knowledge from |
| wrought out of artificial emerald, as a result of | | | | the Sufi Masters and adepts in Arabia.After the |
| transmutation, with the Hermetic doctrine | | | | days of the disbandment of the Templer Order |
| embossed on it.Alchemy, as a philosophy and an | | | | by Philip the Fair of France, and the |
| art in the Western hemisphere in the past two | | | | death-sentence of their last Grand Master, |
| millenia, existed concurrently in other ancient | | | | Jacques de Molay in 1314, the surviving Knights |
| cultures and civilizations--it was practiced intensely | | | | sought refuge in various countries; and in England |
| by Hindu Yogis and Taoists, in India and China. This | | | | some of them founded an alchemical Order which |
| parallel growth is probably the result of the Great | | | | later became known as the "Elder Brothers of the |
| White Brotherhood's periodic presentation of a | | | | Rose Cross." It is said that this Order comprised |
| spiritual method designed for the development of | | | | 33 members and that this group exists even to |
| certain types of temperaments and | | | | this very day in our computer age.When the |
| belief-framework of those aspirants belonging to a | | | | believers of Allah invaded and settled in Iberia, |
| certain era and stage of mankind's collective | | | | they brought with them the Secret Teachings. |
| evolution.Based on this parallel growth of alchemy | | | | Colleges were established that had mysticism, |
| in the Orient and the regions of the Fertile | | | | metaphysics, and alchemy in the curriculum. With |
| Crescent suggested to some Esoteric historians | | | | the establishment of the various schools, the |
| that alchemy may have had a common origin in | | | | Ancient Wisdom finally took definite root in |
| that sunken continent Atlan, or Atlantis, as it is | | | | European soil, and it spread gradually throughout |
| more generally known. Esoteric Tradition declares | | | | the other regions of the Continent. This expansion |
| that a handful of the Atlantean Root Race | | | | was no doubt the result of the efforts put forth |
| survived the submergence of the land and | | | | by 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 with | | | | cycles, and these have "time-tables" or schedules |
| them their sciences, art, and culture, which | | | | associated with them. It was expedient that the |
| influenced the inhabitants indigenous to the regions | | | | Flames of Truth and Freedom be given to the |
| where they settled. This would explain the | | | | custodian of the Islamic world if it were not to be |
| similarities in the traditions and beliefs of native | | | | extinguished by some of the ungodly minds of |
| cultures to be found both East and West.Principles | | | | Christendom of the Dark Ages which would have |
| of Alchemy are the principles that Nature herself | | | | caused 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 was | | | | free will by Christian fundamentalists had made |
| brought down to the earth plane by Master | | | | them unsuitable vessels for the Christic wine. In |
| teachers. A study of Nature's mysteries would | | | | spite of exoteric Christianity's blind attack on th |
| reveal to the discerning student that the higher | | | | Light that gave it birth, the esoteric circle |
| Intelligences, the Elohim, and the Great Architect | | | | continued its existence clandestinely, preserving |
| of the Universe utilized alchemical principles to | | | | the secret teachings of Jesus and transmitting it |
| precipitate the starry bodies out of Chaos, out of | | | | to a selected few who had the vision of the |
| Cosmic Root Substance or "Sunyata," as termed | | | | divine plan within their hearts and minds.Idries |
| by the Buddhist. Qabalists believe that Adam was | | | | Shah, the eminent Sufi of contemporary times, |
| taught by the angels in Paradise the art of | | | | mentions in his book "The Sufis," how an |
| transmutation, to prepare him for his "Fall" and his | | | | Englishman, one Robert of Chester, was |
| climb back toward his Monad, toward godhood--his | | | | instrumentally in 1144 A.D., in introducing alchemy |
| involution and evolution from a Divine | | | | to the Christian world by translating an alchemical |
| Consciousness to Divine Self-Consciousness.There | | | | manuscript originally written in Arabic. There were |
| is no general concurrence among scholars as to | | | | many others like him, for bearers of the Flame |
| the origin of the word "alchemy." The consensus | | | | were not few.Levels of AlchemyMost of the |
| is that the word is derived from the word | | | | principles of alchemy conveyed to the public were |
| "Khem," the ancient name for Egypt, added to | | | | made up of images, mandalas, and jargon. These |
| the Arabic article "al," meaning "the," thus forming | | | | obscure languages were necessary considering |
| the word "al-Khemy." However, Sir Wallis Budge is | | | | the era that alchemical science was |
| of the opinion that alchemy comes from the | | | | struggling--struggling for a recognition from the |
| Egyptian word "khemein," meaning the "black | | | | masses as a system of spiritual development in |
| powder" or "ore" which is presumed to be an | | | | the midst of ecclesiastical persecution. The |
| ingredient in alchemy. No matter where it secured | | | | mentality of the masses of the Middle Ages were |
| its name, the word "alchemy," it would seem, first | | | | not much different from the time of Jesus. |
| came into prominence in the Mystery Schools in | | | | Ignorance, superstition, and fear still ruled the day. |
| Alexandria.Purpose of AlchemyBut just what is | | | | The letter of the law, as propagandized by |
| alchemy, and what role does it play in the | | | | Orthodox Christianity were still at odds, and at |
| promotion of the welfare of mankind? If alchemy | | | | conflict with the spirit of the law, as advanced by |
| has any true value, it must be based upon eternal | | | | enlightened mystics. The inquisition, which lasted |
| values, upon the things that support Heaven's | | | | for centuries, showed how far the Church had |
| purposes; in other words, upon God's plan of | | | | strayed from the original precepts of Christianity. |
| humankind's becoming into the true Elohimic image | | | | The Christ taught love, forgiveness, charity and |
| of the divine. If alchemy simply had an earthly | | | | kindness; the Church Fathers and Christian leaders |
| objective, masterminds of the Ages would not | | | | only knew personal ambition, with sadism, and |
| have concerned themselves with it. It would have | | | | egoism set-up upon an unholy pedestal. The |
| been considered as something so trivial, so | | | | personal "I" was worshipped, the "Yekhidah," or |
| transient, as to distract Man from the real work | | | | the Divine I AM, was forgotten.Neophytes of the |
| of extricating himself, specifically, from his | | | | Mysteries were given the keys of interpretation |
| bondage to the carnal self, the kama manas, or | | | | of Sacred literature when they were accepted in |
| animal soul; and generally, from samsara. Greed | | | | the various secret brotherhoods. The candidates |
| was never the impulse that prompted the | | | | of alchemical initiation were noticed by the |
| invention of alchemy. It was, is, and always will be | | | | Masters when they had proven their sincerity, and |
| Man's desire for Truth and enlightenment of his | | | | the sacrifices and effort that they had made. To |
| true nature and estate that motivates him to | | | | the world at large, the existence of the Masters |
| seek through every channel and avenue for that | | | | was unknown and unsuspected, even though their |
| certain something that he subconsciously feels he | | | | presence in the world of men was hinted at in |
| had "lost" and which is his to re-acquire--call it "the | | | | various alchemical manuscripts. It was only in the |
| Lost Word," "the Philosopher's Stone," or "the Holy | | | | last century that Helena P. Blavatsky, among |
| Grail," it matters not. Alchemy teaches Man the | | | | others, who brought their existence to the world's |
| principles of regeneration and resurrection, laws of | | | | attention; and even then, the world scoffed and |
| creation and transmutation; laws that would assist | | | | derided 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 represents | | | | development may easily be seen and recognized. |
| involution of the human life wave into physical | | | | If some men and women are more perfect than |
| matter. The way back to the Throne of God is | | | | others, why should not there be men and women |
| scientifically called "evolution," and the acceleration | | | | totally 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 graphically | | | | student of alchemy the "Philosopher's Stone," |
| symbolised by Jacob's Ladder, and the paths of | | | | what 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 of | | | | system that when applied and practiced, would |
| regeneration and ascension to the I AM Presence | | | | transmute an initiate into a god.To the public eye, |
| within, the "Father who art in Heaven." Orthodox | | | | alchemical icons and terminology conveyed no |
| Christianity does not recognize or is unaware of | | | | sense whatsoever, but the mystiqueness of |
| this vital truth, and because of the lack of | | | | alchemical texts and images aroused interest in |
| mystical insight among most members of its | | | | potential practitioners of the Royal Art, and it |
| priesthood coupled with the absence of esoteric | | | | turned 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 of | | | | of alchemical manuscripts. Modern chemistry, |
| the true message of Christianity--of the Light, the | | | | feeling a little perplexed by alchemical ideas, |
| Christ substance, and the true saving blood that | | | | contemptuously considers her sire as a |
| Christ introduced to humankind. Esoteric | | | | pseudo-science, in the same manner that |
| Christianity is fundamentally an alchemical science | | | | astrology is usually frowned upon by the students |
| and religion; its promulgator was a Master | | | | of astronomy. Modern research will in time change |
| Alchemist--being taught in the initiatory halls of the | | | | the opinions and prejudicial beliefs of a |
| Mystery Schools. It is related in the Gospels how | | | | materialistically-inclined science; already pioneers of |
| the Master transmuted water into wine, multiplied | | | | quantum physics are hypothesising what the |
| loaves and fishes, and walked on water--all of | | | | Ancient Wisdom has been teaching for ages.One |
| which were manifestations of the applied principles | | | | key to understanding alchemy is to determine the |
| of alchemy, the Hermetic philosophy--or perhaps | | | | objectives and the subject of transmutation. |
| these events were all allegories conveying some | | | | Without keeping this principle in mind, one would |
| spiritual teaching.Alchemy is defined as an art of | | | | be lost in the alchemical wilderness. |
| transmutation and precipitation--the changing of | | | | |