A General Look at Alchemy Part 1

Alchemy's OriginAlchemy, according to esoterictransmutation and precipitation--the changing of base
writers, is said to be the invention of an ancientmetals into gold. The work of alchemical transmutation
Egyptian sage called Hermes Trismegistus. Theis designated as "the Labor of the Sun." This "Eye of
"Father of Alchemy" lived in an unknown age ofRa" symbolically represents the perfection with which
Egyptian history, though he is thought by someNature is gradually unfolding in her creations. At the
Rosicrucian schools to have lived during the time ofphysical level the Sun of Perfection is represented by
Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites. If true, beinggold. Alchemy is the science and art which hasten the
an Initiate of the mysteries of Isis and Osiris, Mosescreations of Nature to attain perfection at their own
must have been tutored by Hermes himself, whichrespective level. Gold is the perfection attain by metals
later enabled him to carry out his mission and to realizeand minerals. Minerals, however, are also following
his I AM Presence symbolised by the burning bush.another line of perfection--that of its ability to sustain
The various precepts and the Ten Commandments oflife and consciousness. And Man, the acme of organic
the Lord of Hosts revealed to the Israelites by Moseslife, is evolving to the state where he acquires
are the first alchemical steps of purification andperfection in Divine Self-Awareness.From the above it
putrefaction. Further steps were later added to thecan be summarized that alchemy is the art of raising
Mosaic revelation by the Nazarene Master. Indeed, thevibrations of an object in order to hasten its
Christ declared that he came not to abolish thedevelopment or evolution into a higher expression or
previous revelation, but to fulfill it.It is thought by somestate. The result is perfection of the object of the
that "Hermes Trismegistus" constituted a title assumedtransmutation.Alchemy's Transmission to
by distinguished hierophants of the Mystery Schools, inChristendomAlexandria was the philosophical capital of
a somewhat similar manner that Zoroaster, theEgypt, and perhaps of the whole civilized worlds in the
founder of the "Fire Religion" is regarded by certainearly centuries of Christianity. Gnosticism, Neoplatonism,
scholars. Incidentally, alchemy may also be consideredAlchemy and Hermeticism flowered abundantly; these
a Fire Religion, or at least a philosophy, because of itsphilosophies are intrinsically related, and to comprehend
symbology of fire related to the alchemical principles,the Royal Art fully, the student of alchemy is advised
its prerequisite in the art of transmutation, and to theby Master teachers to be familiar with their doctrines.
respect and honor paid to it by alchemists.JewishAlexandria's Golden Age of occult philosophy did not
mystics identify Hermes as the antediluvian prophetlast long, for the reptilian mind of the fallen angels had
Enoch, or Idris, as the Muslims call him; while ancientseized control of the rising new religion of Christianity
Egyptians see Hermes as Thoth, the god of Wisdom,(no offence to our Christian brothers and sisters). The
Learning, and Writing. He was given this apotheosisphilosophical sons and daughters of Hermes were
along with Imhotep, the great architect under the reignpersecuted and murdered brutally by Christian
of King Zoser of the Fourth Dynasty. It would appearfundamentalists and fanatics. Fear and hatred were
that both men were overshadowed by the archetypalaroused among the masses and the ousting of the
figure of Thoth, and were acknowledged as such byso-called pagan religions from the land ensued. One
both the inner and outer circles of initiates of thesad event was the cruel assassination of Hypathia, an
Mystery Schools. Thoth, or his Greek counterpart,illustrious daughter of the Mysteries--the Widow Isis,
Mercury, was a messenger of the gods; and as anand propounder of Neoplatonism. She hardly had a
archetypal incarnation of this god, Hermes lived up tophilosophical equal during her day, and this caused the
his name by his literary productiveness. Ancient writersenvy and jealousy of a certain priest who contrived
declared that the "Trice Greatest" wrote thousands ofher murder.During the decline of the Roman Empire,
books on what later became known as Hermeticismthe Secret Doctrine, or the Ancient Wisdom were
and Alchemy. It is unfortunate that very little ofpassed on to the guardianship of the Arabian and
Hermes' works survived the conflagration andPersian mystics. The tenets of occult wisdom were
destruction of libraries and books by Roman andlater incorporated into the Muslim faith with its higher
Christian zeal in the early dawn of the Piscean Age.aspects promulgated secretly in the traditional oral
The world as a whole is still ignorant of the great loss,manner in certain sects, Orders, and mystical groups
and it will take some time before the invocation issuch as the Sufi and Dervish Orders, and among the
made by the masses for the Greater Light, forcommunity of Druzes in Lebanon and Syria.In the 8th
disclosure of eternal principles that would shine uponto the 11th centuries A.D., in the era of the golden
the paths of men, and consequently, for a fullperiod of alchemic-Islamic culture, we hear of eminent
restoration and establishment of an occult library of thenames in the field of the Royal Art, such as al-Farabi,
world, with an archive and database of every knownRhazes, Geber and Avicenna. These men studied the
system and tradition of the metaphysical side of life.mystery teachings and occult wisdom of the Egyptian
Although little is known of Hermes, it is evident throughand Greek schools. They were most notably
the works attributed to him that he was aninfluenced by Hermetic, Alchemic and Neoplatonic
intermediary of the Wisdom Ray of the Supremeideas, and the knowledge that they acquired was
Being.One of the most famed works on Hermeticsynthesized with Islamic and Sufic doctrines. The Sufi
doctrine written, and in concise form, is the Smaragdineadepts produced one of the most beautiful symbols of
Tablet attributed to the authorship of Hermes. Itsspiritual unfoldment and progression: the rose. Its
discovery is traditionally believed to have been madesymbolism is comparable to the lotus adopted by
by Alexander of Macedonia in a cave near Hebron.Hindu mystics.The Knights Templer was an important
This conqueror of nations who had Aristotle for alink between both East and West, between Islamic
Master, was in search of immortality. Although he failedculture and the world of Christendom. The alchemical
to attain his personal immortality, Alexander diddoctrine was passed on by the Sufi adepts to these
uncover a philosophical jewel that would have given"Knights of the Holy Sepulchre," as the Templers were
him what he had sought if he had only applied theoriginally called. Even the mythical Christian Rosencruez
principles that the Emerald Tablet contained. Traditionof Rosicrucianism is said to have acquired his occult
relates that the Tablet was wrought out of artificialknowledge from the Sufi Masters and adepts in
emerald, as a result of transmutation, with the HermeticArabia.After the days of the disbandment of the
doctrine embossed on it.Alchemy, as a philosophy andTempler Order by Philip the Fair of France, and the
an art in the Western hemisphere in the past twodeath-sentence of their last Grand Master, Jacques de
millenia, existed concurrently in other ancient culturesMolay in 1314, the surviving Knights sought refuge in
and civilizations--it was practiced intensely by Hinduvarious countries; and in England some of them
Yogis and Taoists, in India and China. This parallelfounded an alchemical Order which later became
growth is probably the result of the Great Whiteknown as the "Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross." It is
Brotherhood's periodic presentation of a spiritualsaid that this Order comprised 33 members and that
method designed for the development of certain typesthis group exists even to this very day in our computer
of temperaments and belief-framework of thoseage.When the believers of Allah invaded and settled in
aspirants belonging to a certain era and stage ofIberia, they brought with them the Secret Teachings.
mankind's collective evolution.Based on this parallelColleges were established that had mysticism,
growth of alchemy in the Orient and the regions of themetaphysics, and alchemy in the curriculum. With the
Fertile Crescent suggested to some Esoteric historiansestablishment of the various schools, the Ancient
that alchemy may have had a common origin in thatWisdom finally took definite root in European soil, and it
sunken continent Atlan, or Atlantis, as it is morespread gradually throughout the other regions of the
generally known. Esoteric Tradition declares that aContinent. This expansion was no doubt the result of
handful of the Atlantean Root Race survived thethe efforts put forth by the spiritual hierarchy of this
submergence of the land and transmigrated to Egypt,planet. Man's evolution is divided into certain steps,
China, and the Americas. It is reasonable to assumestages, and cycles, and these have "time-tables" or
that they brought with them their sciences, art, andschedules associated with them. It was expedient that
culture, which influenced the inhabitants indigenous tothe Flames of Truth and Freedom be given to the
the regions where they settled. This would explain thecustodian of the Islamic world if it were not to be
similarities in the traditions and beliefs of native culturesextinguished by some of the ungodly minds of
to be found both East and West.Principles of AlchemyChristendom of the Dark Ages which would have
are the principles that Nature herself works with, andcaused a setback to the Divine Plan already
thus alchemy, scientifically, existed in the inner planesestablished.The deviation from the right use of free will
long before it was brought down to the earth plane byby Christian fundamentalists had made them unsuitable
Master teachers. A study of Nature's mysteries wouldvessels for the Christic wine. In spite of exoteric
reveal to the discerning student that the higherChristianity's blind attack on th Light that gave it birth,
Intelligences, the Elohim, and the Great Architect of thethe esoteric circle continued its existence clandestinely,
Universe utilized alchemical principles to precipitate thepreserving the secret teachings of Jesus and
starry bodies out of Chaos, out of Cosmic Roottransmitting it to a selected few who had the vision of
Substance or "Sunyata," as termed by the Buddhist.the divine plan within their hearts and minds.Idries Shah,
Qabalists believe that Adam was taught by the angelsthe eminent Sufi of contemporary times, mentions in
in Paradise the art of transmutation, to prepare him forhis book "The Sufis," how an Englishman, one Robert
his "Fall" and his climb back toward his Monad, towardof Chester, was instrumentally in 1144 A.D., in
godhood--his involution and evolution from a Divineintroducing alchemy to the Christian world by translating
Consciousness to Divine Self-Consciousness.There isan alchemical manuscript originally written in Arabic.
no general concurrence among scholars as to theThere were many others like him, for bearers of the
origin of the word "alchemy." The consensus is thatFlame were not few.Levels of AlchemyMost of the
the word is derived from the word "Khem," the ancientprinciples of alchemy conveyed to the public were
name for Egypt, added to the Arabic article "al,"made up of images, mandalas, and jargon. These
meaning "the," thus forming the word "al-Khemy."obscure languages were necessary considering the
However, Sir Wallis Budge is of the opinion thatera that alchemical science was struggling--struggling
alchemy comes from the Egyptian word "khemein,"for a recognition from the masses as a system of
meaning the "black powder" or "ore" which isspiritual development in the midst of ecclesiastical
presumed to be an ingredient in alchemy. No matterpersecution. The mentality of the masses of the Middle
where it secured its name, the word "alchemy," itAges were not much different from the time of Jesus.
would seem, first came into prominence in the MysteryIgnorance, superstition, and fear still ruled the day. The
Schools in Alexandria.Purpose of AlchemyBut justletter of the law, as propagandized by Orthodox
what is alchemy, and what role does it play in theChristianity were still at odds, and at conflict with the
promotion of the welfare of mankind? If alchemy hasspirit of the law, as advanced by enlightened mystics.
any true value, it must be based upon eternal values,The inquisition, which lasted for centuries, showed how
upon the things that support Heaven's purposes; infar the Church had strayed from the original precepts
other words, upon God's plan of humankind's becomingof Christianity. The Christ taught love, forgiveness,
into the true Elohimic image of the divine. If alchemycharity and kindness; the Church Fathers and Christian
simply had an earthly objective, masterminds of theleaders only knew personal ambition, with sadism, and
Ages would not have concerned themselves with it. Itegoism set-up upon an unholy pedestal. The personal
would have been considered as something so trivial, so"I" was worshipped, the "Yekhidah," or the Divine I AM,
transient, as to distract Man from the real work ofwas forgotten.Neophytes of the Mysteries were given
extricating himself, specifically, from his bondage to thethe keys of interpretation of Sacred literature when
carnal self, the kama manas, or animal soul; andthey were accepted in the various secret
generally, from samsara. Greed was never the impulsebrotherhoods. The candidates of alchemical initiation
that prompted the invention of alchemy. It was, is, andwere noticed by the Masters when they had proven
always will be Man's desire for Truth andtheir sincerity, and the sacrifices and effort that they
enlightenment of his true nature and estate thathad made. To the world at large, the existence of the
motivates him to seek through every channel andMasters was unknown and unsuspected, even though
avenue for that certain something that hetheir presence in the world of men was hinted at in
subconsciously feels he had "lost" and which is his tovarious alchemical manuscripts. It was only in the last
re-acquire--call it "the Lost Word," "the Philosopher'scentury that Helena P. Blavatsky, among others, who
Stone," or "the Holy Grail," it matters not. Alchemybrought their existence to the world's attention; and
teaches Man the principles of regeneration andeven then, the world scoffed and derided at the idea.
resurrection, laws of creation and transmutation; lawsThis is a little unreasonable, as people of various
that would assist Man to regain his former estate lostspiritual unfoldment and mental development may
in "the Fall." This "Fall" from Paradise symbolicallyeasily be seen and recognized. If some men and
represents involution of the human life wave intowomen are more perfect than others, why should not
physical matter. The way back to the Throne of Godthere be men and women totally perfect from our
is scientifically called "evolution," and the acceleration ofhuman point of view?Esoterically, when a Master
the latter is the art of the hermetic gnosis. This Path ofalchemist gave a student of alchemy the
Return is esoterically and graphically symbolised by"Philosopher's Stone," what was actually conveyed
Jacob's Ladder, and the paths of the Qaballistic "Treewere the teachings of the Ancient Wisdom, and a
of Life."The drama of Jesus' life is an alchemicalcertain yogic system that when applied and practiced,
allegory of the steps of regeneration and ascension towould transmute an initiate into a god.To the public eye,
the I AM Presence within, the "Father who art inalchemical icons and terminology conveyed no sense
Heaven." Orthodox Christianity does not recognize orwhatsoever, but the mystiqueness of alchemical texts
is unaware of this vital truth, and because of the lackand images aroused interest in potential practitioners of
of mystical insight among most members of itsthe Royal Art, and it turned the average person into a
priesthood coupled with the absence of esoteric truthsseeker. This was perhaps one of the intentions of the
in the doctrines and dogmas of the Church, theauthors of alchemical manuscripts. Modern chemistry,
average Christian is ignorant and unaware of the truefeeling a little perplexed by alchemical ideas,
message of Christianity--of the Light, the Christcontemptuously considers her sire as a
substance, and the true saving blood that Christpseudo-science, in the same manner that astrology is
introduced to humankind. Esoteric Christianity isusually frowned upon by the students of astronomy.
fundamentally an alchemical science and religion; itsModern research will in time change the opinions and
promulgator was a Master Alchemist--being taught inprejudicial beliefs of a materialistically-inclined science;
the initiatory halls of the Mystery Schools. It is related inalready pioneers of quantum physics are hypothesising
the Gospels how the Master transmuted water intowhat the Ancient Wisdom has been teaching for
wine, multiplied loaves and fishes, and walked onages.One key to understanding alchemy is to
water--all of which were manifestations of the applieddetermine the objectives and the subject of
principles of alchemy, the Hermetic philosophy--ortransmutation. Without keeping this principle in mind, one
perhaps these events were all allegories conveyingwould be lost in the alchemical wilderness.
some spiritual teaching.Alchemy is defined as an art of