Stone and Elixir: Basics of Alchemy. Carrying out the process by long and gradual addition of the desired substance

Lecture 3.

ALCHEMY

Alchemy, without a doubt, can be classified as an occult science. Initially, it was based on the same desire to command the invisible spirits that we saw in shamanic practice, but over time, alchemy acquired an even more pragmatic and specific goal - the transformation of base metals into gold through a catalyst called the “Philosopher's Stone” (Lapisphilosophorum). Many hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origins of alchemy. One of them believes that it was revealed to people by the mysterious Egyptian demigod Hermes Trismegistus. This exalted personality, carrying an emerald in his hands, according to the Egyptians, was the author of all sciences and arts. In honor of him, all scientific knowledge is collectively called the Hermetic arts. When the body of Hermes was interred in the Valley of Hebra, the divine emerald was buried with it. After many centuries, the emerald was unearthed; According to one version, this was done by Arab sages, according to another - by Alexander the Great. With the help of the power inherent in this emerald, on which the letters of the Thrice Great Hermes were engraved (a total of 13 sentences), the Macedonian conquered the entire then known world.

For a long time, alchemy remained a truly secret teaching, and until the 9th century, the only alchemist known to the general public was the Arabian Geber, whose name was Abu-Muza-Jafar, nicknamed El-Sophie. His attempts to turn base metals into gold led to various discoveries in chemistry and medicine. The Crusaders brought alchemy to Europe, and around the 13th century Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon and Raymond Luly revived it. Henry VI, King of England, invited lords, nobles, doctors, professors and priests to search for the philosopher's stone.

Albert von Bolstatt (The Great).

He was the first and most famous alchemist in Europe. He was born in 1206 and died at the age of 74. He was great in magic, strong in philosophy and unsurpassed in theology, medicine and physics. He was an Aristotelian, a member of the Dominican Order, and educated Thomas Aquinas in alchemy and philosophy. He was the bishop of Regensburg, and in 1622 he was beatified. In his youth he was considered weak-minded, but his sincere faith was rewarded by a vision in which the Immaculate Virgin Mary appeared before him and gave him great philosophical and intellectual abilities. Having become a master of magical sciences, Albert began constructing an automaton, which he endowed with the ability to speak and think. The Android, as its creator called it, was made of metal and an unknown substance, chosen according to the "decree of the stars", and endowed with spiritual qualities through magical formulas and spells. This work took 30 years. According to legend, Thomas Aquinas, considering the mechanism diabolical, broke it. Despite this, Albert left Thomas his alchemical formulas, including the secret of the philosopher's stone.

Paracelsus.

Real name: Philip Oreal Theophrastus Paracelsus Bombastus of Gonheim. He also claimed to own the Philosopher's Stone. His followers called him "the prince of doctors, the philosopher of fire, the Swiss Trismegistus, the transformer of alchemical philosophy, the faithful secretary of nature, the owner of the elixir of life and the philosopher's stone, the great monarch of chemical secrets." The date of birth of Paracelsus is considered to be December 17, 1493. His father was a doctor, his mother ran a hospital. While still young, Paracelsus became interested in the writings of Isaac the Dutchman and decided to reform the medical science of his time. Traveled a lot. In Constantinople, the Arab sages entrusted him with the secrets of the Hermetic arts. Knowledge of nature spirits and inhabitants invisible worlds he probably received it from the Indian Brahmins with whom he came into contact either directly or through their disciples. He became a military doctor, and his skill brought him great fame. Upon returning to Germany, Paracelsus began the reformation of medicine. His successes brought him many enemies, because... they could not repeat his miracles. His treatment systems seemed so heretical at that time that slowly but surely his opponents supplanted Paracelsus, forcing him to seek refuge in a new place where he was not known. There are many conflicting rumors regarding the identity of Paracelsus. There is no doubt that he had a quick temper. He hated doctors and women (as is known, he never had a love interest). The excesses that were attributed to him brought him a lot of trouble. Even while he was a professor in Basel, few people saw him sober. The circumstances of Paracelsus' death are unclear, but the most plausible version is that he died in a fight with assassins hired by his enemies.

Solomon Trismozin.

Solomon was the teacher of Paracelsus. Almost nothing is known about him, except that after many years of wandering and searching, he found a formula for the transformation of metals and made great amount gold. His manuscript, dated 1582 and called “The Magnificent Sun,” is in the British Museum. According to rumors, Trismozin lived 150 years, thanks to his alchemical knowledge. A very remarkable statement appears in his work “Alchemical Wanderings”, where he talks about the search for the philosopher’s stone: “Explore what you can, and what you can is part of what you know, and this is what you really know. What is outside you is also inside you.”

The principle expressed by Trismosinus is the fundamental dogma of alchemy. God is “within” and “outside” all things. It manifests itself through growth from the inside out, through the struggle for expression and manifestation. The growth and multiplication of gold is not O greater miracle than the growth from a small seed of a bush 1000 times larger than this seed. If this can happen to the seed of a plant, then why not the same to the seed of gold, if "planted in the ground" (base metals) and "nourished" according to secret alchemical recipes.

Alchemy teaches that God is in everything; that he is the universal spirit, manifesting itself in an infinite variety of forms. God is a spiritual seed planted in the dark earth (material universe). Through the art of alchemy it is possible to grow and multiply this seed so that the entire universe substance will be saturated with it and become, like the golden seed, pure gold. In the spiritual nature of man this is called “rebirth”, in the material body of the elements it is called “transformation”. Each grain of sand, according to alchemists, contains not only the seeds of precious metals and precious stones, but also the seeds of the sun, moon and stars. Just as human nature reflects the entire universe in miniature, so every grain of sand, every drop of water, every particle of cosmic dust is hidden in all parts and elements of the cosmos in the form of small embryos - so small that even the most powerful microscope cannot recognize them . There are two methods by which their growth can be ensured:

1) Nature, because nature is an alchemist who achieves the seemingly impossible;

2) Art, through which the result is achieved in a relatively short time, whereas nature requires an infinite amount of time for this.

The true sage harmonizes his activities with the laws of nature, realizing that the art of alchemy is simply a method copied from nature, but with the help of certain secrets the formula is greatly shortened and the process intensified. Through this art, the seed that is inside the soul of the stone can grow so quickly that in a few moments a granite stone can turn into a large diamond. Since the seed is in all things, diamond can be grown from any substance in the universe. Of some substances, however, this miracle is much easier to perform, because in them the embryos of the diamond have long been fertilized and are thus more prepared for the animating process of art. Alchemy, therefore, can be considered the art of increasing and bringing to a perfect state existing processes. Nature can carry out the purposes it desires, or not. But with the help of true art, nature always achieves its goals, because this art is not confirmed by the waste of time or the vandalism of spontaneous reactions.

In his book "The History of Chemistry" James Brown gives the following alchemists' goals:

1) Preparation complex substance, called the elixir, the universal medicine, or the philosopher's stone, which had the property of transforming base metals into gold and silver...

2) The creation of a homunculus, or living being, about which many delightful but improbable stories have been told.

3) Preparation of a universal solvent that would dissolve any substance.

4) Palingenesis, or restoration of plants from ashes. If the alchemists succeeded in this, they would have hope of reviving the dead.

5) Preparation of spiritus mundi, a mystical substance with many properties, the main one of which was the ability to dissolve gold.

6) Extraction of the quintessence, or the active primary source of all substances.

7) Preparation of aurumpotabile, liquid gold, the most perfect remedy for healing, because gold, perfect in itself, can produce the most perfect effect on human nature.

The fact that alchemy is basically only a slightly ennobled shamanism is confirmed by the cosmogony of the alchemists, known to us primarily from the works of Paracelsus. According to Paracelsus, each of the four primary elements consists of a subtle gaseous element and a gross bodily substance. Air, therefore, is dual in nature - it is a tangible atmosphere and an intangible volatile substance, which may be called "spiritual air." Fire is visible and invisible, discernible and indistinguishable. Water is understood as consisting of a dense liquid and a potential essence of a liquid nature. The earth also has two essential parts, the lower of which is motionless, earthly, and the highest is thinned out, mobile, virtual. The general term "elements" applies to the lower or physical phases of these four primary elements, and the term "elementalessences" to their invisible, spiritual components.

Minerals, plants, animals and people live in a world consisting of the gross side of these four elements, and living organizations are made of their various combinations. Just as visible nature is populated by countless living beings, so the invisible, spiritual counterpart of visible nature is populated by beings. Paracelsus divided them into 4 groups, which were called gnomes, undines, sylphs and salamanders. He taught that they are actually living beings, much like humans in form, and inhabit their own world, unknown to people due to the underdevelopment of their senses, unable to penetrate beyond the world of gross elements. Paracelsus writes: “They live in four elements: nymphs - in the element of water, sylphs - air, pygmies - earth, and salamanders - fire. They are also called undines, sylvesters, gnomes, volcanoes, etc. Each species moves only in the element to which it belongs, which is to it what air is to us or water to fish, and none of them can live in an element belonging to another species. For each elemental spirit, the corresponding element is transparent, invisible and breathable, just like our atmosphere.” From the above-described cosmogony it follows medical technique, used by alchemists, which is also very reminiscent of shamanic experience. The fundamental principle of Hermetic medicine is that all causes of disease come from the invisible nature of man. According to the calculations of Paracelsus, the etheric shadow shell of a person does not disintegrate after death, but remains until the physical form completely disintegrates. These “ethereal doubles” are often visible on graves and are the basis of belief in spirits. Being much subtler in its substance than earthly bodies, the etheric double is much more susceptible to impulses. Disorder in this astral body is the cause of many diseases. A person with a diseased mind can poison his own etheric nature, and this infection, by disturbing the natural flow vitality, later manifests itself as a physical illness. Paracelsus, considering disorders of the etheric double the most important reason illness, “looked for ways to harmonize its substance, bringing it into contact with other bodies, whose vital energy could supply necessary elements and was strong enough to overcome the disease existing in the aura of the sufferer. Once the invisible cause is removed, the anxiety quickly goes away.”

According to Paracelsus, plants purify the atmosphere by absorbing carbon monoxide exhaled by animals and people, but in the same way plants can absorb diseases from people and animals. Those lower forms of life, whose organisms and needs are different from those of humans, are able to assimilate these substances without harm. Sometimes plants or animals die, sacrificing themselves for the sake of more intelligent and, therefore, more useful creatures that survive. In any of these cases, the patient gradually recovers.

Philosopher's Stone.

The recipe for the philosopher's stone was repeatedly described in numerous alchemical treatises, but in such a form that no one, and often the alchemist himself, could understand anything. Some of these “recipes” are written relatively clearly, such as the recipe for making the philosopher’s stone in the Code of Chemistry by Basilius Valentinius. Even if some of the most important data in it is encrypted with alchemical symbols, their solution is still quite simple. It described the production chemically blood-red liquid from mercury ore by dissolving the latter in aqua regia; the mixture was finally heated for several months in a closed vessel - and the magic elixir was ready. It should be noted that in some details all alchemical recipes are the same. It is often stated that the philosopher's stone is a bright red, non-hygroscopic substance. When obtained from mercury and other components, the substance changes its color several times - from black to white, then to yellow and, finally, to red. Professor Van Nievenburg in 1963 decided to repeat numerous operations of alchemists. In one of the experiments, he actually observed the described color changes. After removing all the mercury introduced according to the recipes of the alchemists, as well as its salts by decomposition at high temperatures or by sublimation, he obtained a very beautiful red non-hygroscopic substance. The sparkling prismatic crystals were chemically pure silver chloroate. It is possible that this connection was the very philosopher’s stone, which, due to high content in it, gold (44%) could cause the desired transformation - say, surface gilding or alloying with base metals. It is clear that with the help of this compound it was impossible to conjure more gold than it itself contained.

Homunculus.

In addition to experiments in creating the philosopher's stone and the universal solvent, alchemists tried to comprehend the secrets of the origin of life and, comparing themselves with God himself, to create an artificial creature - a homunculus (from the Latin "homunculus" - little man). Antiquity knew many artificial creatures - from the copper bull Moloch, which swallowed the condemned and spewed smoke from its nostrils, to walking statues that guarded the chambers of royal tombs. However, they were all deprived of the most important quality that makes a thing alive - the soul.

One of the first European alchemists, Albertus Magnus, gained the greatest fame in the matter of reviving dead matter. At the same time, the Spanish alchemist Arnold de Villanova struggled with the creation of artificial man, whose achievements were later used by Paracelsus, who created detailed recipe growing a homunculus. The recipe is as follows: you need to place fresh human sperm in a retort flask, then seal the vessel and bury it in horse manure for 40 days. During the entire period of “maturation” of the homunculus, one must constantly pronounce magic spells, which should help the embryo acquire flesh. After this period, the flask is opened and placed in an environment whose temperature corresponds to the temperature of the horse’s entrails. For 40 weeks, a small creature born in a flask must be tediously fed daily with a small amount of human blood. Paracelsus assured that if everything is done correctly, then a baby will be born, who will then grow to normal sizes and will answer the most intimate questions. In the occult literature of that time there were other recipes for making homunculi, but all of them in one way or another echoed the teachings of Paracelsus and differed from it only in details. Growing homunculi was considered not only difficult, but also dangerous, because wrong actions could give birth to a terrible monster. The threat also came from the church, which prohibited, under penalty of death, from producing a person in an unnatural way. But the desire for “higher knowledge” for alchemists was always stronger than church dogmas: every now and then there were brave men who declared that they had conquered inanimate nature.

Golem.

At the turn of the 16th – 17th centuries. a legend appeared about the plain of Yehuda-Lev Ben-Bezalel and his brainchild, the Golem. Yehuda (also known as Maharal mi-Prag) was born in Poznan. His most famous works are “Paths of the World”, “The Glory of Israel” and “The Eternity of Israel”. In addition to religious works, Yehuda wrote many books on astronomy, alchemy, medicine and mathematics. He sought a formula for revival, relying on the instructions of the Talmud, which states that if the righteous wanted to create the world and man, they could do this by rearranging the letters in the unpronounceable names of God. Yehuda's search led to the creation of an artificial creature called the Golem. Life was maintained in it magic words, which have the property of attracting “free stellar current” from the universe. These words were written on parchment, which was put into the Golem's mouth during the day and taken out at night so that life would leave this creature, because... after sunset he became violent. One day, before evening prayer, Yehuda forgot to remove the parchment from the Golem’s mouth, and he rebelled. When they finished reading Psalm 92 in the synagogue, there was a sound in the street. terrible scream. It was the Golem rushing, killing everyone in its path. Yehuda barely caught up with him and tore the parchment. The golem immediately turned into a clay block, which is still shown in the Prague synagogue on the street. Alchemists.

Later they said that the secret formula for reviving the Golem was preserved by Eleazar de Worms. It took up 32 columns of handwritten text and required knowledge of the “221 gate alphabet” that is used in spells. It was also mentioned that the word “EMET”, meaning “truth”, had to be written on the forehead of the clay man. The same word, but with the first letter “MET” erased, was translated as “death” and turned the Golem into an inanimate object.

The Rosicrucians, who adopted and developed the traditions of alchemy, also showed great interest in this kind of experiments. This is what is written in the secret Rosicrucian acts: “The May dew collected on the full moon, two parts of male and three parts of female blood from pure and chaste people are mixed in a vessel. The vessel is placed on moderate heat, causing red earth to be deposited at the bottom, while the upper part is separated into a clean flask and from time to time added to the vessel, into which one grain of tincture from the animal kingdom is also added. After some time, stomping and whistling will be heard in the flask, and you will see two living beings in it - a man and a woman, absolutely beautiful... Through certain manipulations you can maintain their life for a year, and you can learn anything from them, for they you will be feared and revered.”

Alchemy is understood as a whole system of transformation of metals and the human spirit, existing in various systems. It must be said that alchemy was able to give impetus to the development of many modern sciences mainly chemistry. Many scientists of the past were tenacious researchers who searched for hidden possibilities, including the spirit in every inorganic grain of matter.

Alchemy included not only the banal search for gold, this science was fed by the ideas of Gnosticism, which formally was in oblivion before the beginning of the Renaissance. Carl Jung suggested that alchemical philosophy was in fact protopsychology, aimed at achieving the individual's individuation. So the most famous alchemists were outstanding people of their time, smart and multifaceted. These individuals will be discussed below.

Albert the Great (1193-1280). The master was born into the wealthy family of Count von Bolstedt. Legends say that Albert's academic success as a child was rather modest. No one thought that in the future he would become one of the most prominent scientists. This transformation is explained by a miracle that happened to the young man. The Virgin Mary appeared to Albert, who had joined the Dominican Order, from whom he begged for a clear mind and success in philosophy. In that era of endless wars, monasteries were quiet place, where it was possible to engage in culture. Although Master Albert belonged to the Dominicans, he received significant relaxations in observing the charter. So that the scientist could carry out research, he was even allowed to use his personal capital. After spending several years in Cologne, Albert moved to Paris. There, to obtain a master's degree, he begins to give lectures, which are wildly successful. Albert was not only a philosopher, he is distinguished by his versatility. Albert studied plants, minerals, and animals. He left behind work on inorganic chemistry that was far ahead of its time. Five alchemical treatises that have survived to this day are signed with his name. The most famous one is called “On Alchemy”. Since 1244, Albert the Great's favorite student has been Thomas Aquinas, who was present during experiments to obtain gold. Many miracles are attributed to the alchemist, and fairy tales were told about him. At the end of his life, the scientist lost his memory and locked himself in a monastic cell. When Albert died, all of Cologne wore mourning clothes. In 1931, the scientist, philosopher, alchemist and sorcerer was officially canonized by Rome.

Arnoldo de Villanova (1240-1311). The great scientist received an excellent education. He studied classical sciences in Aix-en-Provence, medicine in Montpellier, then the Sorbonne. Among Arnoldo's close acquaintances were the English monk Roger Bacon, author of The Mirror of Alchemy, and Albertus Magnus. It must be said that de Villanova was jealous of his Dominican colleague, who had much more opportunities for experience. After completing his studies, Arnoldo traveled all over Europe, becoming a popular and expensive doctor. However, unusual methods and free conversations led to persecution by church authorities. Strange potions, amulets, hypnosis - all this indicated a connection with evil spirits. In medicine, the scientist used gold as universal medicine, not disdaining to also use the achievements of alchemy (mercury, salts, sulfur compounds). De Villanova's life was different from that of religious alchemists like Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, or Thomas Aquinas. While teaching at the University of Paris, Arnoldo makes such bold speeches that the Inquisition was alarmed. Speaking about alchemy, it is worth noting that the scientist is considered one of those who actually managed to create the philosopher's stone. This is indicated in his treatise “The Great Rosary”, however, historical confirmation does not exist. Arnoldo claimed that he was able to transform lead into gold. After the death of the scientist, the church decided to condemn him. Most of de Villanova's works were burned, and friendship with the pontiff did not help. It is not clear today which works that have come down to us actually belong to the master.

Raymond Lull (1235-1314). In addition to the official history of alchemy, there is also a more reliable, oral history, passed down through generations of adepts. Raymond Lull is considered one of the greatest alchemists of all time. Official history disputes this. The fact is that shortly before his death, in 1311, the scientist released something like an autobiography, where he indicated a list of all his works. There were no alchemical treatises there. But for religious reasons, Lull preferred not to advertise this aspect of his activities. The scientist was born into a wealthy family and devoted his entire youth to love affairs. However, his next passion, showing that he was eaten away by illness, called for service to Christ, who can give an eternal reward. This, as well as mystical visions of a religious nature, shocked Lull so much that he promised to devote his life to serving the Lord. In 1289, the theologian was introduced to alchemy by Arnoldo de Villanova. Legends say that in London, at the request of King Edward, an alchemist transmuted metals, creating six million pounds worth of gold. The Franciscan monk traveled a lot, he learned Arabic, wrote works on physics and astrology. In addition to his work as an alchemist, Lull did a lot to spread Christianity and founded many educational institutions. It is said that the gold coins he created still exist today and are called Raymundini. Legends say that the alchemist was even able to obtain the elixir of immortality, but refused to accept it.

Vasily Valentin. It is believed that this pseudonym belonged to a certain monk from a Benedictine monastery in Erfurt, Germany. Valentine is without a doubt one of the most famous alchemists. True, they say that his texts actually belong to a whole group of authors. Nevertheless, his treatises are most often translated and republished. Valentin's authority as a scientist is also high. His name is mentioned in connection with many chemical discoveries. The alchemist is also a rather mysterious person. During his lifetime, Valentin's works were not published. According to legend, in the middle of the 15th century, several decades after the death of the scientist, one of the columns in the Erfurt Cathedral suddenly split. There they found alchemical treatises that belonged to the Benedictine, including the famous “Twelve Keys to Philosophy.” Nevertheless, the monk-scholar really existed. From his works one can even find out some facts about Valentin’s biography. In his youth, he visited England and Belgium; his contemporaries remembered him as a great scientist in the field of medicine and natural sciences. Vasily Valentin was able to discover antimony and clearly identify the third alchemical element - salt. They wrote that the monk outlined the soul of metal much more clearly than others, which he called sulfur, substance - salt and spirit - mercury. The famous alchemist's maxim says: "Penetrate properly into the depths of the earth, and you will find the hidden stone, the true medicine." The first letters of this saying in Latin form the word “vitriol.” This is the name Valentine gave to the secret salt and solvent used in his magisterium. Many of the principles of the alchemist were later borrowed by Paracelsus.

Paracelsus (1493-1541). This famous doctor is no less famous as an alchemist. He was one of the first physicians to begin to consider the processes occurring in the human body from the point of view of chemistry. Although many deny the role of Paracelsus as an alchemist, the scientist still used some alchemical techniques to obtain medicines. Paracelsus was born in 1493 in Switzerland, his pseudonym consists of two parts. Greek word“para” means almost, and Celsus was a Roman physician of the 5th century, who, according to the scientist, was inferior to him in skill. Educated at several universities, the doctor traveled throughout Europe, healing mainly through natural remedies. In 1527, Paracelsus received the title of doctor and professor of medicine in Basel. There he pointedly burned the books of such authorities as Aristotle and Galen, whose ideas he found outdated. Paracelsus boldly went against traditions, developing his own methods. Experience and mysticism helped him. The scientist believed that magic could give a doctor more than all the books. Paracelsus devoted a lot of time to searching for the philosopher's stone, but believed that it could not turn metals into gold. The alchemist needed it to give the elixir of immortality and prepare miraculous medicines. It must be said that this point of view became a turning point from alchemy to chemistry. Alchemy of Paracelsus is the chemistry of life, a science accessible to everyone. You just need to be able to use it. A person endowed with intelligence can create something that would take nature many years to create. Paracelsus also predicted modern homeopathy. Modern medicine generally owes a lot to this scientist. He openly ridiculed the theory that portrayed epileptics as possessed by the devil. The scientist himself stated that he was able to create the philosopher's stone and will live forever. But Paracelsus died at the age of 48, falling from a height.

Nicola Flamel (1330-1418). France has always been famous for its alchemists, but this adept became the most famous. Flamel was born in poor family, at a young age he went to Paris to become a clerk. Having married an elderly woman, Nikola received capital and opened two workshops. Such a marriage allowed Flamel to enter the ranks of the petty bourgeoisie. He decided to start selling books. Copying them, the Frenchman became interested in alchemical works. The beginning of his career was a dream in which an angel appeared to the scribe and showed him a book in which still unsolved secrets were hidden. Flamel himself, in his work “Interpretation of Hieroglyphic Signs,” told how an ancient large book came into his possession. Nikola understood little then either about primary matter or about the method of obtaining the philosopher's stone. Flamel was filled with the conviction that he was about to fulfill his prophetic dream. Nikola began to study texts and figures, and he even attracted his wife to his secret activity. Flamel received the secret of primary matter either through a pilgrimage, or through initiation and the help of another alchemist. Within three years, according to the scientist, in his basement he was able to obtain the philosopher's stone, thanks to which mercury was turned into silver. Soon the alchemist transmutes the gold. From 1382, Flamel began to become fabulously rich. He buys houses and land, builds chapels and hospitals. The alchemist gives away money and does charity work. Even King Charles VI learned about Flamel’s unexpected wealth, but with the help of bribes, the alchemist managed to convince everyone of his poverty. In 1418, the death of a wealthy artisan was recorded. But his story did not end so easily. The traveler Paul Luca, who lived in the 17th century, heard from a certain dervish that he knew Paul Flamel. Allegedly, the alchemist, having learned the secret of the philosopher's stone, also discovered the secret of immortality. Having faked his death, he and his wife began to travel around the world, eventually moving to India.

Bernardo, the Good Man of Treviso (1406-1490). This alchemist deserves special mention among other adepts. This count of a small Italian border state, subordinate to Venice, began his work at the age of 14. And he found the philosopher's stone only at the age of 82. Bernardo was introduced to mysterious alchemy by his father, who allowed him to study ancient works. Following the advice of his predecessors, the young count spent several years and a lot of money, but never achieved success. The first series of experiments took 15 years of life and most of the capital, but success never happened. Following the advice of one official, Bernardo evaporated crystals of the philosopher's stone for five years. The poor alchemist tried many methods, turned to various treatises, but everything was in vain. By the age of 46, practically nothing remained of the count’s former wealth. For the next 8 years, he, together with the monk Geoffroy de Levrier, tried to isolate primary matter from chicken eggs. Having failed, Bernardo began to travel around Europe, trying to find a true adept. The alchemist even visited Persia, Palestine and Egypt in search of the secret. At 62 years old, Bernardo found himself in Rhodes, Greece, without money or friends, but confident that the solution was close. The alchemist even borrowed money to continue experiments with another scientist who knew the secret of the philosopher's stone. According to legend, just before his death, the secret was revealed to Bernardo. He also managed to unravel the secret of a serene life - you just had to be content with what you have. Bernardo's works are full of allegories; they are understandable only to real practicing alchemists. The good man from Treviso was able to perfectly study the theory of the magisterium, which was rewarded to him at the end of his life.

Denis Zacher (1510-1556). The real name of this adept remains unknown. He was born in Guienne in 1510 into a noble family. Having been educated at his parents' castle, Zascher went to study philosophy in Bordeaux. A certain alchemist became his mentor, who introduced a young, curious man to this activity. Instead of academic disciplines At the university, Zascher searched for recipes for transmutation. Together with his mentor, he moved to the University of Bordeaux, ostensibly to study law. In fact, the couple tried to test their recipes in practice. The future adept's money quickly ran out, literally going down the drain. At the age of 25, Zasher returned home, but only to mortgage his property. With unsuccessful experiments, the money quickly disappeared. Having again mortgaged his property, Zascher went to Paris. There, to his surprise, he discovered about a hundred practicing alchemists. The scientist spent several years alone, studying the works of ancient philosophers. Finally, in 1550, Zascher managed to obtain gold from mercury. The alchemist thanked the Lord and vowed to use this gift exclusively for his glory. Zasher sold his property and distributed his debts. He moved to Switzerland and then to Germany, where he intended to lead a quiet, peaceful life. However, Zasher's relative killed him in his sleep, running away with his young wife.

Edward Kelly (1555-1597). The real name of this Englishman is Talbot. His parents dreamed of seeing him become a notary, which is why they sent him to study law and Old English. However, the young man became interested in deciphering ancient manuscripts. Kelly learned to forge ancient charters through fraud. However, he was quickly caught, sentenced to exile and having his ears cut off. Disgraced, Talbot decided to change his name. In Wales, Kelly unexpectedly found an ancient manuscript that talked about gold and the transmutation of metals. The document was bought for next to nothing along with the mysterious powder that was in the box with the paper. But Kelly, having studied the document, quickly realized that his insignificant knowledge of chemistry would not even allow him to understand the terms. Returning secretly to London, Edward calls for the cooperation of his acquaintance, John Dee, a famous occultist to this day. After studying the powder, friends discovered that it was capable of turning lead into gold! Dee and Kelly gained the trust of the Pole Laski, continuing their experiments at his home in Krakow. There were no results, in 1585 the alchemists moved to Prague. There Kelly performed a series of public transmutations that stunned the city. He became the idol of the secular public, a welcome guest at receptions. Even Emperor Maximilian II, who made Kelly a marshal, fell under the spell of the miraculous powder. Only Kelly himself never became an adept; I use old supplies purchased along with the manuscript. Boasting brought the collapse closer. The Emperor ordered an alchemist to produce several pounds of magic powder; when Kelly failed to do so, he was imprisoned. John Dee's faithful friend and appeals to the Queen of England did not help either. While trying to escape from the fortress, Kelly fell and broke his legs and ribs. These injuries became fatal for him. Although the alchemist was not a real scientist, but rather a clever swindler, there is a lot of evidence in history of his miraculous transformations of metals into gold.

Alexander Seton. Little is known about this Scot; until recently, his work was generally attributed to another, Michael Sendivog. It was to him that Seton, before his death, gave some powder, which he began to demonstrate, posing as an adept of Cosmopolitan and the author of the treatise “The New Light of Chemistry.” The first mentions of it refer to early XVII century. Seton by that time was already a fully accomplished alchemist. In 1602, he showed friends in Germany the transmutation of an unknown metal into gold. It is not clear where Setok learned his art from. It is also worth noting his selflessness. Wherever he went, promoting alchemy, his experiments ended in miraculous transformation. The scientist himself was not concerned about enrichment, but about convincing those who doubted. Seton even simply distributed the created precious metals to non-believers. In those days, adherents changed the vector of their action. Their actions cease to be directed at themselves. Seton became a missionary of his science, which was then a rather dangerous occupation. The cosmopolitan traveled around Germany without revealing his real name. After all, both the church and the greedy monarchs were hunting for him. In the end, the young elector of Saxony, Christian II, not satisfied with a small portion of the powder, ordered the alchemist to be seized and demanded that he reveal the secret of the philosopher's stone. Seton refused to do this. Sendivog happened to be in Dresden at that moment, and begged the elector to allow him a meeting with Cosmopolitan. The alchemist promised to tell his secret in exchange for salvation. Sendivog sold property, bribed soldiers and kidnapped the scientist. Dying from wounds received due to torture, Seton still refused to tell his secret. Sendivog received the alchemist's wife and some powder, and subsequently part of the glory. Sendivog published Seton's treatise “The New Light of Alchemy” in his own name.

Seefeld. For a long time no one knew anything about this alchemist, who lived in France in the middle of the 18th century. It was not until 1963 that Vernard Husson told the story of Seefeld in his Alchemical Studies. People who could not be suspected of lying wrote about the alchemist; moreover, they received all the information first-hand. Seefeld was born in Austria in the second half of the 18th century. WITH early age he became interested in alchemy and the search for the philosopher's stone. His unsuccessful attempts caused a wave of ridicule, so the scientist had to leave the country. Seefeld returned to the country only 10 years later, settling in the small town of Rodau. There he demonstrated to his master and his family the transmutation of tin into gold as a sign of gratitude. Soon the whole city knew that a real alchemist had settled with them. The quiet life did not last long - gendarmes from Vienna arrived. In the capital, everyone noticed that Seefeld had a lot of gold. The alchemist was accused of fraud and deceit and sentenced to life imprisonment in the fortress. Over time, Emperor Franz I decided to pardon the scientist, but demanded that he continue the experiments exclusively for him alone. Having proven his skill, the alchemist nevertheless escaped from Austria. He began to lead a wandering life and was seen in Amsterdam and Halle. Over time, Seefeld seemed to disappear into thin air. It is unclear whether he was an adept or a real alchemist. Perhaps, over the years of wandering, he simply met another master, who gave him a wonderful powder. Perhaps Zefeld repeated the fate of Sendivog - possessing the philosopher's stone, but never learning how to create it.

Eireney Filaret. This man is one of the most mysterious in history. He was born in England, presumably in 1612. This follows from the fact that when his main work was written in 1645, Filaret was not yet 33 years old. early years Filaret spent in North America, where he became close with the pharmacist Starkey. In his presence, the alchemist conducted experiments, creating a lot of gold and silver. The alchemist is similar to the Cosmopolitan in that he burst into History, already possessing full knowledge of the innermost secret. In the book “An Open Entrance to the Closed Palace of the King,” Filaret himself says that he strives to help those who are lost in the maze of delusions. This work was intended to illuminate the path for those who want it. With his work, the alchemist wanted to teach people how to create pure gold, since the worship of this metal leads to vanity and luxury. The treatise was supposed to make gold and silver a common thing. They said that the alchemist demonstrated his talents to the English king Charles I himself. At the same time, Philaret’s powder had amazing power. In 1666, the alchemist appeared in Amsterdam, instructing him to translate his work into Latin. At the same time, Filaret claimed that he possessed so much of the philosopher’s stone that it would be enough to create 20 tons of gold. Even less is known about the end of the alchemist’s life than about its beginning. He just disappeared. Many are sure that Filaret used the philosopher's stone to create a potion of immortality. They said even later that Eireney Philaret and Count Saint-Germain were one and the same person. And even Isaac Newton himself greatly appreciated the alchemist’s treatise, leaving many notes in the margins of the book.

P.S. In 1873, Von Herzel published "The Origin of inorganic substances" He owns the phrase: “It is not the earth that gives birth to plants, but plants to the earth.”
The several hundred experiments he conducted from 1875 to 1883 convinced him of the possibility of biological transmutations. It is worth noting that experiments on growing plants from seeds (or other parts of the plant) in sealed flasks, in hydroponics with control of the composition of the nutrient solution, etc., as well as chemical analysis of ash, were performed at a fairly high professional level.
Although the topic of biological transmutation is perceived today exclusively as pseudoscience, for more than 130 years no one has tried (at least in scientific literature not mentioned) conduct similar experiments to determine the validity (prove or disprove) of Herzel’s results.

As a result of a long (it took 32 years) and painstaking search for effective, universal methods of treating humans, it was possible to “correctly” read the works of the Alchemists - the transmutation that occurred in consciousness brought an understanding of the principles of Alchemy and this alchemical method is an approach to treatment, both simple and and complex human diseases. It turns out that everything was on the surface (as usual), and understanding “it” is not difficult, but talking about it is easy when you know the essence!

The works of the Alchemists are encrypted with allegories, symbols and the abstract descriptive nature of what is happening in the “furnace” and “retort”, and the difficulties of perception do not end there; “transmutation” has several meanings, and it’s not easy to understand when and which one we’re talking about! The philosopher's stone is not a cobblestone that lies on the road, but a “stone” that needs to be moved... and water will run out from under it!

This is what happened, practically, literally. We are talking about water that was prepared under special conditions, using an alchemical method; not all water is suitable for this... There were many mysteries, and they were revealed at once; as a result of experiments on myself, relatives, friends, acquaintances, acquaintances of acquaintances and just people “from the street”, convincing evidence of the effectiveness of the approach, method, system appeared - so many positive results (cure) in such short time intervals (2-4 months ) over these thirty years I have not observed that “living water” has a powerful effect not only on somatic diseases indiscriminately, but also for psychosomatic ones too! The names of the diseases do not matter, they simply disappear without a trace and painlessly, without grueling and painful clinical procedures!

"Omnia in unum", - one of the profound expressions of the Alchemists, which rightfully belongs to Hermes Trismegistus - all in one. What are we talking about when everything is in one... We are talking about a person in whom everything is in one... The oven is the body, the retort is the stomach - the biochemical laboratory of the body, what to put there, how to put it there, in what form to put it there? Questions and answers that deserve Nobel Prize... But why does Hermetic knowledge need this prize, if only as a receipt for the helplessness of today's medicine!? The substance necessary for the body to restore it is melted by the body itself, inside, not outside of it, as a chemical, synthetic compound, which must still be adapted to the body and be tested, and for each individual, this is where difficulties arise, with a sheet of contraindications in the form of an annotation for the drug... Why is this? An error in the logic of reasoning led to today's medicine! So what if Paracelsus was a “reveler and a womanizer” - he survived the Bubonic plague in Europe, which came along with the nomads from Mongolia; as a result of the invasion, 60 million people died, but not at the hands of the nomads, but what was on their hands and body: Bubonic plague virus! Remember - “A feast during the plague”, no one knew who was next and how soon... The plague kills quickly! Paracelsus remained alive, his entire family died: “There are no prophets in one’s own country!” But it's simple - " Omnia in unum"- all in one thing, some understood, but the majority did not, and they even argued with persecution, and as a result, those who argued did not survive, they were covered with lime in a common ditch! Edification to fools! Stories repeat themselves!

Such a disappointing diagnosis as Crohn's disease is of unknown etiology, which means no one knows what to treat and how!? Four months in particularly old cases - and there is no disease, no relapses, here you have Alchemy, which was persecuted and trampled on so as not to be left without work, as now, nothing has changed! Rheumatoid arthritis is now successfully treated with hormones that disfigure the body, and separately the liver, kidneys, spleen and other systems, even if they are not steroidal, but as a counterbalance to living water or water from the Grail, as I call it, I had this diagnosis, in a row with polyarthritis... Polyposis is a nasty, debilitating disease, also medicine does not answer the question of origin, it can only be treated surgically, but in the place of one removed polyp, at least two new ones can grow, and many understand what I’m talking about between the lines... goes away without effort, strict diets and painful waits for the next bleeding or diarrhea, at least. Papillomas go away on their own without cosmetic removal procedures, the skin becomes smooth, elastic, wrinkles and folds are straightened. All gastrointestinal diseases are quickly treated, of cardio-vascular system, musculoskeletal system, endocrine system and many others. Married couples who could not have children for a long time and were already in line for IVF, both are fine, but have no children, 3-5 women's cycles and two stripes, they took living water together with their husband or the man from whom the woman wanted to have a child, so as not to find out: who is healthy and who is not, this is not the point, although human emotions reach this limit! They can be understood: the biological program and its implementation is an extremely important part in the life of any woman, I emphasize - women! Currently busy with the issue of rejuvenation, the results will show soon!

The first thing you need to understand when taking on the theoretical basis of alchemy is that knowledge of alchemy is impossible without changing your thinking and worldview.

Secondly, this is a long process.

And third (most important) alchemy must be solved as a riddle, and not read as an answer at the end of the book.

There are many versions regarding the origin of the word alchemy. The same applies to assumptions about where and by whom this ancient science was founded.

The most plausible version of the origin of the word alchemy is associated with Arabic sources because. Al-Khem can be translated as "the science of Egypt." Although the word Hem was also used in ancient Greece to name the art of smelting metals (metallurgy).

The ancient Greeks used many alchemical formulas and expressions in reference books on metallurgy.

Alchemy at that time was closely connected with astrology and many symbols, concepts and names of substances in alchemy had a direct relationship with astrology.

These two very ancient sciences developed in the same vein together with Western Hermetic philosophy and “Christian” Kabbalah.

From alchemy, such modern branches of science as chemistry, pharmacology, mineralogy, metallurgy, etc. were born.

According to legend, the founder of alchemy was greek god Hermes. And the most ancient text on alchemy is considered to be the “Emerald Tablet” of Hermes Trimidast.

At first, this art was practiced by metallurgists.

One of the famous alchemists was Paracelsus, who took the philosophy of alchemy to a new level by declaring that the main goal of alchemy is to find an elixir, a cure for “disease,” thus laying the foundations of pharmacology.

At the everyday level, alchemy is applied, experimental chemistry. But alchemy has its own special philosophy, the goal of which is to improve the nature of things to an “ideal” state.

The masters of alchemy considered nature to be the greatest alchemist and a huge laboratory, since she (nature) breathed life into inert grains, contributed to the formation of minerals, and gave birth to metals. And alchemists often tried to repeat in laboratory conditions those processes that occurred in nature during the formation of minerals or other phenomena. Alchemists also tried to speed up many natural processes in the laboratory, developing methods for processing metals and obtaining substances and “preparations” necessary at that time.

The philosophical views of alchemy were based on the following theses:

1. The universe is of divine origin. Cosmos is the radiation of the Divine Being of the One Absolute. Thus All is One and One is All.

2. The entire physical universe exists due to the presence of polarity or duality (duality). Any concept and phenomenon can be considered as having its opposite: male / female, sun / moon, spirit / body, etc.

3. All physical matter, whether plant, animal or mineral (the so-called Three Kingdoms), has three parts Soul, Spirit, and Body: the three Alchemical Principles.

4. All Alchemical work, laboratory practice or spiritual Alchemy, consists of three main evolutionary processes: Separation, Purification, Synthesis. These three evolutionary processes are observed everywhere in nature.

5. All matter is composed of the four Elements of Fire (thermal energy), Water (liquid), Air (gas), and Earth (unifier). The knowledge and use of the four Elements is a very important part of the Alchemical work.

6. The Quintessence or fifth essence is found everywhere with the four elements, but is not one of them. This is one of the three important principles known as the Philosophical Mercury.

7. Everything evolves towards a predetermined state of perfection.

In popular definition, Alchemy is the empirical science that deals directly with the transformation of common metals into gold.

According to alchemists, gold is a mixture of four primary elements, taken in certain proportions. Base metals are mixtures of the same elements, but in different proportions. This means that by changing the proportions in these mixtures by heating, cooling, drying and liquefying, base metals can be converted into gold.

For many, the word Alchemy evokes associations with an inept laboratory where pseudo-scientists work recklessly and boldly, trying to get rich by obtaining alchemical gold.

However, the true definition of Alchemy is associated with the doctrine of the evolution of man to the highest perfection.

Treatises of Alchemy are devoted not only to the principles of chemistry, but are also full of philosophical, mystical and magical meaning.

Thus, some alchemists were engaged in natural chemistry and physical-chemical experiments with matter, while others were interested in alchemy as a spiritual process, although the basis of the philosophy of both was precisely spiritual transformation.

Alchemists of the spirit were not just looking for a way to obtain gold, they were looking for how to obtain spiritual gold - wisdom - from “impure” elements.

For them, gold, a metal that never loses its shine and cannot be damaged by Fire or Water, was a symbol of dedication and salvation.

Alchemy is the Science of the Art of transformations.

This art is difficult to study because the basis of the alchemical "language" is the use of symbols in allegories and myths, which can be interpreted with a wide range of understanding, both in the spiritual and in the applied sense to experimental chemistry.

The original purpose of alchemy is to bring all things, including humanity, to perfection.

Since the theory of alchemy claims that the Eternal Wisdom remains latent, inactive and incomprehensible to humanity for so long due to the large amount of ignorance in society and on the surface of human consciousness.

The task of alchemy is the discovery of this Inner Wisdom and the removal of the veil and barrier between the mind and the inner, pure Divine Source.

This is the spiritual alchemy that is hidden behind the chemical art of some alchemists.

This Great Work or search for “spiritual gold” has been going on for quite a long time.

Although the goal is far away, every step along this path enriches the one walking.

The stages of the philosophical process of alchemical transformation are symbolized by four different colors: black (guilt, origin, latent forces) denoting the Spirit in the initial state, white (small work, first transformation or experience, mercury), red (sulfur, passion), and gold (spiritual purity ).

The basis for all alchemical theories is the theory of the four elements.

It was developed in detail by Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. According to the cosmological doctrine of Plato (which was seriously influenced by the philosophy of the Pythagoreans), the Universe was created by the Demiurge from spiritualized primary matter. From it he created the four elements: fire, water, air and earth. Plato considered these elements as geometric bodies from which all substances are built. Aristotle made certain adjustments to the theory of the four elements. He defines them as a combination of four opposite qualities: cold, dryness, heat and moisture, in addition, he adds a fifth to the four elements - quintessence. It was these philosophers, in fact, who laid the theoretical foundation of what is commonly called alchemy.

If we depict all the theories of alchemists geometrically, we get the Pythagorean tetractys. The Pythagorean Tetractix is ​​a triangle consisting of ten points.

The four points represent the Cosmos as two pairs of basic states: hot and dry - cold and wet, the combination of these states gives rise to the elements that are at the base of the Cosmos. That. the transition of one element to another, by changing one of its qualities, served as the basis for the idea of ​​transmutation.

Alchemical Elements

Prima - TERRA: First Element - Earth. The essence is life. It is a product of Nature.

Second - AQUA: Second Element - Water. Eternal life through quadruple reproduction of the universe.

Third - AER: Third Element - Air. Strength through connection with the element of Spirit.

Quarta - IGNIS: Fourth Element - Fire. Transformation of matter.

Three Great Principles

Next three points are the triad of alchemists - sulfur, salt and mercury. A feature of this theory was the idea of ​​macro and microcosm. Those. man in it was considered as a world in miniature, as a reflection of the Cosmos with all its inherent qualities. Hence the meaning of the elements: Sulfur - Spirit, Mercury - Soul, Salt - body. That. Both the Cosmos and man consist of the same elements - body, soul and spirit. If we compare this theory with the theory of the four elements, we can see that the Spirit corresponds to the element of fire, the Soul to the element of water and air, and Salt to the element earth. And if we take into account that the alchemical method is based on the principle of correspondence, which in practice means that the chemical and physical processes occurring in nature are similar to those occurring in the human soul, we obtain:

In alchemy, there are three main substances - principles that are present in all things.

The names and alchemical symbols of these three principles are:

Sulfur (Sulfur) Mercury (Mercury) Salt

Sulfur (Sulfur) - immortal spirit / something that disappears from matter without a trace when fired

Mercury (Mercury) - soul / that which connects body and spirit

Salt is the body / that material thing that remains after firing

These substances, when purified, have the same name. This triad of principles can be considered as an undivided whole.

However, this whole exists only before alchemical purification (the learning process).

When the three components are purified they elevate the whole

Sulfur principle

(Coptic -Then, Greek -Theion, Latin -Sulfur)

It is a dynamic, expansive, fickle, acidic, unifying, masculine, paternal, and fiery principle. Sera is emotional, it is a feeling and a passionate urge that motivates life. This is a symbolic wish for positive change and warmth of life. Complete transformation depends on the correct application of this mutable principle.

Fire is the central element in alchemy. Sera is the "Spirit of Fire".

In practical alchemy, Sulfur (sulfur) is usually extracted from Mercury (mercury, more precisely mercuric sulfate) by distillation. Sulfur is the stabilizing aspect of Mercury, from which it is extracted and redissolved in it. In mystical alchemy, Sulfur is the crystallizing aspect of inspiration initiated by Mercury.

Salt Principle

(Coptic-Hemou, Greek-Hals, Patina - Salt)

This is the principle of substance or form, which is conceived as a heavy, inert mineral body, which is part of the nature of all metals. It is a fixative, a retarder that completes crystallization. Salt is the base in which the properties of Sulfur and Mercury are fixed. Salt is a very important principle that is related to the element of earth.

Mercury principle

(Coptic - Thrim, Greek - Hydrargos, Latin - Mercurius)

This is Mercury. The principle is watery, feminine, and concerns the concepts of consciousness. Mercury is the universal spirit or life principle which permeates all living matter. This fluid and creative principle symbolizes action.

His transformations are part of the transformation in the alchemical process. Mercury is a very important component, the most important of all three principles, which interact with each other, changing their properties.

Mercury and Sera as antagonists

Two points of tetraxis - sulfur - mercury theory

In practical alchemy, Mercury is represented by two substances.

The first (non-permanent) is the substance after the sulfur has been removed.

The second (fixed) substance after the return of sulfur.

This product and stabilized substance is sometimes called Secret Fire or Prepared Mercury.

Sulfur and mercury are considered as the father and mother of metals. When they combine, various metals are formed. Sulfur determines the variability and flammability of metals, and mercury causes hardness, ductility and shine. Alchemists depicted these two principles either in the form of an alchemical androgyne, or in the form of two dragons or snakes biting each other. Sulfur is a wingless snake, mercury is a winged one. If the alchemist managed to combine both principles, then he received primordial matter. Symbolically it was depicted like this:

One point - the idea of ​​unity (all-unity) was inherent in all alchemical theories. Based on it, the alchemist began his Work with the search for the primary substance. Having acquired the primal substance, he, by special operations reduced him to prima matter, after which, adding to it the qualities he needed, he received the Philosopher's Stone. The idea of ​​the unity of all things was symbolically depicted in the form of ouroboros - a snake devouring its tail - a symbol of Eternity and all alchemical Work

Primary matter

Primary matter - for an alchemist, this is not matter itself, but rather its possibility, combining all the qualities and properties inherent in matter. It can only be described in contradictory terms because Primary matter is what remains of an object when it is stripped of all its characteristics.

Primary substance is the substance closest to Primary matter in its properties.

The primal substance is a (male) substance that becomes One and Unique in combination with the feminine. All its components are both stable and changeable.

This substance is unique; the poor possess it to the same extent as the rich. It is known to everyone and is not recognized by anyone. In his ignorance, the average person considers it garbage and sells it cheaply, although for philosophers it is of the highest value.

The primal substance is not a homogeneous substance; it consists of two components: “male” and “female”. From a chemical point of view, one of the components is metal, the other mineral contains mercury.

Perhaps this definition is quite universal, and for the study of Mystical Alchemy it is quite self-sufficient.

Metals assigned to Planets in Alchemy

The alchemist's view of the nature of metals is completely different from that of metallurgy.

The Creator created metals as things equal to animals and plants.

And like everything else in nature, these substances experience natural evolution - birth, growth and flourishing.

Alchemical symbols

The symbol has a number of functions; when studying alchemy, two of them should be highlighted:

1 The symbol serves to hide the sacred meaning of the mystery from the uninitiated.

2 Symbol is a means of knowledge and the Path of Truth.

The existence of a symbol extends in three planes:

1 Symbol - sign

2 Symbol - image, allegory

3 Symbol - the phenomenon of Eternity.

How to distinguish a symbol from a sign and an allegory?

A sign is an image (this definition, of course, applies only to drawn images) that carries a specific semantic meaning. An iconic image may not be conventional.

Allegory is a kind of picture concept, a concept expressed not in words but in an image. Its main criterion is that the allegory has no possibility of interpretation.

In other words, in the allegory, the image performs only service functions and is a “label” general concept, in a symbol the image is endowed with autonomy and is inextricably linked with the concept.

A symbol, unlike an allegory, has many meanings and can be interpreted in different ways.

Symbol is a conventional image representing an image, idea, etc. not statically as a sign or allegory, but in a dynamic integrity. The symbol suggests the presence of an internal mystery that can never be fully solved.

There are four main types of symbols:

1 Symbolic images in which a color is used as a symbol:

2 Symbolic images in which symbols serve geometric figures and paintings:

3 The third type of symbols is more complex because expressed graphically only using the first, second and fourth types of symbols - this is numerical symbolism:

4 A mixed symbol (the most common) is a combination of two or three of the above types of symbols:

The meaning of alchemical symbols is sometimes obvious, but in most cases they require a more serious attitude...

There are three main difficulties in understanding alchemical symbolism:

The first is that the alchemists did not have a rigid system of correspondences, i.e. the same symbol or sign can have many meanings.

Secondly, an alchemical symbol is sometimes difficult to distinguish from an allegory.

And the third, most important thing is that in alchemy the symbol serves to directly convey mystical experience (experience).

Five Methods for Analyzing an Alchemical Symbol

Method No. 1

First you need to determine the type of the symbol. Those. is it simple or complex. A simple symbol consists of one figure, a complex one consists of several.

Method No. 2

If a symbol is complex, you need to break it down into a number of simple ones.

Method No. 3

Having decomposed the symbol into its constituent elements, you need to carefully analyze their position.

Method No. 4

Select main idea plot.

Method No. 5

Interpret the resulting picture. The main criterion for interpreting a symbol should be intellectual intuition developed during the research process.

An iconic image, unlike a symbol, may not be conventional, i.e. similar to what it means. Signs are used to alert, warn and inform. Here are some examples of different alchemical symbols to indicate time:

Symbolism of alchemical processes

Having carefully studied alchemical treatises, one can come to the conclusion that almost every alchemist used his own unique method Works. But there are still some common elements that are inherent in all alchemical methods. They can be reduced to this scheme:

1. THE BODY MUST BE CLEANSE BY THE RAVEN AND SWAN REPRESENTING THE DIVISION OF THE SOUL INTO TWO PARTS INTO EVIL (BLACK) AND GOOD (WHITE)

2. THE Iridescent PEACOCK FEATHERS OFFER EVIDENCE THAT THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION HAS BEGAN

Other birds associated with the alchemical process are:

PELICAN (blood feeding)

EAGLE (victory symbol of the ending ritual)

PHOENIX (represents the perfect eagle)

There are three main stages of the Work:

nigredo - black stage, albedo - white stage, rubedo - red.

If we correlate the stages of alchemical Work with the elements, we get not three, but four stages:

Earth - MELANOSIS (blackening): - Nigredo.

Water - LEUCOSIS (whitening): - Albedo.

Air - XANTHOSIS (yellowing): - Citrine.

Fire - IOSIS (redness) - Rubedo.

Seven stages according to the colors of the planets:

BLACK: Saturn (lead)

BLUE: Jupiter (tin)

PEACOCK TAIL: Mercury (mercury)

WHITE: Moon (silver)

YELLOW: Venus (copper)

RED: Mars (iron)

PURPLE: Sun (gold)

As you can see, the number of processes leading to obtaining the philosopher's stone is different. Some associated them (stages) with the twelve signs of the zodiac, some with the seven days of creation, but still almost all alchemists mentioned them. In alchemical treatises one can find mention of two Paths to accomplishing the Great Work: dry and wet. Usually alchemists described the wet path, mentioning the dry path very rarely. The main features of the two Paths are the differences in the modes used (timing and intensity of processes) and the main ingredients (primordial substance and secret fire).

The seven alchemical processes correspond to the seven days of Creation, as well as to the seven planets, for it was believed that the influence of each planet generates its corresponding metal in the bowels of the earth.

Metals vary in degree of perfection; their hierarchy goes back from lead - the least noble of metals - to gold. Starting with the raw material, which was in an imperfect “lead” state, the alchemist gradually improved it and finally turned it into pure gold.

The stages of his work corresponded to the ascent of the soul through the planetary spheres.

1. Mercury - Calcification

2. Saturn - Sublimation

3. Jupiter - Solution

4. Moon - Puterification

5. Mars - Distillation

6. Venus - Coagulation

7. Sun - Tincture

Twelve alchemical processes were correlated with the signs of the Zodiac. The Great Work was an imitation of natural processes, and the twelve months or signs of the zodiac constitute a complete annual cycle, during which Nature passes from birth and growth to decay, death and rebirth.

The English alchemist George Ripley, in his Compendium of Alchemy, written in 1470, lists all twelve processes; An almost identical list was given in 1576 by another adept of the alchemical art, Joseph Quercetav.

These processes are:

calcification ("calcination"),

solution ("dissolution"),

separation ("separation"),

conjunction ("connection"),

putrefaction ("rotting"),

coagulation ("fixing"),

cibation ("feeding"),

sublimation ("sublimation"),

fermentation ("fermentation"),

exaltation ("excitement"),

animation ("multiplication")

projection("throwing"*).

Any interpretation of these processes, both chemically and psychologically, will inevitably be arbitrary. But it is known that the goal initial stages(up to putrefaction) was the purification of the source material, ridding it of all qualitative characteristics, transforming it into Prime Matter and releasing the spark of life contained in it.

Calcination is the calcination in open air of a base metal or other starting material. As a result of this process, the material would turn into powder or ash.

The second stage, resolution, was the dissolution of calcined powder in " mineral water, without wetting your hand." By "mineral water" here we mean mercury.

The third stage, separation, is the division of the “subject” of the Great Work into oil and water. It is not the alchemist who makes the separation, but the Lord God himself; this seems to mean that the alchemist simply left the dissolved material in the vessel until it had undergone the said separation. The purpose of this process was the decomposition of alchemical raw materials into their original components - either into the four primary elements, or into mercury and sulfur

The fourth stage, conjunction, i.e. achieving balance and reconciliation between warring opposites. Sulfur and mercury are reunited.

The fifth stage, putrefaction, is the first of the main stages of the Great Work - the so-called nigredo, or blackening. She was called "Black Crow", "Crow's Head", "Raven's Head" and "Black Sun", and her symbols were a rotting corpse, a black bird, a black man, a king killed by warriors, and a dead king devoured by a wolf. By the time the nigredo stage was completed, each adept had advanced along different paths.

Coagulation or “thickening” - at this stage, the elements forming the Stone were connected to each other.

This process was described as an alchemical mass.

Vapors released during putrefaction. hover over the black material in the vessel, penetrating the Prime Matter, they animate it and create an embryo from which the Philosopher's Stone will grow.

When the spirit was reunited with the Prime Matter, a white solid crystallized from the watery material in the vessel.

Received white matter was a White Stone, or White Tincture, capable of turning any material into silver.

Having received the White Stone, the alchemist proceeds to the stage of cibation ("feeding"): the material in the vessel is "moderately fed with 'milk' and 'meat'."

The sublimation stage represented purification. The solid in the vessel was heated until it evaporated; the vapor was quickly cooled and condensed again to a solid state. This process was repeated several times, and its symbols, as a rule, were pigeons, swans and other birds that have the habit of either flying up to the heavens or landing again. The purpose of sublimation was to rid the Stone’s body of the dirt in which it was born during putrefaction. Sublimation unites body and spirit;

During fermentation, the material in the vessel becomes yellow and becomes gold. Many alchemists argued that ordinary gold should be added to the vessel at this stage in order to hasten the natural development of the Philosopher's Stone to the state of gold. While not yet completely perfect, the Stone still acquired the ability to transmute base metals. It became an enzyme, a leaven capable of impregnating and activating the base metal and spurring its development, just as yeast impregnates dough and makes it rise. This quality characterizes the soul of the Philosopher's Stone, fiery, active ingredient, which excites and enlivens base metal. Thus, during the fermentation process, the soul of the Stone unites with the already purified body. fermentation unites the spiritual body with the soul;

At the exaltation stage, the final change in color of the material occurs - rubedo, or redness.

Apparently, the alchemists discovered that in the final stages of the Work the material in the vessel becomes extremely unstable. However, exaltation should bring all the components of the Stone into unity and harmony, no longer subject to any changes.

The soul and body, united through the process of fermentation, were now united with the spirit, and the Stone became resistant and stable.

The heat in the furnace was brought to the highest possible temperature, and the gaze of the excited alchemist was presented with that wonderful spectacle for which he had worked so hard - the birth of the Philosopher's Stone, the perfect red gold, the Red Tincture, or Red Elixir, the One. Exaltation unites body, soul and spirit;

Further, the newborn Stone lacks one quality - the ability to be fruitful and multiply, many times increasing the mass of base metals. The Stone was endowed with this quality through the process of animation (“multiplication”) or augmentation (“increment”).

The Stone became fertile and fruitful thanks to another combination of opposites - the royal wedding of soul and spirit, sulfur and mercury, king and queen, Sun and Moon, red man and white woman, i.e. symbols of all opposites reconciled in the One. Animation unites soul and spirit.

The twelfth and final stage of the Great Work, projection, consisted of the Stone being worked upon a base metal in order to transform the latter into gold.

Typically the Stone was wrapped in wax or paper, placed in a crucible along with a base metal and heated.

These final stages alchemical work consisted of several procedures for balancing and combining the components of the Stone or its inherent opposites.

Small dictionary of alchemical notations.

ACETUM PHILOSOPHORUM: Synonym of "Virgin Milk", Philosophical Mercury, Secret Fire

ADAM: Male power. Animus.

EARTH OF ADAM: The primal substance or true essence of gold which can be obtained from a homogeneous substance

ADROP: Philosophical work or antimony.

AESH MEZAREF: "Cleansing flame." An alchemical work collected by Knorr Von Rosenroth and presented in The Kabalah Denudata.

ALCHEMICAL MARRIAGE: The final stage of the Great Work. Happens between the King and Queen

ALBEDO: A form of matter that has flawless perfection which it does not lose.

ALKAHEST: The Secret Flame. Solvent.

ALEMBROT: Philosophical salt. The salt of art. Part of the nature of metals.

MIXTURE: Union of fire and water, male and female.

ALHOF: The state of the earth element without form. Soul of the Earth.

AMALGAMMA: Medicine of metals in melting.

AMRITA: The first transformed matter, substance.

AN: Father or Sera.

ANIMA: The feminine in a man. Hidden identity.

ANIMUS: The masculine principle in a woman.

ENSIR: Son, or Mercury.

ENCIRARTO: Holy Spirit or Salt.

ANTIMONY: A substance that, in certain doses, can be both a medicine and a poison.

This substance has all the properties of a metal, but under some conditions it behaves like a non-metal. It is obtained by extracting Stibnite from natural sulfide by heating in the presence of iron. (There are four forms: gray metal, black soot, and unstable explosive "yellow silver".)

APR: Powder or ash.

AQUA PERMANENCE: "Pristine or Restrained Water." Mercury of philosophers. The Sun and Moon are dissolved and united.

AQUA VITE: Alcohol. Female discharge.

AQUA PHILOSOPHORUM: "The Eagle of Philosophy." Mercury metals are characterized as "a metal with a nature close to the first mother."

ARCHIES: The hidden essence of primordial matter that is extracted from it.

ARGENT VIVE: "The Secret Flame" Mercury of the Philosophers; the so-called “Living Silver” is a universal solvent of metals.

SOFTENING: Make it thinner

AUR: Radiance, light.

NITROGEN: The universal principle of medicine with which all things are connected, is found in everything healing. Names of Mercury in any metal body. Spirit of Life. Quintessence. Spirit of Water.

AURUM ALBUM: White gold.

BETYULIS: An inanimate stone containing a Spirit.

BALM VITE (Balm): Collects natural heat and enormous moisture. In mystical alchemy it is a symbol of mercy, love, reincarnation.

BASILISK: A monster with the body of a dragon, the head of a snake, and the beak of a rooster. Symbol of the conflicting duality of nature and the Elements.

MACE: Androgyne, hermaphrodite. Duality of nature.

CHALICE OF VENUS: Vagina.

WASHING: Purification by puterification.

BEAR: Blackness of the primal substance.

BEE: The sun. Purity. Rebirth.

HEADED: Knowledge of the Spirit through suffering and torture. The separation that is inherent in the physical body.

BENNU: Egyptian Phoenix. Symbol of the philosopher's stone.

BLACK DRAGON: Death, decay, decay.

BLOOD: Spirit.

RED LION'S BLOOD: Male discharge.

BOOK: Universe.

ARC: Combination of masculine and feminine. Feminine crescent, releasing an arrow as a masculine principle.

BREATH: The essence of life.

CADUCEUS: The power of transformation. Unity of opposites.

KAPUTT MORTE: Product of the death of a substance. Empty product. A by-product of the Work.

CAUDI PAVONIS: Peacock's tail.

CAELDRON (Chalice, Cauldron, Ritorta): Abundance. Uterus. The power of transformation.

CHAIN: Binder.

CHAOS: Emptiness. Quadruple essence of the primal substance.

CHILD: Potential.

CHMO: Fermentation, Fermentation

CINBOAR: A product of positive interaction between male and female. Gold of Life.

CLOUD: Gas or vapor.

COLEUM: Improvement of the being of Life. Also Virtus.

CONJUNCTION OF THE SUN AND MOON: Union of opposites.

CASE: Alchemical Essence

CROSS: Manifestations of the Spirit in matter. Man's sign

CROWN: Reign or supreme power.

CROWNED CHILD: Stone of philosophers.

CROWNED ORB: Stone of philosophers.

CRUCIFIXION: Purification from all impurities.

CAPELLATION: A metallurgical process to test the truth of Gold.

CYPRESS: Death. Male organ.

DAGGER: One that pierces and breaks matter.

DIENECH: Corrected, balanced Water.

DOG: Philosophical Mercury.

DOG AND WOLF: Mercury's dual nature.

DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE: Male and female Mercury.

DOVE: Life Spirit.

DRAGON'S BLOOD: Cinnabar. Mercury sulfide.

EAGLE (Also falcon or falcon): Sublimation. Mercury is in its most exalted state. Emblem of knowledge, inspiration, and sign of completed Work

EGG: Sealed Hermetic Vessel where the work is completed. Designation of creation.

ELECTRUM: Metal containing all the metals assigned to the seven Planets.

ELIXIR OF LIFE: Received from the Philosopher Stone, Elixir that gives immortality and eternal youth.

EMPEROR: King. Active impermanent principle.

EMPRESS: Passive form, balanced principle.

EVE: Female archetype. Anima.

FATHER: Solar or masculine principle.

DIRT: Waste substance. Ultimate death. Weight.

FISH EYE: Stone on early stage evolution.

MEAT: Substance.

FLIGHT: Transcendental action. Ascent to the highest level.

GOLDEN FLOWER: Spiritual rebirth. Elixir of Life.

PHOETUS SPAGYRIKUS: The stage of the alchemical process where the substance inherits the Spirit.

FORGE: Transformation power of the Holy Fire Furnace.

FOUNTAIN: Source of Eternal Life. Maternal source.

FRUIT - FRUIT: Essence. Immortality.

FROG: First Substance. Origin of physical matter.

GLUTEN: Feminine fluids.

GLUTINUM MUNDI: Glue of the world. That which unites body and mind.

GOAT: Masculine principle.

GOLD: Goal Great Work. Perfection and harmony. Full balance

GOOSE: Nature.

GRAIL: Stone Philosophers. Immortality.

GRAIN (Barley, kernel, grain): The grain of life. Life renewal. Core.

GREAT WORK: Achieving the highest possible degree of excellence. Uniting the Lesser Universe with the Greater Universe (Microcosm and Universe).

HERMAPHRODITE: The union of male and female.

HERMES: Mercury.

HIEROGAMY: Divine union. Compound.

MED: Introduction. Immortality.

INCREATUM: Self-reproduction.

IGNIS AQUA: Fire Water. Alcohol.

IGNIS LEONI: Elemental Fire or "Fire of the Lion."

IGNIS ELEMENTARI: Alchemical sulfur.

LACTUM VIRGINIS: Virgin's milk. Synonym for Mercury water

LAMP: Spirit of Fire.

SPEAR: Masculine energy.

LAPIS LUCIDUM ANGELARIS: "The Cornerstone of Light." Supreme Being.