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A General Look at Alchemy Part 1Alchemy's Origin Alchemy, according to esoteric writers, is said to be the invention of an ancient Egyptian sage called Hermes Trismegistus. The "Father of Alchemy" lived in an unknown age of Egyptian history, even though he is thought by a lot of Rosicrucian schools to have lived for the duration of the time of Moses and the Exodus of the Israelites. If true, being an Initiate of the mysteries of Isis and Osiris, Moses will have to have been tutored by Hermes himself, which later enabled him to carry out his mission and to realize his I AM Presence symbolised by the burning bush. The respective precepts and the Ten Commandments of the Lord of Hosts revealed to the Israelites by Moses are the primary alchemical steps of purification and putrefaction. Further steps were later added to the Mosaic revelation by the Nazarene Master. Indeed, the Christ declared that he came not to abolish the former revelation, but to fulfill it. It is thought by numerous that "Hermes Trismegistus" constituted a title assumed by discerned hierophants of the Mystery Schools, in a more or less similar manner that Zoroaster, the founder of the "Fire Religion" is regarded by sure scholars. Incidentally, alchemy may likewise be considered a Fire Religion, or at least a philosophy, because of it is symbology of fire related to the alchemical principles, it is prerequisite in the art of transmutation, and to the respect and honor salaried to it by alchemists. Jewish mystics discern Hermes as the antediluvian prophet Enoch, or Idris, as the Muslims call him; while ancient Egyptians see Hermes as Thoth, the god of Wisdom, Learning, and Writing. He was given this apotheosis along with Imhotep, the outstanding architect beneath the sovereignty of King Zoser of the Fourth Dynasty. It would appear that both men were overshadowed by the archetypal figure of Thoth, and were acknowledged as such by both the inner and outer circles of initiates of the Mystery Schools. Thoth, or his Greek counterpart, Mercury, was a messenger of the gods; and as an archetypal incarnation of this god, Hermes lived up to his name by his literary productiveness. Ancient writers declared that the "Trice Greatest" wrote thousands of books on what later became known as Hermeticism and Alchemy. It is ominous that very little of Hermes' works pulled through the conflagration and destruction of libraries and books by Roman and Christian prompt willingness in the early dawn of the Piscean Age. The world as a whole is still ignorant of the great loss, and it will take a heap of time before the invocation is made by the masses for the Greater Light, for disclosure of eternal principles that would shine upon the paths of men, and consequently, for a full restoration and institution of an occult library of the world, with an archive and database of each known system and tradition of the metaphysical side of life. Although little is known of Hermes, it is evident through the works attributed to him that he was an intermediary of the Wisdom Ray of the Supreme Being. One of the most famed works on Hermetic doctrine written, and in concise form, is the Smaragdine Tablet attributed to the authorship of Hermes. Its invention is traditionally believed to have been made by Alexander of Macedonia in a cave near Hebron. This conqueror of nations who had Aristotle for a Master, was in search of immortality. Although he failed to attain his personal immortality, Alexander did uncover a philosophical jewel that would have given him what he had sought if he had only used the principles that the Emerald Tablet contained. Tradition relates that the Tablet was wrought out of artificial emerald, as a result of transmutation, with the Hermetic doctrine embossed on it. Alchemy, as a doctrine and an art in the Western hemisphere in the past two millenia, existed concurrently in other ancient cultures and civilizations--it was practiced intensely by Hindu Yogis and Taoists, in India and China. This parallel growth is in all likelihood the result of the Great White Brotherhood's periodic demonstration of a spiritual method designed for the development of sure types of temperaments and belief-framework of those aspirants belonging to a sure era and stage of mankind's collective evolution. Based on this parallel growth of alchemy in the Orient and the regions of the Fertile Crescent suggested to a good deal of Esoteric historians that alchemy may have had a mutual origin in that sunken continent Atlan, or Atlantis, as it is more in general known. Esoteric Tradition declares that a handful of the Atlantean Root Race pulled through the submergence of the land and transmigrated to Egypt, China, and the Americas. It is reasonable to assume that they brought with them their sciences, art, and culture, which influenced the inhabitants indigenous to the regions where they settled. This would explain the correspondings in the traditions and beliefs of native cultures to be found both East and West. Principles of Alchemy are the principles that Nature herself works with, and therefore alchemy, scientifically, existed in the inner planes long before it was brought down to the world plane by Master teachers. A study of Nature's mysteries would disclose to the discerning student that the higher Intelligences, the Elohim, and the Great Architect of the Universe used alchemical principles to precipitate the starry bodies out of Chaos, out of Cosmic Root Substance or "Sunyata," as termed by the Buddhist. Qabalists believe that Adam was taught by the angels in Paradise the art of transmutation, to prepare him for his "Fall" and his climb back toward his Monad, toward godhood--his involution and evolution from a Divine Consciousness to Divine Self-Consciousness. There is no usual concurrence among scholars as to the origin of the word "alchemy." The consensus is that the word is derived from the word "Khem," the ancient name for Egypt, added to the Arabic article "al," meaning "the," therefore forming the word "al-Khemy." However, Sir Wallis Budge is of the sentiment that alchemy comes from the Egyptian word "khemein," meaning the "black powder" or "ore" which is presumed to be an ingredient in alchemy. No matter where it secured it is name, the word "alchemy," it would seem, initial came into prominence in the Mystery Schools in Alexandria. Purpose of Alchemy But just what is alchemy, and what role does it play in the publicity of the welfare of mankind? If alchemy has any unfeigned value, it ought to be based upon eternal values, upon the things that support Heaven's purposes; in other words, upon God's plan of humankind's getting into the unfeigned Elohimic effigy of the divine. If alchemy merely had an earthly objective, masterminds of the Ages would not have concerned themselves with it. It would have been considered as something so trivial, so transient, as to distract Man from the real work of extricating himself, specifically, from his bondage to the carnal self, the kama manas, or animal soul; and generally, from samsara. Greed was never the instinctive that prompted the invention of alchemy. It was, is, and always will be Man's desire for Truth and enlightenment of his true nature and estate that motivates him to seek through each channel and boulevard for that sure something that he subconsciously feels he had "lost" and which is his to re-acquire--call it "the Lost Word," "the Philosopher's Stone," or "the Holy Grail," it matters not. Alchemy teaches Man the principles of regeneration and resurrection, laws of creation and transmutation; laws that would aid Man to regain his former estate lost in "the Fall." This "Fall" from Paradise symbolically represents involution of the humane life wave into physical matter. The way back to the Throne of God is scientifically called "evolution," and the acceleration of the latter is the art of the hermetic gnosis. This Path of Return is esoterically and graphically symbolised by Jacob's Ladder, and the paths of the Qaballistic "Tree of Life." The drama of Jesus' life is an alchemical allegory of the steps of regeneration and ascension to the I AM Presence within, the "Father who art in Heaven." Orthodox Christianity does not recognize or is incognizant of this critical truth, and because of the lack of mystical clear or deep perception amidst most members of it is priesthood coupled with the absence of esoteric truths in the doctrines and dogmas of the Church, the intermediate Christian is ignorant and incognizant of the unfeigned message of Christianity--of the Light, the Christ substance, and the unfeigned saving blood that Christ introduced to humankind. Esoteric Christianity is basically an alchemical science and religion; it is promulgator was a Master Alchemist--being taught in the initiatory halls of the Mystery Schools. It is affiliated in the Gospels how the Master transmuted water into wine, multiplied loaves and fishes, and walked on water--all of which were manifestations of the employed principles of alchemy, the Hermetic philosophy--or perchance these events were all allegories conveying galore spiritual teaching. Alchemy is specified as an art of transmutation and precipitation--the altering of base metals into gold. The work of alchemical transmutation is indicated as "the Labor of the Sun." This "Eye of Ra" symbolically represents the perfection with which Nature is gradually unfolding in her creations. At the physical level the Sun of Perfection is represented by gold. Alchemy is the science and art which hasten the creations of Nature to attain perfection at their own respective level. Gold is the perfection attain by metals and minerals. Minerals, however, are likewise following another line of perfection--that of it is capacity to sustain life and consciousness. And Man, the acme of organic life, is evolving to the state where he acquires perfection in Divine Self-Awareness. From the above it may be summarized that alchemy is the art of raising vibrations of an object in order to hasten it is development or evolution into a higher expression or state. The result is perfection of the object of the transmutation. Alchemy's Transmission to Christendom Alexandria was the philosophical capital of Egypt, and perhaps of the whole civilized worlds in the early centuries of Christianity. Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Alchemy and Hermeticism flowered abundantly; these philosophies are intrinsically related, and to comprehend the Royal Art fully, the student of alchemy is advised by Master teachers to be intimate with their doctrines. Alexandria's Golden Age of occult doctrine did not last long, for the reptilian mind of the fallen angels had seized control of the rising new religion of Christianity (no offence to our Christian brothers and sisters). The philosophical sons and daughters of Hermes were persecuted and murdered barbarically by Christian fundamentalists and fanatics. Fear and hatred were aroused amidst the masses and the ousting of the so-called pagan religions from the land ensued. One sad event was the cruel assassination of Hypathia, an illustrious daughter of the Mysteries--the Widow Isis, and propounder of Neoplatonism. She hardly had a philosophical equivalent for the duration of her day, and this caused the jealousy and jealousy of a sure priest who contrived her murder. During the decline of the Roman Empire, the Secret Doctrine, or the Ancient Wisdom were passed on to the guardianship of the Arabian and Persian mystics. The tenets of occult wisdom were later integrated into the Muslim faith with it is higher distinct features promulgated secretly in the traditionalisti oral manner in sure sects, Orders, and mystical groups such as the Sufi and Dervish Orders, and amongst the community of Druzes in Lebanon and Syria. In the 8th to the 11th centuries A.D., in the era of the golden amount of time of alchemic-Islamic culture, we listen of eminent names in the field of the Royal Art, such as al-Farabi, Rhazes, Geber and Avicenna. These men studied the mystery teachings and occult wisdom of the Egyptian and Greek schools. They were most notably influenced by Hermetic, Alchemic and Neoplatonic ideas, and the psychological result of perception learning and reasoning that they acquired was synthesized with Islamic and Sufic doctrines. The Sufi adepts formulated one of the most gorgeous symbols of spiritual unfoldment and progression: the rose. Its symbolism is comparable to the lotus adopted by Hindu mystics. The Knights Templer was an necessary link amid both East and West, amongst Islamic culture and the world of Christendom. The alchemical system of belief was passed on by the Sufi adepts to these "Knights of the Holy Sepulchre," as the Templers were in the first place called. Even the mythical Christian Rosencruez of Rosicrucianism is said to have acquired his occult psychological result of perception learning and reasoning from the Sufi Masters and adepts in Arabia. After the days of the disbandment of the Templer Order by Philip the Fair of France, and the death-sentence of their last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay in 1314, the surviving Knights sought refuge in respective countries; and in England a lot of of them founded an alchemical Order which later became known as the "Elder Brothers of the Rose Cross." It is said that this Order comprised 33 members and that this group exists even to this very day in our computer age. When the believers of Allah invaded and settled in Iberia, they brought with them the Secret Teachings. Colleges were traditionalisti that had mysticism, metaphysics, and alchemy in the curriculum. With the institution of the respective schools, the Ancient Wisdom ultimately took definitive root in European soil, and it disseminate gradually all around the other regions of the Continent. This elaboration was no doubt the result of the attempts put forth by the spiritual hierarchy of this planet. Man's evolution is divided into sure steps, stages, and cycles, and these have "time-tables" or schedules affiliated with them. It was expedient that the Flames of Truth and Freedom be given to the custodian of the Islamic world if it were not to be extinguished by some of the ungodly minds of Christendom of the Dark Ages which would have caused a setback to the Divine Plan already established. The deviation from the right use of free will by Christian fundamentalists had made them unfitting vessels for the Christic wine. In spite of exoteric Christianity's blind attack on th Light that gave it birth, the esoteric circle continued it is existence clandestinely, sustaining the mystery teachings of Jesus and transmitting it to a chosen few who had the imaginativeness of the divine plan within their hearts and minds. Idries Shah, the eminent Sufi of contemporary times, mentions in his book "The Sufis," how an Englishman, one Robert of Chester, was instrumentally in 1144 A.D., in introducing alchemy to the Christian world by translating an alchemical manuscript in the first place written in Arabic. There were a heap of others like him, for bearers of the Flame were not few. Levels of Alchemy Most of the principles of alchemy indicated to the public were made up of images, mandalas, and jargon. These obscure languages were necessary taking into account the era that alchemical science was struggling--struggling for a acknowledgement from the masses as a scheme of spiritual development in the midst of ecclesiastical persecution. The mentality of the masses of the Middle Ages were not much dissimilar from the time of Jesus. Ignorance, superstition, and fear still ruled the day. The letter of the law, as propagandized by Orthodox Christianity were still at odds, and at conflict with the spirit of the law, as progressed by enlightened mystics. The inquisition, which lasted for centuries, showed how far the Church had strayed from the original precepts of Christianity. The Christ taught love, forgiveness, charity and kindness; the Church Fathers and Christian leaders only knew personal ambition, with sadism, and egotism set-up upon an unholy pedestal. The personal "I" was worshipped, the "Yekhidah," or the Divine I AM, was forgotten. Neophytes of the Mysteries were given the keys of interpretation of Sacred creative writing of recognized artisti value when they were accepted in the respective mystery brotherhoods. The nominees of alchemical initiation were noticed by the Masters when they had proven their sincerity, and the sacrifices and effort that they had made. To the world at large, the existence of the Masters was unknown and unsuspected, even though their presence in the world of men was hinted at in respective alchemical manuscripts. It was only in the last century that Helena P. Blavatsky, amidst others, who brought their existence to the world's attention; and even then, the world scoffed and derided at the idea. This is a little unreasonable, as persons of respective spiritual unfoldment and mental development may effortlessly be seen and recognized. If a good deal of men and women are more perfective than others, why will have to not there be men and women wholly perfective from our humane point of view? Esoterically, when a Master alchemist gave a student of alchemy the "Philosopher's Stone," what was in truth indicated were the teachings of the Ancient Wisdom, and a sure yogic scheme that when used and practiced, would transmute an initiate into a god. To the public eye, alchemical icons and terminology conveyed no sense whatsoever, but the mystiqueness of alchemical texts and images aroused interest in potential practitioners of the Royal Art, and it turned the intermediate person into a seeker. This was perhaps one of the intents of the writers of alchemical manuscripts. Modern chemistry, sentiment a little elaborated by alchemical ideas, contemptuously considers her sire as a pseudo-science, in the same manner that astrology is ordinarily frowned upon by the students of astronomy. Modern exploration will in time change the views and prejudicial beliefs of a materialistically-inclined science; already pioneers of quantum physics are hypothesising what the Ancient Wisdom has been instructing for ages. One key to understanding alchemy is to determine the goals intended to be attained and the subject of transmutation. Without keeping this principle in mind, one would be lost in the alchemical wilderness. Alchemy is categorized into four levels: 1) Physical alchemy 2) Biological alchemy 3) Psychological alchemy 4) Transcendental alchemy Copyright © 2006 Luxamore
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