"Alchemy is a kind of philosophy: a kind of thinking that leads to a way of understanding."
- Marcel Duchamp
What is Alchemy?
If you ask that question to most people they would give you the commonly understood definition that describes alchemy as a precursor to modern chemistry that was based on the desire of man to transform one type of matter to another. While this may be true for the majority of supposed alchemists, it certainly is not true for all alchemists. Sure, many alchemists were obsessed with transmuting lead into gold. A base metal into a higher one. This is a deceptive. The true alchemists did not focus on transmuting matter into more matter but rather in transmuting the immaterial. The true alchemists focused on transmuting leaden mental weights into golden mental perfection. Symbolism was heavily used by alchemists due to the nature of their work. Many of the authorities of the old world were not receptive to their ideas and would consider such things to be witchcraft, heresy, blasphemy. They would have murdered the alchemists sooner than listening to their words. So then, the alchemists (the true alchemists) adopted a language of symbolism. The common man may see an alchemist and read his writings describing the transmutation of one metal into another and think, “what a quacked out old fool.” However, with the right level of understanding, the ability to speak the language of symbolism, and a sufficient understanding of the alchemists work one can see something much greater and more significant in the work of alchemy.
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So, before you continue on this page or on any page you must know that alchemy is not what you probably think it is. Put any ideas or preconceptions about alchemy you have out of your mind and view this work as almost purely on a mental/spiritual plane. If you intend on manifesting matter, transmuting matter, or otherwise using alchemy to directly affect matter in some drastic way then you will be disappointed upon the application of the knowledge herein.
Alchemical Metallic Symbolism
Gold
Planetary Association: The Sun
Gold represents perfection to the alchemist. Particularly, gold represents perfection of the mind, spirit, and soul. The ultimate goal for the alchemist is to transmute themselves into pure gold. It is likely obvious that this metal indicates wealth, prosperity, and even authority.
Gold represents perfection to the alchemist. Particularly, gold represents perfection of the mind, spirit, and soul. The ultimate goal for the alchemist is to transmute themselves into pure gold. It is likely obvious that this metal indicates wealth, prosperity, and even authority.
Mercury
Planetary Association: Mercury
Mercury is symbolic of The Mind. Mercury takes the shape of its container. It flows. It has no defined shape. Along the same lines, it is mirrored and thus you can never truly look at mercury but rather at the reflections of what is in close proximity to the mercury. Not only that, but due to its odd physical traits (mercury is a liquid at room temperature) it can be used to symbolize movement or travel. It can be associated with death due to its toxic nature as well as mystery and divination.
Mercury is symbolic of The Mind. Mercury takes the shape of its container. It flows. It has no defined shape. Along the same lines, it is mirrored and thus you can never truly look at mercury but rather at the reflections of what is in close proximity to the mercury. Not only that, but due to its odd physical traits (mercury is a liquid at room temperature) it can be used to symbolize movement or travel. It can be associated with death due to its toxic nature as well as mystery and divination.
Copper
Planetary Association: Venus
Copper can symbolize feminine beauty and qualities such as artistic tendencies as well as the feminine nurturing aspect; things such as affection and caring. It is considered to be a healing metal by many as well as representative of balance.
Copper can symbolize feminine beauty and qualities such as artistic tendencies as well as the feminine nurturing aspect; things such as affection and caring. It is considered to be a healing metal by many as well as representative of balance.
Silver
Planetary Association: The Moon
Silver is associated with the feminine. Often it is used to symbolize inner wisdom or intuition. Silver is used to symbolize clarity, awareness, and focus. While not as pure as gold, silver can represent purity as well.
Silver is associated with the feminine. Often it is used to symbolize inner wisdom or intuition. Silver is used to symbolize clarity, awareness, and focus. While not as pure as gold, silver can represent purity as well.
Iron
Planetary Association: Mars
Here we have a metal that symbolizes masculinity and aggression. Do not let this seem negative or harmful to you because that is not inherently true. Iron represents strength, protection, physical power, growth, resilience, bravery, and many other positive things. This metal is considered to be the most "human" metal as it embodies many human traits and tendencies.
Here we have a metal that symbolizes masculinity and aggression. Do not let this seem negative or harmful to you because that is not inherently true. Iron represents strength, protection, physical power, growth, resilience, bravery, and many other positive things. This metal is considered to be the most "human" metal as it embodies many human traits and tendencies.
Tin
Planetary Association: Jupiter
This metal is correlated to logic and wisdom from a more scholarly perspective as silver represents intuitive knowledge and wisdom. It is often used for meditation and philosophical pursuits.
This metal is correlated to logic and wisdom from a more scholarly perspective as silver represents intuitive knowledge and wisdom. It is often used for meditation and philosophical pursuits.
Lead
Planetary Association: Saturn
This metal has darker symbolism behind it. For the alchemist, the most intense expression of their work is to transmute lead into gold. If gold is at the top of this metallic symbolism then lead is at the bottom. Lead represents impurities and we all know that lead is toxic.
This metal has darker symbolism behind it. For the alchemist, the most intense expression of their work is to transmute lead into gold. If gold is at the top of this metallic symbolism then lead is at the bottom. Lead represents impurities and we all know that lead is toxic.
Alchemical Symbolism Resources
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www.ancient-symbols.com
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Alchemical Knowledge
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