SPIRITUAL ALCHEMY

ALCHEMY

Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi: Our gold is not common gold.

– Alchemist saying

Spiritual alchemy is a concept that merges esoteric, mystical traditions with the psychological framework of self-transformation and enlightenment. It’s deeply rooted in the idea of personal and spiritual refinement, transmuting the base human nature, and transcending to a higher state of being. The term "alchemy" traditionally refers to the ancient art of transforming base metals into gold, but in a spiritual context, it symbolizes the transformation of the self from a state of impurity or ignorance to a state of spiritual wholeness and enlightenment.

The Core of Spiritual Alchemy

At the heart of spiritual alchemy is the transformation of the "self" or "soul" through stages of purification, integration, and enlightenment. This mirrors the processes alchemists used to turn lead into gold, which metaphorically represents the transformation of the soul from a state of materialism and ignorance into spiritual wisdom and purity.

The process of spiritual alchemy is typically described through stages such as:

Calcination: The burning away of false beliefs and ego-driven desires.
Dissolution: The breaking down of the individual’s rigid identity and sense of separateness from the divine.
Conjunction: The integration of opposites within the self.
Fermentation: The process of spiritual rebirth, often symbolized by the spirit or the philosopher’s stone.
Distillation: The purification of the soul’s essence, aligning with higher spiritual truths.
Coagulation: The final integration, where the individual’s highest self is realized and embodied.

Anima and Animus: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects

The concepts of Anima and Animus come from Carl Jung's psychological theory, but in spiritual alchemy, they are also seen as key components in the process of transformation and wholeness. The Anima and Animus represent the inner, unconscious counterparts of the opposite sex within an individual, serving as bridges to the deeper, unconscious layers of the psyche.

Anima (Spiritual Feminine): The Anima is the feminine aspect within a man's unconscious. It embodies all the qualities that are typically associated with femininity, not necessarily gender-specific but in terms of energy—nurturing, intuitive, receptive, emotional, and imaginative. The Anima also represents the soul, guiding the individual toward a more integrated, emotional, and spiritual life. A man who is aware of and embraces his Anima can access his intuition, creativity, and emotional wisdom. Without this integration, however, a man might be overly rational, disconnected from his emotions, and miss out on spiritual growth.
Animus (Spiritual Masculine): The Animus is the masculine counterpart within a woman’s unconscious. It represents qualities like strength, logic, assertiveness, and power. For a woman, integrating the Animus is crucial for developing confidence, autonomy, and a clear sense of direction in life. If the Animus is not integrated, a woman may struggle with feeling overly passive, disconnected from her own agency, or reliant on external validation.

Both the Anima and Animus serve as the dynamic forces that push an individual toward personal and spiritual growth. In spiritual alchemy, the goal is to integrate these inner figures—recognizing them, understanding their influence, and ultimately achieving a unified consciousness. This balance helps the individual transcend dualities, such as masculine and feminine, to become whole, embodying both aspects in harmony.

The Role of the Anima/Animus in Alchemical Transformation

In the process of spiritual alchemy, the Anima and Animus act as guides or mediators between the conscious and unconscious realms, helping facilitate transformation. They represent the inner union of opposites, which is essential for achieving a balanced, enlightened self.

Anima as the Guide to the Unconscious: For men, the Anima can appear as a dream figure, a mythic archetype, or an inner voice that urges him to confront his emotional depths and hidden desires. Embracing the Anima helps a man to "feel" and connect with his own inner wisdom, fostering emotional and spiritual maturity.
Animus as the Agent of Integration: For women, the Animus may take the form of a dynamic internal figure who challenges her to integrate more assertive, logical, and active traits. By embodying these aspects, a woman can overcome passivity, develop strength of will, and gain clarity of purpose.

In spiritual alchemy, the integration of the Anima and Animus is viewed as a crucial step toward self-realization, because it represents the union of opposites, the integration of the conscious and unconscious, and the transcendence of duality.

Achieving Union: The Alchemical Marriage (Sacred Marriage)

A powerful spiritual concept within alchemy is the Sacred Marriage (or Hieros Gamos), which symbolizes the union of opposites—often depicted as the marriage of the masculine and feminine principles. In psychological terms, this could represent the harmonious integration of the Anima and Animus within the self. The Sacred Marriage isn’t just a union of two external forces but of the inner polarities of the self.

This union leads to a state of spiritual wholeness or enlightenment, often symbolized by the appearance of the philosopher’s stone or the elixir of life in alchemical imagery. The philosopher's stone is often seen as the symbol of the fully integrated self, one who has achieved the highest level of spiritual wisdom and awareness, transcending the limitations of the ego and achieving unity with the divine.

Symbolism of Anima/Animus in Alchemy

The Anima is often symbolized as the Moon, representing intuition, receptivity, and cyclical rhythms. She is associated with the deeper, hidden, emotional forces within the psyche.
The Animus is often symbolized by the Sun, representing logic, action, and consciousness. He is associated with the ego and rational, outwardly directed energy.

The Sacred Marriage then becomes the union of these two forces, the Moon and the Sun, bringing balance and enlightenment. In the alchemical context, this union leads to the creation of the philosopher’s stone, which is an enduring symbol of wholeness, enlightenment, and the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey.

Spiritual alchemy, through the lens of the Anima and Animus, provides a profound framework for understanding personal and spiritual growth. It’s a path of integration, where you confront and harmonize the hidden aspects of your psyche—the unconscious masculine and feminine qualities—so that you can live a more unified and whole life. This alchemical process transforms not just the outer world but the inner self, leading to a higher consciousness and, eventually, spiritual enlightenment.

"Corpus Glorificatum" is a Latin term that translates roughly to "the body of light", the illuminous body" or "glorified body".

Base Metals Of The Etheric Body

Lead = associated with the spleen and affects the thickness of the Etheric Body, with increasing thickness slowing the energy passage through to the physical body.

Tin = associated with temperature between one part of the body and another and the hypothalamus.

Iron = has earthing properties due to it being magnetic. Also linked to the emotions and the moon.

Copper = prevents ossification and rigidity allowing softness and compassion. Also associated with the kidneys.

Mercury = related to the nervous system and connecting body parts.

Silver = associated with the lymphatic system and water balance, the tides,emotions and instincts.

Gold = sense of self, identity,ego. Can cause depression and lack of self-worth if in shortage. Helps to synthesise other elements

The Three Primes (Tria Prima)

1. Sulphur = Spirit/Soul.

2. Mercury = Life force bridging the body and spirit.

3. Salt = Body (matter) through which the soul and its life force work.

While physical alchemy is concerned with altering and transforming the properties within matter, spiritual alchemy is concerned with freeing your spiritual self which is obscured within you by the unrefined parts of your ego.

Characteristics Of Spiritual Alchemy

An alchemist is an embodiment of power. He is in control of himself and his surroundings. The alchemist isn’t a slave to anyone. He is his own master. To become an alchemist a person must first live the alchemy. This means one needs to accept both success and failure in life. One needs to embrace the hardships.

Some vital characteristics of an alchemist are:

He must know how to balance his emotions.
An alchemist does his work with dedication.
An alchemist knows when to speak and when to remain silent.
He must embrace simplicity.
Pride doesn’t reside in the mind of an alchemist.
An alchemist has faith.
Perseverance is an integral part of the alchemist’s personality.
He embraces his internal values.
An alchemist is a balanced individual. He isn’t influenced by others.

Only when one cultivates these, he will attain the philosopher’s stone (or perfection).

Materia Prima, The Philosopher’s Stone, and Gold are the three most powerful and commonly known symbols relating to alchemy.

Materia Prima (or “first matter”), is an Alchemic symbol that reflects the notion that all the universe originated from a primitive, formless base.

The idea of “Materia Prima” can be traced back to Aristotle who understood that there’s a force that holds all other forms in existence together but is itself invisible – these days, we refer to it as “Aether” (Spirit).

Materia Prima, as the invisible womb or unseen force, is a field of pure potential that can only come into existence when it is embodied within a “form”.

In alchemy, the Materia Prima or primal material is that which is left over after we have reduced matter into its purest essence. This process is a powerful psychological symbol because it describes the internal experience of arriving at a “core realization,” or in other words becoming aware of the root cause of a belief or trauma within us.

By working with the Materia Prima of our inner selves, we can go on a journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone (spiritual liberation) which transforms any of our base qualities (selfishness, arrogance, vanity) into gold (kindness, tolerance, humility, etc.).

The Latin expression “solve et coagula” is derived from “solve,” meaning to break down and separate, while “coagula” describes the process of bringing elements back together (coagulating) into a new, higher form.

Interestingly, “solve et coagula” is a brilliant psychological metaphor. By pursuing Gold (or listening to our intuitive “higher calling”) we “break down” limiting parts within us that are in the way of our transformation (Philosopher’s Stone) into a free and whole being (coagulation).

This journey of death, rebirth, and transformation has often been summarized into the four stages.

4 Stages Of Alchemy:

Nigredo (or “blackening” – symbolic of the death of old ways of being)
Albedo (or “whitening” – symbolic of the process of rebirth and Soul consciousness)
Citrinitas (or “yellowing” – symbolic of the development of Spirit consciousness)
Rubedo (or “reddening” – symbolic of the attainment of Spiritual Liberation)

The Seven Stages of Spiritual Alchemy

Stage One: Calcination

Calcination, the first stage of spiritual alchemy, is also known as the black stage. The color black represents chaos, that which is hidden and buried, and the material of the unconscious. It also refers to the Materia Prima, an idea in occult sciences that all matter in the universe emerged from an original, primitive base.

Calcination refers to the burning of the Materia Prima until it is transformed into ash. In a spiritual sense, it refers to breaking free from our worldly attachments, the desire for status and wealth, and the need to solidify our identity. It’s not to say these things are wrong, but according to the process, the development of a higher level of consciousness and the refinement of the spirit are hindered by these attachments.

Calcination also refers to the burning off of all of the superfluous elements of ourselves that no longer serve us. We are purified by fire, and the hardened and dead parts of ourselves have burned away. All that has calcified within us is removed in a similar manner to how hardened plaque buildup on teeth can be removed. Our preconceived notions about our identity and our limiting core beliefs are put to the test in the calcination stage. Our ideologies and neuroses begin to lessen their grip on the persona, enabling the spiritual alchemist to stop self-sabotaging behavior and take the first steps towards awakening.

Stage Two: Dissolution

The second stage of the spiritual practice involves dissolving the ashes in water. Water could be interpreted as a symbol for the unconscious, which contains the hidden parts of ourselves that we have been afraid of and up until now have not been explored. Dissolution can be understood as the stage in which we free ourselves from our inauthentic and acquired sense of identity.

In medieval alchemy, dissolution refers to the dissolving of solid material, such as salt dissolved in water. It can be understood in Jungian terms as the dissolution of the ego. Since the dissolution stage takes water as its symbol, it is also associated with intense emotions, as water often symbolizes the reservoir of emotions within. The dissolution stage involves the outlet of repressed emotions from traumatic events that we have pushed down in our psyche. It can be a very cathartic step as we free ourselves of past painful experiences and self-doubt to start the process of emotional healing.

Stage Three: Separation

In the separation stage, the pure essence is extracted from the rest of the mixture. As the first two stages were associated with fire and water, separation is related to the air element. In a spiritual sense, it can be understood as a separation from one’s habitual thought processes or emotional trigger responses, allowing us to step back and distinguish our essence from our acquired personality.

Separation is a very liberating stage where we can free ourselves of resentment towards ourselves and others. It is a kind of inner liberation from negative emotions. By doing so, we can become aware of our true feelings. We separate ourselves from our inauthentic selves and step closer to our essential or higher self. The separation occurs when we no longer identify with the character we have been playing, but rather we become the awareness itself. We have conscious awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, and desires, but without identifying with them or becoming attached to them.

The separation stage is a kind of detachment from our old skin. After the emptiness and suffering in the first stage of calcination, and then the fearful stage of dissolution where hidden emotions emerge, the separation stage comes as a welcome relief as we experience the stillness of being separated from our inferior and inauthentic qualities.

Stage Four: Conjunction

Conjunction refers to the process of combining the elements from the previous three stages. In a sense, we see what still remains within us, which is of value, and then begin to combine these elements to form one’s authentic spiritual self. After the first three stages of purification by fire, water, and air, our disparate elements are brought together under the earth element. We begin a process of embodiment as the spirit begins its process of materialization.

We begin to feel unified in body and soul, but we are still drawing together the different strands of our true self, and we are not yet finished. Polarities cease their conflict and come together, such as male and female, body and soul, spirit and matter. Harmony is achieved between the different elements of our being. The attributes typically associated with divine feminine energy, such as intuition and emotion, unify with those attributes conventionally associated with the masculine, such as intellect and logic.

Stage Five: Putrefaction/Fermentation

Putrefaction, or fermentation, is the fifth stage and describes the decay of one’s old self and the rebirth of one’s true self. The first four stages involved discarding our old, inauthentic self and drawing together the authentic elements within us. At this stage, however, we catch a glimpse of a more refined, authentic self. This stage can be likened to the rebirth of the phoenix from its own ashes.

The process can be split into two: putrefaction and spiritualization. Putrefaction is the rotting away of our former selves as the superfluous is let go. Putrefaction can be a difficult stage and can involve strong feelings of depression or despair since we fear losing our identity, which is associated with our old self.

Spiritualization, meanwhile, gives great relief as we begin to see the world in a new and luminescent way. It involves letting go of those parts of ourselves that no longer serve us in our present life, and, as a result, this step can be accompanied by blissful feelings of inner peace and contentment.

Stage Six: Distillation

The distillation stage is the stage when all of the impurities are removed, and there is nothing left but the essence. In chemistry, distillation involves boiling and condensation to separate components and is commonly used in desalination. A liquid is boiled until it evaporates, and as the steam condenses, the essence is liberated from the matter. It marks the point at which our essence becomes spiritualized. In other words, in spiritual alchemy, distillation is a metaphor for the actualization of one’s spirit.

In Jungian terminology, this stage also involves the assimilation of any shadow aspects into our true self. It is the distillation of one’s true self and represents a step up in consciousness as our core identity is freed from any inferior elements. At this stage, the ego has ceased dominating behavior as we begin to hear the voice of our soul. It also marks the point at which the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self are brought into harmony.

Stage Seven: Coagulation

The final stage on the spiritual journey is coagulation, which describes the process of solidification where one’s essential self becomes whole. Coagulation refers to the process by which a liquid, typically blood, solidifies. It occurs when we are cut to form a scab. In spiritual alchemy, coagulation involves the solidification of our true self and can be likened to healing from a wound as we feel ourselves to be independent and complete.

Coagulation involves the complete unification of polarities: spirit and matter, body and soul, masculine and feminine, to form a single whole. In this final stage, one’s higher self emerges, and it can be likened to the point when gold cools and solidifies.