Symbolism, Terminology and Practices
Alchemy
Al-Khemi – The matter of Egypt (Khem, Black Land). It is the ‘Royal Art,’ the divine potential within each human is unveiled and manifested. The goal of the Magnum Opus (Great Work) is to achieve the Philosophers Stone (or Elixir), by transmuting ‘lead into gold’. The adept would then be crowned with the triple crown of Illumination or Enlightenment, ‘Omniscience, Omnipotence, and the joy of Divine Eternal Love’ (thus stepping off the wheel of birth and death or Kharma, symbolised by the Ouroboros, Eternity). It is closely linked to the Qabalah, Raja Yoga (union), Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism (The Diamond Path), in Vedic texts as ‘Path of the Serpent’, and in China as the ‘Nei-Ching‘ (4000 BCE, before the I-Ching). The Tarot mirrors the alchemical journey through the physical, emotional and mental planes 7x7x7.
Self-transformation
The Alchemists practiced breathing techniques, meditation and visualisation to transform the lead of the base chakra (Saturn, fears, limitations and beliefs) into the gold of the crown Chakra (Sun). They aimed to ‘marry the sun and the moon’ or achieve harmony of the masculine and feminine. They went through stages of purification and assimilation of higher vibrations of consciousness. The Caduceus, or staff of Hermes, represented this work (and is still used for the medical profession; the staff is the spinal column, snakes represent the rise of Kundalini and energy channels).
Alchemy – The Chakra Journey
Base Red, lowest vibration in visible spectrum, Saturn, limitations, lead, seat of fears and beliefs, strength, energy to act physically. I have. I Am connected to Nature and trust that all my needs are met.
Sacral Orange, tin, Jupiter, learning, creation, expression, passion, flow of sustaining energy, revitalising. I feel, I want. I Am passionately creating all I desire in my life.
Solar Plexus Yellow and gold, iron, Mars, willpower, power centre, the mental realm and thinking, clearing through understanding – brings focus through clarity and expression of ideas, cutting through confusion. I can. I Am centred in my own power.
Heart Green, pink, copper, Venus, bridge between physical and spiritual realms or Heaven and Earth, the point where the energies of electricity and magnetism merge and are interchanged, the core of our being and centre of compassion, the doorway to inner chambers and other dimensions as a portal for knowledge, teaching and healing, balancing, comfort, Nature. I love. I Am an infinite being.
Throat Blue, Mercury, communication, clairaudience, the spirit of truth – spiritualised intellect, connection to higher states of consciousness and higher mental realms. I speak up. I Am safe when I speak my truth.
Third Eye Indigo, purple, violet, silver, Moon, clairvoyance, intuition, past present and future sight, Higher Self, Soul, higher realms of light, high vibrational Theta state, evolution and change, connection to Christ or Crystal Consciousness, focus through the third eye brings clarity and awareness of other dimensions and states or planes of ‘reality’ or existence. I see. I Am able to see clearly.
Crown Violet, gold, white, clear crystalline light vibrations, Sun, highest vibrational light frequency, attunes to the ‘Creative Force’ ‘Holy Spirit’ or ‘God’, purest thought. I know. I Am.