Alchemy isn’t religious, though it can be. Alchemy isn’t magic, it can be, but inherently it’s a philosophy of healing. I’m an alchemist but use the term loosely— I’m well read on historical resources and engage in alchemical practices, but my whole practice as an esoteric practitioner exists without doctrine. I find it’s easiest to … Continue reading Alchemical Healing
Decay is employed in various areas of alchemy, notably the beginning. That initial presentation is related but dissimilar to putrefaction— symbolically tied in destruction but of a different (spiritual) mechanical practice. The first is a sudden and drastic shift from perpetuation to change, as routines are shattered by the beginning of transmutation. In contrast, the … Continue reading The Time and Emotion of an Alchemist’s Putrefaction
Pride is nearly a stranger to me and I know shame intimately. Science, art, and philosophy provide me structure for courage. Through courage, I might get to know pride. Shame still clings and attempts to interfere with my healing and growing and knowing of what I’m capable of. Shame carries embarrassment, self hatred, and hates … Continue reading An Alchemist’s Shame
We’ve all known catastrophe. The apocalypse exists within Caput Corvi, the symbol of a decapitated crow. Our internal reasoning cannot keep up with the crises of our circumstances. The crow forces us to change so that we may learn to begin doing so willingly. Patterns repeat, break, transform. Life is a series of cycles, some … Continue reading Psychological Healing: Experiences with the Alchemical Crow
The fifth stage of death after pallor mortis, algor mortis, rigor mortis, and livor mortis, and the fifth stage of alchemical transmutation: putrefaction. Psychological transmutation is the same as any other and must follow the laws of nature— our body hosts our mind, and one day our body will rot and become dirt. We can … Continue reading Alchemy of Self: Putrefaction Part 2
While the beginning of this stage may feel like Caput Corvi and the shame ridden days of calcination all over again, our wisened mind can recognize these times as being full of life in death. We’re less than halfway through our transmutation of self— we must expect there to still be hindering thoughts and behaviours … Continue reading Alchemy of Self: Putrefaction
Alchemy and its many forms have been a passion of mine since childhood. Some of you may know of psycho-spiritual or philosophical alchemy. These meditations and changes are a part of an entire lifestyle supporting growth and healing. I’ve spent the last half decade cycling through the phases of darkness and light, destruction and reconstruction, … Continue reading Xanthosis is Testing My Goals
“In too much water you may easily be drowned; too little water, on the other hand, soon evaporates in the heat of the sun.” — Basil Valentine Success utterly relies on temperance. Parts of a whole cannot merge back into one if one part is neglected. All aspects must be released from toxicity and nurtured … Continue reading Alchemy of Self: Conjunction Part 2
Conjunction is the bringing together, the reconciliation and amalgamation of parts. The many facets of ourself and our life are ready to start showing a whole reflection. This is the coagula of ‘solve et coagula’. In this phase of Albedo we’ve found clarity after acknowledging what hinders us, which in turn reveals what enriches us. … Continue reading Alchemy of Self: Conjunction
Concepts are carried easily on the feathered backs of birds. There are many animal symbols within alchemical scripture and art, wolves, dragons, unicorns, dogs, deer, insects, lions, toads, but above all most often allegories are represented by birds. They permeate all world religions perhaps due to their ability to fly, crossing the domains of earth … Continue reading Bird Symbolism in Alchemy
Sustaining Practice 