Self Realisation - The Great Work

Author : Kathryn Cassidy
Alchemy - the art of transmutation. It is popularly assumed that alchemy is the name given to the process of turning base metals into Gold. This is not totally correct. Alchemy has a history stretching back over a couple of thousand millennia and during that time the name has indeed been applied to many practices which fall under the umbrella of 'chemical practices'. When tracing the history of the art, however, it might more accurately be said that alchemy was e originally the process of Man working upon himself (his raw or base nature) in a quest to perfect, or transmute, his own nature and locate the 'gold' within. That is not to say that alchemy did not also involve the process of attempting to turn a first substance (Prima materia) into the Elixir that was itself the transmuting agent, but it seems indivisible from the spiritual process, known as the Great Work.What's more it is thought possible that the ancient alchemist had happened across the principles that we know today as quantum physics. It is believed that they had discovered how to alter atomic structure and used nuclear principles in their work i.e. They knew there was a way of manipulating matter to produce a 'field of force' - on a physical and spiritual level. Hence the reasons for all the secrecy lest it fall into the wrong hands, and the insistence on endless repetition of the distillation process to prevent accidents.It was only really in the 16th century that many of the ideas, principles and symbols were brought out into the open. Until then it had been passed on by word of mouth from Master to Initiate in the secret fraternities and kept ambiguous to outsiders through thuse of allegory and symbolism. Even then, no two processes were revealed as being the same and it does seem as if only the exclusive few had access to the ultimate alchemical formulae, the Magnus Opus.Whether they knew of nuclear principles remains a subject of conjecture but certainly ancient alchemists probably discovered a force which today we might take for granted, for it appears likely that early alchemist discovered what we now know to be by products of deep meditation -- clairvoyance and telepathy. In fact it is possible that certain combinations of certain elements produced potions which helped induce physical changes and visions and these were found to be 'purer' under certain conditions, namely certain planetary alignments.The reason that alchemy is of such interest to an astrologer is because the knowledge of the connection of the terrestrial with the celestial was obviously an intrinsic part of the transmutation process. Cherry Gilchrist in her book The Element of Alchemy, informs us that John of Rupescisia (14th C) wrote that alchemy is: ' the secret of the mastery of fixing the sun in our own sky, so that light shines therein and sheds light and the principles of light upon our bodies'Certainly, the introduction of light, and the absence of light, at certain crucial times was seen as being critical to the success of the process. So too was the knowledge of the correspondences of metals to different planets. Alchemists were skilled astrologers and perpetuated the view that the planet is whole and alive. Each planet when 'strong in influence' was said to accelerate the growth of the metal within the earth. Indeed, often in alchemical texts the metals are called by the planets name themselves e.g Venus = Copper. The alchemist worked closely with celestial influences to bring about transformation.To my mind it seems plain that Hermeticism and Freemasonry (and I include astrology) are fundamentally the vehicles which carry the secrets of alchemy (self mastery) from initiate to initiate. Through becoming a Mason or Hermeticist one is honoured with keys to the alchemical process; each secret, or key, being passed on in stages (degrees) via the mediums of allegory and symbolism. The ultimate goal to become self- realised, a spirit incarnate. A nature is delighted by another nature, a nature conquers another nature, a nature dominates another nature'. - An allegorical key to alchemy.In astrology there were 7 planets visible to the ancients and 12 divisions of the sky (the zodiac). In alchemy there were processes of transmutation of 7 and 12 stages in length. George Ripley, a 15th century alchemist described the alchemy process as The Twelve Gates and likened it to a circular castle with 12 entrances. In astrological thought one is believed to pass daily and yearly through these 12 'gates'. Manly P. Hall explains the 12 step process in alchemy (and freemasonry) further if you visit this linkIn conclusion then, it seems alchemy was so revered because its aim was to give Man the greatest power of all - self mastery. This was achieved by utilising knowledge of the astrological elements, along with an understanding of planetary influence and correspondences. Through the marriage of physical and spiritual the result was a connection to the All - transmutation to transcendence. Hermeticism and Freemasonry helps to facilitate that journey but its lessons are necessarily 'occulted' (hidden) so that only those reaching for truth, tolerance and peace may know its secrets.Kathryn Cassidy is an astrologer who writes extensively on metaphysical subjects. She hosts three blogs which can be accessed from collaboratingwithfate.blogspot.com
Keyword : freemasonry. hermetic, alchemy, nuclear, transmute, scorpio, revelation, fraternity