Post by MappaM on Aug 10, 2008 22:52:32 GMT -5
The Alchemy Of Life
The Elements
Alchemy is a word based on the ancient Egypt 'al khem qem'. Al Kem means a mixture to create mixture, qem is to form from primary substance. In Latin, Alchemy is 'all composition'. The alchemical traditions associate certain elements of nature to the life of the world or universe even. In order for life to exist in any form, these four elements must exist.
There are only four elements in life: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
The Alchemical Theory goes something like this:
When a substance is heated, a spirit comes out, and the substance will condense upon itself. When in this condensed state, the substance can be manipulated and molded. As it cools, the spirit returns to the substance filling it with life and a renewed purpose based on it's new shape. The substance represents the earth, the heat represents the fire, the spirit is air and the cooling is water. Thus you need all the basic elements of nature to move forward, change and grow. To live basically. In esoteric terms, the principles of Alchemy explain the relationships between total creation the position of the parts which compose it. All parts are created from each other part, without all parts, there is nothingness.
Here's a quick example, Air feeds fire, fire dies by water, water is
contained by earth, and earth creates the air. The cycle is meant to show the interconnection of all things, and the cycle of birth, life, change and death.
Air
The first element of the alchemical tradition. Air is the essence of intuition and learning, the element of the North and the nature of the mind.
Astrological Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
Represented by: Feathers, Birds, incense, fans, flags, flowing garments and sheer material.
Season: Winter
Color: White
Fire
The second element of the alchemical tradition. Fire is the essence of purification and change, the element of the East and the nature of the will.
Astrological Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Represented by: Fire, candles, lights, dragons and the sun.
Season: Spring
Color: Yellow and Green
Water
The third element of the alchemical tradition. Water is the essence of love and fertility, the element of the south and the nature of emotions.
Astrological Signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Represented by: Water, lavender fragrance, Fish,coral and sponges.
Season: Summer
Color: Blue
Earth
The fourth element of the alchemical tradition. Earth is the essence of grounding and stability, the element of the West and the nature of balance.
Astrological Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.
Represented by: Dirt, sand, sage, Gnomes and goblins, a staff or stake, trees and plants.
Season: Autumn
Color: Red
An Alchemists Alter:
If you would like to create a Magik circle that incorporates the
alchemical elements, here's are some suggestions for setting up the directional alters.
North/Air White Candles, White Goose feather, or fan, Gardenia incense, a small statue of a bird, and a clear quartz crystal all sitting upon a white or cream colored lace cloth. If you want to enhance the color of the North, you might place a very light colored lavender cloth under the lace covering.
West/Earth Red Candles, a bowl of earth, a small statue of a tree, a garnet or red agate stone sitting upon a pink cloth. If you want to enhance the color of the West, you might place a very light colored pink lace over the darker pink cloth. Patchouli
incense is a wonderful scent for the Earth as well.
East/Fire Yellow or Green Candles, a smudge stick of sage and cedar, a small statue of a dragon, an emerald or malachite stone all sitting upon a gold colored cloth. If you want to enhance the color of the East, you might place a dark green cloth under a
yellow lace covering.
South/Water Blue Candles, bowl of sea salt water, a small statue of a fish or sea mammal, like a whale or dolphin, and an aquamarine crystal sitting upon a blue cloth. If you want to enhance the color of the South, you might place a very light colored blue lace covering over the darker blue cloth. Sandalwood is the perfect scent for the south.
A final note: Remember that each belief system has it's own ideas, rituals and procedures for any task. Because of this fact, not everyone's north will be the same and represented by the same symbolic items, colors or figures although many do have the same basic systems. This is one that is out of the ordinary with it's representations and interesting to investigate.
Brightest Blessings
~MappaM~