|
|
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 sugggestions for setting up the directional alters.
 |
North/Air
White Candles, White Goose feather, or fan, Gardena 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 lavendar 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. Poulucci 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 malichite 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. Sandlewood is the
perfect scent for the south. |
|
|
|
|
Source: 1, s1,
s2, s4, s5, s6, s7, s11, s14 |
|
