Above is birch ply pyrography mixed media beeswaxed
A unicorn's horn discovered in Tara of Eire
Always throw salt over your left shoulder
Keep rosemary by your garden gate
Plant lavender for luck
Fall in love whenever you can.
As is Above, So is Below
Alchemy was practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, Japan, Korea and China,
in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations,
and then in Europe up to the 19th century in a complex network of schools
and philosophical systems spanning at least 2,500 years.
In the history of science,
alchemy refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics,
medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art all as parts of one greater force.
Alchemy is an ancient path of spiritual purification and transformation;
the expansion of consciousness and the development of insight and intuition.
The Arabs also gave us the term 'alchemy',
from the Arabic term 'alchimia', which loosely translated means 'the Egyptian art'.
During medieval and Renaissance times,
alchemy spread through the Western world,
and was further developed by Kabbalists, Rosicrucians, astrologers and other occultists.
It functioned on two levels: mundane and spiritual.
On a mundane level, alchemists sought to find a physical
process to convert base metals such as lead into gold.
On a spiritual level, alchemists worked to purify themselves
by eliminating the "base" material of the self and achieving the 'gold' of enlightenment.
The alchemists relied heavily upon their dreams, inspirations
and visions for guidance in perfecting their art.
In order to protect their secrets, they recorded diaries
filled with mysterious symbols rather than text.
These symbols remain exceptionally potent for changing states of consciousness.
Alchemy is a form of speculative thought that, among other aims,
tried to transform base metals such as lead or copper into
silver or gold and to discover a cure for disease and a way of extending life.
Alchemy was the name given in Latin Europe in the 12th century
to an aspect of thought that corresponds to astrology,
which is apparently an older tradition.
Both represent attempts to discover the relationship of man to the cosmos...
Astrology is concerned with man's relationship to "the stars"
(including the members of the solar system);
alchemy, with terrestrial nature.
But the distinction is far from absolute,
since both are interested in the influence of the stars on terrestrial events.
Moreover, both have always been pursued in the belief that
the processes human beings witness in heaven
and on earth manifest the will of the Creator and,
if correctly understood, will yield the key to the Creator's intentions.
A single manuscript of some 80,000 words is the principal source for the history of Greek alchemy.
Chinese alchemy is largely recorded in about 100 "books" that are part of the Taoist canon.
Nor is it really clear what alchemy was (or is).
The word is a European one, derived from Arabic,
but the origin of the root word, chem, is uncertain.
Words similar to it have been found in most ancient languages,
with different meanings, but conceivably somehow related to alchemy.
In fact, the Greeks, Chinese, and Indians usually referred to what Westerners
call alchemy as "The Art," or by terms denoting change or transmutation.
"Transmutation" is the key word characterizing alchemy,
and it may be understood in several ways: in the changes that are called chemical,
in physiological changes such as passing from sickness to health,
in a hoped-for transformation from old age to youth,
or even in passing from an earthly to a supernatural existence.
Alchemical changes seem always to have been positive,
never involving degradation except as an intermediate stage
in a process having a "happy ending."
Alchemy aimed at the great human "goods":
wealth, longevity, and immortality.
information via: Crystal links
What a beautiful post. You have done your homework for sure. I also love the pictures, spells, everything about this post! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOOOooo (((hugs))) thank you ...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking love spell as that was main part of Practical magic, wanted to add a bit of story to tie in but its been hard to post as having BIG problems with pc & blogger but I managed to get posted in time! Yay! lol
I am starting to visit the other blogs tonight too (I see you are on the list too ...brilliant)..will take some time on get through this pc however :0)
Blessed be..Trace mwah oxox
Beautiful and magical post...
ReplyDeletealways please to met a fellow witch and country man..or I should say woman
good spells Wendy from blissangels
Wow, you did a lot of work for this magical post. It's much appreciated! Now, it's back on my broom...
ReplyDeleteWhat an utterly enchanting find you are Jasmoon! Loved the magical spell you brewed up and walk through history ~ thanks!
ReplyDelete♥Sharon
Wow what a lovely and informative post! Thanx! Magical Post! If you care come and join us for ours! More Practical Magic at Practical Magic - How To Make A Magic Wand
ReplyDeletehttp://lenorita-lenoramoore.blogspot.com/2010/09/practical-magic-blogparty-2010.html
great and fun post, enjoyed all the magical pictures
ReplyDeleteKarey
A unicorn love spell how beautiful, I loved your pictures and your post was so beautiful and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteMy link has not been added yet but feel free to stop by at
faeriesagekitchen.blogspot.com
Love your magical mystical post and your beautiful blog. I will follow your lovely work. Thank you for visiting my site (correspondence with the muses or you can get to it through my home page at Tricia Fountaine design.com.), it made me want to come and visit and I am so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteIn Faerie Love,
Tricia
how wonderful and creative! it was fun sharing this experience with you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Great pictures! WOW
ReplyDeleteThis was so very lovely. And so informative. Your unicorn love spell was beautiful. Very well done! Thank you very much for gracing me with your presence earlier...I truly appreciated your visit. Theresa
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful visit this has been! I love all your photos! You're blog party was surely magical! Thank you for inviting me!
ReplyDeleteHi Jasmoon! Happy Practical Magic party! What a great post! I just love Sally's Amas Veritas spell and your Unicorn Spell is lovely!
ReplyDeleteLot's of magical wishes, dreams and blessings to you and your family!
xoxo Valerie
http://valeriehart.com
Very cool post! I love all the pictures...You made me smile :) And all the history :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet visit, following you back.
Hugs
Frenchy
What a great magical post My friend.
ReplyDeleteHave a great party weekend.
Cheers
I had a great time at your party and love your visuals. I can tell a lot of time was taken to complete this project. Thanks for sharing. Please visit me:
ReplyDeletemomentsinaneye.blogspot.com
love your magical post! and your collages with you are fun!
ReplyDeletesending sparkles
Lovely post ~ I love reading how others practice. Your photos are just as magical as the woman who takes them. Blessed be ~
ReplyDeleteWow -- what a great party post! Thanks for sharing all this information. :)
ReplyDelete-- Birgit
Amazing - I love your unicorn horns - beautiful post - artfully done - the spells, the pictures - all mesmerizing!
ReplyDeletecheers with smoldering potions.
dana
Magical post, lovely twist on love spells!
ReplyDeleteWonderful party post. Stop on in and say hello. Brightest Blessings!
ReplyDeleteA delightful, very magical Party post. I loved all your art work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much of yourself to provide us with such a wonderful post.
Brightest Blessings
Penny.
And we all love a happy ending. :) Wonderful PM post. :) Have a happy week.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a magical journey into the past and making it more clear with your beautifully created visuals.Enjoyed it very much and appreciate the time you took in doing it.Thanks.~^..^~ * Annabelle
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post a lot. I love unicorns and hope to one day have part of my garden in tribute to them. Your mixed media piece is wonderful and sssh don't tell anyone, but I scrolled further down and just love your fairytale doll!
ReplyDeleteAlchemy was something I really enjoyed reading about back in the days when I sought specific books out for reading. Thank you for sharing all that you have concerning it.
Faith, trust, and faerie dust!
http://fortheloveofcreativity.blogspot.com
How wonderful to own a unicorn horn!
ReplyDeletevery interesting, wish I could read your spell. What is the horn, really? Did you make it?
ReplyDeletePeace,
Susan
Thank you for all your kind comments,
ReplyDeletefor some reason blogger isn't allowing me to comment on some posts...but I will keep trying x
Susan I will try to post the words in another post, yes I did make the horn ;0)
It is made from polymer clay (layers over foil) xxx
love & light
Trace oxo
Hi Tracey .... what a wonderful post you've shared for the blog party.... and what a SPELLBINDING blog! I love it! I will visit often to read so much more.... and your music choices are magical....
ReplyDeletewe are both Canna flowers!
hugs and blessings from Australia,
Pauline
I have had more about you and in fact even your blog is good too, keep up that work and also check on love spells if you got time
ReplyDelete