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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
