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© Copyright 1992, 1998, 2000, Jean Dubuis. All rights reserved. Dear Friend: You will receive two lessons on Spagyrics each month1 which contain:
When you study the lessons, we highly recommend that you follow the logical order of Philosophy, Theory and Practice. Dom Pernety inspired this threefold division; he claims that should you wish success on the Alchemical Path, you shall need the three following qualities: sound judgment, good theoretical knowledge, and a skilled hand. In the section of "Alchemical Theory" we intend to provide you with the necessary knowledge to achieve a sound judgment; its most obvious consequence will be liberated thinking which doesn't at all imply the idea of a free thinker. The section of "Alchemical Theory" proposes two important goals. First, to provide the theoretical knowledge without which alchemical experimentation is impossible. As a matter of fact, never attempt an alchemical experiment if you don't know the objective, the procedure and the desired result: in Alchemy, there is no random experiment, nor an experiment made out of curiosity. The second goal we are after is penetration of hermetic books; these books were not written for beginners or the ignorant. As one becomes imbued with alchemical theory, the unintelligible language becomes clearer, then luminous. Under the heading of "Practical Alchemy," we describe the essential laboratory techniques in detail, along with the necessary accompanying precautions. The first experiments are simple and we shall gradually go on to more complex experiments so the students who do not have previous knowledge or experience in a chemical or alchemical laboratory will get a chance at developing a "skilled hand." Obviously, in using this method, the same subjects will appear in the three different sections of the course, but they will be viewed from different angles. An advantage of these repetitions will be to make us sense, under seemingly divergent aspects at first, the unity of Knowledge and its resulting convergence. We should point out right away that some elements in the course will seem to contradict this introductory lesson. For example, the philosophical and theoretical sections may concentrate more on the alchemical rather than the spagyric aspect, while the practical section will be devoted to the spagyric -- or the vegetable aspect -- for the theory is similar in all three realms. We choose the example in the realm where we feel it is the best known and the most explicit, or sometimes in the various realms so as to stress the unitary character of Nature. The brevity of our texts may surprise you; but we act according to the Alchemical Tradition. The adage says: "Read and reread." Therefore, do not hesitate to read the texts again and again and become imbued with them, thereby following the example set by some chemical operations through which persevering repetition brings about an alchemical result. Another adage says one must rid matter of its superfluous terrestrial principles; therefore, we avoid literary dilution of information. Nonetheless, you should know that each of our texts contains one or two previously undisclosed or little known -- if known at all -- principles or rules which are worth the effort of thought and deep meditation. If passages, affirmations, or parts of experiments described in our lessons seem obscure to you, you may write us (please give us your address, phone number, etc.) and we shall be glad to help you. (Please, no more than 20 lines.) However, the answer often lies in one of the next lessons that you will receive during the following month. If you can wait that long, our work load will be reduced. ALCHEMICAL PHILOSOPHY What is Alchemy? It seems appropriate to ponder on what Alchemy might be and how this pondering can lead us to spiritual progress. At this point, it is perhaps easier to describe what Alchemy is not, rather than what it is. From a material point of view, Alchemy is neither chemistry nor hyperchemistry, but a biodynamic process more closely related to fermentation or putrefaction than to classical chemical reactions. Alchemy leads to a Profound knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms of Nature, yet is contrary to profane science which only considers the material aspect of these mechanisms. Alchemy considers the spiritual aspect as well which is generally invisible to the sensory perception of the operator. This aspect of alchemical study brings the operator to spiritual progress, to a higher level of consciousness. The duality of this method of spiritual advancement has a great advantage over other methods. Spiritual advancement "makes one high" but, in order to accomplish the work, the Alchemist must remain grounded. He becomes aware of higher realities while he keeps in mind the significance of physical manifestations. Necessity of personal spiritual progress As we shall see in the theoretical part, an Alchemist cannot be an atheist; he or she must be a spiritual being. Whatever the nature of his or her belief, religion, and esoteric method or personal doctrine, it is important for them to start each working cycle, whether meditative or experimental, with an invocation and to close it with a prayer of thanks to God, the Cosmos, Unity, the Great Architect, the Divine or Spiritual Conception which he or she chooses in their heart. The second item which should be well understood and which shall be discussed is the goal the Alchemist sets for themself: it must concern their personal spiritual growth only. Thinking of far away metallic transmutations in the aim to help others is not an excuse nor is it an apology to the Infinite. The faculty of transmutation is the reward for personal spiritual growth, but gold would not help anybody in this world if the Infinite did not allow it. It is better to understand what Unity has in mind for you before you get involved in what is good for others. We wish to warn you that the law of our country forbids individuals who do not belong to the medical profession to prescribe any product with the aim to cure or heal another individual. Thus, do not consider producing elixirs to cure others. To avoid temptations in this matter, we do not give the means that would permit production of the elixirs -- at least in the beginning. Their very manufacture is part of a knowledge of Nature and a means to spiritual development. At first, one should seek personal spiritual development: if one doesn't possess a certain mastery, how could one imagine helping others? There is a sacred selfish principle which requires one to personally advance first before one thinks of helping others advance. However good our intention may be, if we do not follow this principle, we risk helping others to move backwards rather than forwards. ALCHEMICAL THEORY Let's start with the differences between chemistry and Alchemy. In chemistry, if you have the right ingredients and if operations are correctly performed, success will be achieved -- independently of the operator. In Alchemy, even if you have the right ingredients and if operations are properly conducted, success is not necessarily achieved because it depends upon the personal state of the operator. In a very restrictive sense, Alchemy could be viewed as the parapsychology of chemistry, for the success of the operation depends upon the inner spiritual state of the operator. This statement is even more accurate as we progress into the hierarchy of alchemical works and operations. Therefore, for a rational outset, start with the simplest operations: ATTEMPT THE MINOR WORK before you approach the major work. The second difference between chemistry and Alchemy is also very important. Chemistry doesn't view the bodies it works with as alive. As a matter of fact, the processes are such that chemistry only deals with dead bodies which, of course, can't evolve. Conversely, Alchemy is a biodynamic system which uses the forces of life in its operations. A threefold work is accomplished on bodies: the effects are purification, regeneration and evolution. The most powerful principles are found in the forces of fecundation and reproduction and from these they will be extracted in order to be used. But if this operation seems possible in the vegetable realm, the extraction of the metallic semen or sperm, known only be a few adepts, is considered a Utopian venture by most. The Alchemist or the skilled Artist can and must accomplish, through physical material, the manipulation of the divine, spiritual and invisible components which are, in beings and things, the genuine elements of life. Another difference between the chemist and the Alchemist lies in the desired goal of each operation. To succeed, one must obey the laws of Nature, but the Alchemist must also, in their work, align themself with the designs of Nature. It is obvious, in view of the last statement, that the vegetable realm is more easily perceivable than the metallic realm or the mineral realm, and that, in the vegetable domain, an experience of appreciation of the level of psychic development and of the levels of attained consciousness doesn't incur risk and may be an experience that bring about growth. As a conclusion to this section, here are three adages related to alchemical and spagyric work:
ALCHEMICAL PRACTICE The next lesson will describe a simple and interesting experiment which will enable you to approach and attempt to understand some basic principles. In order to perform this operation, you will need a few utensils and ingredients which are listed below:
When you are though with this experiment in several weeks, we would like to hear about the result, but do not mail any product to the organization. We prefer to talk about it during the following lessons. Note: There is no contradiction between the fact that in the theoretical part we affirm that the product used in Alchemy must be alive and that in the practical part we recommend that you use dry lemon balm to conduct your experiment. We shall explain this later. But note that dry seeds keep their germinating power; they contain the spark of life; On the other hand, from a purely practical point of view, you will notice that using dry plants facilitates the operations when you do not have large equipment and a specialized menstruum.
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