The 7 Steps in Alchemical TransformationBy

Joseph D. Dismore

I would like to introduce a short series of posts dedicated to "TheEmerald Formula." The Transformative properties both in a PhysicalAlchemical Process as well as a Psychological and SpiritualTransformative Process are presented here, and sources are listed below:

Sources:

1. The Emerald Formula, by Alchemy Lab - http://www.alchemylab.com2. The Emerald Tablet...Alchemy for Personal Transformation, byDennis William Hauck

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The Transformative Processes

There are seven steps in the transformative processes, both for physicalAlchemy as well as spiritual Alchemy. Here is a brief list of the 7 Steps ofthe Emerald formula.

1.Calcination2. Dissolution3. Separation4.Conjunction5.Fermentation6. Distillation7.Coagulation

In this series of posts I shall endeavour to give examples of the PhysicalAlchemical Processes and the Psychological Process of Transformationthat each of these 7 Steps includes. We shall start with the First of theSeven Steps: Calcination.

1. Calcination - Calcination is the first of the seven major operations inthe Alchemy of Transformation.

Chemically, the Calcination process involves heating a substance in acrucible or over an open flame until it is reduced to ashes. In theArcanum Experiment, Calcination is represented by Sulfuric Acid,which the alchemist made from a naturally occurring substance calledVitriol. Sulfuric Acid is a powerful corrosive that eats away flesh andreacts with all metals except Gold.

Psychologically, this is a destruction of ego and our attachment tomaterial possessions. Calcination is usually a natural humbling processas we are gradually assaulted and overcome by the trials and tribulationsof life, though it can be a deliberate surrender of our inherent hubrisgained through a variety of spiritual disciplines that ignite the fire ofintrospection and self-evaluation.

Psychologically, the Fire of Calcination can be experienced as themetabolic discipline or aerobic activity that tunes the body, burning offexcess from overindulgence and producing a lean, mean, fightingmachine. Calcination begins in the Base or Lead Chakra at the SacrelCup at the Base of the Spine.

On the Planetary level, it is the Fire of Creation, the formation of aliveable environment from molten matter and volcanic ashes.

"The Emerald Formula"by: Alchemy Lab

"Calcination represents the beginning of a Black Stage, Calcination isdescribed as the destruction of the ego and all its defence mechanisms.For most of us, Calcination is a natural process that takes place overtime, as we are gradually assaulted and overcome by the trials andtribulations of life. But for Alchemists, Calcination is a controlled burnachieved by a deliberate surrender of our materiality through a varietyof spiritual disciplines that ignite the passion in our souls. In all theinstances, Calcination is working with Fire to burn away mentalconstructs and reveal a person's true essence."

"The Emerald Tablet...Alchemy for Personal Transformation"by: Dennis William Hauck

Pg. 158

In the above short descriptions I have given two examples of the 1st Steptoward Alchemical Transformation as described in "The EmeraldFormula", and in Dennis William Hauck's book " The EmeraldTablet...Alchemy for Personal Transformation." These are very briefexamples of the process but I hope it sheds some small light on the 1stStep of the Process of Transformation, both physical and spiritual.

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The Second Section covers the Process of "Dissolution."

According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word "Dissolution" isdefined as - The action or process of dissolving or being dissolved. FromLatin - Dissolutio(n), from Dissolvere (See Dissolve).

Dissolve - With reference to a solid - become or cause to becomeincorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.

Dissolution is the second major operation in the Alchemy of

Transformation.

Chemical, it is the dissolving the ashes from Calcination in water. In theArcanum Experiment, Dissolution is represented by iron oxide or rust,which illustrated the potentially corrosive powers of water on even thehardest of metals. When Processed, Vitriol breaks down into sulfuricacid and iron oxide, which are the first two arcana or secret ingredients.The Egyptians smelted Iron as far back as 1500 BCE and used ironcompounds in tonics as disinfectants.

(Alchemy Dictionary, Alchemy, Magick, Mysticism, MysticismDictionary, Body Mind and Soul.)

Alchemy: Alchemy is the art and science of Transformation. This is notan easily understood art, because the primal medium of alchemicalexpression is through the use of allegory and mythological symbols,which can be interpreted simultaneously both at a material and aspiritual level.

(Alchemy: Magickal Traditions Dictionary on ALchemy.)

Alchemy: (from the Greek, Chemeia, "Chemistry", the Arabic, AlKimya, "The Chemistry", or the Egyptian, Khemeia, "the Preparationof Black Ore"): A form of ceremonial magick commonly believed to befocused on the Transmutation of base metals into precious metals (e.g.:converting lead to gold). The ultimate goal of the Alchemist is totransform the chaotic primordial First Matter (the Khem) intoperfection; a goal that is accomplished through spiritual enlightenment.

We shall be concerned with the Spiritual Transformative qualities ofeach of these 7 Steps in the Process of Spiritual Transformation.

Psychologically, this represents a further breaking down of the artificialstructures of the Psyche by total immersion in the unconscious, non-rational, feminine or rejected part of our minds. It is for the most part,an unconscious process in which our conscious minds let go of control toallow the surfacing of buried material. It is opening the floodgates andgenerating new energy from the waters held back. Dissolution can beexperienced as "flow," the bliss of being well-used and actively engagedin creative acts without traditional prejudices, personal hang-ups, orestablished hierarchy getting in the way.

Inwardly this represents a further breaking down of the artificialstructures of the psyche and a unifying of the different aspects.Traditionally the approach was such that the initiates conscious mindsmust let go of control, opening the "floodgates" and generating newenergy from the waters held back; again potentially a painful process. Ifthe approach involves deeper integration and alliance of thesubconscious and even the unconscious to a certain degree thenDissolution can be experienced as a flow of bliss. We are not speaking oftraditional psychological therapy but rather a conscious spiritual processavailable now. through Dissolution one becomes more integrated andable to actively engage in creative acts with less personal or culturalprejudice or limited conditioning entering in to the creative process.

Physiologically, Dissolution is the continuance of the kundaliniexperience, the opening-up of energy channels in the body to rechargeand elevate every single cell. Dissolution takes place in the Genital or TinChakra and involves the lungs and spleen.

"Dissolution"- The second circle depicts the black Soul Bird watchi9ngitself undergoing Dissolution literally dissolving before it's eyes in thepowerful force of the unconscious. This internal "water which does notwet the hands" takes the form of dreams, voices, visions and strangefeelings which reveal a less ordered and less rational world existingsimultaneously with our everyday life. Also reflecting back from the poolof Dissolution is the white image of the essence of the Soul Bird which isexposed in this operation....

Just as Calcination works on the mind and ego to destroy deceptions andimpure thoughts, so does Dissolution work on the heart and id to releaseburied emotions that conceal or distort our true nature....

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This Third Section covers the Process of "Separation"

According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word "Separation" isdefined as - The action or state of separating or being separated."Separate"= Move or come apart; make or become detached,disconnected. From Latin: Separat, Separare ' disjoin, divide', from se-'apart' + parare 'prepare'.

Separation is the third of the operations of transformation in alchemy.

Chemically, it is the isolation of the components of Dissolution byfiltration and then discarding any ungenuine or unworthy material. Inthe Arcanum Experiment, Separation is represented by the compoundsodium carbonate, which separates out of water and appears as whitesoda ash on dry lakebeds. The oldest known deposits are in Egypt. Thealchemists sometimes referred to this compound as Natron, which meantthe common tendency in all salts to form solid bodies or precipitates.

Psychologically, this process is the rediscovery of our essence and thereclaiming of dream and visionary "gold" previously rejected by themasculine, rational part of our minds. It is for the most part, a consciousprocess (that has become conscious through the process of Dissolution),in which we review formerly hidden material and decide what to discardand what to reintegrate into our refined personality. Much of thisshadowy material is things we are ashamed of or were taught to hideaway from our parents, churches, and schooling. Separation is letting goof the self-inflicted restraints to our true nature, so our true personalitycan shine through.

Physiologically, Separation is following and controlling the breath in thebody as it works with the forces of Spirit and Soul to give birth to newenergy and physical renewal. Separation begins in the Naval or IronChakra located at the level of the solar plexus.

The third circle shows the operation of Separation in which black,earthbound Soul Bird splits into two white birds that descend to retrievethe saved remains of Calcination and Dissolution. This is the first comingtogether of Soul and Spirit, and the newly acquired vantage point allowsthe discernment of what is worthy of being saved from the two previousoperations. In Psychological terms, the process of Separation retrievesthe frozen energy released from the breaking down of habits andcrystalized thoughts (assumptions, beliefs, and prejudices) and hardenedfeelings (emotional blockages, neuroses and phobias). This misspentenergy is now available to drive our Spiritual Transformation. Abovethis circle is written "Terrae" which means "Of the Earth" and refers tothe real essences and energy being separated out from the dregs ofmatter at this stage...

To summarize, Separation is the letting go of the self-inflicted restraintsto our true nature and saving the hidden essence, which becomes thesubject of the following operations. The essence is made up of the bestparts of our Spirit and Soul, our Mind and Heart. "The Wind Carried ItIn Its Belly," says the Emerald Tablet, and this stage is the application ofthe Element of Air in the work. Separation delivers the retrievedSpiritual Essence safely through the processes of Calcination andDissolution to the First Incarnation, which is Earthly Conjunction.

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Conjunction-A Joining Together.

Conjunction is the fourth of the seven operations of alchemy.

Chemically, it is the recombination of the saved elements fromSeparation into a new substance. In the Arcanum Experiment,Conjunction is symbolized by a Nitrate compound known as cubic-saltpeter or potassium nitrate, which the alchemist called Natron orsimply salt. Blue-colored Natron acid (aqua fortis) was made by mixingpotassium nitrate with sulfuric acid and was used to separate silver fromgold. The inert residue precipitated from the acid during the reactionlike a child being born.

Psychologically, It is empowerment of our true selves, the union of boththe feminine and masculine sides of our personalities into a new beliefsystem or an intuitive state of consciousness. The Union of opposites canalso be seen as the integration of the Conscious and Unconscious aspectsof the Psyche, when combined and in cooperation bring about awholeness that generates the Child of the Union, which, can be seen asthe Hermaphroditic Essence of the True Self which is freed from therestraints of preconditioned and preconceived moral and social beliefs,that have restricted the True Inner Self from being freed. The alchemistreferred to it as the Lesser Stone, and after it is achieved, the adept isable to clearly discern what needs to be done to achieve lastingenlightenment, which is union with the Overself. Often, synchronicitiesbegin to occur that confirm the alchemist is on the right track.

Inwardly this corresponds to the union of both the masculine and

feminine sides of our nature into a unified state of consciousness. Withthis unification comes the potential for direct nonlinear knowing that ismore than intuition; but rather a direct knowing by being able to become"part of" that which would be known; a "grokking".

Physiologically, Conjunction is using the bodies sexual energies forpersonal transformation. Conjunction takes place in the body at the levelof the Heart or Copper Chakra

"The fourth circle depicts the Birds of the Soul the "Anima" and"Spiritus" leaving the earth together, lifting a five-spiked crown (theQuintessence recovered from the preceding operations) into heaven onthe realm of the One Mind. This Conjunction is the turning point of thewhole alchemical process and denotes the change from Forces of (Anima-Soul) in the triangle of the left to the forces of the (Spiritus-Spirit) in thetriangle on the right. Above the circle is inscribed the wordRECTIFICANDO, which means "by rectification" or setting thingsright, and the wings of the Ascended Essence spread over this operationto bless it."

On the personal level, Conjunction is the empowerment of our TrueSelves, the union of both masculine and feminine sides of ourpersonalities into a new belief system that must still be nurtured tosurvive. The alchemist describes this fragile child as a crudehermaphrodite, but alas it grows in strength, The Child of thePhilosophers solidifies into the Lesser Stone, a State of Consciousness inwhich the Initiate is able to clearly discern what needs to be done toachieve lasting enlightenment. This Lesser Stone is often equated withthe Emerald Tablet itself, which every one of us must create anewwithin...

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Fermentation is the Fifth operation in the Alchemy ofTransformation.

Fermentation - The chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria,yeasts, or other microorganisms, especially that which is involved in themaking of beers, wines, and spirits in which sugar is converted to ethylalcohol. 2. Archaic- Agitation and Social Unrest.

Fermentation is a two-stepped process that begins with the putrefactionof the Hermaphroditic "Child" from the Conjunction resulting in thedeath and resurrection to a new level of being. The Fermentation phasethen begins with the introduction of new life into the product ofConjunction to strengthen it and inure its survival.

Chemically, Fermentation is the growth of a Ferment (bacteria) inorganic solutions, such as occurs in the fermenting of milk to producecurds and cheese or in the fermenting of grapes to produce wine. In theArcanum Experiment, the process of Fermentation is represented by acompound called Liquor Hepatis, which is an oily, reddish-brownmixture of ammonia and the rotten-egg-smelling compound hydrogen

sulfide. Egyptian alchemists made ammonia by heating camel dung insealed containers and thought of it as a kind of refined Mercury thatembodied the life force. Liquor Hepatis means "Liquor of the Liver,"which they believed was the seat of the Soul, and the colour theyassociated with the compound was green, the colour of bile. Surprisingly,Liquor Hepatis exudes a wonderful fragrance, and the alchemists made aperfume of it called "Balsam of the Soul."

Psychologically, The Fermentation Process starts with the inspiration ofspiritual power from Above that reanimates, energizes, and enlightensthe alchemist. Out of the blackness of his Putrefaction comes the yellowFerment, which appears like a golden wax flowing out of the fowl matterof the Soul. Its arrival is announced by a brilliant display of colours andmeaningful visions called the "Peacock's Tail." Fermentation can beachieved through various activities that include intense prayer, desire formystical union, breakdown of the personality, transpersonal therapy,psychedelic drugs, and deep meditation. Fermentation is livinginspiration from something totally beyond us.

Fermentation is the rousing or lifting of the "River of Life" through theCrucible of the Heart and into the Throat Chakra. It is expressed asvibratory tones and spoken truths emerging from the Throat or MercuryChakra.

Physiologically, Fermentation is the rousing of living energy (chi orkundalini) in the body to heal and vivify. It is expressed as vibratorytones and spoken truths emerging from the Throat or Mercury Chakra.

"The fifth ray of the Axoth points to the area where the left wing of theAscended Essence touches the standing bird spirit. The ray is with thecipher for the metal copper and the planet Venus. This section is oftencoloured turquoise or green, which is associated with the EmeraldVision... This is the ray of the inspired Spiritual Warrior, the alchemicaladept who has seen the way and wants to tell others of his or herdiscovery and to spread his vision of higher consciousness throughout theworld."

"The fifth circle is under the inscription INVENIES, which means 'YouWill Discover'. This is the operation of Fermentation in which the mysticsubstance forms the ambrosia of the gods, which represents the firstsolidification of the result of Conjoining of Soul andSpirit...Fermentation is the introduction of new life into the Product ofConjunction to completely change its characteristics- that is, tocompletely raise it to a new level of being."

"Fermentation is flooding the mind with meaningful and profoundly realimages from something totally beyond us that lies at the edge of ourpersonal reality. It is like a swinging door between one level ofconsciousness and another, between Soul and Spirit, between Matter andMind."

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Distillation - Purify (a Liquid) by heating it until it vaporizes, thencooling and condensing the vapor and collecting the resulting liquid. 2.Extract a volatile component of (a substance) by heating, often with asolvent. Extract the essential meaning of.

Distillation is the Sixth Major Operation in the Alchemy ofTransformation.

Chemically, it is the boiling and condensation of the fermented solutionto increase its purity, such as takes place in the distilling of wine to makebrandy. In the Arcanum Experiment, distillation is represented by acompound known as Black Pulvis Solaris, which is made by mixing blackantimony with purified sulfur. The two immediately clump together tomake what the alchemists called a "bezoar," a kind of sublimated solidthat forms in the intestines and brain.

Chemically, distillation is the boiling and condensation of the fermentedsolution to increase it's purity, which is why this is known as the whitestage of alchemy. Psychologically, the agitation and sublimation ofpsychic forces is necessary to ensure that no impurities from the ego or idare incorporated into the next and final process. "It Rises From TheEarth to Heaven and Descends Again to Earth" is how the tabletdescribes the operation, which represents the second or higherapplication of the Water element in the tablet. The alchemist thought ofthis phase as working with the heavenly element Mercury to extract andrefashion the metals. The ferment, the soft amalgam or balsam resultingfrom this operation, must be hardened into a Stone before it can be madepermanent, and the final phase of Distillation is a Sublimation in whichthe vapor turns solid, or the Spirit is made Corporeal.

Psychologically, Distillation is the agitation and sublimation of psychicforces is necessary to ensure that no impurities from the inflated ego ordeeply submerged id are incorporated into the next and final stage.Personal Distillation consists of a variety of introspection techniques thatraise the content of the Psyche to the highest level possible. Free fromsentimentality and emotions, cut off even from one's personal identity.Distillation is the purification of the unborn Self - all that we truly areand can be.

Physiologically, Distillation is raising the Life Force repeatedly from thelower regions in the cauldron of the body to the brain (what Orientalalchemists called the Circulation of Light), where it eventually becomes awondrous solidifying light full of power. Distillation is said to culminatein the Third Eye are of the forehead, at the Level of the pituitary andpineal glands, in the Brow or Ajna Silver Chakra.

The important Distillation process is referred to in the Emerald Tablet"It rises from Earth to Heaven, and then descends again to the Earth,and receives Power from Above and from Below. Thus you will have theGlory of the whole world."

"Your feelings and thoughts are the feelings and thoughts of the wholeuniverse." (from The Emerald Tablet by Dennis William Hauck.) Thisstatement describes the process of Distillation, where we become far

more interested in the greater good then merely in our own. It is thetransformational stage where we spiritually and emotionally matureenough to merge with the collective conscious and unconscious withoutbecoming devasted by what we find there. The reason we can keep ourbalance after having arrived at the distillation stage is that the Ego nolonger controls us and we can therefore appreciate the mysteries of thecollective - and personal- shadow material without the ego's intrusion.(The shadow is that part of our consciousness, as well as societies, thatholds the darker, rejected, denied and powerful aspects. It not only holdsdifficult material that sometimes feels demonic in nature, but it also isthe repository of our gifts, talents, and Soul's voice until such time as weare ready to fully take them on.)

Distillation brings the creative out of us. It encourages all that we are tomanifest in balanced and serenely powerful ways. It heralds the entry ofthe influence of the higher forces and the balancing of those forces withthe lower ones, which provide our "groundedness," so crucial towholeness. A distilled person would know that the Soul, rather than theEgo, was now guiding His/Her Life. A distilled person surrenders to thehigher forces while celebrating and honoring the existence of the lowerones. A mystical symbol of this state of consciousness which appears inmany spiritual and religious logos is the images of two triangles, one withits point coming down to either touch or merge into a second trianglewhose point rises up to meet or merge with the other.

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In this seventh and final section of "The 7 Steps In AlchemicalTransformation" I shall endeavor to explain the process of Coagulation.Once again I am attempting to represent the PsychologicalTransformation or Mystical and Spiritual Alchemy rather than thePhysical Transmutation of Baser Metals into Gold. The Process ofTransformation is seen to be one of a series of from four to seven stagesof Transforming the Lower Personality and Baser Self, into Uniying withthe Higher Self or Higher Genius. This Union often occurs after a periodof Breakdown some have called the Union with Kether or the Union ofthe Higher Self with the Lower Self the Seventh Death, called thisbecause the individual loses desire to be in a functioning with the worldin which they sought to be a part of.

There are Three main Abyss crossings reprented in the becoming wholestage and with each of these Crossings there are changes inConsciousness. In ancient times (and in modern occult lodges) theseevents were called Initiations. Today, such initiations can happen"automatically" to people who know nothing of the Western MysteryTraditions or of the ALchemical Transformations, these "automatic"Changes of Consiousness are usually diagnosed by medical men andexperienced by the patient as a Nervous Breakdown or TemporaryPsychosis. The usual symptoms of the First Change or Transformationfrom the brute lower instinct of man to a higher more mentally andemotionally refined man is proceeded with Emotional and MentalUpheavel, usually they can work things out given time, and somerecapitualtions occur almost simultaneously with the Crossing of the

particular abyss.

The Second stage is the "Journey into Self", as Union with the HigherSelf," and is called by Dr. Carl G. Jung "The Process of Individuation."The Third Crossing is only accomplished by those ready to Transitionfrom Life to the Next Life, so the experience being nbeyond mere wordsto relate is something that is best left unspoken until the time of ourPassing.

This Seventh Section is on the Alchemical TransformativeFunction of (Coagulation).

Coagulation- Change to a solid or semi-solid state. From: Latin:Coagulare 'Curdle'.

Coagulation is the Seventh and Final Operation in Alchemy.

Chemically, Coagulation is the precipitation or sublimation of thepurified Ferment from Distillation. In the Arcanum Experiment,Coagulation is represented by a compound called Red Pulvis Solaris,which is a Reddish-Orange Powder of pure Sulfur mixed with theTerapeutic Mercury compound, Red Mercuric Oxide. The name PulvisSolaris means "Powder of The Sun" and the alchemists believed it couldinstantly perfect any substance to which it was added.

Psychologically, Coagulation is first sensed as a new confidence that isbeyond all things, though many experience it as a Second Body ofGolden Coalesced Light, a permanent vehicle of Consciousness thatembodies the highest aspirations and evolutions of the Mind.Coagulation incarnates and releases the Ultima Materia of the Soul, theAstral Body, which the alchemists also referred to as the Greater orPhilospher's Stone. Using the magical Stone, the alchemists believed theycould exist on all levels of reality.

Physiologically, this stage is marked by the release of the Elixir in theblood that rejuvenates the body into a perfect vessel of health. A brainambrosia is said to be released through the interaction of light from thephallic-shaped pineal gland and matter from the vulva of the pituitary.This heavenly food or viaticum both nourishes and energizes the celsswithout any waste products being produced. These physiological andpsychological processes create the Second Body, a body of solid light thatemerges through the Crown or Gold Chakra.

There is said to be a Continuity of Consciousness using the GreaterPhilospher's Stone. From the Emerald Tablet:"Thus you will have the Glory of the Whole World. ALl obscurity will beclear to you. This is the Strong Power of All Powers because itOvercomes Everything Fine and Penetrates Everything Solid."

"The final seventh circle shows an androgynous youth emerging from anopen grave, with the Latin word LAPIDEM, meaning "the Stone," nextto it. This is the stage of Coagulation, in which the Feremented SoulChild of the Conjunction is fused with the sublimated spiritual presence

of Distillation. The resurrection of the soul is accomplished by bringingtogether only the purest essence of our bodies or matter into the Light ofMeditation and Reflection on Life Experiences. It becomes a permanentand always available state of consciousness that embodies the highestaspirations and evolution of mind and is sensed as a new strength ofpersonality to survive any onslaught. In the Mystical sense, this"Turning into Earth" is the realization of the eternal spirit body, oftenconfirmed in an Out-Of- Body Experience.

Coagulation then is the Recombination of Purified and Distilled Fermentof the Lower Personality and Baser Self to admixture in a Union with theHigher Self or the Purified Astral Body or Second Body which whencombined and fused, the whole person is then Conscious to a GreaterDegree of all things both Inner and Outer, both Subjective and Objectivein the Realm of Reality. The Whole Person or Transformed Individual isoperating on All Levels of Existence Simultaneously, and a NewVigourousness and Strength fills them with Light and Life.

Read Article by Mystique Mish - High Priestess of OST

_______________________________Sources:

1. Concise Oxford English Dictionary 11th Edition2. The Alchemy Lab3. Magickal and Mystical Dictionaries4. High Alchemy - http://www.asc-alchemy.com/gold.html5. "The Emerald Tablet - Alchemy for Personal Transformation" by

Dennis William Hauck[pg 158,159,161,162,165, 167]

6. Alchemy Journal Volume 3 no.1 January-February 2002The Alchemy in Spiritual Progress - Distillation, by NancyShandera Ph. D.

© Copyrighted 2005 - 2011 Joseph Dismore - High Priest Helel of the Ordo Sacerdotalvs Templi