The Path of Alchemy - The Magick Moon

The Path of Alchemy Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic by Mark Stavish

Library Journal says this book contains concepts and ideas relevant to any metaphysical path. . . . A concise and practical primer of alchemy that often gives the practice useful context within the continuum of other esoteric disciplines.

Alchemy offers tremendous insight into alternative therapies, new medicines, and the depths of the human mind. Illuminating a truly esoteric practice, Mark Stavish reveals how to create and apply medicines for the soul in this remarkable guide to plant and mineral alchemy.

The Path of Alchemy introduces the history and basic laws of this ancient practice, and explains how it ties into Qabala, tarot, astrology, and the four elements. Safe, modern techniques-based on spagyrics (plant alchemy)-for producing distillations, stones, tinctures, and elixirs are given, along with their uses in physical healing, spiritual growth, psychic experiments, initiation, consecration, spellwork, and more. Each chapter includes meditations, projects, and suggested reading as aids to inner transformation, an equally important aspect of alchemy. Tools, rituals, lunar and solar stones, and the elusive Philosopher's Stone are all covered in this comprehensive guide to alchemy.

A bit about author Mark Stavish
Mark Stavish (Pennsylvania) has been a long-time student of esotericism and is a frequent lecturer on ancient occult knowledge. Founder of the Institute for Hermetic Studies, he is the author of numerous articles on Western esotericism. In 2001 he established the Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the study and practice of Western Esotericism. He has also served as a consultant to print and broadcast media and several documentaries. He holds undergraduate degrees in Theology and Communications and a Master's in Counseling.

The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic was a finalist for the Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Best Magick/Shamanism Book

Editorial Reviews The Path of Alchemy Energetic Healing and the World of Natural Magic

The Path of Alchemy is an insightful, highly practical work, dedicated to the perpetuation of this ancient Art and Science. It promises what Alchemy promises: No Work, no result, as is most certainly the case. Having myself completed all seven years of classes at the Paracelsus Research Society in the mid 1970's to early 1980s under Frater Albertus himself, I highly recommend this book. Its balance between theory and practice are what the sincere Seeker into these Mysteries needs, in order to learn from within, and accomplish in the 'without'. It is the finest piece of writing clear, detailed, eclectically sound, and as complete as any work in this area can be-that I have seen in the past three decades. It is as indispensable as is Frater Albertus own timeless classic, The Alchemist's Handbook.

- Joseph C. Lisiewski, Ph.D., Author of, Ceremonial Magic, Kabbalistic Cycles and the Mastery of Life and Kabbalistic Handbook for the Practicing Magician

The Path of Alchemy lays down a golden thread for the student to follow as a guide into the secretive world of the most arcane art in the Western Inner Tradition, transporting the reader into the actual workings of laboratory alchemy. From the basics of making simple, yet powerful, spiritual and physical medicines from plants, to detailing some of the most closely guarded secrets of mineral alchemy, The Path of Alchemy holds aloft the Lantern of Nature to help illuminate the Novice's path. For those who do the work this book will ignite the spiritual flame within.

John H. Reid III, author of, Alchemical Gnosis, and A Course in Practical Alchemy

Mark Stavish has been a prolific writer on alchemy over the years and this book represents his finest work yet. It is a must for any study of alchemy in understanding the subtle side of its process. He writes with a knowledge and insight that comes from years of experience and yet is presented in an easy to read format. Mark's work is quite unique and is a valuable addition to the various alchemical paradigms that are starting to expand through the literary fields.

Pat Zalewski, author of Golden Dawn Enochian Magick and The Kabbalah of the Golden Dawn

This book contains concepts and ideas relevant to any metaphysical path. . . . A concise and practical primer of alchemy that often gives the practice useful context within the continuum of other esoteric disciplines. Library Journal

Table of Contents: The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic

Contents
Foreword by Russell House xi
Acknowledgments xv
Introduction xvii

One Alchemy: An Introduction to the Royal Art 1
Why Study Alchemy? 1
The Land of Khem: Where It All Began 4
The Key of All Magic: Separating the Gross from the Subtle 5
The Stages of the Great Work and Astrology 6
Qabala and Alchemy: A Fools Journey 8
Qabala 101: Using the Tree of Life with Alchemy 9
Conclusion 13

Two Basic Spagyrics 17
The Three Essentials: Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury 17
The Three Essentials and the Elements 18
Experiments for the Beginning Student of the Art 22
Basic Spagyric Tincture 25
Calcination 28
Meditation: The Basics 35
Alchemical Meditations 36

Three Creating a Plant Stone 41
A Plant Stone: Key to the Astral World 41
The Astral World and Alchemy 42
Lunar Cycles and Alchemy 47
How to Make a Plant Stone 49
Leaching Salts 50
The Stone 52
Sea Salt and Alchemy 55
Suggestions for Study 57

Four Distillation 61
Red Wine and Alchemy 62
Distilling Alcohol from Red Wine 63
Distillation and Creating a Plant Stone 70
Creating an Elixir 72

Five Water Distillation 79
Psychic Experiments with Water 82
Distillation of Water 85
Scented Water and Water Elixirs 86

Six Initiatic Alchemy 91
Initiation 92
How to Make an Ens 97
Using the Ens 99

Seven Physical Health and Healing with Spagyrics 107
Why We Seek Health 107
Problems of Dosage 108
Alchemy and Homeopathy 110
Salt Structures and the Tree of Life 115
Planets, Plants, and Their Healing Qualities 116

Eight Ritual Use of Spagyric Products 127
Inner Tools of Alchemy 127
Ora Et Labora 128
Meditation and Alchemy 132
Ritual Charging of Alchemical Products 135
Holy Blood, Holy Grail 142

Nine The Red and White Stones of Alchemy 147
The Stones of the Royal Art 147
The Role of Saturn in Alchemy 157

Ten Alchemical Symbolism and the Tarot 165
Symbolism: The Language of the Birds 170
Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Astral 172
Alchemical Pathworking 178

Conclusion 183

Appendix A: Planetary Hours 185
Appendix B: The Longevity Formula of Comte de St. Germain 193
Appendix C: The Path of Nicholas Flamel and the
Philosophers Stone 195

Glossary 211

Selected Bibliography 217

Alchemical Reading List and Resources 219

Index 225

Alchemy: One Year Later - A Retrospective Look at a Year of Alchemical Practice and the Lessons Learned
Date: 2006-10-02 By: Mark Stavish

Wisdom is only gained through experience and reflection upon that experience which draws out the lessons it has to offer. A life not reflected upon is a life lived in the shadow of reality. Only by stopping, looking back at where we have started, what we have done, where we are in the present, and how we got here, can we begin to call ourselves wise and Wisdom is the goal of genuine esotericism not power, fame, or title. Wisdom is the fruit of experiences that are understood.

To practice alchemy is to knock on the doors of the Temple of Sophia, of Wisdom, and to pray to enter. One quickly realizes that no matter how hard one knocks, there is nobody on the other side to open the door. It is we who must, individually and through our own free will and accord, push on the door and open it for ourselves. Once inside we find some peculiar and helpful friends waiting, but only once we have taken the responsibility to open the door for ourselves.

This article is a summary of some of my own, as well as other alchemists experiences, that occurred during our first 12 months of practicing spagyrics or plant alchemy. Hopefully they will be useful to aspiring alchemists, and even students of other occult arts and sciences in understanding the path that they have chosen and its potential.

Lessons Learned
Many have found the study of alchemy particularly rewarding, first because of the kind of returns one gets for their investment of time, and second because of the certainty of the results.

Jean Dubuis, the founder of the French qabalistic and alchemical organization The Philosophers of Nature, frequently stated during seminars that Alchemy is the only path that does not lie. By this he meant that in a variety of esoteric, and so called esoteric practices, it is easy to excuse ones failures or lack of results. We hear these excuses all the time: the wrong incense was used, the moon cycles were off, the mood wasn't right, the wrong associations, planets, gods, or Elements were invoked. The list is endless.

However, in alchemy even plant alchemy or spagyrics as it is properly called everything is a learning experience that points towards how we are to approach not only our alchemical operations but also life itself. As Frater Albertus said, All manifestation is accomplished by the utilization of will, which is another term for being alive.

If we have manifestation we have demonstrated that we are truly on a level that not only affects and includes the material, but also precedes and supersedes it. It is the Ouroboros, the serpent eating its tail; the Alpha and the Omega. Alchemy my friend, does not lie, and here are some of its lessons.

Lesson One: I am responsible for my own Becoming.
Alchemy teaches that I and I alone am responsible for myself, my life, my consciousness, and my growth in wisdom, or Becoming as it is called. While others can try to help me along the way, I have to be receptive to their assistance and listen to the voice of experience. At the end of time, when I stand before the Eternal, my answer to the question, Who are you? must be in the words of Victor Hugo, I am freedom. Freely I have entered the Path, freely have I undertaken its challenges, and freely do I share with others what I have learned.

Lesson Two: Nature does not care if I am stupid.
Nature will help me if I am alert to what is happening. I am the handmaid of Nature and assist it in its work just at is assists me in my undertakings but only is I am aware. Nature responds to ones actions as well as intentions. Unlike in ritual magic where an error can be made and the inner essence override the misstep in the ritual, an error can result in ruining all of the work to date. Working directly with material elements means being responsible to material laws as well as psychic ones.

Lesson Three: Energy goes where your true attention is, not where you think it is.
During the distillation of some alcohol off of red wine for use in the making of a spagyric tincture, a fellow alchemist decided to go sit outside and let the process run. To pass the time he decided to send some energy to a small plant near where he was sitting. First some Earth, with no response; then Water with only a slight response; then Air, with better results; and finally Fire; with great results, as well as hearing his distillation explode sending flaming alcohol all over his ceiling. A similar incident occurred to another practitioner of the Art, with him finding a flaming blue liquid allover the ceiling fan in his kitchen. If you are working on an alchemical experiment, stay focused on it until it is complete, or that portion of the process is finished.

Thoughts are things and affect my physical and psychic environment. As such they are not limited only to me, but also impact on those around me.

Lesson Four: Learn the theory before practice.
Alchemy works primarily on the Earth element, and as such, promises nothing quickly. In the host of false promises offered up by a variety of authors and systems, and even self-styled abusers of the word alchemy, the Royal Art stands alone in saying that Illumination can be had, but at a price. The biggest price is time, as skills must be learned, preparations made, notes taken and reviewed, and experiments cataloged. Preparation is the key to success in anything, be it material or psychic. A key element of this was memorizing the Emerald Tablet and accepting it as an outline of the entire alchemical process regardless of other methods taken. It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.

Lesson Five: Make Haste Slowly.
Constantly in the alchemical literature there are references to the work being done slowly, and then, just before it is completed, to increase the heat on a given product, but to do so carefully and diligently, so as not to burn the matter and thereby destroy all of ones efforts just as success is in sight. It is often said that in any project, 80% of the work takes place during the final stages, and in alchemy this is clearly true. Slow, slowly, slower, is the best way to go, with daily attention to the work.

Lesson Six: We must be prepared before we begin the Work.
Preparation is more than just a physical process of making sure the glass is clean, and the proper materials and equipment are available and in working order, it is also an internal process. To be successful in alchemy, or any occult practice aimed at material or psychic manifestations students have to be ready to accept and participate in the process. This means making ones self a perfect vessel by internalizing the steps of process. First intellectually through memorization, and through this, letting them operate internally on our subconscious to organize and direct its energies. Once we have internalized the work in theory, we can begin to use it in external practice. Internalization of the process results in externalization of the process through a successful technique. The devil is in the details. Read, Read, Read, Pray, Work and Read Again.

Lesson Seven: It is Finished!
The Hermetic axiom from the Emerald Tablet states, As Above, So Below; as Below, So Above. Internalization is also Paracelsus statement that we only transmute without what we have first transmuted within. We must pay attention to the still small voice within the voice of Hermes, of our Inner Master as it will respond to our work and teach us in our dreams and meditations. The information will be practical as well as theoretical or symbolic. It is not uncommon to suddenly sense a process is complete when working with the production of plant stones. That is, there is an inner knowing that it is time to move on to the next step. Sometimes this even takes place verbally. Once during the process I heard, I am done and knew that this was my attunement to a plant stone I was working on letting me know the process was complete, even though it was the middle of the afternoon and I as preoccupied with something else all together. Even here however, this inner knowing was checked against reality. Did the plant stone work? Did it do what a plant stone is supposed to do? The proof is in the results, not the wishes, desires, or beliefs, but in the cold hard evidence of an operation that was successful.

(Lesson Eight: You're not an alchemist until you have had at least one explosion.)

In the words of Hermes, That which I have to say about the Operation of the Sun is completed

The book The Path of Alchemy: Energetic Healing & the World of Natural Magic by: Mark Stavish is not a book to be passed over. This is a must have addition for your library packed full of interesting information to better your pursuit into the world of alchemy.

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