Hey TJ,
I suggest starting like everything starts: In (your) 'Mind'.
I suggest to see/visualize/conceptualize what it is that you wish to accomplish, in the best possible detail.
It may be a good idea to look for Causes (as opposed to being limited to observable effects), in yourself and in your surroundings, in nature, in life, in everything.
Part of the task is seeking the 'Motor' of the Universe, the invisible Source which is later to be rendered manifest in the Great Work and in Lesser Works.
IME, it starts with training your mind to
'see' like a Philosopher, acquiring
'Hermetic Vision', or as my friend Salazius calls it,
'Virgin Vision'.
I also HIGHLY recommend reading his post
How to... get into the Weird, Wild, Wise, Wide Sacred Science of Alchemy? and the subsequent replies, as well as
his Blog (at least the English parts
).
Then I'd recommend to start reading the 'good books', which I have already linked to earlier on this thread. But not just books about practical (lab) Alchemy.
Books on Hermetic Philosophy (rare), the great philosophers in general, books dealing with fringe/advanced science (non-mainstream), etc...
It can take a lot of time of
simultaneously pursuing the above tasks (and more) until a coherent picture slowly begins to form, and still is subject to continuous change.
In strictly classical/traditional terms, it's a thankless pursuit. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here
Perhaps for one in MANY, there
may come a series of
'aha' moments, when the chips gradually start falling into place and a process of
'Internal Revelation' is initiated.
This is when you start seeing nature and all the books you've read in a new light. It is the
'point' that I would call the
'Beginner Stage'.
This is only my personal
'advice' (for lack of a better term). Your path is probably
'waiting' to meet you somewhere along the road, as it has been patiently waiting for me.
That's all I can come up with for now...
Wishing you back-wind!
