Where to Begin?

[Andro]

Hmmm.... what about the modern author Jean Dubuis (PON)? Is he a useful source?

Never got into his materials, so I can't say.

I can't speak about all of them, only those I've read and followed.

 

[Krisztian]

If I'm not mistaken I believe Bartlett said in his book "Practical Alchemy" that he studied under Albertus, . . .

What's given on the outside, is not what's established in the inner circles. That is to be true for all egregore and understreams in Initiatory circles.

Bartlett was probably asked to write book. Didn't want to betray Albertus' Tradition, so hid aspects of the works listed.

Such things are true today as was in Old Times.

. . . . and he [Albertus] was greatly influential in Bartlett's work.

True traditions don't teach to follow. They teach to align with, connect with, your Higher Self (or, whatever synonym one wants to apply).

 

[DonSweet]

Andro...

Good points in your longer post, particularly about Higher Alchemy.

I may be a bit unusual (but complimentary to your point) in my approach based on my history. One thing I'm seeing, both historically and current, is that Alchemy can be followed/utilized as a primary (or initial) path to Enlightenment.

In my case, I've sought Enlightenment elsewhere, meaning outside the lab, for a number of decades. But having been in the lab at an early age, I'm now cycling back to it to deepen my Experience. I now seek to see how Alchemical laboratory processes may parallel what I have learned elsewhere, in both physical terms and esoterically.

Elsewhere in the forum I have alluded (<--- finally used correctly) to the fact that Life is a sophisticated amusement park ride. Expanding on that thought, another thing I have said [elsewhere] is that we are born into Ignorance -- a Profound and Sacred Ignorance -- and are challenged to find our way to Enlightenment.

With my explorations outside the lab I have developed observations about this [sacred, profound] Experience, but now seek to understand the actual, factual, mechanical but Universal Processes of Manifestation that actually occur on the various Planes of Existence I have come to understand (or do not yet understand). And that "Existence" can be outside the five-senses four-dimensional vibrational plane (four-dimensional plane defined as height, width, depth and time).

The point being that manifestations that may take place in the lab may have parallels to manifestations that are observable through other lenses ... and my use of the word "may" implying that all of this is taking place from my personal point of observation. What may be factual and actual has yet to be observed and experienced by me, personally ... which defines the process as my own Path to Enlightenment.

This also supports the idea that no two paths are the same, nor can they be. The only thing that can unite them is the "end state" of Enlightenment.

The Universe "is."

It's up to each of us, individually, to discover what that "is" is, regardless of how long, painful, tedious, contradictory, convoluted, complimentary or joyful the Journey might be.

 

[Andro]

The Universe "is."

The Universe simultaneously "is" and "isn't".

I consider this to be a major (internal, but possibly also externally triggered) realization/revelation concerning the Prime Paradox of Genesis, and important in the Great Work.

I may/will further expand briefly on this topic, in the short presentation I am currently working on.

 

[DonSweet]

Oh, I completely agree.

Could be termed as The Greatest Paradox.

Or.

Sacred Duality.

Or.

The Eternal Cycle.

Or.

The Unity of Opposites.

Take your pick.

 

[Andro]

The Prime Paradox of Genesis

Now that I read it back, this pretty much 'answers' the 'question' this thread poses... 'Where to begin'

 

[Axismundi000]

Never got into his materials, so I can't say.

You post in 2010 about referring to PON material identifying hexane is needed to extract horsetail but that you would try acetone first, perhaps you forgot. How did this go, is this what put you off the Bartlett and Albertus material? Dubuis stuff is along similar lines I think.

 

[Andro]

You post in 2010 about referring to PON material identifying hexane is needed to extract horsetail but that you would try acetone first, perhaps you forgot.

I only remember doing an acorn tincture experiment (as an alternative to mistletoe, which I think was given by Dubuis), but no hexane/acetone, just SV and also a variation with ether.
I found this 'recipe' isolated on the Internet, not from working with the PON materials. I never studied those materials or worked with them.

I don't recall posting anything about horsetail extraction with hexane/acetone, let alone ever working with these matters - could you please point me to where I allegedly posted it?

EDIT: I just looked it up, it was Solomon Levi, not me who posted about this.
___________________________________________________________

Anyway, the acorn extraction was quite unimpressive, to put it mildly.

I had much better (and clearly noticeable) healing results with self-styled basic (low-level) Spagyrics with Hemp and Melissa (for example).

High Level Spagyria (like some of the Paracelsus works, as Krisztian posted elsewhere) is a whole different territory.

How did this go, is this what put you off the Bartlett and Albertus material? Dubuis stuff is along similar lines I think.

I'm not familiar with Dubuis and his teachings, but I did experiment with Bartlett, back when I was in 'recipe' mode. I think his 'Real Alchemy' is the first Alchemy book I ever bought.
Nothing outstanding came of any of those experiments, as the various spirits/salts/agents mentioned in Bartlett's works are lacking/missing several very important keys, without which the experiments have no real value other than becoming accustomed with basic laboratory instruments and practice, to which I was new at the time. It all seems like lifetimes ago now... And I really don't know if he left those keys out on purpose or simply doesn't/didn't know - and I certainly don't want to make assumptions about it.

Albertus is a somewhat different story ('Inner Circle' level), which I am not at liberty to discuss. And he was also 'before my time'.

 

[Axismundi000]

Sorry for my error about who posted what.

Whilst I understand why people want to keep secrets about Alchemy. A lot of stuff that was once Alchemy is now applied through chemistry to warfare. I personally agree with Dubuis's writing where he clearly asserts that it (Alchemy) should all be published and generally available. This can be found in the forewords to the late Jean Dubuis various volumes that can be downloaded as free pdf's. The Novice level plant work at least is do-able solo and without being privy to any 'inner teachings'. As for the more advanced stuff, I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I am more then willing to listen to those wiser them myself. However 'inner circles' can stick their pontificating were the sun does not shine.

 

[Ghislain]

I have often pondered about the secrecy of Alchemy, but I think it is the path that is important not the destination and thus if people were to write shortcuts they would be doing an injustice as it would detract from the initial purpose, which is to travel the path.

Also it may be a case of putting a dangerous tool in the hands of the novice, you don't give children guns; well some do, as in third world infighting, but I'm sure most would agree that it is not a good idea; for those with the guns as well as those they get pointed at.

Ghislain

 

[Andro]

Sorry for my error about who posted what.

I suppose it's my turn to apologize for apparently not expressing myself clearly enough.

In the Albertus context, I was referring to his 'inner circle' of closer acquaintances, as many people have such circles. It is an issue which includes aspects of a more personal nature.

This is not to be confused with the 'Inner Circles' of Wisdom and the natural Hierarchies (and Orbits) of the perceived Universe & Reality.

There has always been the Exoteric for the multitude and the Esoteric for the few. It is the Earth that orbits the Sun and the Moon which orbits Earth.

It only takes a comparison between the Exoteric Bible and the Gnostic Gospels, for example. The Exoteric (OUTER circle) is designed to keep the masses in check under one 'divine' (yet personified & anthropomorphized) 'authority', have them make babies and basically keep them from killing/hurting each other. The Esoteric, on the other hand, tells a quite different/deeper story. But you go and try to explain to someone the concept of "making the male like the female and the female like the male" (for example). That should do the trick is assisting one to understand (first hand) the "Inner Circles" of Wisdom.

There are Circles and Orbits everywhere. In nature, in the Celestial Bodies and in people as well. Some circles are more "inner" than others. Way it goes. Like throwing a stone in the water.

I am more then willing to listen to those wiser them myself.

Just out of curiosity, have you met/heard many such people?

What would you say would be the ratio of 'more wise' to 'less wise' (than yourself) people in your life?

However 'inner circles' can stick their pontificating were the sun does not shine.

Quoth Chemical Moonshine:

The Philosophers have a Garden, wherein the Sun is without ceasing, morning an evening, Day and Night always.

Now, more specifically to the topic of this thread, in my understanding we are entering any perceived reality in a certain 'Orbit', particular to each individual.

Most people are content with learning to handle the tasks and experiences particular to their given 'Orbit', and have close to no actual drive to 'jump orbits' or to 'spiral in' towards Center.

Those who actually take on a spiral, are consciously approaching/entering more 'inner' orbits/circles.

This is a process of Initiation, which is usually triggered both by the innate internal drive/motivation and by factors perceived as 'external'.

The Center, when (not 'if') reached, is the gateway to the next level.

This process happens on its own anyway, naturally but at what may be perceived as a relatively 'slow' pace.

This is one reason I am so fond of referring to Alchemy as a means to 'accelerated evolution'.

So, again, 'where to begin'... We begin in our given orbits/circles. Not everyone enters the same orbit.

Some enter closer, some farther, depending on various factors. Some more 'inner circle', some more 'outer circle' (relatively).

The 'Entry Orbit' is not THE deciding factor for finding The Exit.

Some enter 'farther', and jump more 'orbits'/'circles' in a lifetime than it takes others who enter 'closer' to jump in many lifetimes.

The Inner Circles of Wisdom do not pontificate. The more common 'inner circles' of the orbit-bound, however, can surely do so, loud and often.

 

[Rhoend]

Hello,
My advice is to observe nature. See how it works. As things occur and die. And there know how to proceed. Do not search books. Imagine that the first alchemist in the world had no books, only his eyes. It observed. It observed. And it said.
Welcome.

 

[tAlc]

Stop exploring other things before you finished exploring yourself. Know yourself thoroughly. Creation is no accident, and I believe if you are destined for the Elixir it will happen. Don't waste effort trying because if it happens it will happen but you will do your best being diligent, patient and devoted even if it means all through life.

 

[Andro]

My suggestions as to "where to begin":

1. Start with reading the Emerald Tablet and the Golden Chain of Homer, Part 1 and Part 2 (direct PDF downloads). Or the RAMS version HERE. Read it thoroughly. Read it multiple times. Then read it again some more.

2. Do at least the simple experiment with fermenting/putrefying dew or rainwater, as outlined in the Golden Chain of Homer.

Just doing those two things will literally give you most (if not all) the necessary Keys to open the Doors of understanding to all good alchemical texts and practices.

3. Do not hurry to invest lots of money in lab equipment. Start with simple, commonly available items, such as Mason Jars, corked bottles and even some demijohns. A cheap but stable heat source will also be indispensable, such as a kitchen hotplate with the option of low temperature settings. Once you have a hypothesis, you may expand, SLOWLY.

4. Principles before recipes, ALWAYS.

5. Some may be inclined to passively wait for "THE RECIPE" to be openly revealed before they put their hands to matter. Others may be inclined to invoke some discarnate entities to "slip them the answers". My advice is: Don't hold your breath. Read, re-read, work, and then read some more. It's ALL in/out there.

Good luck.

 

[Illen A. Cluf]

My suggestions as to "where to begin":

1. Start with reading the Emerald Tablet and the Golden Chain of Homer, Part 1 and Part 2 (direct PDF downloads). Or the RAMS version HERE. Read it thoroughly. Read it multiple times. Then read it again some more.

There's also an important Part 3 (Translated by Via Veritatis).

 

[Andro]

There's also an important Part 3 (Translated by Via Veritatis).

I haven't read it, so I can't recommend it for beginners. A quick online search only brought up Kindle versions.

 

[Illen A. Cluf]

I haven't read it, so I can't recommend it for beginners. A quick online search only brought up Kindle versions.

Yes, that's the one (it is (was?) very inexpensive, only $9.99):

https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Chain-Homer-Catena-Homeri-ebook/dp/B07H2LT5RX

"Here is presented, for the first time in the English language, the much prized Third Part of The Golden Chain of Homer. It concerns an anonymous book associated with the same author as that of the famous and well-known Aurea Catena Homeri. In many respects it could be considered the most significant part. It presents a broad range of alchemical doctrines and practices for accomplishing various tinctures and philosophical products, both by the Long Way as well as the Short Way, either by an undetermined matter or by many determined matters from the metallic kingdom, all based on the solid foundations of Alchemy."

"It should be noted that this Third Part from 1654 is different than the version that was made available on the Alchemy Website."

 

[Andro]

Yeah, I don't do Kindle. Must be a hard copy. Or at least a PDF, which I can print out...

 

[Illen A. Cluf]

See Message Number 6:

https://alchemyforums.com/index.php?threads/golden-chain-of-homer-third-part-english.5785/

 

[Andro]

Yeah...

Are there any plans to publish this in book form? I always find it difficult to read many pages of electronic text.

This message doesn't appear to have received any reply...

 

[Illen A. Cluf]

This message doesn't appear to have received any reply...

No, I was hoping at the time that it would be published in book form. @Via Veritatis is an active member of this forum - maybe he can verify whether or it was/will be in book form.

 

[Via Veritatis]

No, I was hoping at the time that it would be published in book form. @Via Veritatis is an active member of this forum - maybe he can verify whether or it was/will be in book form.

Hi @Illen A. Cluf !

Unfortunately, as far as I know, the publisher preferred to publish it only in digital format.

In book format I only know the French version from Sesheta Publication.

 

[Illen A. Cluf]

Hi @Illen A. Cluf !

Unfortunately, as far as I know, the publisher preferred to publish it only in digital format.

In book format I only know the French version from Sesheta Publication.

Hi V.V.

That's unfortunate. I read the digital version and felt that it was very well done. It deserves to be in a book format.