Spiritual Techniques

What Is Alchemy?

Just pondering the question of "what is alchemy?" can free your mind and set you on the path of the Great Work.

#7 Podcast Series on the Emerald Tablet

Part 7 of our continuing series on the Emerald Tablet from my book The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation. The book can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Tablet-Alchemy-Personal-Transformation/dp/0140195718
The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.
 

#1 Introduction to Podcast Series on the Emerald Tablet

The Emerald Tablet—an ancient document that contains the essence of the alchemical teachings—has had an important influence on many Western spiritual and religious traditions. Ostensibly concerned with turning base metals into gold, alchemy was in fact dedicated to transforming the lead of self into the gold of spirit. This brilliant history of alchemy traces its sources back to ancient Egypt, and presents alchemy as a useful, practical system of self-transformation. Each of the seven steps of alchemical transformation is explained, with hands-on techniques and exercises, treating alchemy as a living discipline for achieving a spiritual awakening.
from The Emerald Tablet: Alchemy for Personal Transformation (Penguin 1999). Paperback and Kindle editions available on Amazon.

How Alchemists Meditated

Ever wonder how the alchemists meditated? It was an important part of the Great Work in which they combined spirituality and science. In this podcast we review the actual meditations used by alchemists and work through a few of the most popular ones.

Taming the Alchemical Dragons

In this lecture at the Philosophical Research Society of Los Angeles, Dennis William Hauck presents an archetypal journey through the metals and the powerful energies they symbolize. The focus is on transmuting each of the seven metals on a planetary spiral of perfection. This is how the great spiritual alchemists of the Renaissance worked in their efforts to "return to the stars."

The Azoth Meditation

Azoth (áz-oth) is the supreme secret of transformation that contains all things within itself (the "alpha-omega" or "A-Z"). It is also known as the Mercury of the Wise or Universal Cure. The Azoth drawing by Swiss alchemist Basil Valentine (1394-1450) depicts the seven operations of alchemy in a meditative mandala. Further information on the Azoth and a full-size print for meditation can be downloaded from AzothAlchemy.org. 

Guided Alchemical Meditations

In this 1-hour, 20-minute series of meditation, Dennis William Hauck guides the listener through specific meditations for each of the seven operations of alchemy in this powerful recording. From the initial Calcination through Dissolution, Separation, Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation, the final Coagulation, this is your personal guide to changing your body, mind, and soul through the unlimited power of your indwelling spirit. Includes the Grand Meditation that combines all the basic  operations in one extended session.

Great Work Meditation

This 15-minute live meditation was recorded during a workshop in the Francis Bacon auditorium on the Rosicrucian campus in San Jose, California. Also known as the "Grand Meditation," it works through the stages of alchemical transformation that are part of the Great Work of alchemy.