Alchemy is perhaps the least understood of all the Hermetic Sciences. This is due, in part, to its complexity. Hundreds of years of intentional misdirection on the part of alchemical adepts have served to veil the mysteries of Alchemy from many who have sought her secrets. Compounding the problem are the numerous works by ignorant, though well-meaning, authors who have contributed nothing to the extant body of alchemical knowledge. In fact, they have largely served to confuse matters. Those whose motivation is not so pure have also written books on Alchemy. They seek to line their own pockets with the gold of the unsuspecting.
It is important to remember,
too, that there are many approaches to the subject of Alchemy. What is
presented here is not the truth but
rather one interpretation of the subject. This is especially true when it comes
to the stages of the alchemical operation. In this post, I present twelve, but
others have offered more or less, depending on their point of view. The point
is not to find some fixed formula to follow to complete the Great Work. Rather,
using the principles of Alchemy, one must ultimately discover and follow his
own path to enlightenment.
