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The practice of alchemy; the spiritual science of transformation on all levels of reality. Handed down to humanity by Thoth in ancient Egypt via the Emerald Tablet and disseminated through the ages into nearly every major culture (the Arabs, the Chinese, the Greeks and Romans, the Europeans). The main goal of alchemy is to achieve perfection, both for yourself and for reality, on all of the three levels of physical, mental, and spiritual.

The basic process of alchemy, cryptically demonstrated in the Emerald Tablet, is a seven step transformation that corresponds with the seven metals of Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, Mercury, Silver, and Gold (in that order). There is a lot of symbolism in alchemy as can be seen in the various medieval texts and illustrations. The seven basic processes in alchemy are: Calcination, Distillation, Separation, Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation (in that order).

The aforementioned seven step process culminates in the formation of the Philosopher's Stone. The ultimate goal of the Great Work, with the power to perfect all things and granting the ability to know all things. Certainly a lofty goal to strive for.

The Chinese, primarily the Taoist alchemists, focused more on the internal alchemy, or perfection of the mind, spirit, and to some extent the body. This can be seen in the practice of Qi Gong which works with the First Matter of the body, health or chi. The Medieval European alchemists however are famous for the pursuit of Gold. Gold is the symbol of perfection and of completion of the Work. While the "puffers" were seeking literal material gold through the pursuit of the Art, they were ultimately deceived of the true purpose of this so-called "spiritual technology"; perfection of the self and all of reality, not just of the base metals to produce gold.

It's argued that now with the advent of modern chemistry that alchemy is an outdated pseudoscience. I find this to be far from the truth. Alchemy was not solely about the transmutation of metals but of the transmutation of the self. It is a way to enlightenment and transformation. Some say it can even lead to immortality.

So, I guess the purpose of this thread is to discuss the very broad topic of alchemy, it's practices, traditions, famous practitioners, personal experiences, and personal opinions on the Great Work.

References:

The Emerald Tablet: http://www.alchemylab.com/emerald_tablet.htm

Tabula Smaragdina: http://www.alchemylab.com/smaragdina.htm

Azoth of the Philosophers: http://www.alchemylab.com/azoth.htm

All this stuff does is remind me of Promethean: The Created by White Wolf.

I don't exactly believe in perfection, so I'm not sure if this would be right for me. It's definitely been interesting, and I've been looking to study it whenever I find a really good use for it, but I just don't think "perfect" is a definition I'd like to adhere to.

Howso? I'm curious as to how a practice could be 'corrupt' beyond a matter of opinion.

On the issue of corruption in alchemy: I'm sure there are unscrupulous people who practice alchemy, just as there were several people in Medieval Europe who wanted nothing more than the secret of making gold.

It sort of ties into the Ouroboros figure of the snake eating it's own tale. Everything began from a common source and thus will return to that same source, at least in that mode of thinking.

There's really no escaping that you're already a part of the Source as there can be nothing outside of All That Is. I hope that makes sense. Even if we don't "return to the Source" in a literal sense, we're already a part of the Source in some way.