§ 9. The Basic Idea of Alchemy.
The famous axiom beloved by every alchemist—"What is above is as
that which is below, and what is below is as that which is
above"—although of quesable{sic} origin, tersely expresses the
basic idea of Alchemy. The alchemists postulated and believed in a very
real sense in the essential unity of the Cosmos. Hence, they held that
there is a correspondence or analogy existing between things spiritual
and things physical, the same laws operating in each realm. As writes
Sendivogius ". . . the Sages have been taught of God that this natural
world is only an image and material copy of a heavenly and spiritual
pattern; that the very existence of this world is based upon the reality
of its celestial archetype; and that God has created it in imitation of
the spiritual and invisible universe, in order that men
might be the better enabled to comprehend His heavenly teaching, and the
wonders of His absolute and ineffable power and wisdom. Thus the Sage
sees heaven reflected in Nature as in a mirror; and he pursues this Art,
not for the sake of gold or silver, but for the love of the knowledge
which it reveals; he jealously conceals it from the sinner and the
scornful, lest the mysteries of heaven should be laid bare to the vulgar
gaze."
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The alchemists held that the metals are one in essence, and
spring from the same seed in the womb of nature, but are not all equally
matured and perfect, gold being the highest product of Nature's powers.
In gold, the alchemist saw a picture of the regenerate man, resplendent
with spiritual beauty, overcoming all temptations and proof against
evil; whilst he regarded lead—the basest of the metals—as typical of
the sinful and unregenerate man, stamped with the hideousness of sin and
easily overcome by temptation and evil; for whilst gold withstood the
action of fire and all known corrosive liquids (save aqua regia
alone), lead was most easily acted upon. We are told that the
Philosopher's Stone, which would bring about the desired grand
transmutation, is of a species with gold itself and purer than the
purest; understood in the mystical sense this means that the
regeneration of man can be effected only by Goodness itself—in terms of
Christian theology, by the Power of the Spirit of Christ. The
Philosopher's Stone was regarded as symbolical of Christ Jesus, and in
this sense we can understand the otherwise incredible powers attributed
to it.
