05-20-2011, 03:49 PM
Yes, that is what the Goetia is, well, rather the Goetia is one of the "minor" keys. Interesting to note the number of concepts which come from the word "key". Not just that which opens the gateway, but the specificity of which gateway.
I do believe that is the way it is, the chemical processes typically symbolized the internal processes, the physical reactions being the external reflection. The alchemists believed that metals were very much spiritually evolving entities, going from base metals up in to gold. So the alchemical process of creating gold and do "in a few years what it took nature a thousand", signifies the conscious transmutation of the self as a catalyst. That is, the self-observation, purification and self-creation is a catalyst upon the "natural" spiritual development. Rather, if one was to simply continue time and time again through life without ever consciously seeking the self, you would still eventually reach the same enlightenment, it would simply take a much vaster amount of time.
However, also of note is that the concept of "transmutation" in alchemy is not restricted to European traits. There are a variety of types of chinese alchemy, also particularly Taoist inner alchemy. Also notable that in many ways Kabbalah is one of the "original" alchemies, partially surviving through Gnosticism which survived under the guise of "scientific" alchemy. I have also seen alchemy involving materialization from St. Germain, although I believe he is Orion oriented.
Indeed, the symbolism is what drew me as well! Sacred Geometry also plays a role in alchemical practices.
I do believe that is the way it is, the chemical processes typically symbolized the internal processes, the physical reactions being the external reflection. The alchemists believed that metals were very much spiritually evolving entities, going from base metals up in to gold. So the alchemical process of creating gold and do "in a few years what it took nature a thousand", signifies the conscious transmutation of the self as a catalyst. That is, the self-observation, purification and self-creation is a catalyst upon the "natural" spiritual development. Rather, if one was to simply continue time and time again through life without ever consciously seeking the self, you would still eventually reach the same enlightenment, it would simply take a much vaster amount of time.
However, also of note is that the concept of "transmutation" in alchemy is not restricted to European traits. There are a variety of types of chinese alchemy, also particularly Taoist inner alchemy. Also notable that in many ways Kabbalah is one of the "original" alchemies, partially surviving through Gnosticism which survived under the guise of "scientific" alchemy. I have also seen alchemy involving materialization from St. Germain, although I believe he is Orion oriented.
Indeed, the symbolism is what drew me as well! Sacred Geometry also plays a role in alchemical practices.