Index for P.O.N. Seminars 1992 Copyright 1992, 1998, The Philosophers of Nature. All rights reserved. Contact The Philosophers of Nature for further information on the work of Mr. Dubuis. Email:
[email protected]. Web Page: http://www.mcs.net/~alchemy
Safety in Practical Alchemy by Russ House, President, The Philosophers of Nature Foreward: This article is being published on the Virtual Alchemical Library to contribute to the safety of those who are drawn to alchemical experimentation. The Philosophers of Nature has granted permission to the Virtual Alchemical Library to republish excerpts from a transcript of one of our practical seminars. The seminar subject matter emphasized laboratory practice of alchemy, and presented much information on one of the possible solutions for creating an animated mercury. We think it necessary to inform readers of these texts of the grave danger in working with metallic mercury, and other metallic compounds without adequate precaution and experience. The Philosophers of Nature strives to encourage practical experimentation in the Hermetic sciences. In all of our courses, we attempt to identify safety concerns, and to explain their relative risk, so that the individual student can determine whether or not they are presently capable of conducting the experiments that are suggested. Further, we point out, to the extent possible, the means of reducing the risk. For reasons that should be apparent, it is not possible for our association to present an entire course in laboratory technique and safety that would be meaningful for our students. Such information is easily available on the Internet, and in virtually every used bookstore in the form of academic textbooks for chemistry students. However, in some cases, the risk of experimentation is such that we develop supplementary papers to alert students to the dangers. It is imperative that The Philosophers of Nature acts responsibly and takes steps to create an awareness of safety and accountability in the research community. Also, we see it as our responsibility to publish useful research papers that will serve our members today, as well as those who will come after us. This is a delicate balancing act. We consider it necessary to present certain information that will help the student to progressively approach, the Portal of the Temple. On the other hand, some of the experimental work brings with it serious risks. To those who would say that The Philosophers of Nature should not publish this sort of research, I ask this question: "Should we try to stop the distribution of the works of Boyle, Glaser, Newton, the Curies, and Flamel, because of their potential danger?"
Having said this, paths of experimentation using mercury in any form are not suitable for the novice in any case, and are not suitable for even the experienced researcher unless every precaution is taken. Any processes which use metallic mercury or mercury salts (such as chlorides, oxides, sulfides), or ores of mercury are innately dangerous. Further, working with high temperatures to make metallic regulus of antimony exposes the experimenter to risk of severe burns, poisoning from the smoke (primarily antimony oxide particles), and danger of explosion when the nitrates and oxidizable materials are in fusion, or if moisture is accidentally introduced into molten metal. Please do not begin working on such a path without contemplation of the risk, and a genuine assessment of your present level of skill. You must use safety equipment such as goggles plus a face shield, flame resistant clothing, heavy leather shoes, and flame resistant gloves when making regulus. You must also make certain that there is abundant ventilation (that is, work outside) and be certain that the furnace is cold and no longer emitting metallic fumes when brought inside. A hot furnace can start a fire. It is necessary to keep an orderly work area so that danger of tripping over equipment is avoided. Be cautious of your placement of chemicals don’t put a hot spoon into the pan of nitre or mixture for the regulus, for example. Regarding the distillation of mercury... I can not say enough. The vapors of cold mercury are dangerous; when it is being distilled, it is DEADLY! I have not visited any private laboratory that has the proper level of ventilation and safety equipment to permit distillation of mercury indoors. I beg you not to take this warning lightly.
LAB SAFETY: Mercury - A Dangerous Trickster By Russ House The purpose of this paper is to make researchers more aware of the properties of metallic mercury. During our seminars, and in certain of our lessons, mention is made of processes using either mercury or mercury compounds, all of which are toxic. If these materials are misused, particularly over a period of time, they will result in irreversible damage to the health, or in death. The work with animated mercury brings a significant set of problems, which are beyond the scope of this article. First of all, one is distilling amalgam, which creates the potential for exceedingly dangerous levels of mercury vapor in the air. There are, as a result of this danger, issues related to the structural integrity of the equipment used for distillation, which demands airtight seals that do not fuse at the heat of distillation. The processes of washing amalgams, and recovering silver from the ‘doves of Diana’, are examples of other tasks which will require much ingenuity and forethought to accomplish with even marginal levels of safety. The Philosophers of Nature does not suggest that you perform these experiments, and does not suggest that you ever put yourself, your family, or your community at risk through the mishandling of toxic or other dangerous materials. I will state a personal opinion, as well. I believe that each of us is working toward our own realization and ultimate freedom, and that each of us must bear the final responsibility for our own actions and choices. It is part of the mission of The Philosophers of Nature to publish
information responsibly - it is your responsibility to apply this information appropriately and in safety. Mercury in Nature Mercury is an absolutely fascinating metal, which was known to the ancient Chinese and Hindus, and which has been the subject of much interest by alchemists in the both the East and West. Metallic mercury has been found in an Egyptian tomb dating back to 1500 BC. The chief ore is cinnabar (HgS). Today, mercury is extracted from the red mineral cinnabar by roasting the ore in air. Mercury vapor is evolved and then condensed to give the familiar dense, silvery, liquid. Spain and Italy produce about 50% of the world's supply of the metal. Mercury forms alloys called amalgams with most metals, but not iron, nickel or platinum. While mercury occasionally occurs as the native metal in small globules, it more frequently occurs as a crystalline silver amalgam. The word amalgam comes from the Greek, meaning to soften. Mercury literally dissolves other metals and forms an alloy. While most alloys require heat to allow metals to melt and to mix, this is not so with mercury, which will combine with gold, silver, and other metals at room temperature. Hazard Alert Mercury is highly toxic by inhalation (0.05 mg per cubic meter of air) and skin absorption (1 mg per 10 cubic meters). Ceiling values should not be exceeded. The most dangerous forms are as a vapor or in a finely divided state (as caused by a spill or splash). The effects of mercury exposure have long been recognized as hazardous. In Austria, where cinnabar was mined extensively, miner exposure was recognized as a hazard and the number of days per month that miners could work in the mines was limited. This information was recorded as early as the mid 1600’s. The United States government recognized mercury and its compounds as an industrial hazard in the 1800’s. A mercury compound was then used in making felt hats, and hat making was recognized to be a hazardous occupation. The saying, "mad as a hatter" came into being because chronic exposure to mercury and its compounds leads to emotional instability. Dispensing and Storage Mercury should be transferred from one vessel to another over a plastic tray to assure that possible spillage can easily be collected. The metal should be dispensed under a fume hood or, failing that, in a well-ventilated area. Always store mercury in a very heavy duty (heavy walled), seamless, glass or plastic bottle, with tight fitting cap. When mercury must be kept in an open container for any amount of time, laboratory workers will place a shallow layer of water over the top of the metal to inhibit evaporation. Since most researchers only use mercury infrequently, it is possible to store the metal in a heavy-duty bottle placed inside a heavy plastic bag. The bagged bottle is stored in a metal can, the bottle being cushioned with vermiculite. If, then, the container of mercury is involved in fire, or otherwise disturbed, this outer can will act as another barrier to prevent breakage and mercury involvement.
The Effects of Mercury The most dangerous forms of mercury are as a vapor, or in a finely divided state where the maximum surface area of the mercury is exposed. A mercury spill permits hundreds or thousands of minute droplets of mercury to vaporize and contaminate the air. Mercury can generate enough vapor at room temperature to have a very undesirable effect on anyone exposed to the vapor over a period of time. It is important to understand that mercury exposure is a function of the amount of mercury vapor present and, the duration of the exposure. Elevated concentrations of mercury vapor are possible because the vapor pressure of mercury is relatively low. Even at room temperature, the concentration of mercury vapor may be as much as 200 times the threshold limit value (TLV) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Mercury is a virulent poison, readily absorbed through the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, or through unbroken skin. Sir Kenelm Digby, a British alchemist, (1603-1665), reported that, "Mercury is so piercing that if you put it on your great toe and then take a ducat (gold coin) in your mouth, the ducat will get a whitish surface." It is only relatively recently that mercury and its compounds have received publicity as toxic compounds, particularly as environmental pollutants. Mercury has never received the amount of negative publicity, as have other toxic metals such as lead and arsenic. Mercury compounds are retained by tissues and are only slowly eliminated. In 1950, almost 1,000 people were affected by consuming fish from Minamata Bay in Japan. Catalysts containing mercury compounds were used by a local facility to produce plastics, their waste products were being dumped into the bay. The fish in the bay concentrated the contaminant within their tissues until the levels far exceeded those considered hazardous to human health. The symptoms of mercurial poisoning may range from mild gastritis to severe pain with vomiting, and death. Like arsenic and digitalis, mercury is a cumulative toxin, and once it has been absorbed by organic tissue it is difficult to eradicate. It causes damage to the brain and nervous system, causes over stimulation of the glandular system, with resulting overproduction of hormones. It also causes the immune system to be suppressed. Avoiding Cumulative Exposure If you work with mercury to any extent, I would highly recommend obtaining a respirator, which is specifically made for mercury vapor protection. Such can be obtained from a source listed at the end of the article for around $100.00 to $140.00. It is important to make certain that the respirator is worn properly to assure protection. It is unlikely that a single broken thermometer will expose the researcher to life-threatening levels of mercury. Like other heavy metals, however, the effects of mercury are cumulative, since only small amounts of the element can be eliminated at a time by the human organism. For example, numerous thermometers broken and improperly cleaned up over the years could permit accumulation of dangerous levels of the toxic metal in the tissues of the body. Given this danger, every reasonable effort should be made to reduce exposure to mercury. This strategy is the best personal protection for the researcher. One may choose to eliminate the use of mercury thermometers except when a very high degree of accuracy is necessary. Non-mercury
thermometers are not as accurate as mercurial thermometers, however, the latter present no mercury hazard. Any mercury thermometer that drops to the floor and breaks will spread mercury in its most dangerous, finely divided form. Any foot traffic then grinds the mercury into even finer particles, exposing more metal and releasing more mercury vapor. This raises the concentrations to more dangerous levels. Challenges in Cleanup Mercury is nearly 14 times denser than water, and has a high surface tension. However, mercury has such a low viscosity that it will scatter in every direction when spilled, the droplets rolling and bouncing and breaking into dozens of even tinier droplets. Many of these droplets will not be visible to the human eye. The seams between floor tiles or the crevices that are present in any floor covering provide hiding places for these invisible mercury droplets. Surfaces that are apparently free of mercury will harbor microscopic droplets. Vibrations increase vaporization. Smoking in contaminated areas is very hazardous: tamping a cigarette causes mercury to adhere to the tobacco, and when the cigarette is inhaled, the mercury intake is increased. As the mercury is exposed to air, a skin will form over time, which is an oxide of mercury. The tiny droplets are also easily covered with layers of dust, complicating the clean-up process. Dirty mercury does not easily amalgamate with other metals that one may want to use as part of the clean-up process. First Steps in Cleanup In the event of a spill, or if a thermometer is broken, several things should be done at once:
Stop all foot traffic in the vicinity of the spill. Stop further activity in lab until cleanup is complete. While in the area, place plastic bags over the shoes to protect them from contamination. Immediately ventilate the area to provide the highest level of air circulation possible. (Air dilution is part of the solution to a mercury spill). Second Steps in Cleanup
If a large quantity of mercury has been spilled and there are a lot of visible droplets, then mechanical steps are necessary to collect these. Begin by pushing the droplets together to form pools. This must be done without skin contact, and without stirring up dust. The devices then used to pick up the droplets of mercury would best be something like the device shown in the diagram. The water affords a barrier to reduce evaporation of the mercury. If this is not available, a pipette or a glass tube with a finely drawn tip and a vacuum bulb at the other end might be used to pick up each droplet by applying suction, and then release the droplet into a collection bottle. Certainly this is a long and tedious process, but it offers the best means of collecting the visible droplets of mercury. I have had the displeasure of
cleaning up such a spill from the crevice-laden floor of my lab, the cleanup taking just under two hours. It is important to be careful in the cleanup process, since mercury is quite heavy, and will not stay in the pipette as well as water. Before beginning a mercury clean up, it is necessary to remove all jewelry (rings, watches or bracelets) which could possibly come in contact with the spilled mercury. This preliminary stage does not collect all of the mercury, particularly the invisible droplets hidden in the crevices. The purpose of this first step is to collect the largest, most visible droplets, while avoiding the spreading of dust in the area of the spill since the dust will limit the success of the following steps. Third Steps in Cleanup The next step in the collection process is to form an amalgam with the mercury that remains in the crevices of the benchtop or the laboratory floor. Zinc metal dust is recommended to form an amalgam with the mercury. The mercury droplets exposed to zinc will form an amalgam that can be swept up and more readily discarded. The use of the flowers of sulfur has been reported to be almost totally ineffective in combining with the mercury. If, however, there are those who have had good results using sulfur, we would like to hear from them. General experience has been to classify the use of sulfur as ineffective. Devices such as the commercially available mercury collection sponges are effective because zinc metal is woven into the sponge, permitting the mercury to amalgamate with the zinc. One begins this step by sprinkling zinc metal powder extensively in the area where the spill occurred. It is said that zinc metal powder works more effectively in the presence of dilute acetic acid. You may dampen (but not wet) the zinc metal powder with 1/10 normal solution of acetic acid. The zinc dust will expand and make an unpleasant odor. This mixture must not be made up ahead of time and stored, as containers of wet zinc metal powder have been known to explode. It may help to work the zinc into the cracks or pores of the contaminated surface with a broom or brush, if this can be done without risk of dirtying the zinc and the mercury. Dirty mercury simply won’t amalgamate. Wait at least 24 hours for this zinc metal dust to form an amalgam, or at least wait until the zinc metal powder is dry. Then, carefully sweep up this material. If there are many crevices and cracks in the floor which trapped small droplets of mercury that cannot be picked up by the suction device, and which were not entirely recovered by making an amalgam, one may wish to seal over the cracks with a thick covering of floor wax or an aerosol hair spray. The resulting covering will dramatically reduce vaporization. Evaluation of Cleanup Even this process will not get rid of all of the mercury. To see if the levels are now within accepted safety guidelines, one can purchase a hazardous vapor sniffer. To use these, the tiny ends are broken from a detection tube containing specialized indicator chemicals, and a quantitative amount of air from the room environment is drawn through the tube using a calibrated hand pump. The tube is calibrated so that the amount of color developed, is a
quantitative indicator of the amount of mercury vapor present. The measurement is both qualitative (color change) and quantitative (length of color change). Other Concerns A vacuum cleaner should never be used to clean up a mercury spill! Mercury will have a corrosive effect upon metallic components of the vacuum cleaner, but more significantly, the vacuum cleaner literally creates a mercury aerosol which pumps the mercury vapors right back into the room you’re trying to clean up. Mercury’s most dangerous form to human health is as a vapor or in finely divided droplets. There are special vacuum cleaners made specifically for the purpose of handling mercury. These closed system devices include a trap, which collects the mercury and prevents it from re-entering the environment. Special filters are an integral part of such a mercury vacuum and are routinely changed after a specified level of mercury exposure. These vacuums are very expensive and are out of reach for most individuals. Broken mercury thermometers in an oven can flood the lab with dangerous mercury vapor. If a mercury thermometer is broken in a heating device, immediately throw open all windows and provide maximum air ventilation. Even if no mercury is visible in the appliance, the appliance should be transported to a hood or out of doors and operated at full temperature to drive off any residual mercury. Mercury metal cannot be, and should not be disposed of in a landfill, or by placing the metal down a drain. You may wish to consult your local industrial yellow pages to find a firm that accepts the return of mercury for reprocessing. Conclusion Chemophobia is the fear of chemicals. Our intent in this article is to provide more knowledge about mercury - the sort of knowledge that can destroy fear. When used under responsible conditions and controlled by a responsible and well-informed researcher, mercury can be an important part of laboratory research. One can not render mercury safe to work with, but one can create an environment and a sense of caution and responsibility, which will reduce risk. Source for Safety Equipment: Lab Safety Supply, +1 (800) 356-0722. Has extensive catalog of lab and industrial safety equipment, with respirators, mercury spill kits, mercury monitors, and associated equipment. Acknowledgments:
Flinn Fax safety notice, 1987 by Flinn Scientific, Batavia, IL. Chemical Technicians’ Ready Reference Handbook, G. Shugar, R. Shugar, L. Bauman, R. Bauman, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1981. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 65th Edition, CRC Press, 1985. Encouragement and reminders from researchers associated with The Philosophers of Nature. The grim reminder of the occasional accident.
Background Information by Russ House, President, The Philosophers of Nature October 1st through 3rd, 1992 marked the first seminar held by The Philosophers of Nature (then called LPN-USA). Since that time, we have sponsored at least one major seminar annually in the USA. This first seminar of three days duration was held at my home, for about 85 attendees. The lecturers included Jean Dubuis, founder of Les Philosophes des la Nature (LPN), translator Patrice Malézé, Lucile Gerbaut, Yves Arbez, Marc-Gerald Cibard, all of whom traveled to the seminar from France. Etienne Cornaille also attended. I had met these generous people (excluding Patrice) in May, 1992, at a French-language seminar in Canada. During this seminar, I asked them to come to the US and present a practical workshop for our English-speaking members. They immediately accepted the invitation. The topics of the first P.O.N. seminar included esotericism and qabala, as well as spagyrics and mineral alchemy. The latter was focused on the way of animated mercury using antimony regulus, and there were at times three propane-fired furnaces going at full blast in the yard to prepare the regulus. Demonstrations included details of the animated mercury path, including purification of regulus, admixture with silver, and distillation of the amalgams. Butter of antimony was prepared, as well. Details on making plant stones were given, as well as numerous valuable keys regarding crystalization and the evolution of matter. Thanks to the efforts of Anthony House, who painstakingly transcribed these lectures from videotape, you can read here the lectures given by Jean Dubuis and Patrice Malézé. The remaining lectures can not be published at the present time as we do not have the rights to them. NOTE: Les Philosophes des la Nature (LPN) does not exist today. The sole right to distribute all intellectual properties of Mr. Dubuis is managed by myself, and at the present time, English-language and French-language courses created by Mr. Dubuis are distributed through The Philosophers of Nature, headquartered in the US. Mr. Dubuis is a life-member of this association. 1992 P.O.N. (Philosophers of Nature) SEMINAR #1 VIDEO CASSETTE TRANSCRIPT KEY Transcribed by Anthony M. House The contents of the transcription offered here were presented by L.P.N. France from October 1st - 4th, 1992. As a hard copy it's intended to facilitate the scope and approach of the seminar by illustrating and printing the extent of the philosophy and theory lectures shared by L.P.N. France. Please note that the practical demonstrations should be observed not read, so those segments were not replicated. Watch them to learn the technique. Preparation of this transcript proved once again that technicalities of recording such events are demanding, therefore, subjective to the ear. As you'll discover by reading this document, parts of sentences appear to be missing, while other words are in parenthesis connoting the transcriber's notion in the context of the sentence or paragraph. Thus: 3 to 5 or more dashes ----- symbolizes perhaps several words missing that were either difficult to hear or undistinguishable, mainly because of heavy French accent of the translator(s), microphone problems, or outside noise.
Words appearing with parenthesis ( ?) or ( ) with a question mark or without, mean that it sounds like that word but not sure. When an orator points to the wall or screen there are various instances where a close-up would have been desired, however, this was not the case every time. So, the accuracy of the transcriber on these indications will be understandably subjective at best. Perhaps with some astute viewing, you the reader can glean the point and make the connection. One last thing, the booklet of handouts, including illustrations and graphs supplied by L.P.N. France during the seminar is included, interspersed among the transcribed article. In some places it repeats itself, but overall it enhances the oral teaching and allows access to some information not presented orally. Besides, quoting Jean Dubuis "I just make the lectures when I'm inspired, with direct contact, and when I cannot follow the programs of the earth." For the rest, it's only the written word, which can never fully express the Ineffable Voice of the wise Grandfather. Enjoy, Anthony M. House C.H. Seattle, Washington April 1993
Tape #1 Thursday October 1st 1992 P.O.N. Seminar #1
Energies in Alchemy & Qabala - Jean Dubuis Theory - The Metallic Work - Jean Dubuis Theory - Rules for the Work in the Alchemical Laboratory - Jean Dubuis Mendeleiev Table of Elements - Jean Dubuis Tape #2 Friday Oct 2nd, 1992
The Caraway Stone - Jean Dubuis The Elements of Crystals - Jean Dubuis Theory - The Butter of Antimony - Jean Dubuis Distillation of the Animated Mercury - Jean Dubuis The Black Suns - Jean Dubuis A Simple Stone of Eternity via the Caraway Stone - Elements of the Caraway Stone - Patrice Malézé Tape #3 Saturday Oct. 3rd 1992
Stone of Eternity - more about the Plant Work - Horsetail and Hexane - Jean Dubuis The Secret Fire - Jean Dubuis Questions on the secret fire - Jean Dubuis The Becoming of Man - Jean Dubuis Parting Thoughts - Jean Dubuis
Energies in Alchemy & Qabala
Lecturer: Jean Dubuis Translator: Patrice Malézé Commentary by Russ House is indicated as [RH: ...] Before we start this seminar I'd like to say some words on the L.P.N. philosophy. [RH: The L.P.N. was a French-language association founded by Jean Dubuis. It is no longer operative. The Philosophers of Nature is dedicated to the same philosophical and ethical traditions, and presenting the courses of Mr. Dubuis and others.] We are not library alchemists but laboratory alchemists. And in all of these lectures we will give you the means to do the experiments. We will hand out photocopies. Because we believe that if we want to go further in alchemy we must understand perfectly what we are doing. We must keep free of superstitions, but verify experimentally. We think that when you have heard all our explanations, and the experiments and demonstrations that we will be having, you will be able to reproduce the experiments and to explain with certitude not from what people say (claim) but by your own words. We will start with a lecture on energy. During our work we found out that the energies that are involved with alchemy, were the same as the ones used in operative qabala. So in considering this thing we will see teachings from Germany that are some kind of synthesis between alchemy, qabala, or operative magic and astrology. But the so-called astrology for practical reasons in alchemy is set to the planetary genius's probably. We think that we cannot work at random in alchemy. And we will try to explain how to manipulate properly the alchemical energies. First theory, then practice. For reasons of language we will mix both qabala and alchemy first. Because we have been brought to think during accomplishments and works, that qabala explains some kinds of problems properly and alchemy, others. When we look at the text of the Golden Chain of Homer (points to picture on wall) at this picture here, it's in accordance with the qabala. It says that everything that exists comes from one energy and origin and that this energy originates matter but also consciousness and energy. To speak of this energy we will take the names of qabala. This energy starts with level 1, where it suffers and begins, in successive steps, to coagulates to the level of the density of our world and its level of power. It automatically condenses to many levels, we have 1-2-3 here (points to chart) and 1-2-3 here, of these we will speak very little. These levels do not concern alchemy or qabala except beginning on #3. We don't speak of these levels because they have very little influence on the earth work, because they are levels where no space and time occur. The levels consist of alchemy and a bit of chemistry. The job we will be doing will be to consider the nature of these energies of the upper worlds and the upper levels. There is no space or time and energy is unitary. We start in the kingdom of duality. Little by little with coagulation, appears a denser space/time. From this point on every law of nature by conception has a double aspect + and - etc. This part of energy is invisible. For the ordinary consciousness of man only level ten of coagulation is visible. Whatever process you use in alchemy you will always have to go by steps. All these levels of energy exist in everything, in the mineral, vegetable, and man. [RH: The levels conform to the levels in the tree of life. 1 is the most subtle, 10 the most dense. 1 is Kether, 2 is Chockmah, 3 is Binah. At level 3 the first duality as space/time forms as the primary energy coagulates. 4 is Chesed, 5 is Geburah, 6 is Tiphareth, 7 is Netzach, 8 is Hod, 9 is Yesod, and 10 is Malkuth. Malkuth conforms to "the density of our world and its level of power".]
To understand what is coming, that will be spoken of Sunday, we will only lightly speak of certain things, because today is a preparation so that you can understand what we will do, then we will go and do it. Every level constitutes what we call an inner world or a level in the universe. In each of these levels there exists things and elements that exist on the earth level. Energy is in degrees and it can match matter and can act on it, even in very subtle states in form. And when man can match his conscious with a level he sees that in each of these worlds he can live consciously, just like in this world; that rocks and animals exist - and that things are very little different from what people are seeing on this level (10). Except that consciousness has to adapt to the space/time at each level which is the biggest problem that we encounter. In fact the real work of alchemy or qabala and the real initiation is to go up the levels of the conscious of man, up one by one, so as to become conscious of these inner worlds. When dealing with alchemy or qabala it's important to know that the energy comes down always by the same way. It is something you have to remember when you will have complex experiments. Subtle energy in alchemy will be the same way: you will make it come down in the same first way, and in no alchemical experiment can you jump a level. That's the general aspect of energy. These energies have several aspects we can use in alchemy. If we consider the beginning up here (points to chart level 1) it is the origin from which the matter is being carried , both names - depending on the order and when duality appears the energy takes two aspects. An aspect which the ancients called nitre and an aspect called salt. In texts it's twice called salt of the sky and salt of the earth, then this energy divides into two - then appears the four elements on which lots of errors have been made and on which we will try to explain a lot of things. The first (ones) are Air and Fire, they are in fact the spiritual energy that animates things. These are the energies used in alchemy and these energies are totally or nearly totally ignored by the profane sciences. Earth and Water are the energies in the origin of the matter and structure. In alchemical conceptions of principles we consider Fire and Air to form the principle called Sulfur, the principle that animates things. Earth and Water form the principle of Salt - they are the structure of matter. Between the spiritual and matter is an element called Mercury, it is between the symbols Air and Water. Mercury in every kingdom is the element and junction between spirit and matter. We will pause on the alchemical problem, as here there are delicate things to explain. The names of these elements do not mean their aspects. If we want a relatively correct picture of these elements, we must consider the sunlight. It seems white, and when it comes down through the rain or a prism it's a new color. The elements are colors of the primary unity and are included in it - there is an order of power in the elements. Fire is the strongest and in every initiatic or alchemistical process - Fire sets things. [RH: The term 'sets' is used interchangeably with 'determines'. This concept appears again in the lecture on 'Mendeleiev Table of Elements' and in discussions on 'The Secret Fire'. It is an important concept in Alchemy.] The energy goes down by Fire, Air, Water, Earth (Homer chart is reversed for this), these (Earth) elements in man are the body elements. These are the salt - (traditionally?) we have produced a bad note by saying that when we go through death the salt separates from the body. What is said now will be right for man, for the vegetable, for mineral. When the death occurred there was only a transfer of the energy produced (at the time)? This may seem far from real alchemy but we will try to show you by experiment that it is possible to have the elements go up step by step.
[RH: Metallic evolution.] In fact what we will say tomorrow, coming up [RH: though the levels] with the elements of matter, brings back the consciousness of the operator on this same level and he will be conscious of this level. I will now come to a practical aspect. We had a little problem with the 6000 documents. We missed some documents of the alchemical work that will be important to remember, that whatever level we consider we find that in every level there's a series of things. In every level there is a level of consciousness and density, and space/time, and for our chemical work there are basic elements that have a planet related, symbolically or in reality. For instance here is mercury (points to chart at level 8), a metal, a day of the week - Wednesday - a crystal - orthorhombic (Note: Here Patrice says orthorhombic, however, mercury is rhombohedral) - and also a certain number of plants. And when we will speak on Saturday we will spend time to see what metal of ----? Back to our chemical work. In manipulating these energies we will talk a lot on the initiatic stones. Because a vegetable stone allows one much more quickly to have contact with inner levels. For instance we think we will be able to let you have an experience or at least a contact on this level (mercury), and we will explain later why we chose this level. But the vegetable stone only gives temporary experience. To have a definitive experience we must work on the metallic stone. We will explain in detail how we can discover the level(s) of the stones. The stones belonging to the white work will allow one to accomplish contact at these levels (points to chart levels 9 - 8 -7) and the stones that are red allow to initiate these levels (points to same chart, levels 6 - 5- 4 -3), upper levels. We are rather short of time because the program we have for you is long. The consequences of initiation here will be followed (up on?) For us alchemy is a very logical and very --- kind --- and we do not believe in the value of ---because we think that people, as will be explained tomorrow, that people who are not of the proper 'heart', who are not real knights will not succeed in alchemy. That's for tomorrow, and we will explain to you the rules of the laboratory. The second part is, you must have a strong heart. The world was created as it is, and it is not credible to make chemical experiments if we do not understand what we are doing, and if we don't know the ethical reasons based on alchemical rules. We think that during this seminar we will come to some interesting ideas and to make two KEY stones on the alchemical path, and we think that we will explain to you a problem on the metallic work. And Thursday the elements given will allow you to do at least two thirds of the Flamel work. We will speak on the third work but it brings on a bit of a problem. (long break) While it seems illogical, we will start by explaining the metallic work in the laboratory. We are going to be working a lot on it. This will be the first series of basic ideas on it.
