The Enchanted Tarot

Astrology

Enchantments

Alchemy

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During the Dark Ages the true purpose of Alchemy was hidden from the uninitiated who were considered not ready for its knowledge. This is why Alchemy and many other ancient practices whose true purpose was the understanding of the nature of the soul, its development and its relationship to the natural world, were known as "occult" meaning "darkened", "hidden" or "obscured".

What we now call science, astronomy, medicine and even religion all have their most ancient roots in Alchemy, astrology and religious rites and practices borne of the study and worship of Nature. The word "pagan" is derived from the Latin word "pagus" meaning "country". Those who lived in the country and whose everyday experiences put them in direct touch with the rhythms, cycles and teachings of Nature, had little use for theories and dogmas that separated them from Mother Earth. They were branded "Pagans" and persecuted by those in authority.

Alchemists found that they could escape persecution if their abilities were laughed at instead of envied and feared. And so those Alchemy rituals that were allowed to be seen by the uninitiated were often misinterpreted so that Alchemy came to be known primarily as the misguided attempt by mad, would-be sorcerers to turn lead into gold.

But in truth, the "lead" any true alchemist was symbolically trying to transmute was their own imperfect nature and the "gold" they were trying to produce was a symbol for the rare and valuable wisdom associated with their ultimate goal: a "perfected" soul. Alchemists and other practitioners of the occult arts kept the Light of Wisdom and Knowledge alive through the centuries when knowledge itself was threatened with extinction by the forces of ignorance and fear.

Somewhere along the way, in the 1600's and the so-called "Age of Enlightenment", the true purpose of Alchemy itself - the process of improving ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually - was forgotten. Freed somewhat from having to defend themselves against ignorant people and their laws, those who had benefitted from The Enchanted Alchemists' knowledge desired to study and understand the laws of nature even further. But many also wanted to distance themselves from the ridiculous practices that had come to be associated with the popular conception of Alchemy.

And so they called themselves "chemists" to distinguish themselves from the ancient art that had given birth to their new "science". In this way they were like the astronomers who took great pains to distance themselves from the equally ancient art that was the origin of their celestial knowledge: Astrology. These new "scientists" forgot that without paying equal attention to the study, understanding and perfection of our interior universe, all attempts at trying to study and understand the outer universe and to use this knowledge to make our lives better are doomed to failure.

One of the most basic rules of Alchemy is "Nature contains nature; nature takes delight in nature; and nature can overcome nature."

With these simple words, Alchemy reminds us that, just as Mother Nature contains us, our human nature contains not only the Four Elements that make up all of Mother Nature, but the Divine Spirit that animates all of the natural world. As we take delight in nature so does nature delight in our existence when we are in harmony with its laws. And as the immeasurable forces of the Four Elements can often overcome us, our human nature can and does overcome nature's challenges to us when we are respectfully attentive to our environment.

Our problems today are caused largely by the psychological consequences of too many people being ignorant of the inseparable connection between our inner and our outer universe. We have created a "modern" world of spectacular technology that is in the hands of people who are out of touch with their ability to enjoy the simple gift of their being. They are so concerned about the results they are looking forward to that they have lost the ability to live in and be aware of what they are doing in the present moment, the only time that really exists. Unable to enjoy what they have, even when they get what they have been longing for, they are unable to enjoy it. The habit of looking ahead has taken control.

But Mother Nature lives only in the moment. The balance between Mother Nature and our human nature must be restored. We have reached a point where Mother Nature threatens to overcome human nature on many levels.

Alchemists have always known that understanding Life, like discovering chemical formulas, is an experimental process. To unlock the secrets of the material world and create something that has never been before requires that we have a goal in mind and the persistence and patience to stick with our process until we find what we seek.

Temple of Incarnation ETHER		Air