This video introduces the alchemical cosmology as a framework for understanding and organizing life experiences. Phoenix Aurelius explains how the four elements (earth, water, air, fire) correspond to different planes of reality (physical, astral, causal, spiritual) and how the tria prima (sulfur, mercury, salt) represent the soul, spirit, and body. He details alchemical processes like calcination, dissolution, filtration, and distillation, relating them to personal transformation and psychological growth. The video also touches upon the Tree of Life as a map for categorizing experiences and understanding their underlying principles.
This video serves as an introduction to understanding the universe and one's place within it through the lens of alchemical cosmology. It posits that by breaking down experiences and materials into their fundamental components – the four elements and the tria prima – one can gain a deeper understanding of reality and facilitate personal transformation. The core idea is that these alchemical principles are not just for laboratory work but can be applied to all aspects of life, from thoughts and emotions to relationships and environments.
Here's a detailed breakdown:
The video explains the four elements not just as physical states but as dimensions of existence, drawing parallels with Kabbalistic principles:
Earth (Assiah): The Physical Plane
Water (Yetzirah): The Astral Plane
Air (Briah): The Causal Plane
Fire (Atzilut): The Spiritual Plane
The video emphasizes that these dimensions are not strictly separate but fluid, with "gradations" and blending between them, like the etheric field bridging the physical and astral planes.
These are the three fundamental principles that the video explains are present in all matter and can be used to analyze any phenomenon or being:
Sulfur (Soul):
Mercury (Spirit):
Salt (Body):
The video outlines several key alchemical processes and their applications, both in the laboratory and in personal life:
Calcination:
Dissolution:
Filtration:
Evaporation:
Extraction:
Distillation:
Coagulation:
The Tree of Life, with its 10 sephiroth (spheres) and 22 pathways, is presented as a cosmic map or a "filing cabinet" for understanding and categorizing all experiences. Each sephirah and pathway corresponds to specific archetypes, energies, and states of being. By identifying which sephirah an experience relates to, one can better understand its nature and its place within the larger cosmic structure, facilitating a more organized and meaningful approach to life.
The video advocates for integrating this alchemical cosmology into everyday life. It suggests that by understanding these fundamental principles and processes, individuals can approach their challenges not just as random events but as opportunities for purification and transformation, ultimately leading to a richer, more meaningful, and alchemically "gold" life.
In the context of the video, the Causal Plane is described as the dimension where things begin or originate. It's the realm of intention, the blueprint, and the underlying structure from which reality manifests.
Here's a breakdown:
Causal Plane (Briah):
The Meaning of "1's and 0's" (Binary Coding):
In essence, the Causal Plane, as described by the video, is the originating point of reality, a dimension of pure information and intent, analogized by the fundamental binary code of "zeros and ones" that dictate the initial conditions and potential pathways for manifestation.
Let's break down the concept of "1s and 0s" and the seven alchemical processes in more detail.
Think of "1s and 0s" not just as digital code, but as the most basic way to describe the presence or absence, the active or passive state, of any fundamental principle or energy. In the Causal Plane, this is where the initial "decision" or "imprint" is made that will eventually shape reality.
Here are a few ways to visualize this:
On/Off Switch: Imagine a light switch. The "off" position is like a "0" – the potential for light exists, but it's not being expressed. Flipping the switch to "on" is like a "1" – the potential is actualized, and the light is on. The Causal Plane is where these switches are determined.
Yes/No or Presence/Absence: At its most fundamental level, "1" can mean "yes," "present," or "affirmation," while "0" can mean "no," "absent," or "negation." It's about whether a particular quality or energy is present or not present at the root of creation.
Active vs. Passive Potential: Think of it as the fundamental potential for action or reaction. A "1" could be the energy that initiates an action or holds a specific quality, while a "0" could be the state of receptivity or the absence of that particular initiating quality.
Information and Non-Information: The Causal Plane is where information is structured. A "1" represents a piece of information or a specific ordering, while a "0" represents the lack of that specific ordering or a neutral state. It's the raw data before it's compiled into a coherent experience.
In the context of alchemy and the Causal Plane, these "1s and 0s" represent the foundational decisions or imprints that guide the manifestation of reality. It's about the initial sparks of intent that determine the direction and nature of what will later appear in the Astral and Physical planes.
The video mentions seven alchemical processes. While it details the first four for purifying the body and later discusses extraction, distillation, and fermentation for the soul and spirit, here's a more comprehensive look at the generally recognized seven stages, often referred to as the Septem Artes Philosophorum (Seven Arts of the Philosophers):
Calcination (Burning):
Dissolution (Dissolving):
Separation (Filtering):
Conjunction (Joining):
Fermentation (Putrefaction/Fermenting):
Distillation (Purifying):
Coagulation (Solidifying/Fixing):
Let's clarify the difference between conjunction and coagulation and then delve deeper into the planes of reality.
Conjunction (Joining): This is the recombination of purified elements. After separating and refining the various parts of a substance (or oneself), conjunction is the act of bringing them back together. It's about the initial merging of these refined components.
Coagulation (Solidifying/Fixing): This is the final stabilization and embodiment of the purified essence. It's not just joining, but making that union permanent and manifest in a stable form.
Analogy: Imagine you're building a complex sculpture from various materials:
Let's explore the four planes in more detail, using different analogies to help solidify your understanding.
1. The Physical Plane (Earth - Assiah)
2. The Astral Plane (Water - Yetzirah)
3. The Causal Plane (Air - Briah)
Connecting Causal to Astral to Physical:
The video explains this flow:
The "1s and 0s" are the fundamental binary states of potential and actualization within this Causal Plane. A "0" might be an unformed idea, while a "1" is the decision or imprint that sets that idea in motion towards manifestation.
4. The Spiritual Plane (Fire - Atzilut)
These planes are often visualized as nested, with the Spiritual Plane being the highest and most subtle, radiating down into the Causal, then Astral, and finally manifesting in the Physical. Each lower plane is a more dense and specific expression of the planes above it.
This is a great question! Applying the seven alchemical steps to a relatable context can make them much clearer. Let's use the example of overcoming a persistent negative belief about oneself, such as "I am not good enough," and see how the seven alchemical steps might play out both psychologically and literally.
By working through these steps, one can move from a limiting belief to a state of genuine self-worth, much like a base metal is transformed into gold through alchemical processes.
