Notes on Hermeticism
Alchemy
Alchemy (the operation of the Sun): Alchemy is not merely the changing of lead into gold.[48] It is an investigation into the spiritual constitution, or life, of matter and material existence through an application of the mysteries of birth, death, and resurrection.[49] The various stages of chemical distillation and fermentation, among other processes, are aspects of these mysteries that, when applied, quicken nature’s processes in order to bring a natural body to perfection.[50] This perfection is the accomplishment of the magnum opus (Latin for “Great Work”).
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Astrology
Astrology (the operation of the stars): Hermes claims that Zoroaster discovered this part of the wisdom of the whole universe, astrology, and taught it to man.[51] In Hermetic thought, it is likely that the movements of the planets have meaning beyond the laws of physics and actually hold metaphorical value as symbols in the mind of The All, or God. Astrology has influences upon the Earth, but does not dictate our actions, and wisdom is gained when we know what these influences are and how to deal with them.
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Theurgy
Theurgy (the operation of the gods): There are two different types of magic, according to Giovanni Pico della Mirandola’s Apology, completely opposite of each other. The first is Goëtia (Greek: γοητεια), black magic reliant upon an alliance with evil spirits (i.e., demons). The second is Theurgy, divine magic reliant upon an alliance with divine spirits (i.e., angels, archangels, gods).[52]
“Theurgy” translates to “The Science or Art of Divine Works” and is the practical aspect of the Hermetic art of alchemy.[53] Furthermore, alchemy is seen as the “key” to theurgy,[54] the ultimate goal of which is to become united with higher counterparts, leading to the attainment of Divine Consciousness.[53]
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The Twelve Gods of Olympus
Labours of Heracles
12 Alchemic Operations
Astrology Signs
“personified representations of instinctual systems”
Ares
The mighty God of War, violence, and masculinity. Unpopular in Olympus due to his confrontational nature, other Gods turned from him save Aphrodite, who took him for her (not so secret) lover. The pure expression of her femininity seemed the only thing that could calm his rage.
His symbols include the boar, serpent, vulture, spear and shield.
Color: Red
Tarot: Emperor
UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure
REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility
The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical
manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge
your potentials for mastery.
8. Bring Back the Mares of Diomedes
King Diomedes of Thrace trained mares in his village to eat human flesh. Hercules brought help with him to seize the mares. A companion of Hercules, Abderus, was killed by one of the mares. Hercules would bury Abderus and establish the city of Abdera in his honor. Hercules would kill King Diomedes, feed the horses to calm them, and bring the horses back to Eurystheus
A man in Aries has a strong need and desire to start to acquire a form -“let form again be sought” -or on the contrary a strong need to get free from the form and to achieve freedom from the chains of form. In Aries Hercules learns how to fulfill the mantram of the soul “I come forth and from the plane of mind, I rule”, he learns to dominate over his impulsive nature, to finish up the task given, to be humble and patient.
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Aries, the downturned horns of the ram, signifying the coming into manifestation, the involutionary cycle and the experience of the Cardinal Cross as it expresses theWill-to-manifest of God.”[EA:154]
1. Calcination
Reduction of the bodies to their first principles without destruction of their seed virtues.
When discovering the inner self, like in meditation, this is by very nature a reduction of bodily awareness, and becoming more aware of the more subtle energies that are the foundation of our lives.
“Purification by fire”
Chemically, the Calcination process involves heating a substance in a crucible or over an open flame until it is reduced to ashes. In the Arcanum Experiment, Calcination is represented by sulfuric acid, which the alchemists made from a naturally occurring substance called Vitriol. Sulfuric acid is a powerful corrosive that eats away flesh and reacts with all metals except gold.
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According to the Emerald Tablet, “Its father is the Sun.”
- Element: Fire.
- Color: Magenta; Purple-Red
- Planet: Saturn
- Metal: Lead
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Aries: The Ram
(Mar 21-Apr 19)
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In the esoteric tradition Aries represents the fire of the spirit.
In Greek mythology the Golden Ram was the offspring of Poseidon and Theophane, a woman who the god had transformed into a sheep. The Golden Ram had special abilities for as well as being able to talk it could also fly.
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Mars
Works of wrath and vengence; weapon is the sword, figure is the pentagram
Works about basic energy, physical strength, will, self-interest, force, sexual drive, natural vitality
Works against Venus and Moon influences
Competition
Willfulness
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- Animal: Ram, Owl
- Metal: Iron
- Birthstone: Ruby, Sardonyx, Diamond
- Weapon: The Horns
- Egyptian: Anhour (Onouris)
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Gold + Mercury+ Sal Ammoniac
Silver + Common Salt + Alkali Salt
Copper + Common Salt + Sulfur
Iron + Sal Ammoniac + Vinegar
Tin + Antimony
Lead + Mercury
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Actual Calcination
Brought about by actual fire, from wood, coals, or other fuel, raised to a certain temperature.
Potential Calcination
Brought about by potential fire, such as corrosive chemicals; for example, gold was calcined in a reverberatory furnace with mercury and sal ammoniac; silver with common salt and alkali salt; copper with salt and sulfur; iron with sal ammoniac and vinegar; tin with antimony; lead with sulfur; and mercury with aqua fortis.
Philosophical Calcination
Horns, hooves, etc., were hung over boiling water, or other liquor, until they had lost their mucilage, and were easily reducible into powder.
Calcination is a decomposition or breaking down from ego, shame, fear, old paradigms, old patterns, old beliefs, past life trauma, subconscious to conscious trauma into the higher consciousness. This is the beginning stages of the process from lead based ego to gold consciousness, the beginning of one’s Soul Alchemy. Calcination is usually a natural humbling process as we are gradually overcome trials and tribulations of life, though it can be a deliberate surrender of our fiery ignition through self-introspection and self-evaluation from a Soul’s perspective. Most often this happens after one is awakened to the Twin Flame journey. Once wakened, meeting your Twin is eminent, no matter which dynamics, whether in embodiment or not.
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Aphrodite
Goddess of femininity, love, passion, beauty and desire, her name gave use the word ‘aphrodisiac’. Zeus famously wed her to Hephaestus to prevent the other Gods from warring for her hand. Regardless of the forced union, her truest affection is for Ares, the God of War.
Her symbols include the dove, apple, bee, swan, myrtle and rose.
Color: Orange Red
7. Capture the Cretan Bull
Hercules visited the city of Crete where King Minos granted Hercules permission to take this bull away. This bull was destroying the city and scaring the residents. Hercules was able to wrestle the bull to the ground and take him back to Eurystheus.
6. Coagulation
The inseparable union of the fixed and the volatile into one mass that is so fixed that it can withstand the most violent fire, and that it can communicate its fixedness to the metals that it transforms.
Although dissolving and coagulation is a cyclic process, coagulation is often taken in terms of the final fixation of the volatile. in other words, the mind has been refined to such an extent, that the awareness of our divine essence has become permanent, it has become so ‘fixed’ that nothing can throw us off anymore.
Coagulation process is when a new confidence that is beyond all things, though many experience it as a Second Body of Golden Coalesced Light, a permanent vehicle of consciousness that embodies the highest aspirations and evolution of mind. Coagulation incarnates and releases the Ultima Materia of the Soul, the Astral Body, which The Alchemists also referred to as the Greater or Philosopher’s Stone. These physiological and psychological processes create the Second Body, a body of solid light that emerges through the Crown or Gold Chakra. On the planetary level, Coagulation is a return to the Garden of Eden, this time on a higher level in tune with the Divine mind.
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Taurus: The Bull
(Apr 20-May 20)
The persistent provider of the horoscope family, Taurus energy helps us seek security, enjoy earthly pleasures and get the job done.
Venus - Earth
Love philtres,
The girdle
Heptagram
Love, healing,
garden magick, immortality of the soul
Giving and receiving affection
Choice of objects of desire and pleasure
Harmony
Use of talent, acquisition of things of value
Works against Mars influences
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Tarot: Hyerophant
UPRIGHT: Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition,institutions
REVERSED: Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo
Tarot: High Priestess
UPRIGHT: Intuition, sacred knowledge, divine feminine, the subconscious mind
REVERSED: Secrets, disconnected from intuition, withdrawal and silence
Congelation is the process by which something congeals, or thickens. This increase in viscosity can be achieved through a reduction in temperature or through chemical reactions. Sometimes the increase in viscosity is great enough to crystallize or solidify the substance in question.
Animal: Bull
Metal: Copper, Gold
Birthstone: Topaz, Cornelian, Emerald
Weapon: The Labour
Egyptian: Hathor
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Hermes
The Messenger God exists in liminal spaces, occupying the unknown between. He is the lord of communication, commerce, travel, eloquence, diplomacy, thieves and games. He was also a psychopomp, guiding souls to the afterlife.
His symbols include the caduceus, winged sandals, stork and tortoise.
Color: Orange Red
11. Bring the Golden Apples of Hesperides.
Eurystheus had originally given Hercules ten labors to complete, but as two of them were disqualified by Eurystheus, he gave Hercules two more labors to complete. In this labor, Hercules was to steal apples from the garden of Hesperides. Hercules traveled the world in search of the apples and, at the advice of Prometheus, was told to ask Atlas to steal the apples. Hercules held up the heavens and earth while Atlas stole the apples. Atlas requested to take the apples to Eurystheus, and Hercules agreed, to which he asked Atlas to hold the heavens and earth while he adjusted his garments. When Atlas took the heavens and earth back onto his shoulders, Hercules left and returned to Eurystheus to deliver the golden apples.
Fixation
Fixation: fixating the volatile is an ongoing process that starts from the moment of Blackness throughout Whiteness, and with Redness fixation has attained its maximum degree.
Fixation is very similar to coagulation, but it is usually taken in the sense of continuous dissolving and fixation from the very beginning to the end. It is becoming ever more aware of our inner mind and divine essence and making it part of our every day life.
Gemini: The Twins
(May 21-Jun 20)
The most versatile and vibrant horoscope sign, Gemini energy helps us communicate, collaborate and fly our freak flags at full mast.
Mercury - Air
Mercury denotes a person’s mental fluidity and communication skills.
Animal: Magpie
Metal: Quicksilver, Electrum
Birthstone: Tourmaline, Topaz, Agate
Weapon: The Tripod
Egyptian: Sam-taui
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Tarot: Lovers
Artemis
The Goddess of the Moon, hunt, wild and untamed places, archery, and childbirth. Some historians refer to her as the virgin goddess, and some suggest she may have just preferred the fairer sex. Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo.
Her symbols include the Moon, horse, deer, hound, cypress tree and bow and arrow.
- Nature
- Empathy
- Physicality
Color: Orange Yellow
Tarot: The Chariot
3. Capture the Golden Hind
In Greece was the town of Ceryneia where a hind lived. This deer had golden horns and bronze hooves, and was sacred to Artemis, the goddess of hunting and animals; therefore, Hercules would not kill it. Instead, Hercules hunted the deer every day for a year. An opportunity to shoot the deer presented itself, and Hercules took it. On his way home, Hercules encountered Artemis and Apollo and had to explain his reason for apprehending the deer. Hercules told them of his servitude to Eurystheus. Artemis and Apollo agreed to let Hercules take the hind under the condition that Hercules brings the hind back unharmed.
2. Dissolution
Dissolution: the reduction of a body to its primal matter, or elemental principles.
Turning our awareness aware from every life and the physical body towards the inner energies.
The inseparable union of the fixed and the volatile into one mass that is so fixed that it can withstand the most violent fire, and that it can communicate its fixedness to the metals that it transforms.
Although dissolving and coagulation is a cyclic process, coagulation is often taken in terms of the final fixation of the volatile. in other words, the mind has been refined to such an extent, that the awareness of our divine essence has become permanent, it has become so ‘fixed’ that nothing can throw us off anymore.
According to the Emerald Tablet, “Its mother is the Moon.”
- Element: Water
- Color: Light Blue
- Planet: Jupiter
- Metal: Tin
The process of Dissolution is further breakdown of the artificial structures of the psyche by total immersion in the unconscious, the rejected part of our consciousness through form of dreams, voices, visions, and strange feelings, which reveal a less ordered and less rational world existing simultaneously with our everyday life. In this stage, you become aware of your spiritual transformation and begin to surrender to your Soul Alchemy. You begin to train your mind to relinquish control so that buried subconscious trauma and negative energy are released to be dissolved. Your Twin Flame will begin bringing repressed old wounds through mirror effect for you to address and heal. Soul Shock happens in this stage.
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Cancer: The Crab
(June 21-July 22)
The natural nurturer of the horoscope wheel, Cancer energy helps us connect with our feelings, plant deep roots and feather our family nests.
The Moon – Water
The Moon determines our emotional and habitual nature.
Animal: Crab, Turtle, Sphinx
Metal: Silver
Birthstone: Amber, Chalcedony, Ruby
Weapon: The Furnace
Egyptian: Khepri (scarab)
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Apollo
God of the Sun, Apollo illuminates the unknown. His domain includes prophecy, inspiration, the arts, beauty and medicine. Artisans, oracles and doctors all pay tribute in an attempt to earn his favour. Apollo is the twin brother of Artemis.
His symbols include the Sun, bow and arrow, lyre, swan and mouse.
- Fire
- Prophecy
- Healing
Color: Yellow
Tarot: Strength
1. Slay the Nemean Lion
In the town of Nemea, there was an invincible lion that brought devastation and fear to the town. Hercules was ordered to slay the lion and bring back his skin. Hercules was able to use his brute strength and clever bravery to choke the lion to death and bring the skin to Eurystheus.
Digestion
Almost all the operations can be reduced to to the term digestion, because this is what happens during the entire time in the vase. Digestion is basically a term used to make a tincture.
Digestion is transformation from one substance to an other in order to obtain something more useful. Thus the energies encountered in our inner world
Leo: The Lion
(July 23-Aug 22)
The drama queen and regal ruler of the horoscope clan, Leo energy helps us shine, express ourselves boldly and wear our hearts on our sleeves.
The Sun – Fire
Animal: Lion
Metal: Gold
Birthstone: Cat’s Eye, Jasper, Sapphire
Weapon: The Discipline
Egyptian: Horus
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Demeter
Goddess of the harvest, she presides over nature, agriculture and the passing of the seasons. Mother of Persephone, her annual mourning creates the winter. Offerings are made to her to ensure abundance.
Her symbols include the poppy, sheaves of wheat, the cornucopia and pigs.
- Nature
- Empathy
- Decay
Color: Yellow Green
Tarot: Hermit
9. Obtain the Belt of Hippolyta
Queen Hippolyta was a leader of a tribe of warriors and had a leather belt that was given to her by Ares, god of war, as she was the best warrior among all the Amazons. Eurystheus wanted the belt as a gift for his daughter, Admete. When Hercules arrived at the land of the Amazons, Hippolyta came to Hercules and asked why he was there. Truthful, Hercules told Hippolyta that he needed her belt to take back to Eurystheus. Hippolyta agreed to let Hercules have the belt, but not before Hera, disguised as an Amazon warrior, told the tribe that Hercules was there to take Hippolyta. The tribe became apprehensive and dressed in armor as they confronted Hercules. Hercules saw their armor and weapons and assumed Hippolyta had sent her tribe to kill him, so Hercules killed Hippolyta and returned with her belt.
Distillation
When the volatile ascends it has in itself the fixed that will fix the volatile afterwards. It is a continuous circulation.
‘Fixing’ is like holding the awareness. When one becomes aware of the more subtle energies in one mind, by ‘distilling’ the lower everyday consciousness to more subtle consciousness, one needs to hold this higher awareness.
Virgo: The Maiden
(Aug 23-Sep 22)
The masterful helper of the horoscope wheel, Virgo energy teaches us to serve, do impeccable work and prioritize wellbeing—of ourselves, our loved ones and the planet.
Mercury
Animal: Solitary animals
Metal: Platinum
Birthstone: Peridot, Emerald, Sardonyx
Weapon: The Lamp & Wand
Egyptian: Aset (The Virgin Isis)
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Hera
Queen of the Gods, Hera is often portrayed as Zeus’ scorned lover and is known for her clever revenge plots. Her domains include marriage, childbirth and family. She’s particularly inclined to protect women and can be a powerful ally against an unvirtuous opponent.
Her symbols include the peacock, cuckoo, and cow.
- Water
- Discord
- Retribution
Color: Green
Tarot: Justice
4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar
Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring him the wild boar from the mountain of Erymanthos. Hercules visited his friend and centaur, Pholos. The two ate and drank wine, which attracted other centaurs to the cave. Hercules killed the centaurs with his arrows, which would, unfortunately, be the downfall of Pholos. Pholos picked up an arrow and questioned how it was so lethal when he inadvertently dropped the poisoned arrow on his foot and killed himself. Hercules discovered Pholos, buried him, and began hunting the boar. Hercules was able to drive the fearful boar into snow where he captured the boar in a net and brought the boar to Eurystheus
Sublimation
Purification of the matter by means of dissolution and reduction to its principles. It is a purification and making more subtle of all terrestrial and heterogeneous parts, and giving them a perfection from which they were deprived, or rather to release the chains that kept them in prison and prevented them from growing.
Our everyday consciousness is really very immature and limited to conditioned reflexes, instincts, programs. Therefore it needs to be sublimated, being dissolved to its underlying energies, and purifying them, so they can become perfect, which, in essence they already are, but they were obscured by a lot of imputrites.
Libra: The Scales
(Sep 23-Oct 22)
The balanced beautifier of the horoscope family, Libra energy inspires us to seek peace, harmony and cooperation—and to do it with style and grace.
Venus
Metal: Brass
Birthstone: Emerald, Beryl, Opal
Weapon: The Lamp & Wand
Egyptian: Aset (The Virgin Isis)
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Hephaestus
God of the forge, craftsmanship, invention, fire and volcanoes. Hephaestus is a famously unattractive figure, but his skill at the forge has no peer. Husband to the Goddess Aphrodite, he loves her deeply and toils endlessly to win her affection.
His symbols include fire, the anvil, axe, donkey, hammer and tongs.
- Fire
- Enchantment
- Containment
Color: Blue Green
Tarot: Death
2. Slay the Lernean Hydra
Living in the swamp of the town of Lerna was a nine-headed serpent that would terrify the area. The hydra was venomous with one immortal head that could not be killed. Hercules set forth for Lerna with his nephew, Iolaus. With the help of Iolaus, Hercules was able to kill the nine-headed hydra.
3. Separation
The effect of the dissolution of the body by its solvent. This separation happens when the matter becomes black; then the separation of the elements begin. That blackness changes into vapor; this is the earth that becomes water. That water condenses and falls back onto the earth, and makes it white; that whiteness is the air. After whiteness redness comes, that is air that becomes fire. This separation is not different from the dissolution of the body and the coagulation the spirit.
With meditation, awareness separates itself from the bodily consciousness. The first thing you experience when you close your eyes is blackness. When discovering the inner world at the beginning, their energies are like water compared to earth(=body). When refining your inner world, your experience will become more and more subtle, and the Hermetic Philosophers compared this transition in terms of the elements, from earth to water to air to fire.
The process of separation involves rediscovering our authentic self or feelings for a person. In this stage, many things surface up example, anger, frustration, or disappointment towards one another or ourselves. This is the shadow period of the “Dark Night of the Soul,” or self-reflection by reviewing what is hidden material, decision on what needs to be discarded and what to reintegrate into our refined personality. Much of this shadowy material are things we are ashamed of, or deep known or unknown wounded traumas. Rather than reverting to the old habit of dutifully trying to “forgive” or “forget”, you face your dragon and demons here and meet them in the eye.
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Scorpio: The Scorpion
(Oct 23-Nov 21)
The most intense and focused of the horoscope signs, Scorpio energy helps us dive deep, merge our superpowers and form bonds that are built to last.
Pluto/Mars
Radical change in consciousness
Death and resurrection
Endings and beginnings
Achieving spiritual goals
Digging below the surface to reveal what is hidden
Learning secrets
The unconscious
The inner journey
Transformative sexual energy
Psychic energy used to manipulate or control
Can be used to work through self-destructive urges
This is an energy that builds slowly
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Zeus
King of the Gods and ruler of Mount Olympus, Zeus also has a reputation for promiscuity. Lord of the sky, lightning and thunder, he also strongly values law, order and justice.
His symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, bull, scepter, and scales.
- Lighting
- Illusion
- Containment
Color: Light Blue
Tarot: Temperance
6. Defeat the Stymphalian Birds
A huge flock of birds was gathered at the town of Stymphalos, so Eurystheus ordered Hercules to drive the birds away. The birds were fierce man-eaters, so Hercules had to determine how to safely remove the birds from the town. Athena visited Hercules and gave him a noise-making clapper to help him scare the birds away. As the birds flew, Hercules shot them with his bow and arrow, while the remainder flew away from the town.
Incineration
Action where more and more mercury is added to the matter which is becoming sulfur, be it to multiply it, be it to make the perfect elixir.
A term not often used, but applied to the end process, when divine awareness has become totally fixed into the body.
The following three terms relate to a process after the Great Work has been done. It is veiled in very symbolic language, but often it seems that there are talking about physical substances. as very few alchemists have ever completed the Great Work, only they know truly what they are talking about. In general it seems that these adepts are able to use the divine energy and multiply it for the purpose of imbuing other people or substances, for healing and for actual physical transmutation of metals. I am giving you the description from the Dictionnaire mytho-hermétique but as I am not an adept I cannot give you an interpretation.
Sagittarius: The Archer
(Nov 22-Dec 21)
The worldly adventurer of the horoscope wheel, Sagittarius energy inspires us to dream big, chase the impossible and take fearless risks.
Jupiter
Dionysus
God of wine, festivity, ecstasy, madness and resurrection. The youngest figure on Olympus, he finds wisdom in freedom and merriment.
His symbols include the grapevine, cup, large cat, goat and pinecone.
- Nature
- Charms
- Intoxicants
Color: Grey, Brown
Tarot: Devil
12. Capture Cerberus, Guardian of Hades
The twelfth and final task was to capture the beast, Cerberus. Cerberus was a three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld to keep the living world from entering. Knowing that he could not enter the underworld through this entrance, Hercules traveled through a deep cave to enter the underworld. Hercules battled many beasts and monsters throughout the underworld until he reached Hades. Hercules asked Hades if he could take the Cerberus to the surface. Hades agreed, only if Hercules could restrain the beat with his bare hands and no weapons. Hercules was able to subdue the Cerberus and take him to Eurystheus, who demanded he return the Cerberus to the underworld.
9. Fermentation
Which the Philosophers call properly fermentation, is the elixir operation. It does not suffice to complete the big work, to push the work to the red color. The practice of the stone, d’ Espagnet tells us, finishes itself by two operations; the first one consists in creating sulfur, the other is about making the elixir, and this last one is done by fermentation. The projection will be in vain if the stone is not fermented. The work at the red color phase is a sulfur or a very subtle earth, very warm and dry; she hides in her interior very abundant natural fire, that has the virtue to open and to penetrate the metal bodies, and to render them similar them to herself; by which it has gotten the name the name of father and of masculine seed. But from this sulfur it is necessary to create a second one, that next will be able to be multiplied into infinity. This sulfur multiplies itself from the same matter of which it has been created, by adding a small part of the first one, and fermenting this all with the red or white yeast, according to the intention of the Artist.
Capricorn: The Goat
(Dec 22-Jan 19)
The measured master planner of the horoscope family, Capricorn energy teaches us the power of structure and long-term goals.
Saturn
Athena
Goddess of wisdom, handicraft and warfare. Offerings are made to her to entreat her assistance with difficult decisions, to inform the work of tradesmen and to grant victory in battle.
Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.
- Air
- Charm
- Retribution
Color: Blue
Tarot: The Star
5. Clean the Stables of King Augeas
King Augeas had a stable which housed over 1,000 cattle. Hercules approached King Augeas and offered to clean the stables in one day and asked for a tenth of his cattle in return. King Augeas agreed to the terms, under the impression that Hercules would not be able to complete the task. With his quick wits and clever ingenuity, Hercules bore openings in the stables and rerouted the two main rivers, Alpheus and Peneus, to rush through the stables and flush out the waste. Learning that Hercules had been ordered to clean the stables by Eurystheus, King Augeas refused to pay Hercules with one-tenth of his cattle. Hercules took the matter to a judge where the judge determined Hercules should be rewarded for his completion. Hercules returned home where Eurystheus told him that his labor did not count as he had used the rivers to clean the stables, as well as accepted a reward for this labor.
11. Multiplication
Operation of the Great Work during which the powder of projection is being multiplied, be it in quality, or quantity into infinity according to the liking of the Artist. It consists in redoing the already done operation but with more exalted and perfected substances, and not with the previous rough materials. The entire secret, according to a Philosopher, is a physical reduction into mercury and a reduction in its primal matter. to this effect, the philosophers take the matter cooked and prepared by Nature and reduce it into its first matter, or philosophical mercury, from which it was taken.
Aquarius: The Water Bearer
(Jan 20-Feb 18)
The mad scientist and humanitarian of the horoscope wheel, futuristic Aquarius energy helps us innovate and unite for social justice.
Uranus
Poseidon
God of the seas, water, storms and earthquakes. The unknown and terrifying aspects of nature are often this deity’s domain, and offerings were regularly made to placate him and ensure safe journeys.
His symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin, and trident.
- Water
- Empathy
- Weather
Color: Red Violet
Tarot: The Star
10. Obtain the Cattle of Geryon
Hercules had to travel to the island of Erytheia to retrieve the cattle. Along his way, he killed many beasts in order to locate the cattle. Once he located the cattle and began the journey home, bulls within the cattle got loose. Hercules would have to abandon the herd to find the ones that had run away. Hercules finally gathered the herd and took them to Eurystheus who sacrificed the herd of cattle to Hera.
12. Projection
The Hermetic Philosophers call their projection powder, a powder which is the result of their Art, that they project in very small quantity onto the imperfect metals in fusion, by means of which they get transmuted in gold or silver, according to the degree of its perfection. One needs to know that in the projection the entire metal on which one projects the powder, will not transmute completely in silver or gold, if the powder was not well purified before it was thrown in the mix.
Pisces: The Fish
(Feb 19-Mar 20)
The dreamer and healer of the horoscope family, Pisces energy awakens compassion, imagination and artistry, uniting us as one.
Neptune
Source of original images used for the astrology signs: Depositphotos
