Alchemy, an ancient practice blending elements of chemistry, philosophy, and mysticism, utilizes a rich tapestry of symbols to convey complex spiritual and material concepts. These symbols often serve as metaphors for personal transformation and the quest for enlightenment.
One prominent symbol is the philosopher's stone, representing the ultimate goal of alchemical work: the transmutation of base materials into gold and the attainment of spiritual perfection. This mythical substance embodies the alchemist's aspiration to achieve a higher state of being.
Another significant symbol is the ouroboros, a serpent or dragon eating its own tail. This image signifies eternity, the cyclical nature of the universe, and the concept of continuous renewal and transformation.
Mercury symbolizes the fluidity and volatility of the alchemical process. It represents the mercurial aspect of transformation, highlighting adaptability and the bridging of opposites.
Sol and Luna, the sun and moon, are frequently portrayed as complementary forces in alchemical symbolism. Their union, known as the coniunctio, signifies the harmonious integration of masculine and feminine energies, light and dark, conscious and unconscious aspects of the self.
In the context of cannabis use, alchemists have historically associated the plant with spiritual and transformative properties. The 4th-century alchemist Zosimos of Panopolis, for instance, referenced cannabis in his writings, noting its inclusion in various brews and elixirs. He mentioned that such concoctions could be used for both healing and inducing altered states of consciousness, facilitating spiritual experiences and insights. 
Similarly, medieval alchemists like Heinrich Khunrath incorporated cannabis into their spiritual practices. Khunrath praised the "red resin of the wise," referring to the potent extract of cannabis, highlighting its transformative and enlightening qualities. 
Moreover, in other alchemical traditions, texts such as the Sepher Raziel describe the use of cannabis combined with other herbs like artemisia (wormwood) for magical and divinatory purposes. This combination was believed to facilitate communication with spirits and enhance mystical experiences, underscoring cannabis's role as a conduit to the divine. 
These historical references illustrate that cannabis has been esteemed not merely for its psychoactive effects but also for its perceived ability to aid in spiritual quests and personal transformation, aligning with the broader goals of alchemical practice. However, it's essential to approach such substances with respect and caution, considering both legal and health implications

Alchemical Symbols:

• The Three Primes:

• Sulfur (🜍): Represents the soul, Consciousness, oil, associated with combustibility and volatility.

• Mercury (☿): Embodies the mind, spirit, liquor, symbolizing fluidity and adaptability.

• Salt (🜔): Signifies the body, structured thought, alkaline salt, representing stability and form.
 

• The Four Classical Elements:
• Earth (🜃): Symbolizes solidity, stability, and the material world.
• Air (🜁): Represents intellect, communication, and the breath of life.
• Fire (🜂): Denotes energy, passion, and transformation.
• Water (🜄): Embodies emotion, intuition, and the flow of consciousness.
 

• Seven Visible Planets/ Planetary Metals:
• Sun (☉/☼): Gold, symbolizing purity and perfection.
• Moon (☽): Silver, representing receptivity and reflection.
• Mercury (☿): Quicksilver, denoting fluidity and transformation.
• Venus (♀): Copper, associated with beauty and harmony.
• Mars (♂): Iron, symbolizing strength and aggression.
• Jupiter (♃): Tin, representing expansion and benevolence.
• Saturn (♄): Lead, embodying structure and limitation.

 

• Three Invisible Planets/ Invisible Elements

• Pluto (♇): Represents transformation, inner work, rebirth, and renewal on a spiritual level.

• Neptune (♆): Represents subconscious, dreams, illusions, all things magical and enchanting.

•Uranus (♅): Represents freedom, change, innovation, individuality, catalyst, and the unexpected.

• Prima Materia (🜨): Represents first matter, formless, and undifferentiated base of all matter. 

• Celestial Salt (🜔): Signifies the body, structured thought, and representing stability and form.

• Celestial Niter (🜕): Represents unity of all creation, spiritual realm, and purifying principle.

•Antimony (♁): Represents wild spirit, free spirit, and the primal aspects of the natural world. ​​​

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• The Zodiac/ Alchemical Processes:

Aries (♈︎): March 21-April 19, calcination, burning, and purification.

Taurus (♉︎): April 20-May 20, congelation, freezing, and solidification.

Gemini (♊︎): May 21-June 20, fixation, and permanent.

Cancer (♋︎): June 21-July 22, solution, dissolving, and breaking down.

Leo (♌︎): July 23-August 22, digestion, breaking down, and transforming.

Virgo (♍︎): August 23-September 22, distillation, separating, and purifying.

Libra (♎︎): September 23-October 22, sublimation, changing solid to gas.

Scorpio (♏︎): October 23-November 21, separation, dividing, and isolating.

Sagittarius(♐︎): November 22-December 21, ceration, waxing, and hardening.

Capricorn(♑︎): December 22-January 19, fermentation, putrefaction, and decomposition.

Aquarius(♒︎): January 20-February 18, multiplication, increasing, and expanding.

Pisces (♓︎): February 19-March 20, projection, manifesting, and revealing.

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• Elements, Compounds and other Symbols:​

• Antimony (♁)​                       • Arsenic (🜺)

• Bismuth (🜘)                         • Magnesium (🜯)

• Platinum (☽☉)                             • Sulfur (🜍)

• Brimstone (🜏)                              • Vitriol (🜖)

• Potassium Nitrate (🜕)           • Verdigris (🜨)

• Regulus (🜲/🜳)                     • Alkali (🜶/🜷)

• Marcasite (🜸)                    • Realgar (🜻/🜼)

• Sal Ammoniac (🜹)           • Aqua Fortis (🜅)

• Aqua Regia (🜆/🜇)       • Aqua Vitae (🜈/🜉)

• Amalgam (🝛)                      • Cinnabar (🜓)

• Vinegar (🜊)                   • Auripigment (🜽)

• Tartar (🜿/🝀)                       • Quick Lime (🝁)

• Borax (🝂/🝃)                                  • Alum (🝅)

• Oil (🝆)                                         • Spirit (🝇)

• Tincture (🝈)                                 • Gum (🝉)

• Wax (🝊)                                     • Powder (🝋)

• Calx (🝌)                                           • Tutty (🝍)

• Caput Mortuum (🝎)           • Caduceus (🝐)

• Scepter of Jove (🝏)                • Trident (🝑)

• Lodestone (🝓)                             • Soap (🝔)

• Urine (🝕)                                • Manure (🝖)

• Ash (🝗)                                     • Pot Ash (🝘)

• Brick (🝙)               • Powdered Brick (🝚)

• Sublimation (🝞)               • Precipitate (🝟)

• Distill (🝠)                         • Dissolve (🝡/🝢)

• Purify (🝣)                       • Putrefaction (🝤)

• Quintessence (🜀):       • Stratum (🝜/🝝)

• Zinc (🜌)                                        • Gold (🜚)

• Ceruse (🝨)                     • Sulfuric Acid (🜗)

• Silver (🜛)               • Starred Trident (🝒)

• Rust (🜞)             • Philosopher's Sulfur (🜎)

• Cobalt (🜶)                             • Rock Salt (🜙)

 

• Equipment:

• Crucible (🝥/🝧)         • Alembic(Glass) (🝪)

• Balneum Mariae (🝫)             • Retort (🝭)

• Balneum Vaporis (🝬)                                  

                                                                

• Units:

• Hour (🝮)     • Dram (ʒ)     • Half-Dram (🝲)

• Ounce (℥)      •Half Ounce(🝳)    • Night (🝯)

• Day-Night (🝰) • Month (🝱)                            

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