Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon my Darlings! Today’s post is all about the nature of Alchemy, true metaphysical Alchemy. Many people think of Alchemy as a pseudo-science that was practiced during the Renaissance with little to no effectiveness. When we think of Alchemy as literally turning lead and other base metals into Gold, then it is ineffective, but true Alchemy is a metaphysical and magickal process that is incredibly potent!
Alchemy in its most basic definition from the Oxford Dictionary is “the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir.” Right there in that definition, we see the word transformation. It is the word transformation that tells us the true nature of Alchemy. Alchemy is the power of transforming one state of being into another!
We perform Alchemy for ourselves by undergoing internal work, especially Shadow Work, which helps us to alchemize pain into strength. We learn to embrace change and evolution with grace through this process of Alchemy. Alchemy via Shadow Work allows us to transform our Shadow into Sovereignty for internal growth and reaping the treasures of embracing our own autonomy! The alchemical process can provide creative growth, as much of the best art is created from pain, which Shadow Work helps us release. I want to acknowledge that Alchemy is found in the Shapeshifting nature of deities like my beloved Matron Goddess Morgan le Fay and my other most beloved Goddess Blodeuwedd which can be related directly to this transformational nature of the alchemical process!
Finally, the last thing I want to say about true Alchemy is that this form of magic can help us align with the liminal. Liminality exists within the transitions and in the in-between, making Alchemy intimately linked with the process of existing in the liminal. In this way, Alchemy is directly tied to the Faery Realms, as all of them are liminal in nature! I hope that you have enjoyed reading my analysis of True Alchemy. Do you find Alchemy to be a magickal science that you would be interested in studying? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Tarot Note: I have a page offering tarot and oracle readings for those interested in these services! I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon! Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/
Further Reading
- Grail Alchemy by Mara Freeman
- The Herbal Alchemist’s Handbook by Karen Harrison
- The Ninefold Way of Avalon by Jhenah Telyndru