The root of chemistry is alchemy, the 'art of the dark earth'. I find this extremely beautiful and poetic;
Alchemy and it's child, chemistry carry their meaning from the Egyptian work 'Khem', which, according to th University of Bristol School of Chemistry's website, "was used in reference to the fertility of the flood plains around the Nile."
The earth, our Mother, Mater... is the ever fertile dark earth = dark matter. Symbolically, and perhaps quite literally, dark matter is the inner and non-physical aspects of reality which is in constant and unending fluctuation and transformation. We study the universe to understand ourselves. The sciences/arts of alchemy and chemistry are the creative and intellectual pursuits of knowledge and understanding; alchemy being the more subtle/symbolic/spiritual expression (more yang within yin), while chemistry is the more intellectual/material/rationalist approach to the same understanding and yearning (more yin within yang). No matter how we go about and eventually explain our experience of searching for knowledge, we explore in the darkness filled with light through our energetic mind/body/spirit aspects.
Please enjoy this living alchemical video that is, in many ways, the inner spiritual-scientific process of transmuting energies within ourselves:
The dual nature of reality, so rooted and basic to many of the Eastern Philosophies and their applications (such as Traditional Oriental Medicine), is understood in the tradition of alchemy and explained through the symbols of the Sun and the Moon;
"The first way of knowing is the rational, deductive, argumentative, intellectual thinking that is the hallmark of science and our patriarchal Western culture. The alchemists called this kind of consciousness Solar and assigned it many code words, such as the Sun, Fire, Sophic Sulfur, the King, the Father, Spirit, and ultimately, the One Mind of the universe. Throughout this website, whenever the material involves left-brain activity like lists, linear thought, schematics, formulae, arguments and logic, the icon used will be the Sun symbol to the left." (1)
"The alchemists called the other way of knowing Lunar. This intelligence of the heart is a non-linear, image-driven, intuitive way of thinking that is an accepted tool of the arts and religion. Among its many symbols are the Moon, Water, Sophic Salt, the Queen, the Holy Ghost, Soul, and ultimately, the One Thing of the universe. Throughout this website, whenever the material involves right-brain activity dealing with drawings, paintings, mandalas, symbols, music, and meditation, the icon used will be the Moon symbol to the left [on their website]." (2)
In my experience, the more balanced and poetic knowledge systems have a fuller and deeper understanding of reality. This is part of what attracts me to Eastern medicines and philosophies, as well as the science/art of alchemy.
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2 comments:
And very interesting for us- Chinese alchemy was more concerned with longevity and immortality than with the making of gold (the Western preoccupation.)
Hmmm... priorities.
I'm enjoying your blog. Thanks for the book recommendation. :)
nice video. is that brian weiss? i like the idea that this is how energy looks when it is flowing through our body. it's kind of hard to imagine what qi looks like, but i definitely wouldn't mind referring to this. your blog is very informative. thanks for sharing your opinions and various websites!
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