Okay, Lets begin with what
is Alchemy. I will start by saying that in my current work in progress I am using alchemy as one of the forms of magic. This is not
because I have studied actual alchemy but because I was highly
influenced by a Japaneses amine called The Full Metal Alchemist.
Generally alchemy is thought of as a primitive form of chemistry,
more superstition and Head-ology then science. Prinzy and Granger
have argued against this but I don't think I have quiet understood it
well enough to put into words the entirety of their argument. How
ever the gist of their argument is that Alchemy is founded in a
reviled theology, and is more then superstition, it is more then
science but a metaphysical understanding of body and soul changing.
Personally I hope they each stop by and add their thoughts to the
conversation.
Now how does alchemy come
into literature? Through symbols. Lots of symbols. I'm still trying
to work though what and how this actually works and what it looks
like. A big thank you to John who was so kind to send me a link or
two to a good summary of what literary alchemy is and how it is found
in Harry Potter. The best thing to do would probably be to read his
books which I plan to do the only problem is that they will have to
join the back log of nonfiction books already on my list.
Anyway back to what literary
alchemy is. (I will be using information from both the Hogwarts
Professor and the Hog's Head Pub for most my information here.) Like
I said symbols are the basis for it. These symbols can be best
expressed in the four alchemical colors: black, white, red, and gold.
Each color is representative of a stage of the alchemical process. It
is a movement from the darkness to light, a purification when the
dross is burned away and nothing remains but the purity of the gold.
Or to barrow from one of the greatest Philosophers to ever live, it
is moving form believing the figures cast on the cave wall are only
shadows cast by the true reality. A movement towards perfection. As
someone who was raised in a Wesleyan tradition this is very
interesting sense Wesley saw the christian life as a life moving
towards entire sanctification or the ability to be 'perfect' as our
Father in heaven is perfect.
Each stage has a name The
first is called nigredo where
the black lead or impure metal is introduced. Towards the end of the
stage the lead is crushed and we move on to the second stage. The
second stage is called the albedo
stage. Here the subject is cleaned and made spotless. We then move on
to the rubedo where
that which has been purified is now tested. Once the time of testing
is over the subject emerges from the other side in the final stage
the cirtinitas or the
yellowing. It is the dawning of the light when the combination of
body and soul is finished, whole and complete.
Any one
who has been studying this more then I have (which I must admit has
only been for about a week) is free to disagree with my simple one
paragraph summary, after all that is the only way I am going to learn
and understand this concept better how ever I must say in attempting
to distill this down to one simple paragraph I think I can walk away
with an understanding of what alchemy is, and its inherent beauty.
Also
in looking at this I can see the heart of the christian tradition and
revelation spelled out in a simple yet beautiful melody. We are born
into sin (blackness) that sin must be atoned for by the cross. We are
baptized (whiteness) and made clean. Yet that is not the end of the
story. We must continue to live in this world where the kingdom of
man is at war with the kingdom of heaven. Through life we are tested
and tried and finally we die. (reddness) The serpent bites the heal, killing the
victim, but its head is crushed as God calls his children home. (yellowing or goldness) Read
the last letter in the Screwtape Laters for a beautiful description
of the death of a saint.
And now
I need another refill of my coffee cup.
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