Alchemical elements
Encyclopedia
Alchemical elements are components of the universe
, expressed in their Aristotelian
forms by alchemists
as Fire, Earth, Air and Water. The elements represent physical substances and a larger consideration within philosophical alchemy.
The first clue as to their Philosophical Alchemical use comes from their inclusion in astrological symbology
, where there are three of each element in the twelve basic astrological sign
. For example, Fire Cardinal, Fire Fixed, and Fire Mutable form the signs Aries
, Leo
, and Sagittarius
, with the attributes of a combination of the pair. The second term, called astrological qualities, are likewise repeated across the matrix of four elements. Thus there is a primitive (though not in the derogatory sense) kind of psychology made out of irreducible variables.
The fundamental understanding of philosophical alchemy is that everything must be composed of higher and different kinds of abstractions from building blocks like these. In fact these building blocks in part. This is similar to the general law of discovery called Occham's Razor. The specifics center the Elements as they appear here not with physical material, but with principles that might be centered about Newtonian Physics, with the establishment of "fundaments of nature" that are constants at this level, but variables elsewhere in a very simple "Mathematics of the Creation." Those constants are well known and established: Force and Counter-force, Inertia and Potential. Those are the abstractions of (in order) fire, water, earth, and air. Thus there are logical dynamics of pairs already in these four basic elements.
This logic was established primarily by Pietre Ouspensky
, a mathematician and investigator in early part of the 20th century, whose second treatice, A New Model of the Universe, established a logical and mathematical commonality, matrix, or link between similarly esoteric and occultic or supernatural or philosophical | early psychological systems, from the symbology of astrology, that of the Tarot, and the practice of Kabbalah
(or Gematria
), not to mention magic.
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
, expressed in their Aristotelian
Aristotelianism
Aristotelianism is a tradition of philosophy that takes its defining inspiration from the work of Aristotle. The works of Aristotle were initially defended by the members of the Peripatetic school, and, later on, by the Neoplatonists, who produced many commentaries on Aristotle's writings...
forms by alchemists
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
as Fire, Earth, Air and Water. The elements represent physical substances and a larger consideration within philosophical alchemy.
Elements of philosophical alchemy
In philosophical alchemy the four elements become abstractions of their type. The name "elemental" means or implies irreducibility, and this set of Elements are therefore a kind of building block out of which more complex components are formed.The first clue as to their Philosophical Alchemical use comes from their inclusion in astrological symbology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
, where there are three of each element in the twelve basic astrological sign
Astrological sign
Astrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of "as above, so below", so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes...
. For example, Fire Cardinal, Fire Fixed, and Fire Mutable form the signs Aries
Aries (astrology)
Aries is the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the zero degree and the 29th degree of celestial longitude. The Sun enters Aries when it reaches the northern vernal equinox, which is usually on March 21 each year, and remains in this sign until around April 20...
, Leo
Leo (astrology)
Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Leo. In astrology, Leo is considered to be a "masculine", positive sign. It is also considered a fire sign and is one of four fixed signs ruled by the Sun.Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are...
, and Sagittarius
Sagittarius (astrology)
Sagittarius is the ninth astrological sign in the Zodiac, which spans the zodiac between the 240th and 269th degree of celestial longitude...
, with the attributes of a combination of the pair. The second term, called astrological qualities, are likewise repeated across the matrix of four elements. Thus there is a primitive (though not in the derogatory sense) kind of psychology made out of irreducible variables.
The fundamental understanding of philosophical alchemy is that everything must be composed of higher and different kinds of abstractions from building blocks like these. In fact these building blocks in part. This is similar to the general law of discovery called Occham's Razor. The specifics center the Elements as they appear here not with physical material, but with principles that might be centered about Newtonian Physics, with the establishment of "fundaments of nature" that are constants at this level, but variables elsewhere in a very simple "Mathematics of the Creation." Those constants are well known and established: Force and Counter-force, Inertia and Potential. Those are the abstractions of (in order) fire, water, earth, and air. Thus there are logical dynamics of pairs already in these four basic elements.
This logic was established primarily by Pietre Ouspensky
P. D. Ouspensky
Peter D. Ouspensky , , a Russian esotericist known for his expositions of the early work of the Greek-Armenian teacher of esoteric doctrine George Gurdjieff, whom he met in Moscow in 1915.He was associated with the ideas and practices originating with...
, a mathematician and investigator in early part of the 20th century, whose second treatice, A New Model of the Universe, established a logical and mathematical commonality, matrix, or link between similarly esoteric and occultic or supernatural or philosophical | early psychological systems, from the symbology of astrology, that of the Tarot, and the practice of Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
(or Gematria
Gematria
Gematria or gimatria is a system of assigning numerical value to a word or phrase, in the belief that words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other, or bear some relation to the number itself as it may apply to a person's age, the calendar year, or the like...
), not to mention magic.
See also
- Classical elementClassical elementMany philosophies and worldviews have a set of classical elements believed to reflect the simplest essential parts and principles of which anything consists or upon which the constitution and fundamental powers of anything are based. Most frequently, classical elements refer to ancient beliefs...
- Five elements (Chinese philosophy)
- Five elements (Japanese philosophy)Five elements (Japanese philosophy)One may encounter two kinds of five elements philosophy in Japan. One is called, in Japanese, gogyō , having its backgrounds in the Chinese five elements, and the other is called godai . Godai is usually regarded as a Buddhism term in Japan, with certain influences from Hinduism. The following...