If you have ever read the Emerald Tablets of Thoth you can relate that
to this. There is a correlation.
In alchemy, or the changing of one substance into another there are
seven steps.

1. Calcination - the heating of a substance in a crucible over an open
flame until it is reduced to ashes.

I Shamanism we have calcination as the destruction of our ego and our
attachments to the physical world. We take the challenges and
experiences of life and learn humbleness as we ignite the fire of self
introspection and burn away those elements that never worked for us
anyway.

The fire of Calcination tunes the body, burns off excesses from
overindulgence and creates a lean mean fighting machine. First chakra,
Fire, Red

2. Dissolution
it is the dissolving of the ashes from Calcination in water.
In Shamanism is is a further breaking down of the artificial beliefs we
have been given or have adopted by opening the floodgates of new energy
and new concepts, new beliefs and ideas, allowing new energy to enter
our systems. Dissolution can be felt as the bliss of being well used and
actively engaged in creative acts without traditional prejudices,
personal hang-ups or established hierarchy getting the way.

It is the opening up of the kundalini channels in the body to elevate
every cell, second chakra, water, blue

3. Separation
it is the isolation of the components of dissolution by filtration and
removing any unworthy material.

In Shamanism this is the rediscovery of our essence. and the reclaiming
of dreams and visions previously rejected by imposed beliefs that this
was somehow irrational. Separation is letting go of self inflicted
restraints and allowing our true selves and our true experiences to shine
through.
Separation is controlling the inflow and the outflow, the body and the
breath to give birth to new energy. Third chakra, air, orange red.

4. Conjunction
it is the recombination of the saved elements from Separation into a new
substance.

In Shamanism it is the empowerment of our true selves. Walking with one
foot in this world and one foot in the Inner worlds, finding ourselves
in a new belief system or causal consciousness. Alchemists call this the
Lesser Stone and with it the adept is able to clearly discern what needs
to be done to achieve union with the Overself. Often synchornicities
begin to occur showing that the path is correct.
Using the body's sexual energies for personal transformation takes place
in the heart. Earth, Green, hearth chakra.

5. Fermentation
is a two stepped process that begins with the Putrefication of the
"child" from the Conjunction resulting in its death and resurrection to
a new level of being. In alchemy it is the growth of a ferment,
(bacteria) in organic solutions such as fermenting milk to make cheese.

Egyptian alchemists created a drink called "Liquor Hepatitis" which
means Liquor of the Liver. They believed the liver was the seat of the
soul. It exudes a wonderful fragrance and the alchemists made a perfume
of it called "Balsam of the Soul".

In Shamanism the fermentation process starts with the inspiration of
spiritual power from Above that re-animates, energizes and enlightens
the seeker. Out of the blackness of putrefication comes the yellow
ferment, the golden wax flowing out of the foul matter of the soul. Its
arrival is seen as a display of bright color and meaningful vision
called the "Peacock's tail". Fermentation can be achieved through
impeccability, through practice, experience with awareness. Fermentation
is living inspirations from something totally beyond us and yet deep
within us.
Fermentation is the rousing of chi, living energy, in the body to heal
and unify. It is expressed as vibratory tones and spoken truths through
the fourth chakra the throat, It is the base of mystical awareness.
Throat chakra, sulfur, turquoise

6. Distillation
the boiling and condensation of the fermented solution to increase it
purity, such as the distilling of wine to make brandy.

In Shamanism it is the agitation and sublimatioin of psychic forces that
is necessary to ensure that no impurities from the ego or id, no
valueless beliefs are incorporated into the next and final stage. It is
using introspection to weed out any last misbeliefs, any preconceived
notions, any persevering thought forms that are not for you. It is
raising the content of your psyche to the highest level possible, from
sentimentality, totally in control of your lower bodies, free from their
controlling you, cut off even from one's own personality or personal
identity. It is the purification of the unborn self - all that we truly
are and can be. It is raising the life force from the body into the
brain, known by Oriental Alchemists as the "Circulation of Light" where
it eventually becomes a solidifying light full of power. Distillation is
said to culminate in the Third Eye Chakra. Mercury, deep blue

7. Coagulation
the precipitation or sublimation of the purified ferment from
distillation. Alchemists called this final product, "Powder of the Sun".


In Shamanism, coagulation is first sensed as a new confidence that is
beyond all things, a Second body, an oversoul, a permanent vehicle of
consciousness that embodies the highest aspirations and evolution of
mind. Coagulation incarnates and releases the Ultima Materia of the
soul. The alchemists referred to this as the Philosopher's Stone. Using
this stone, alchemists believed they could exist on all levels of
reality. Could this be your atmic self?

In Shamanism it is the release of intentions for healing into your body,
brain and psyche. And yet it is more than intention, it is like a brain
ambrosia or heavenly food that nourishes and energizes the cells without
any waste products being produced. It is both physiological and
psychological as a process that creates the Atmic body which emerges
through the Crown or gold Chakra. It is the living wisdom in which
everyone exists with the same light of evolved consciousness and
knowledge of the truth. It is the return to the Garden of Eden.

According to the Emerald Tablet, "Thus you will obtain the Glory of the
Whole Universe. All Obscurity will be clear to you. This is the greatest
force of all powers, because it overcomes every subtle thing and
penetrates every solid thing."
Crown chakra, salt, violet.

Write me your thoughts on alchemy and Shamanism. How do they correlate
to the system of chakras as you know it? How is it that the Emerald
Tablets, written over 3,500 years ago show us the same things Shamanism
does? Is that just a coincidence? Can your atmic self be realized in
this lifetime? What is required before you can reach your atmic self?

www.shamanelder.com
Copyright 2005 Shaman Elder Maggie Wahls
Write me at shaman@shamanelder.com