Alchemy, an esoteric spiritual tradition rather than a religion, involves the manipulation and transmutation of matter using the four elements of nature: Earth, Air, Water, Fire. Alchemists conducted experiments in personal, often secretive laboratories to transmute base metals into precious ones, employing obscure occult references and metaphorical imagery to conceal their discoveries.

Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, Hermeticism, and mystical traditions like Gnosticism, Sufism, and Kabbalah, alchemy spans over two millennia, surviving wars, papal edicts, and shifts in public opinion. Beyond its materialistic facade of turning lead into gold, alchemy is a spiritual journey of consciousness transformation, known as “Individuation” by Carl Jung.

This psychological process, refined over millennia, is the essence of life’s purpose, requiring perfection and assimilation of its stages. Three symbolic symbols encapsulate alchemical teachings, providing a metaphorical framework for understanding and growth.