Few writers learned how to hold their readers attention. Contrast a recent best seller with the opening lines from the Twelve Keys. "When I had emptied to the dregs of human suffering, I was led to consider the wretchedness of this world...." The text provides instructions for the serious alchemy student. A series of woodcuts provide visual information. Notice the image above of the two lions. The Sun and Moon refer to our psyche not to a fantasy. Matthaeus Merian 1593-1650 performed the engravings for the12 sequences you can view in this article, reproduced lovingly by ink caressing the engraved plates. You may find to your dismay that different authors use different names for the operations involved in each of the 12 keys. A student may feel frustrated. If so then this is not the Art for that individual. A careful analysis will reveal that the positions of the zodiac are the signifying role and not the name of the procedure assigned. It is the stately progression of the animals that are used in the transformative miracle. The roles and aims are the transmutation of the not-self into the self. The ability to bring out the inner world to the outside involves tincturing. Is it not interesting that an alchemy procedure is being used in other endeavors? This clouds the intended purpose. The tincturing of the outer life with the inner grace removes the problem in language. Here the soul is projected upon its physical environment. This follows with the sublimation of evil into good. The multiplication of the three aspects of beauty, love, and truth yield a product that gives the power of projection. Thus it is wisdom, Sophia, that tinctures the universe. This is what is signified in the Tarot key 21. In Alchemy we say that the Red Lion has the gift to transmute into the purest gold a hundred thousand times its own weight. Further Reading The Twelve Keys by Basil Valentine The 12 keys are the 12 steps in alchemy. The visual images aid greatly to any who wish to learn alchemy. The process of taking in a painting requires the mental gift of imagination. Key 1 depicts Calcination, Aries. The first decan is Mars in Aries. The constellation is Cassiopeia. The second decan is Sun in Aries. The constellation is Cetus. The third constellation is Venus in Aries. The constellation is Perseus. This constellation is given the title of the Breaker. The myth of medusa and Perseus is the process of Calcination. What is Calcination? It is the expulsion of the animal soul through heat. The purification is achieved by the fire known as aspiration. Key 2 Congelation, Taurus. The first decan is Mercury in Taurus. The constellation is Orion. The second decan is Moon in Taurus. The constellation is Eridanus. The third decan is Saturn in Taurus. The constellation is Auriga. The picture above reveals where the dissolution occurs. The figures on the left and right are the two hemisphere's of the cerebrum. The middle figure is the brain step. The caduceus held by the central figure shows the active currents along the spine necessary in the process of dissolution. The currents must be established in order for the process to work. the water behind the three figures are the ventricles inside the cerebrum that hold spinal fluid. These structures are not static containers, but actually move in a beautiful dance involving rotations in different directions. This movement occurs by contractions and expansions of the walls that support the precious liquid. What is Congelation? This is the union of parts; the achievement of one-pointedness. The single aim of your will. A careful reading of the text provides an actual process that changes your ability to think. These woodcuts also provide the evidence that art is used in the transformation process. An actual feedback mechanism is involved. Key 3 Fixation, Gemini. The first decan is Jupiter in Gemini. The constellation is Lepus. The second decan is Mars in Gemini. The constellation is Canis Major. The third decan is Sun in Gemini. This is Canis Minor. What is Fixation? The condition of becoming firm and resolute. This implies fixing of the will. Key 4 Dissolution, Cancer, The first decan is Venus in Cancer. The constellation is Ursa major. A great storehouse. The second decan is Mercury Cancer. This is a storehouse of great importance despite the small proportions. The constellation is Ursa Minor. These two constellations are where the sheep, that Bootes, the shepherd cares for, reside. The third decan is Moon in Cancer. The constellation is the Ship called Argos. This is the same ship described as Noah's Ark. What is Dissolution? The process involves dissolving. The purpose is to suspend a solid into a fluid state. This fluid is the universal personality. Key 5 Digestion, Leo. The decans are the steps involved in putrefaction. They are Saturn in Leo, This is the constellation called Hydra. The water snake in the prometheus mystery. The second decan is Jupiter in Leo. This is the constellation of the Krater (also spelled crater). It is a vessel comprising 13 stars. The third decan is Mars in Leo. The constellation is that of a bird. It is called Corvus. Therefore in the picture their are three stages occurring. What is Digestion? This involves softening a solid by heat and moisture. Its aim is to perfect the mind in wisdom. This is the use of heat. The in addition must be perfected in imagination. This is purpose of humidity. Untreated imagination yields rotten fruit. To achieve wonders with imagination you must picture multiple conceivable steps. Fantasies only result in the pursuit of phantoms. key 6 Distillation, Virgo. The three decans involved are Sun in Virgo, The constellation called Coma. In the Egyptian planisphere this constellation is described as a mother nursing a baby. The mother sits in a chair. The second decan is Venus in Virgo, the corresponding constellation is Centaurus. A figure part man and part horse. The man holds a spear. The third decan is Mercury in Virgo. The constellation is Bootes. This figure is called the herdsman because he herds the two bears. The Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the great and small bear. Another name is the shepherd because he herds the sheep in the sheep hold. The older name for the bears was the Greater sheep fold, and the lesser sheep hold. What is Distillation? The separation of the volatile principle from substance; the release of the soul from its bodily limitation. key 7 Sublimation, Libra. The art of feeding. The decans involved are Moon in Libra. The constellation is called the Crux. This means cross and is located close to the horse body of Centaurus. The second decan is Saturn in Libra. The constellation is called Lupus and is the sacrificial animal that the horse-man is pointing the spear at. The third decan is Jupiter is Libra. The constellation is the northern crown. Corona Borealis. The older name is Ariadne's crown. In the Greek mystery Bacchus gives the crown to Ariadne. This is described in the Metamorphoses by Ovid. What is Sublimation? The refining of elemental bodies. This results in the increasing of the vibratory harmonies of the body. The impurities that prevent higher vibrations are removed. key 8 Putrefaction, Scorpio. The decans are interesting for this process. They are Mars in Scorpio. This is the serpent held by a figure. This serpent is the fire Prometheus stole from the altar. This is why the constellation of Libra shows empty scales and the scales are drawn to show them disarray. Originally the fire was in Libra but now moves to the first decan of Scorpio. The second decan is Sun in Scorpio. This constellation is the figure holding the serpent. The figure is represented in the Tarot system as the Fool. The third decan is Venus in Scorpio. The constellation is called Hercules. What is Putrefaction? This is the Philosophical death. The process results in an artificial decay by which the spiritual and material elements are separated from each other. key 9 Incineration, Sagittarius. Mercury in Sagittarius. Lyra. Moon in Sagittarius. Ara. Saturn in Sagittarius, Draco. What is Incineration? This is the burning away of dross. Where does the source of this fire come from? The soul. From her a fire consumes the body. key 10 Fermentation, Capricorn. Jupiter in Capricorn, Sagitta. Mars in Capricorn, Acquila, Sun in Capricorn, Delphinus. What is Fermentation? This is the conversion of organic material into new substances. Like how sugar cane is transformed into alcohol. The purpose of this process is to produce the Golden Man. key 11 Multiplication, Aquarius, Venus in Aquarius, Piscis Australis, Mercury in Aquarius, Moon in Aquarius, Cygnus. What is Multiplication? The process of increasing produces Adeptship. Key 12 Projection, Pisces, Saturn in Pisces, The Band, Jupiter in Pisces, Andromeda, Mars in Pisces, Cepheus. What is Projection? This involves turning the base substance into Gold. This is called in the Eastern Tradition Buddahood. The perfecting of the Great Work is immortality.
The Popul Vuh is the sacred text of the Quichi Indians. In this work is described the process of the initiation. By reading this brief account you will recognize that this is the journey of the zodiac. The neophyte, in his quest for wisdom, passes in succession through twelve tests: He crosses a river of blood (Aries) then a river of mud (Taurus), he detects a subterfuge (Gemini), he enters the house of darkness (Cancer), then the house of spears (Leo), the house of cold (Virgo), the house of tigers (Libra), the house of fire (Scorpio), and the house of bats (Sagittarius) where he dies (incineration). The body of the Indian neophyte is burned on a scaffold (Capricorn), the ashes scattered on the river (Aquarius), the ashes turn into a man-fish (Pisces), in which form the initiate, who has completed the cycle, destroys the evil genius who was his adversary through the initiatory ritual.
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