The Red Phase of Alchemy

The three phases of alchemy are the Black Phase, the White Phase, and the Red Phase. Previously we discussed the Black Phase and White Phase at great length, but I will summarize them here for completeness.

For a detailed description visit my preceding articles:

The Black Phase is characterized by the death and decay of the matter undergoing transformation. This may be either something undergoing transformation within a laboratory environment or within our very own being. The old self is falling away so that a new state of being may emerge.

The White Phase is purification of the essences of the item undergoing transformation that survived the Black Phase. This is the core of who we are and what remains is purified through the elements of fire, water, and air, and a new being, or a new earth element results. Purification is an essential part of the process, and if the purification is not complete, then the new being does not result, and the process must be repeated. All inessentials fall away through the action of fire, water, and air, and only the essential remains.

This article will focus on the third and final phase of the alchemical transformation process, the Red Phase of alchemy.

The Red Phase

The Red Phase, also referred to as Rubedo, is a continuation of the work accomplished in the preceding two phases. The deep purification of essences performed during the White Phase is what releases the powerful energies within the Red Phase. The two phases work hand-in-hand as represented by the alchemical symbolism and explained by Dennis William Hauck within his book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Alchemy”:

“The symbol of Albedo is the White Queen; the symbol of Rubedo is the Red King. Often the White Queen and Red King are shown holding hands together or holding onto a small vessel or container. This was the alchemists’ way of saying they work together. In the laboratory, the white becomes united with red through increasing the heat in the furnace.³”

Symbolically, the three colors represent the cycle of transformation:

Black = Death and decay
White = Purification
Red = Intense heat

The Red King and White Queen represent the opposing polarities – positive and negative, male and female, the sun and the moon, spirit and soul.

Within the European tradition, the Red Phase of alchemy is characterized by two brief stages that served as confirmation that early European alchemists were on the right path. These stages were referred to as the Yellow Stage or Cirtinatis and the Purple Stage or Iosis. The Yellow Stage was characterized by the appearance of a golden color in the matter.

According to Dennis William Hauck:

“Purple is actually the color of gold in solution and is an indicator of pure gold atoms in chemistry. To alchemists, it meant the minute quantity of gold revealed by the Yellow Stage was being seeded in the experiment and would eventually grow to transform the entire matter. Alchemists also referred to this stage as the “Transmutation of the Venom,” and they believed it meant that any contamination or poisons left over from the Nigredo were now completely purified and assimilated. With the successful completion of the Red Phase, the Philosopher’s Stone was produced and the base metals transmuted into pure gold⁴.”

According to Mr. Hauck, this process carried over into the personal transformation:

“Psychologically, this meant the integration of opposing and rejected elements in the personality and the experience of one’s true self.⁵”

Personally this could mean seeing light after long periods of darkness, a light at the end of the tunnel, or a ray of light when all seems lost.

The Yellow and Purple stages within the Red Phase were ways of indicating progress of the path of transformation. The alchemical transformation process is costly in terms of time, resources, and energy, and as such, such indicators are useful for knowing we are on the right path. If nothing else, such indicates provide hope during apparently hopeless times.

Stay the course.

Putrefaction

During the transition period between the Black and Red phases, the matter undergoing transformation enters another dark stage referred to as Putrefaction. Putrefaction is a final cleansing of impurities and is considered a final death to any contaminants or remnants of ego in the matter. Putrefaction may be considered a final cleansing final to the new birth, and according to Mr. Hauck “was a necessary prelude to the resurrection or rebirth of the matter on a more perfect or spiritual level⁶”.

At the darkest moment of putrefaction, often a sudden and glorious display of many brilliant colors appeared. This was called the Peacock’s Tail, or Cauda Pavonis. The rainbow of colors gradually merge together into pure whiteness. The Peacock’s Tail signified the height of putrefaction – out of the darkness emerges a rainbow of light, which then merges to become pure white.

Image Credit: Opus Vitae

The theme of the Peacock’s Tail reinforces the overarching theme of alchemy as a whole – start with something, separate, and rejoin to create something new.

Symbolically the Peacock’s Tail is represented by the following symbology:

A rainbow appearing in the dark clouds of a thunderstorm.
The bursting forth of spring colors after winter darkness.
The colors of the Aurora Borealis contrasted against the dark night sky.

Within our own personal transformation experience, the Peacock’s Tail represents daybreak, a period of peace and tranquility; before the sunrise represented by the Red Phase.

Putrefaction is symbolized the the astrological fire sign of Leo and the Egyptians associated it with the lion-headed sun god Sekhmet. Images of putrefaction include corpses, graves, coffins, massacres, mutilation, worms, dung beetles, and rotting flesh. Alchemical drawings at this stage depict birds descending from a pitch black sky, skeletons standing over coffins or black boxes, or a snake crucified on a cross⁷.

The Reddened Rebirth

The Red Phase of alchemy is characterized by a fresh infusion of power and vitality; this is brought about through a reddening in fire. The reddening results from the union of the King and Queen. In other words, a bringing together of the Sun and Moon, or a merging of polarities – the universal feminine essence of Soul and the universal masculine essence of Spirit.

That which was separated during the Black Phase is now rejoined within the Red Phase. This rejoining and merging of the purified elements brings about an infusion of power.

This infusion of power is described nicely within the text Cabalistic Chemistry by Franciscus Kieser as referenced by Dennis William Hauck⁸:

“As the body used to be slow, rough, impure, dark and destructible because it lacked power and energy, so the reddened rebirth unifies soul with spirit, vivified and volatile, light and penetrating, pure, refined and clear, overflowing with energy, indestructible and full of energy. And it is able to maintain this.”

Thus the red symbolism associated with the Red Phase of alchemy. The Black Phase was symbolic of impurity, the White Phase of purification, and the Red Phase vitality through union and subsequent rebirth.

The preceding sections addressed indicators associated with the Red Phase, ways of knowing you are on the right path. Now the major operations associated with the Red Phase will be addressed.

The Red Phase of alchemy is characterized by three operations – Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation. Fermentation and Distillation combine opposing energies while Coagulation is the final crystallization of energy and matter becomes the Philosopher’s Stone. Each operation will be described in greater detail within the following sections.

An updated diagram from the preceding articles is provided below:

Operation #1: Fermentation

Fermentation is a process that requires living cells, such as bacteria or yeast, and is considered a kind of cellular respiration that usually takes place in the absence of oxygen. Fermentation is the conversion of organic substances into new compounds in the presence of fermenting bacteria.

The most common fermentation is the conversion of sugars into alcohol. Alchemists believed that alcohol was the actual spiritual essence of a substance, and thus alcoholic beverages are often referred to as spirits⁹.

The beginning of Fermentation is marked by the dead material seeming to come to life again as movement and bubbling gases emerge from the influx of digesting bacteria. That which was dead now appears living. That which seemed hopeless, now is given a spark of hope.

Astrologically, Fermentation is represented by Capricorn. Capricorn is an Earth sign whose symbols are both the goat and the unicorn, representing the most basic and the highest natural instincts.

Furthermore, alchemists also considered Capricorn to represent the entire work of alchemy from beginning to end. Capricorn is the first sign of the year, and the movement from Capricorn to Capricorn encompassed the one symbolic alchemical year in which the Great Work could be accomplished¹⁰.

Successful fermentation is symbolized by the Rebis which is a two-headed human figure whose name originates from the Latin phrase res bina or “a double thing”:

“The Rebis is usually depicted as a winged hermaphrodite with a male head on its right and a female head on its left and represents the Philosopher’s Child resulting from the union of the King and Queen that took place during the conjunction phase¹¹.

The following image shows a Rebis being heated by the fires of fermentation.

Image Credit: Opus Vitae

As opposed to the consuming flames of Calcination within the Black Phase, this is a controlled heat which has been compared to birds sitting on eggs in order to hatch them. The Rebis may be likened to an embryonic being or intermediate stage in transformation that requires more toil in the final stages of the work.

This new being emerges from the dark womb of putrefaction and takes its first breath during fermentation. The Rebis is a hermaphroditic melding of the masculine and feminine characteristics of its parents, the King and Queen. In mythological terms, the hermaphrodite results from the sacred marriage of Herms with the Greek goddess of Love, Aphrodite.

Within the realm of personal alchemical transformation, fermentation represents the introduction of new life into the inner presence created during personal conjunction. Problems starting within the fermentation process result from impurities carried over from the White Phase. These hidden impurities are destroyed during the psychological death of putrefaction.

The following diagram contains the operation of Fermentation:

Fermentation on the personal level starts with the inspiration of spiritual power that reanimates, energizes, and enlightens the blackened ego.

Personal fermentation can be achieved using some of the following techniques:

Intense prayer
Desire for mystical union
Transpersonal therapy
Visualization
Deep Meditation
Ritual

Fermentation is a living, loving inspiration from something totally beyond and outside us in the spiritual realm. This is referred to in the Emerald Tablet¹²:

“Separate the Earth from Fire, the Subtle from the Gross.”

Similar to the rainbow colored Peacock’s Tail of its chemical equivalent personal fermentation is often initiated by colorful visions that involve a higher form of imagination referred to as “True Imagination.” The alchemists perspective was that the mental images experienced during Fermentation were true representations of a higher spiritual reality.

Distillation

A basic definition of distillation is as follows:

“Distillation is the boiling and condensation of a solution to increase its concentration and purity. The alchemists believed that distillation released the pure essence or spirit of a substance in the evaporating vapors.”¹³

An example of the distillation process may be viewed in winemaking. During the winemaking process, the alcohol spirit of wine may be obtained by distilling fermented grapes.

According to Dennis William Hauck, distillation is the most important operation in practical alchemy, and some alchemists spent months distilling the same solution over and over. Distillation is described in the Emerald Tablet as follows:

“It rises from Earth to Heaven and descends again to Earth, thereby combining within Itself the powers of both the Above and the Below.”¹⁴

Astrologically, alchemists associated Virgo as the cipher to signify distillation. The ancient Egyptians associated the goddess Isis with Virgo.

An updated diagram is provided below:

Distillation is the process of heating an essence, collecting the vapors of an essence and then returning the purified essence for reheating. The distillation process may occur over a single round, or multiple rounds. The greater the number of rounds of distillation, the greater the degree of purification.

The following is an image depicting the distillation process:

Image Credit: OpenLearn

If you’re new to distillation, don’t get wrapped up in all the moving pieces. The important elements to remember are:

There is a substance undergoing transformation (Solution)
Heat is applied to the Solution
The action of Heat applied to the Solution results in Vapour
Cold is applied to the Vapour which solidifies the purified Vapour
The purified, solidified essence (Distillate) is collected

The above is a single round of distillation. Should the alchemist choose to submit the solution to more than one round of distillation, the collected distillate is used in place of the original solution and the process is repeated.

Often a substance undergoing transformation will undergo many rounds. How many rounds? It depends on the aims of the alchemist. The following description from OpenLearn proves insightful:

“By definition, distillation is a process that exploits differences in the volatility of the components of a mixture. It is widely used both on a laboratory and an industrial scale to separate the components from a liquid mixture by selective boiling and condensation. Different components of a mixture have different boiling points, and it is these differences which enable the process of distillation to perform the separation.

So, distillation may be applied for the complete separation of pure components, or for partial separation to control the concentration of selected components within the mixture.”¹⁵

The key elements of the distillation process are volatility, separation, boiling and condensation. Components within a solution are separated, or extracted by means of exploiting the difference in volatility. Boiling the solution results in condensation or vapor which removes the essence from the heavier impurities.

A mirror of the distillation process may occur psychologically:

“In psychological terms, distillation is a process of spiritualization that involves repeated separation and recombination of the subtle or spiritual aspects of the personality with the unrefined thoughts and emotions or gross aspects of the personality.”¹⁶

Essentially this is the same as laboratory distillation; in both instances the alchemist is removing the subtle from the gross. Instead of dealing in solutions, glassware, and physical flame, the spiritual nature of the alchemist is the solution, the glassware may be considered the physical form, and the heat, or physical flame is more of a philosophical fire. Although these changes are non-physical, they produce very real changes – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

This spiritual distillation process concerns the recycling of thoughts and emotions and the interplay between the two, a key element here is deliberate observation and selection of our thoughts:

“Personal distillation, however, requires being conscious of this process and deliberately pursuing it to its conclusion. The deliberate agitation and sublimation of psychic forces is necessary to ensure that no impurities from the inflated ego or submerged shadow are incorporated into the new self manifesting in the final stages of transformation.”¹⁶

This may be considered a process of observing our thoughts so as to further manage the creation of our emotions, or better yet, managing our experience, or reaction to the world. This deliberate agitation and sublimation may be brought about through deliberate experience. This is a way of quickening evolution. Subjectively, this may be brought about through specific alchemical meditations.

A useful analogy for agitation is an old style washing machine where an agitator stirs up the water. The agitating action served to clean or purify the laundered clothes. Similarly, the agitation of your emotions through external events serves to purify your consciousness. Interestingly, within alchemy the water element is symbolic of emotions.

This “deliberate agitation” is the philosophical fire of non-physical spiritualized distillation. Whereas most people avoid discomfort and unpleasantness, the alchemist embraces and endures as they understand the process and the manner in which it unfolds. The heat quickens and drives the transformation – in the case of distillation, the extraction and purification of essence, and therefore heat, or agitation is essential and inherent to the process.

This isn’t to say that the alchemist always experiences such changes with serenity. The philosophical fires test even the most experienced alchemist. There will be ups and downs, highs and lows. There will be times when the alchemist will seek to avoid the agitations.

The key differences between the alchemist and the uninitiated are the knowledge and experience of the alchemical transformation process and the ability to get up and continue the work after they’ve been laid low.

It’s helpful at these times to maintain fixed purpose while resting upon the foundation of stability and serenity.

Here’s an additional perspective of fixed purpose which ties in nicely with the operation that will be discussed in the next section, Coagulation:

“The light of the body is in the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”¹⁷

Maintaining fixed purpose, or singular vision, will allow the alchemist to remain steady in even the wildest tempest.

Coagulation

Coagulation is the final operation within the Red Phase and within the alchemical transformation process. Coagulation is the process by which the body is made spiritual and the spirit is made corporeal. Coagulation produces a new incarnation that can survive in all realms.¹⁸

The “new incarnation” aspect implies a new being, or new sense of self. “All realms” further implies the ability to sustain oneself throughout the entirety of creation. The spiritualization of matter, or the merging of the duality of spirit and matter is the method in which this carried about. You become God and God becomes you.

Perfect and complete union.

The results of coagulation appear across many spiritual traditions. There is the ascension as described within the Christian tradition, the Adam Kadmon body within Kabbalah, and the Tibetan Rainbow Body to name a few.

Across all traditions one leaves the physical behind and attains a greater degree of spirituality. According to the various traditions and perfected teachers, this allows for the individual to transcend the normal bounds associated with physicality and for greater ease of inter-dimensional travel. Miracles are typically associated with this degree of attainment.

Consider the following from A Course In Miracles:

“There is no order of difficulty in miracles. One is not “harder” or “bigger” than another. They are all the same. All expressions of love are maximal.”¹⁹

If we consider this within the Coagulation operation, Coagulation is really a means of uncovering what has always been there. Dissolving the untrue so the True Self may emerge. The illusion is dispelled. You awaken from the dream.

A greater understanding of coagulation may be attained by considering the chemical processes underlying this operation:

“Chemical coagulation is the physical manifestation of the essence created during conjunction, born during fermentation, and purified during distillation. It is accomplished by congealing, precipitating, or sublimating of the solidified essence or child of the conjunction. This fixation of spiritual forces is what creates the Philosopher’s Stone, which embodies the principle of transmutation itself.”²⁰

In essence, coagulation is the summation or pinnacle of the preceding processes. Coagulation is where all preceding effort and energy is used to bring about a significant transformation. The liberation of light from matter releases a tremendous amount of energy and the work performed to this point is what brings about this liberation from form.

An updated diagram is provided below:

A butterfly is an interesting example of this process.

Consider the caterpillar – it becomes encased within the cocoon of darkness whereby it undergoes a chemical process. From the darkness of the cocoon a new being emerges – the cocoon is no more, the old self dissolves and the new self emerges. The butterfly contains the essentials of the caterpillar, but dissolves the inessentials. The caterpillar is no longer bound to the earth, but raises to the heavens. The butterfly can return to the earth, but is no longer bound to it – it emerges liberated.

The new self was always there. The seeds of salvation lay dormant within the old self waiting for the time to emerge. This emergence brings about the death of the old self so as to allow the new to emerge unencumbered.

Returning to the work of the alchemist, let’s reconsider the following statement:

“This fixation of spiritual forces is what creates the Philosopher’s Stone, which embodies the principle of transmutation itself.”²¹

All effort and energy are focused upon creation of one thing – the Philosopher’s Stone. The Philosopher’s Stone is inherent to the alchemist himself, he is the Stone and the Stone is him. They are inseparable. The Philosopher’s Stone grants the alchemist the ability to transform matter at will.

The Philosopher’s Stone is the dormant seed.

Consider the following:

“With the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone, two more operations are now available to the alchemists. The first is projection, which is the process of transmuting the base metals into gold. It is said that just a tiny pieces of the Stone or a pinch of the red powder of projection made from it is enough to perfect the metals and transmute lead into gold. The second operation of the Stone is multiplication, which is the act or process of multiplying or increasing the quantity or volume of something. Just a touch of the Stone or a grain of the red powder will cause plants to grow to perfection or cells to be healed and multiply perfectly. Even the Stone itself and its powers can be magically multiplied. Multiplication provides the raw material for the elixir of life, drinkable gold, and other panaceas that the alchemists promised would cure all diseases.”²²

Projection and multiplication are the embodiment of mastery within the alchemist. Projection allows for the redemption of matter – in other words, turning lead into gold; and multiplication allows for a multiplied increase of redemptive effects.

Consider the following:

God = Gold – L

The removal of lead (L), or dross brings about the revelation of the God within.

One may consider use of external powders, drinks “and other panaceas” as contradictory to the idea of the Philosopher’s Stone being within the alchemist themselves. This is not so. These external devices are simply a means of focusing the intent of the alchemist as the secret of the alchemist and the work of alchemy in general is the inner fire of consciousness. As the consciousness of the alchemist is rarified and transformed, so to is the form.

As within, so without.

So in essence the alchemist does not require the use of external devices, but they are useful for focusing the intent, or consciousness, and therefore energetic flow. This can be readily seen with spiritual healers. Oftentimes such healers do not require implements, the laying on of hands, or even to be in the same physical space as the individual receiving healing. If they are within the space, their mere presence often brings about spontaneous healing in others. Although they may also heal at a distance by means of focused intent and willful direction of energy. The external implements are of most benefit to the recipients of the healing as it increases faith and believability, essentials for healing.

There’s a saying that there reaches a point where the alchemist can burn their books and destroy their lab equipment as they are no longer required. This is the result of coagulation, the Red Phase, and the culmination of the alchemical transformation process. That which was once necessary, and even required, becomes ornamentation and aids to the work, but not required.

Consider a building undergoing improvements. Throughout the construction process the building is covered with tarps and scaffolding to protect and aid in the construction process. Upon completion of the work, the scaffolding of the building falls away, leaving the new structure revealed in all its glory.

The outer implements – stones, elixirs, etc. are a story. This isn’t to say it’s not a true story. A story is merely a wrapping, or layering for the movement of energy, which in turn is a representation of being. The external implements provide for validation of the work and a point of fixation, in other words a point of focused intent or attention.

Astrologically, coagulation is represented as the following:

“The cipher for coagulation is the astrological Air sign of Gemini, the Divine Twins that to the alchemists represented their Rebis. The cipher for projection is the Water sign of Pisces. From at least 2300 B.C.E, the Egyptians used two fish to denote this constellation. The cipher used for this multiplication operation is the Water sign of Aquarius, whom the Egyptians associated with Osiris, their god of grain, seeds, and semen.”²³

Gemini as represented by the Rebis is symbolic of the merged polarities. What was once two now becomes one. A once dispersed force, now becomes concentrated. Duality returns to unity. This allows for a stronger and more consistent energetic flow.

It’s interesting that the astrological signs of projection and multiplication are associated with water, as symbolically water is associated with flow, emotions, and is even considered the lifeblood of the Earth itself. This traces nicely to the energetic flow discussed earlier as emotions may be considered energy in motion (e-motion). The Osiris symbolism brings to mind the progenitor notion – a symbolic energetic thrust.

There are many symbols associated with coagulation, but perhaps the most interesting and ubiquitous is the phoenix:

“The most common symbol of coagulation is the Phoenix, a mythical bird that built its nest in a fire and then rose from the ashes completely reborn as a new creature. Alchemists sometimes called the Phoenix the ‘Ortus,’ the rectified one. They described it as a four-legged bird with black eyes, a white face, white forepaws, black hind paws, and a red head with streaks of pure gold reaching to its neck.²⁴

This symbolism also represents the entirety of the alchemical transformation process with black white and red representing the three phases of the alchemical transformation process and the resulting gold both spiritual and physical.

As with the other operations coagulation has psychological impacts to the alchemist:

“Psychologically, the Phoenix is the resurrected personality that is fully manifested during coagulation. The alchemists viewed it as the divine child of the King and Queen who embodies a new state of awareness beyond either masculine or feminine ways of knowing. Paracelsus named this cosmic essence the Iliaster, which literally means ‘the star in man.’ He described it as the ‘completely healed human being who has burned away all the dross of his lower being and is free to fly as the Phoenix.’²⁵

Essentially by the conclusion of this process the alchemist is transformed on all levels. The old self has perished in the flames of transformation and the new Self emerges victorious. Similar to the astrological symbology of Gemini, the King and Queen represent duality as manifested as the masculine and feminine poles. The polarities are now merged, and the alchemist ascends to a new state of being and knowing. The flame consumes the inessentials which liberates the alchemist from the tethers of physicality.

The alchemist transcends physicality by means of the light body described earlier:

“On the spiritual level, coagulation produces an entirely new body for the alchemist. This second body is often described as a body of light, which is the Ultima Materia (Ultimate Matter) of the soul. Many experience it as a projected golden body of coalesced light that Paracelsus named the Astral Body, literally the Star Body.”²⁶

The liberating aspect of this light body is described by an anonymous Renaissance alchemist:

“You break through space, fly to heaven in broad daylight, and shed the flesh-and-bone bag, which is now as useless as the alchemical workshop and vessels once the elixir has been perfected.”²⁷

Image Credit: HAHWUL

This alchemist describes the scaffolding – in this instance the physical body, alchemical workshop and vessels, as useless. This represents the transitory nature of our material existence. That once we hold to be of utmost value and worthy of striving, becomes easily discarded over time and with increased attainment of consciousness. The mortal body no longer becomes a fitting vehicle for the expanded consciousness and therefore falls away to allow for the emergence of a more congruent vehicle.

As you experience this periodic attraction and repulsion inherent to the alchemical transformation process it can become increasingly challenging to maintain a high degree of seriousness about our physical existence. If all the world’s a stage to Shakespeare, then all the world’s a laboratory to an alchemist.

This is the key to maintaining a steadfast resolve throughout the up and downs of the alchemical transformation process – viewing the world as a mirror for our own inner transformation. As people, places, and things come and go from your life, you remain. As Jesus the Christ stated:

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”²⁸

An interpretation of this passage from an alchemical standpoint is that the “things above” are aspects of individual consciousness, namely the inner work or secret fire of the alchemist. Another passage that reinforces this point:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”²⁹But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”³⁰

This is not to say that materiality is wrong as some traditions allude or outright state, it means that our material existence is an experience in which we may expand, refine, and rarify our individual consciousness – the extent of which depends on the will and aspiration of the individual alchemist. The material is a support for spiritual attainment. The difficulties arise when you confuse the support for the primary.

I implore you to seek your own understanding and truth.

Closing Remarks

Now that the alchemical transformation process has been discussed in detail I would like to make a few comments concerning the process.

First, the diagram of the alchemical transformation process is outlined in a linear fashion:

The diagram clearly depicts three phases and seven operations unfolding in a stepwise, linear manner. This diagram, and overall framework is useful for aiding in mental understanding, however, the process often doesn’t unfold so cleanly. In fact, alchemy and the overall transformation process can be quite messy!

The real value in this diagram and series of articles is to provide you with a general sense of where you are in the process and what has occurred so far, and what’s in store. It’s suggested that you don’t lose the forest for the trees. Consider it a useful God’s eye view.

Second, the diagram and description, if interpreted literally, may lead you to believe that this is a linear, one time process. The alchemist begins with the intense heat of calcination and culminates with an airy ascension event.

In reality, this process is more circular and iterative.

There are various layers within the process itself. The process is recursive and fractal in nature so the three phases and seven steps are mirrored across all levels. So it’s wise to consider the process as more of an ascending spiral or staircase of light. Each action within the respective operations may be considered a step on the ascending staircase, each operation a floor, and the phases sections. So the alchemical transformation process is cyclical in nature, and there are cycles within cycles.

This leads to another point. As far as the three phases and seven operations are concerned, the process doesn’t necessarily decompose so nicely. When reading other articles or looking within various traditions you may notice different breakdowns. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong here, it’s more of a matter of perspective. However, although the number of steps and the terminology may differ, the overall process remains the same, it just may be perceived and described differently. That being said, the numbers three and seven are often used when developing these frameworks as these numbers have a special place in spirituality and represent key properties inherent to the overall structure of our universe.

References

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J.R. Sedivy. The White Phase of Alchemy: https://jrsedivy.com/the-white-phase-of-alchemy/
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Dennis William Hauck. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Alchemy p. 293.
BibleHub. Colossians 3:2: https://biblehub.com/colossians/3-2.htm
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