| Step 6. Coagulation "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth it." ---Revelation 2.17 The elements of the Stone now flow together. In the alchemists lab this forms a white solid crystallized form from the watery material in the vessel. In the alchemist, spirit and the First Matter flow together. This is the process of coagulation also corresponding to the appearance of dry land out of the waters on the third day of creation. The white solid is the White Stone which turns all things to silver. The vapor, or life spark hovers over the rotting material the whole time. It now condenses into a liquid which penetrates the First Matter, animating it creating the embryo that will grow into the stone. This is also the symbolic baptism and rebirthing. Interestingly enough, to Alchemists, the turning of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ is also symbolic of this transformational process. From the black, rotting matter comes the potential to reach the goldeness of the Soul. From this process the Alchemist has achieved what is known as the white stone. It is the shining of the new self and of the spirit, turning the darkness into the glowing silver of enlightment. There is relief and a feeling of healing from the state of Putrefaction at last! Also in this aspect of coagulation is perspective. Problems can often be resolved by disolving them and solidifying them in a different form. Perhaps from the most profound weakness is the potential to reap the greatest power. It is a matter of application and understanding of the true self.  Sixth Key. A bishop with right hand raised in blessing, performing the wedding of a King on the left and Queen on the right, under a dark cloud from which heavy rain is falling. Above the cloud a rainbow forms its bow, at the left of which is the Sun and on the right the Moon. On the left in front of the King a cylindrical vessel is being heated on a fire. On top of this vessel is a double-faced head, the mouths of which hold collecting flasks. Flames burn on the top of the head. Behind this in the distance is a swan or goose. On the right in front of the Queen, an alchemist with a trident tends a furnace, pouring water from a flask into a water bath in which an alembic or retort is being heated. The fumes which are emitted condense and are collected in a flask below, which already has a layer of liquid in it. | 
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