Spiritual Alchemy Learning Center

Step 3. Separation

"Pain and foolishness lead to great bliss and complete knowledge, for Eternal Wisdom created nothing under the sun in vain."
-Kahlil Gibran, "The Voice of the Poet"

In alchemy, the ordeal of bitter water leads to separation. In chemistry, separation can be accomblished by many methods such as filtration, osmosis, reverse osmosis, centrafuging, heating, or freezing.  Another method is to simply let the material sit. This is described in some alchemical texts as being done, "by God." This translation of this is that separation happens by itself as a natural occurrance of the previous step and no particular action has to be taken by the alchemist.   In alchemical separation is the fluid settles out into what is always described as opposites or sometimes elements. It can be oil and water or described as fire and water as well.

In the individual, the experience of dealing with the bitter water is very painful. The examinations of the past bitterness and the realizations of lacking behaviors bring great anguish. This leads to what feels like a war within the individual.   The alchemist feels as though they are being pulled apart, as does their whole world.   Their sense of wholeness is destroyed.

The idea of separation at this stage is to purify the material further and move closer to First Matter by getting back to the very basic ingredients.  This is a rediscovery of the prized essence and the matter that is covering it up and hiding the goldenness. The hidden material is now exposed. The shadowy material is out in the open allowing it to be worked with.

Third Key. A winged dragon with coiled tail and pointed tongue stands in landscape with high mountains in the background. On the left behind the dragon, a wolf or fox, runs off holding a bird (possibly a hen) in its mouth and is attacked by a cockerel riding on its back.

Lighter Days in Astral

If you met yourself on the street, do you think you would recognize yourself well enough to say hello? Passing by different energies in astral do you think you would know your other half? Do you know what or who you really are?

The appearance of this man did not concern me at first. He looked Sicilian. This man was very tall, slender, and breathed fire. He wore black, classically casual clothes that were well taylored for his long build.  I saw him very often and began to know him by the name of Lighter because of his interesting habit of breathing like a dragon. Then one day he changed everything by giving me a puzzle as a gift. It was to be a "surprise."

I worked on the puzzle, excited about what was going to happen when I had completed it. I was trying to build it in astral. I went to the store where I got a lighter and added some components to it. I wanted it to be more like a torch. When I awoke and thought more carefully about the experience, this whole device matter concerned me greatly.

Getting some advice on the situation, I was told that people build devices like this one all the time. I should be sure to understand what the device is before building and using it. I viewed this man's house in astral. It appeared to be a governmental building.  The building was silver and appeared to be the same as the one on the nickel. I was told by Kellog that there was no need for government in astral. I insisted on knowing what the purpose of the device was. I was told that this device would make me lighter. Kellog said that there is not a device in astral that makes one lighter.   Then I realized the trick. The device was to capture my energy for other purposes. Specifically someone's purposes. This device would indeed make me, Lighter!

I destroyed the device with the flick of my mind. This created a battle situation between Lighter and I. At first I was very concerned. He was always creative, humorous and absolutely clever in his attacks. This kept me on my toes. As time went on, sometimes I would laugh because he was just so darn funny! Over time I began to look forward to Lighter's visits and we softened towards each other. Eventually he took me on tours of astral showing me elements that I had never thought to ponder. He taught me more about healing myself.

One day I was told by a holy man to dig for my symbol of this journey. He left me alone to dig in the basement of an old house. I came up with a Herkimer diamond which floated within a Herkimer diamond. I ran (flew) to Lighter to show him this wonderful symbol of my journey because he was now my best friend in astral.

As I held up my jewel sparkling with light, Lighter took out the symbol of his journey. He produced a root from his pocket and held it in both his hands. The root grew into a plant and produced a beautiful flower. I was looking inward, Lighter was growing outward.   I was indeed becoming Lighter, and he was becoming me.

---Evonne in Astral

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