Alchemy and Herbalism Part II – As Above, So Below: The Macrocosm and Microcosm in People and Plants

By Jessica Rogers April 26, 2023 22 mins read 98 Views

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Alchemical philosophy, practice and approach to herbal medicine are fundamentally different. You can unlock the potential of herbal medicine by integrating science and spirituality through spagyric pharmacies, or alchemically-prepared plants. Before preparing spagyric medicine, it is important to understand alchemical philosophy's core principles, which are the connections and correlations between the microcosms and macrocosms.

Today's blog will teach you:

Alchemy's philosophical roots
An alchemical framework to understand the body, soul, and spirit
How to recognize patterns of symptoms
Learn plants more easily by studying herbalism holistically
Alchemy and its practical benefits

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

We are back with part two of the series on alchemy and herbalism. In the previous episode I explained how modern science evolved from alchemy. As its spiritual roots slowly dissolved, it became the mechanistic model of today.

Herbal medicine was influenced by the split between science and spirit. This has, I think, had positive effects in that we know more about plants and their influence on the body than ever before. It also had some negative effects, most notably the loss of respect for plants' spiritual qualities and the traditional understanding of their healing abilities. The alchemical model aims to combine science and spirituality in order to unlock the healing potential of herbs.

The alchemical tradition has two sides, philosophy and practice. Philosophy involves learning to recognize the unity in all living beings and the connection of the body, soul, and spirit. This philosophy can be best understood by observing the patterns of nature, and their influence on microcosms such as people and plants.

However, the practice is about using herbal medicine in a holistic way. Philosophie is not sufficient when used alone. Similarly, practice without philosophy does not provide the right guidance. You need to apply the philosophy in your practice of herbalism if you want to achieve transformative results.

Integrating alchemical philosophy in your herbal practice can have profound effects on your understanding of life and nature's healing powers. You can empower yourself and others by learning to see the unity in all things, and approaching herbal medicine from a holistic perspective.

The Alchemy Core Philosophy

What does the old adage "As Above, So Below" really mean?

Alchemists had a profound understanding of interconnectedness. The patterns of nature are not random. They have meaning. Our solar system's order is a reflection of the greater structure of life. The Elements Earth, Water Fire Air and Ether were observed and their interactions revealed a pattern of creation which determines the characteristics and qualities of the whole as well as its parts. These "parts" from the perspective of herbalists are people and plants. We want to understand how the patterns of the Elements and the Solar System (the planets) interact with the human and plant kingdoms.

The macrocosmic pattern is built on these three layers (Planets Elements Principles). Alchemy demonstrates the way this blueprint permeates all aspects of nature from animals and plants to minerals and people. Alchemists understood that all of nature is governed by a universal blueprint. We must study the patterns of nature to improve ourselves and to use our plants more effectively.

Alchemy holds that the universe does not exist as a chaotic system. Life has an inherent rhythm, order and pattern. This belief is based on the observation of the natural laws that govern planet movements, seasons, cycles of life and the inherent characteristics of different expressions of the life. The macrocosm or fundamental order of the Universe shapes all aspects of life.

This philosophy can have profound effects on how you see the world. You can heal your clients holistically when you realize that all things are interconnected in this vast web. Alchemical philosophy is a way of understanding the world and how to interact with it.

A New Approach

If you see someone as a microcosm within a macrocosm, the way that you approach them changes in many ways.

Herbalists can help with a variety of issues, including physical, emotional, psychological and even spiritual. Alchemy is a way to understand someone by dividing them into three parts: body, spirit, and soul.

Organs and tissues make up your body. Your mind, feelings, and psychology make up your spirit. Your soul is your essence. Alchemy teaches that although people tend to view these parts separately, they are all interconnected. Understanding the interaction between these levels will help you heal people more holistically and effectively.

The same approach to understanding humans applies to plants, planets and even to the Elements. This understanding also has physical, psychological and spiritual applications.

Water, for example, corresponds to the reproductive system, lymphatic system, urinary tract, and the lymphatic system. It also has a connection with emotions and a general state of being.

Understanding people, plants and planets through this three-folded pattern will help you see past the symptoms to a deeper imbalance. This perspective can help you to heal someone holistically.

Preparing Chamomile flowers (Matricaria Recutita) for essential oil distillation is the first step to making a spagyric aroma.

A Holistic model for people

One of the biggest challenges you will face as an herbalist is figuring out the pattern of imbalance that your client has so that you can best help them. Alchemy helps you zoom out from symptoms to see the whole person so that you can see all the connections. This way of working with clients balances their archetypal level, not just the symptoms.

Alchemically, according to the perspective of the individual, we all contain archetypal elements and planetary forces (i.e. the macrocosm in the microcosm). We all contain every planet and element, but in different degrees and ratios. Some are overly abundant, others are deficient. Some are well-integrated, while others aren't. It is our unique physiological, mental and spiritual temperament that determines who we are. Alchemy's goal is to gradually work through archetypal forces and transform them into a healthy, well-integrated mode of expression.

Imagine, for example, that a client is coming to you with respiratory tract problems, such as chronic asthma or bronchial constrictions. You learn from your intake that the client's nervous system is tense and that they are susceptible to chronic anxiety and stress. You learn later that they have difficulty communicating and expressing themselves through language. This pattern shows that they have a Mercury imbalance on the emotional, physical and spiritual planes.

You could assume that the Mercury is not well integrated in this person's case. In turn, this person is facing increased challenges in their mental, emotional and physical health. The archetype's main purpose is to bring the person to attention, to make them aware of the things they need to do within themselves. It is also a way to reveal how the microcosm and macrocosm are out of balance. They can then resolve the imbalance and channel their inner archetype in a more healthy way by bringing this awareness. We work with plants that contain strong Mercurial properties to rebalance this archetype and retrain it to manifest in an appropriate manner.

You wouldn't just suggest herbs to help reduce anxiety or improve respiratory function. You would choose a remedy to balance the archetype's root. You could recommend a relaxing herbal remedy that has an affinity with the nervous and respiratory system, which is governed Mercury. Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata) would be a good choice.

Lobelia is a plant that embodies Mercury and, as such, will affect its emotional, psychological and spiritual levels if prepared alchemically. Lobelia helps balance Mercury's tendency to cause spasms, constriction and tension. Lobelia's acrid taste indicates that it has powerful antispasmodic and relaxant properties. Mercury is the ruler of the lungs, respiratory system and nervous system. It has an affinity with these systems. Lobelia works on the archetypal Mercury level, so it can help not only with respiratory tract infections, but also with communication, cognition and language.

You can find a herbal remedy that will not only relieve physical symptoms but also correct the imbalance at its root. This approach allows you to provide the best form of medicine: prevention.

Lobelia (Lobelia Inflata)

A Holistic model for plants

It is important to understand how plants' physical, mental and spiritual qualities are connected.

Some people choose to focus on only one plane. Flower essence practitioners concentrate on emotional, mental, or spiritual aspects. Herbalists often only focus on the physical properties. This approach has the disadvantage of obscuring the common thread between them and giving a fragmented picture of the herb's function. This makes learning about plants more difficult, as you have to memorize a lot of unrelated facts instead of a holistic view.

Cayenne pepper is a good example. In the first method, you might study the biochemical components in one book, the herbal effects in another and the spiritual applications in a flower essences repertory, if the plant was even included ...)

The alchemical model makes everything stick together. Cayenne, a red plant with a fiery color, is pungent, spicy and oily. It improves cardiovascular function, circulates blood and increases internal temperature. This is helpful in treating fever. All of these characteristics point to the Fire Element. You can now determine how the Fire Element will affect someone's constitution in body, mind, and spirit.

This example shows how to classify and categorize Materia Medica according to Elements or Planets in the alchemical tradition. Instead of organizing by organ systems or herbal effects, you will learn to see the essence, i.e. how the plant embodies a macrocosmic pattern. It is also called the "archetypal Constitution" of the plant. This essence is reflected in its planetary, elemental and characteristic qualities. You can balance your own essence by observing the macrocosm and its relationship to nature's larger blueprint.

This holistic approach to viewing plants is beneficial for you as an herbist, because it helps reveal the relationships between a plant’s morphology and its growing environment, its chemistry, its herbal properties, its energetics, and other psycho-spiritual qualities. This holistic approach ties all of these factors together, giving you a deeper understanding of the plants' actions. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding of medicinal plants than you would have if you had studied its parts separately.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Alchemy and Practice

You can see that the alchemical model is very different from other approaches and models. It is a re-frame of how we perceive the world, one that is not based on separation but rather unity, correlation and correspondence. It is a perspective that finds meaning in all of the things around us.

To truly understand alchemy, you must first grasp its principles. The essence of alchemical philosophy is that everything is a small version of the larger whole, and you can only evolve yourself when you begin to recognize patterns and correspondences between people, nature and the universe.

Alchemy's ultimate goal is wholeness. You can achieve harmony and balance in your life when you learn to see the microcosm as a macrocosm, and you develop a relationship between yourself and the nature that reflects it.

Alchemy is a system that is both intellectually and emotionally based. This means that, while the mind compartmentalizes and analyses things through division and analysis your heart is able to perceive unity and relationships among all things. This balance is the basis for alchemy. We need to be able to see these patterns in nature and understand them intellectually, before we can use them to heal. This balance between the heart and mind, intuition and intellect, is another expression of ancient adage, as above, so beneath, and unification of science and spirit in herbal medicine.

The next episode in this series, Spiritual Herbal Pharmacy & Spagyrics, will cover the lab in more detail.

The School of Evolutionary Herbalism published the post Alchemy and Herbalism Part II: As Above, so Below: The Macrocosm and microcosm in People and plants.

By: Emily Doyle
Title: Alchemy and Herbalism Part II – As Above, So Below: The Macrocosm and Microcosm in People and Plants
Sourced From: www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/2023/04/26/alchemy-and-herbalism-part-ii-as-above-so-below-the-macrocosm-and-microcosm-in-people-and-plants/
Published Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2023 19:00:39 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some love coriander and others don't?

Some people hate coriander, while others love it. But why?

Coriander is an herb that grows in warm climates throughout the world. It is native to both North America and Europe.

The leaves of the plant are used in cooking and can also be found in condiments such as salad dressings and dips. When added to food, coriander provides a spicy flavor.

Many people love its taste because it adds a fresh flavor to dishes without overpowering them. Others dislike the smell and taste of coriander because they find it too strong.

But there is more to coriander than meets the eye. There are two types of coriander – sweet and hot. Sweet coriander is milder and sweeter tasting compared to hot coriander.

Sweet coriander is usually grown for its seeds, often called cilantro. This type of coriander is easy to grow and is very low maintenance.

Hot coriander is most commonly used in Indian cuisine. Hot coriander gives a rich flavor to curries and sauces, making it popular among Indians.

Some people say that hot coriander tastes better than sweet coriander. However, the opposite is true for those who prefer sweet coriander.

There are many reasons why people enjoy different varieties of coriander. For example, one person may love the taste of coriander, while another enjoys the aroma.

Whether you like sweet or hot coriander, you might be surprised to learn that you can buy both types of coriander online.

Is it safe to eat raw garlic?

Raw garlic contains potent compounds that could cause stomach upset. Garlic should always be cooked before eating.

Garlic is one of the oldest known medicinal plants. It has been used since ancient times to treat various ailments.

Today, garlic is still commonly used for treating colds, coughs, and other respiratory infections. In addition, garlic can increase blood circulation, boost immunity, protect against cancer, lower cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease, and reduce stress.

Do not ingest large amounts of raw garlic to avoid possible health problems. It does not harm you if you consume small amounts regularly, however. This is especially true with young children who might accidentally swallow some.

What is the mother of all herbs?

The answer may surprise you!

It is a common garden herb known as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary has long been associated with fertility, longevity, and protection from illness. In some cultures, it was believed that the fragrance of rosemary could ward off evil spirits.

As such, it has been used for centuries in various medicinal, culinary, and spiritual applications. Rosemary has a unique flavor that pairs well with many dishes, making it a popular choice in the kitchen. Its fragrant leaves also add flavor to sauces, herbs, and meats.

Rosemary is a powerful medicinal herb used throughout the centuries to treat various ailments. Rosemary essential oil can treat respiratory tract infections, digestion problems, skin irritation, and inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it helpful in treating headaches and muscle pain as well. In addition, the oil has been used to improve cognitive function and memory recall. Rosemary can also be taken as a supplement, tea, or tincture for its many benefits.

It's no wonder rosemary is known as the mother of herbs! It truly is a versatile and valued herb.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

Herbs are among the most popular and widely used medicinal remedies. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, herbs were used by over 38% of adults in the United States.
The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.

External Links

How To

How to use herbs safely?

Many people think that herbs should only be used under medical supervision because they believe that some herbs are poisonous. However, this is not true.

Many herbs have long histories of safe use. For example, garlic has been used for thousands of years to fight infections. It's also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure.

However, if you're pregnant or nursing, avoid taking certain herbs. You should also avoid them if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to herbs.

You can do several things to ensure you get the best results from your herbs and supplements. First, always read labels before consuming anything containing herbs or spices. Second, take the lowest dose recommended on the label. Third, don't use more than one supplement at any given time. Fourth, talk to your doctor about how to combine specific herbs and supplements. Finally, keep track of your consumption to know whether you need to adjust your dosage.