He Who Was Not

[Unbound]

I believe the symbolic meaning was prevailent,as you say, the revealing of the "Christ-consciousness" within. I'm also aware that Alchemy is part of how Gnosticism survived the purges of the Christians. I have seen multiple techniques for alchemical work, some involve actual working of chemicals and metals, others have to do with alchemy of energy, others of pyramidal energy, others with inner refinement, one called "precipitation", also the kabbalic/hermetic methods. Alchemy is actually a vast field capable of many peculiar phenomenon. The Gold creating "Philosophers Stone" from most of congruent sources I've seen show that it is in fact a white powder called Projection Powder which must be refined over time. The alchemists believe that ore evolves as well, base metals gradually over-time becoming golden. Thus, an alchemist claims to do in a short amount of time what would take nature thousands of years. This is true for inner foundational alchemy, as you say, discovering the golden Higher Self within and embodying, or "constructing the bodies" as they put it. It is the art of crafting a soul.

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Of course, I have yet to do a successful materialization myself, but mostly for lack of trying I believe, I'm not too interested in gold, and I still have basic training to complete before I will be suited for true inner alchemy.