ALCHEMY Alchemical device illustrating how the polarities of the material world are united in the Phoenix, which is the Philosopher's Stone. From Andreas Libavius, Alchymia, 1606. The polarities lie on either side of the vertical descending line below the phoenix, which is nesting in its flame above the cosmic duality of Sun and Moon, on either side of which are the earthly representatives of these, the King and Queen. Below the cosmic circle, the four elements are divided into two groups - the left, beneath the King, is Fire and Air, to the right, beneath the Queen, Water and Earth. These a
ALCHEMY Alchemical device illustrating how the polarities of the material world are united in the Phoenix, which is the Philosopher's Stone. From Andreas Libavius, Alchymia, 1606. The polarities lie on either side of the vertical descending line below the phoenix, which is nesting in its flame above the cosmic duality of Sun and Moon, on either side of which are the earthly representatives of these, the King and Queen. Below the cosmic circle, the four elements are divided into two groups - the left, beneath the King, is Fire and Air, to the right, beneath the Queen, Water and Earth. These are partly shielded by a White Swan, which is one of the symbols of philosopher's Mercury (note that it stands upon a cube). The distinctive symbols in the globe below are (in descending order) the Ouroboros dragon, devouring its own tail, the Black Crow, sitting on an eclipsing Moon, a three-headed Red Eagle, which symbolizes Air (note the heads of the three Winds in the circle below its feet), the Bleeding Lion (which symbolizes Fire), the Naked Lady with a lily (who symbolizes Water) - all three circles of which are embedded in the Earth. Below this globe is the four-headed Hydra, which in alchemy is usually linked with the dragon guardian of the Golden Fleece, and is thus a symbol of the Wise, of the alchemists who seek and find the se crest of nature. The four heads relate to the four-fold man, or Initiate. This four-fold nature is reflected in the symbolism of the four naked or semi-naked figures who (Atlas-like) support the upper and lower worlds.
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