Under Hermetic philosophy, the alchemistic maxim solve et coagula (dilute and rarify) is a

shorthand also for a large part of the Bardon exercises. We condense and encourage higher
virtues, while dissolving our vices and baser behaviour. Elemental and universal energies are
accumulated in our bodies, while contradictory influences and expelled.
The properties of the 4 elements, heat/cold, brightness/darkness, thickness/thinness,
motion/stillness, and so on, are fundamental properties of existence or manifestation, so the four
elements are likewise spiritual analogies to that existence. This is confirmed from perspective of
Tarot philosophy and from a numerological perspective. The Emperor, the fourth card, sits on a
cube, which is the square of four in three dimensions, the symbol of absolute stability and
lawfulness in matter. This card is interpreted to symbolise the Key to Hermetic Philosophy, the
wisdom of divine lawfulness of existence. Again note the emphasis on universal existence and
manifestation.
In my understanding, the five element system, basic practices like the Inner Smile, the Healing
sounds and the Microcosmic Orbit draw on the more general universal energies like Heavenly Chi,
Earth Chi and Cosmic Chi to add power, but do not attempt to condense universal five element
energies (if that were even possible) into the body. Instead, analogies of season, positive and
negative emotions, cardinal directions, colour, divine animals and so on are used to shape, gather
and purify, even transform, existing personal energy into corresponding primarily primary and
secondary internal organs.
As a related concept, Bill Mistele writes in one of his articles about the differences between
personal vital force and universal vital force, a distinction which is particularly highlighted within
IIH in the step 3 section on healing.
A useful conclusion would be to view the five transformation elements as personal vital force
related to five different processes within the human vital body. They may also be related to
the five pranas in yogic philosophy, prana, apana, udana,smana and vyana which
compose pranamaya, one of the five sheaths or koshas inthe human vital body. I leave further
exploration of these ideas to a future post.