Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies 
• “Just as tragedy and comedy can be
written using the same letters so many
varied events in this world can be
realized by the same atoms as long as
they take up different positions and
describe different movements.”
• -Democritus
(5th Century BC Greek philosopher)
The Hermetic Sciences
• Hermes Trismegistus was an allegorical
figure identified with the Egyptian god
Thoth
• It is said that he gave us the Hermetic
Sciences which include: Astrology,
Alchemy, and Magic
Ancient Library of Alexandria
• Was founded at the beginning of the 3rd
Century BCE and served as a major
center of scholarship in Hellenistic
Egypt
• It flourished under the patronage of the
Ptolemaic dynasty
• Some authors propose that the Library
of Alexandria was partially destroyed by
Christians in 391 AD when Theophilus
ordered the destruction of the Serapeum
• It is generally accepted that the Muslims
sacked and destroyed the library during
their conquest of 642
• Many of the salvaged Hermetic texts
made their way to different parts of the
Islamic world, including Spain
• Zain claims that Alchemy derives from
the Arabic Al’Quimia meaning the
occult or unseen
Arabic Alchemists
• Originated chemistry and the
investigation of nature
• Invented the still and retort
• Gave us the words alchemy, alcohol,
alembic, and elixir
• The year 710 AD – began nearly 800
years of Islamic occupation in Spain
• The arts and sciences flourished
1  www.light.org 
• Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faiths
coexisted until 1492, when the Moors
and Jews were expulsed from Spain
• Advances were made in Astrology and
Alchemy
• From Spain, Alchemy entered the rest of
Europe
• Alchemy has been referred to as “the
yoga of the west”
• The symbols of astrology formed the
language of alchemy
• As a spiritual and philosophical
discipline, alchemy studies the natural
world
• The practice of Alchemy impacted
chemistry, metallurgy, physics,
medicine, and astronomy
• The practice of alchemy proliferated in
13th – 18th Century Europe
• It was both an observational
understanding of the workings of the
natural world as well as a way of
“encoding” in profoundly symbolic
form the inner workings of the soul as
taught in Hermetic, Rosicrucian and
Kabalistic systems
• The Alchemists sought to protect their
discoveries from the profane as freedom
of speech and religion was not protected
• The concepts were hidden in symbolism
• The “Alphabet” of astrology provides a
key to understanding Alchemy
The Law of Correspondences
• “As above, so below” a thing on earth is
ruled by a sign or planet
• “Astrology and alchemy arrived in
Europe together. A language that was
applicable to one was likewise
applicable to the other. Astrology
teaches that everything on earth has its
correspondence in the sky, and
everything in the sky has its
correspondence on earth. This is the key
to alchemical synonyms.”
• Spiritual Alchemy - C. C. Zain
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies
Famous Alchemists
• Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, St.
Thomas Aquinus , Cornelius Agrippa,
Paracelsus, Parmigianino, Tycho Brahe,
Sir Isaac Newton
The Alchemist’s Goals
• Transmute base metals into gold
• Discover the Elixir of Life
• Discover the Philosopher’s Stone
• To accomplish The Great Work
Transmutation
• Turn base metals into gold
• For some this was physical gold
• For spiritual alchemists this was the
essence of spirit or the spiritual body
• The metals of alchemy represent the
planetary energies
The Reverberatory Furnace
• “The material alchemist works with the
common minerals, such as copper, lead,
tin, and iron, in the endeavor to change
them into a metal more valuable. The
mental alchemist follows similar
principles; but the elements with which
he works are his thoughts. He seeks to
flux them one against the other, reduce
them in the astral light, and recombine
them in a mental gold that will attract to
him ability, wealth, power and success.
The spiritual alchemist goes a step still
further. In fact, he takes the highest step
possible to embodied man. He uses as
his metals the various experiences of
life. If some are not at hand that are
necessary for this transmutation he seeks
them out. He purifies them, fluxes them
in proper proportion, dissolves them in
the spiritual light by the aid of a
reverberatory furnace, and if the
resultant transmutation is successful he
comes into possession of a golden
chariot in which his soul may wing its
heavenly flight through boundless time
and eternity.”
• C. C. Zain – Spiritual Alchemy
2  www.light.org 
 
• Just as the heat of the furnace causes the
molecules of the metal to move more
rapidly, we must raise our vibratory
rates in order to create a spiritual body
• All of our life experiences (represented
by the metals of alchemy) provide us
with the opportunity to raise our
vibratory rate
The Metals of Alchemy
• À = Sun/Gold
• Á= Moon/Silver
• Â= Mercury/Quicksilver
• Ã= Venus/Copper
• Ä = Mars/Iron
• Å= Jupiter/Tin
• Æ= Saturn/Lead
• The “Upper Octave” Planets
• Ç =Uranus/Quicksilver
• È= Neptune/Copper
• É= Pluto/Silver
Separating Pure Metal from Dross
• The metals, which represent life
experiences, must be purified and the
dross removed
• “This reverberatory furnace of the
spiritual alchemist is fed by an
outpouring of love. Nothing raises the
vibrations as quickly as love. It is the
love of the oxygen of the air for the
carbon in the fuel that gives the material
furnace its intensity. Love operates on
various planes. But only unselfish love
affects spiritual substance.”
• C. C. Zain – Spiritual Alchemy
Transmutation
• To change into another nature,
substance, form, or condition
• In Alchemy, transforming base metals
into gold
• Transmutation is achieved by
conversions or antidotes
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies 
 
Alchemical Conversion • Domineering
• From the Latin conversio, meaning “a • Officious
complete change” • Bossy
• Change in character, form, or function • Authoritarian
• In alchemy conversion involves • Tyrannical
reconditioning the feelings associated • Despotic
with the problem metal to express only • Dictatorial
harmoniously • Superiority complex
• Grandiose
Alchemical Antidotes
• Pretentious
• From the Latin antidotum, and the
• Pompous
Greek antidoton, meaning “to give as a
• Showy
remedy against”
• Something that prevents or counteracts
The Pure Metal of Gold À
injurious or unwanted effects
• Leadership
• In alchemy antidotes are metals
• Positive self-esteem
(thought-cells) which energetically
• Self-respect
combine to correct or recondition
discordant energies. This comes through • Respect of others
utilizing disparate but compatible • Etiquette
elements • Honor
• Authority
• Lead – Copper • Pride in ability
• Tin – Mercury • Humility
• Iron – Silver • Modesty
• Gold-no antidote • Self-control
• Noble
Astrological Gold À • Dignified
• The Sun
• Power Urges Astrological Silver Á
• Positive traits: Rulership • Moon
• Negative traits: Dictativeness • Domestic Urges
• Neutral • Positive Traits: Adaptability
• The area of the chart occupied by The • Negative Traits: Moodiness
Sun is subject to vigor, vitality, honor, • Neutral
and pride. • The area of the chart occupied by The
• The ores of Gold find expression Moon is subject to fluctuation, moods,
through self-esteem, power and and intuitive impressions
authority. Their tendency is to function • The ores of Silver seek to express
with confidence and self-assurance. through nesting and nurturing. They are
Gold attracts honor, recognition and the easily corrupted through passivity,
admiration of others. Respect of self and hypersensitivity, and moodiness. They
others is a natural expression of Gold. tend to make an individual sensitive,
caring, intuitive, impressionable,
The Dross of Gold À emotional, paternal/maternal, moody
• Arrogant
• Vain
• Self-important

3  www.light.org 
 
 
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies 
 
The Dross of Silver -Domestic Urges Á • Reflection
• Moody • Analytical
• Passive • Critical thinking
• Negative • Evaluating
• Fickle • Logical
• Gossipy • Reasoning
• Submissive
• Temperamental Astrological Copper Ã
• Venus
The Pure Metal of Silver Á • Social Urges
• Sensitive • Positive Traits: Affection
• Emotional • Negative Traits: Pliancy
• Domestic • Lesser Benefic
• Nurturing • The area of the chart occupied by Venus
• Caring is subject to gratuities, gifts, pleasure,
• Intuitive beauty, and friendship
• Impressionable • The ores of copper seek love and beauty
in all things. They are given to
Astrological Mercury  sensuality and shirk responsibilities and
• Mercury hard work.
• Intellectual Urges
• Positive Traits: Expression The Dross of Copper Ã
• Negative Traits: Nervousness • Feeling unloved
• Neutral • The lack of companionship or friendship
• The area of the chart occupied by • Jealousy
Mercury is subject to thought, analysis, • Inability to say “no”
and preoccupation • The “disease to please”
• The ores of Mercury seek intelligence • Addictions
through perception, and analysis. They • Over-sensuality
are easily corrupted through fanatical
thinking and jumping to conclusions. The Pure Metal of Copper Ã
They tend to make an individual • Love
intelligent, communicative, perceptive, • Compassion
and restless. • Friendship
• Affection
The Dross of Mercury - Intellectual Urges  • Conjugality
• Poor communication skills • Sensuality
• Errors in calculation • Mirthfulness
• Nervousness • Refinement
• Anxiety • Beauty
• Neuroses • Luxury
• Mental ruminations • Unconditional love
• Forgetfulness
Astrological Iron Ä
The Pure Metal of Mercury  • Mars
• Intelligence • Aggressive Urges
• Perception • Positive traits: Initiative
• Communication • Negative traits: Harshness
4  www.light.org 
 
 
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies 
 
• Minor Malefic to every cloud” are natural expressions
• The area of the chart occupied by Mars of tin.
is subject to strife, antagonism, and
effort The Dross of Tin Å
• The ores of Iron find expression through • Conceit
building up or tearing down. Iron can be • “Holier-than-thou” attitude
used for either tools or weapons. Just as • Religious fanaticism
Iron easily rusts the ores of iron tend to • Overly-optimistic
easily incite lust and anger. • Excessive generosity
• Naivety
The Dross of Iron Ä • Laissez-faire
• Anger • Gluttony
• Aggression
• Impulsiveness The Pure Metal of Tin Å
• Violence • Affluence
• Strife • Charitable
• Rage • Generosity
• Fury • Luck
• Resentment • Gain without effort
• Antagonism • Opportunities
• Hostility • Benevolent
• Destructiveness • Optimistic
• Lust • Munificent
• Bloodlust • Abundant

The Pure Metal of Iron Ä Astrological Lead Æ

• Initiative • Saturn
• Construction • Safety Urges
• Passion • Positive traits: System
• Protective • Negative traits: Selfishness
• Defending the weak • Major Malefic
• The area of the chart occupied by Saturn
Astrological Tin Å is subject to poverty, restrictions, losses,
• Jupiter confinements, sorrow, and
• Religious Urges responsibilities
• Positive traits: Benevolence
• Negative traits: Conceit The Dross of Lead Æ
• Major Benefic • Greed
• The area of the chart occupied by Jupiter • Selfishness
is subject to abundance, opportunities, • Avarice
good-will, and luck. • Hoarding
• The ores of Tin find expression through • Fear
reliance on a Higher-Power, faith and • Dread
benevolence. Their tendency is to • Self-centeredness
function ethically and take the “moral • Depression
high ground. Tin gives generously, and • Melancholy
in kind receives the good-will of others. • Despairing
Optimism and seeing “the silver-lining
• Deficient
5  www.light.org 
 
 
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies 
 
The Pure Metal of Lead Æ • The antidote for Neptune is Saturn or
• Well-Planned lead
• Prepared
• Foresightful É= Pluto/Silver
• Prescient (upper octave of the Moon Á)
• Organized • Universal Welfare Urges
• Safety-minded • Positive traits: Cooperation
• Systematic • Negative traits: Coercion
• Structured • Neutral
• Methodical • The area of the chart occupied by Pluto
• Responsible is subject to compulsion, conformity,
• Dutiful obsessions, group influences
• Accountable • In Hermetic Astrology Pluto is
• Conscientious considered the “upper octave” of The
Moon Á
The “Upper Octave” Planets • Pluto therefore corresponds to
• Higher level expressions of the energies alchemical silver
of lower octave planets • The antidote for Pluto is Mars or iron
Uranus Ç
Quicksilver (upper octave of Mercury Â) Our Consciousness is Creative
• Individualistic Urges • “The thoughts of the Soul are not ideas
• Positive traits: Originality but creative powers…the more the Soul
lives in the light of the Spirit, turned
• Negative traits: Eccentricity
towards that which is above itself, the
• Neutral
more creative it becomes.”
• The area of the chart occupied by
• -Plotinus - 2nd Century Greek
Uranus is subject to sudden change,
philosopher and initiate
erratic behavior, novelty, and invention
• In Hermetic Astrology Uranus is
The Power to Influence
considered the “upper octave” of
Mercury Â
• Ç - Uranus therefore corresponds to
alchemical Mercury or Quicksilver
• The antidote for Uranus is Jupiter or tin

È= Neptune/Copper
(Upper octave of Venus Ã)
Utopian Urges
• Positive traits: Idealism
• Negative traits: Vagueness
• Neutral
• The area of the chart occupied by
Neptune is subject to illusion fantasy
thinking, and imagination, and intuition • Our Own Thoughts = ½
• In Hermetic Astrology Neptune is • Astrological Influences = ¼
considered the “upper octave” of Venus • Environmental Influences = 1/8
à • The Thoughts of Others = 1/16
• Neptune therefore corresponds to • Unseen Entities = 1/32
alchemical copper • Imponderable Forces = 1/32
6  www.light.org 
 
 
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies
The Law of Affinity
• Like Attracts Like
• You are what you think
• "Mind is the Master power that moulds
and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he
takes
The tool of Thought, and, shaping what
he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand
ills:
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking-glass.“
• As a Man Thinketh - James Allen, 1902
• Thinking differently impacts your brain
and your neurochemistry
• Affirmations are one way we can
recondition (reprogram) our thinking
Inner Plane to Outer Plane Relationship
• The Inner (Astral) Plane operates at a
frequency above the speed of light, it
interpenetrates and has a molding effect
over the physical
• The Outer (Physical) Plane is in dense
slow-moving substance that vibrates at a
frequency below the speed of light.
Events which are attracted to us on the
Outer (Physical) Plane happen first on
the Inner Plane.
• “Like Attracts Like”
• We draw events and experiences into
our lives which mirror our states of
consciousness
Identifying the Thought Cause
• Inheritance:
• DNA
• Family tree (i.e. persons who were
abused have a greater tendency to be
abusers)
• We inherit habits of thinking, feeling,
and acting from our ancestors
The Astrological Chart
• A map of our consciousness at the time
of birth
• Our Spiritual DNA
• “Blueprint” of our Soul
7  www.light.org 
 
• Maps our dominant trends in
thinking/consciousness
• Planets (Metals) represent “Thought
Cells”
• Aspects combine planets into “Thought
Cell Compounds”
• “The relative harmony/discord of a
planet indicates its ability to attract
pleasurable/painful experiences
• Progressed planets are “Temporary
Stellar Aerials” which attract
events/experiences during their period
of activity
• Just as the body is comprised of
protoplasm forming cells and organs the
soul or unconscious mind is comprised
of “psycho-plasm” forming thought
cells or organs in our consciousness
• Our thought cells operate in a 4th
dimensional realm to impact our
dominant trends of thinking and thus
attract events and experiences of a
specific nature
• Thought “Cells” or Thought “Organs “
function independently of one another
• Harmonious Thought Cells attract
pleasurable experiences
• Discordant Thought Cells attract painful
experiences
• The planets (metals) functioning alone
form thought cells
• When their energies combine with other
planets in “Aspects” they form Thought
Cell “Compounds”
Interpreting Astrodynes
• Astro means “Star”
• Dyna means “Power”
• Astrodynes calculate the power,
harmony, and discord for the planets,
signs, houses, and aspects in a chart
Pain = Discord
• Physical suffering or distress
• A distressing sensation in a particular
part of the body
• Mental or emotional suffering or
torment
 Alchemy Applied: Transforming Planetary Energies
• Pain informs the organism that it is not
successful in adapting to its environment
Pleasure = Harmony
• The state or feeling of being pleased.
• Enjoyment or satisfaction derived from
what is to one's liking; gratification;
delight.
• Pleasure informs the organism that it is
being successful
• Painful events are often our best
teachers
• “This may be happening for a reason”
• “My illness was my wake up call”
Thought Cell Compounds – Aspects
• In Hermetic Astrology there are 10
Aspects
• The potency of the aspects expresses
from mild to extremely powerful
• Their conditioning energy can be either
harmonious, discordant, or neutral
• Planets in the upper right half of the
graph are measured by zodiacal
longitude
• Planets in the lower left half of the
graph are measured by declination
• The upper line in each aspect box
represents the relative strength of the
aspect
• The lower line represents the
conditioning energy (harmony or
discord)
• In an astrological chart conditioning is
determined by:
• The innate nature of the planet
• Essential Dignities
• Aspects
• Astrodynes are the best method for
analyzing the conditioning energy in a
chart
The Power of Our Thoughts
• The mind cannot differentiate between
facts and imagined facts
• It is easy for just about anyone to walk a
steel girder that is placed on the ground
8  www.light.org 
 
• There is no difference in a girder placed
100 feet above the ground
Identifying the Thought Cause
• Looking at you personal astrodyne
report under the section titled “planets”
find the largest negative number (-) in
the column marked “harmony”
• Identify the planet and the alchemical
metal it rules
• Note the house position this planet
occupies in your chart
• Ask yourself the following questions:
• What are some of the negative traits
associated with this particular metal?
• What events or experiences has this
attracted into my life?
• What are some of the negative mental
statements I run in my consciousness
related to this area of my chart?
Upcoming Activities
2009
Tarot and Divination
Wednesday November 18, 7—9 p.m.
A special meeting of A.R.E. (Association
for Research and Enlightenment)
Winter Solstice Service and Celebration
Sunday December 20, 11 a.m.
2010
The Planets in Hermetic Astrology
10 Thursdays January 21 - March 25
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Recommended Reading
Spiritual Alchemy – C. C. Zain
Mental Alchemy - C. C. Zain
Astrodyne Manual – Elbert Benjamine
Delineation with Astrodynes – Ken Stone
How to Read Cosmodynes – Doris Chase Doane