Theometry:

Linguistics’ “Holy Grail” and Physics’ “Philosopher’s Stone”

Copyright © 1993-2009, Theometry.com—Gerald Charron. All rights reserved. 
This material may not be reproduced without written permission.

What is the Philosopher’s Stone?

One needs to first ascertain exactly what “the stone” is, so that is where my research begins:

"The stone, also referred to as the "tincture," or the "powder" (Greek xerion, which passed through Latin into Arabic as elixir), was allied to an elixir of life, believed by alchemists to be a liquid derived from it. Inasmuch as alchemy was concerned not only with the search for a method of upgrading less valuable metals but also of perfecting the human soul, the philosopher's stone was thought to cure illnesses, prolong life, and bring about spiritual revitalization. The philosopher's stone, described variously, was sometimes said to be a common substance, found everywhere but unrecognized and unappreciated."

(Encyc. Brit., 15th ed., 1976)

For many, this is probably the definition we are discussing. Given the research done on the subject learned through many sources, it seems a bit shortsighted, narrow-minded or, at the very least, vague and inconcise.

The understanding of why I mention the “Physics Philosopher’s Stone” in the book title requires, at least, a basic understanding of what exactly the Philosopher's Stone was proposed to be.

The Philosopher’s Stone (Latin: lapis philosophorum; (Lapis is the Latin for 'stone' and Philisophorum for philosopher’s) Greek: chrysopoeia ((from the Greek khrusōn, gold, and poiēin, to make))  is a legendary, alchemical tool, supposedly capable of turning base metals into gold; it was sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For a long time, it was the most sought-after goal in Western alchemy. In the view of spiritual alchemy, making the philosopher's stone would bring enlightenment upon the maker and conclude the Great Work. It is also known by several other names, such as 'materia prima.'

“Philosopher’s Stone." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.

The alchemists of old sought the philosopher's stone for it was rumoured to have the ability to transmute crude, raw metals such as mercury and lead to the finer metals such as silver and gold. 

"I saw in that fixation of mercury and all others we have done, mercury never made any kind of noise or explosion... We must note that the fixation made in my presence, of mercury into silver, was done in a quarter of hour and that the powder used by alchemists, was white; but for the fixation of mercury into gold, two hours and a strong fire were necessary at the contrary of the fixation of mercury into silver."

Crosset de la Haumerie (1670)

What alchemists purported, and which few people suspect today, is that one cannot succeed in attaining/understanding/creating the “Great Secret” (the secret of gold transmutation) unless one has an upright and honest soul.  The knowledge of the “The Great Work”, which is the name known for the great alchemic operation of transmutation into gold, as well as the preparation for the feat, were designated to require the following, in order:

· Faith

· Silence

· And, lastly, good works

The Bibliothèque L'Arsenal in Paris has a manuscript (3019) of Les Cinq Livres de Nicolas Valois, who was an alchemist of the fifteenth century, says specifically:

“This good God granted me this divine secret through my prayers and the good intentions I had of using it well; the science is lost of purity of heart is lost.”

Nicolas Valois

According to legend, the 13th-century scientist and philosopher Albertus Magnus is said to have discovered the philosopher's stone and passed it to his pupil Thomas Aquinas, shortly before his death circa 1280. Magnus does not confirm he discovered the stone in his writings, but he did record that he witnessed the creation of gold by "transmutation".

The Stone as a Spiritual Metaphor

Alchemy has always made extensive use of analogy, symbolism, and so forth to relate chemical and physical concepts to the esoteric and mystic concepts. In some epochs and contexts, these metaphysical aspects came to predominate, and the chemical processes were then viewed as mere symbols of spiritual processes.

In this hermetic side of alchemy, the "philosopher's stone", supposed to be the most tangible and dense crystallization or condensation of a subtle substance, became a metaphor for an inner potential of the spirit and reason to evolve from a lower state of imperfection and vice (symbolized by the base metals) to a higher state of enlightenment and perfection (symbolized by gold).

In this view, spiritual elevation, the transmutation of metals, and the purification and rejuvenation of the body were seen to be manifestations of the same concept.

The mystical revival in the late 20th century renovated the public interest in alchemy, through books and movies, such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and particularly on this metaphysical and philosophical conception of the philosopher's stone - which is now subscribed by many people.

The Philosopher’s Stone and the Great Work.

The Great Work (Latin: Magnum opus) is a term which originated in medieval European alchemy which refers to the successful completion of the transmutation of base matter into gold or the creation of the philosopher's stone.

It has subsequently been used as a metaphor for spiritual transformation in the Hermetic tradition. It originally had four stages:

1. Nigredo (-putrefactio), blackening (-putrefaction): corruption, dissolution, individuation

2. Albedo, whitening: purification, burnout of impurity; the moon, female

3. Citrinitas, yellowing: spiritualization, enlightenment; the sun, male;

4. Rubedo, reddening: unification of man with god, unification of the limited with the unlimited.

The Four Concepts of the Philosopher’s Stone

The Philosophers' Stone is a visual symbol combining the four principle Concepts of ancient philosophy.

It is not an ordinary stone.  The word 'stone' in the name 'The Philosophers' Stone' reinforces the fixed, universal, unmovable nature of the four Concepts. 

In this sense, the word 'stone' may have the same connotation as the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments which Abraham brought down from Mount Sinai. The Philosophers' Stone was first used around 3000 BC in the ancient philosophy of Hermetic Alchemy, where it symbolized the transformation from base metal (the 'worldly') to gold ('spiritual fulfillment'). 

This philosophy was suppressed and lost during the reign of the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine (300 AD).

According to history knowledge and legend, the four concepts symbolized in the Philosophers' Stone are :

1. The All in One, Cosmos, Consciousness, God

2. The duality of existence

a. Woman & Man, Ying & Yang, Matter & Mind

3. The trinity of the human identity

a. Body

b. Mind

c. Spirit

4. The four elements of ancient alchemy

a. Fire (Energy = dragon head)

b. Air (Intelligence = dragon wings)

c. Earth (Substance = dragon legs)

d. Water (Emotions = dragon "fish" tail)

Amphitheatrum aterna sapientiea by Heinrich Khunrath representing the Alchemic Citadel which symbolizes the Science of Hermes.

The Alchymist, In Search of the Philosopher’s Stone by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1771.

Conclusion and Summary

The Philosopher's Stone, the White Stone by the River, The Sword in the Stone, all have essentially the same meaning: things that which contain the knowledge of creation; a symbol that represents the final outcome of man's inner transformation and of the conversion of the base metal of his outer character to the golden properties of his higher self. It is all about the evolution of consciousness in the alchemy of time.

With all this in mind, it is possible to clearly see how the book’s contents are a prime example of the quest of those seekers of the Philosopher’s Stone of earlier times.  The pursuit of the understanding of science, specifically the geometry of Physics proving the existence of God and God’s existence, and faith in Him providing revelation is indeed a modern day Philosopher’s Stone.

References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica. Philosopher’s Stone."  2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 06 Aug. 2009 <<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/456733/philosophers-stone>>.

2. Ellie Crystal. The Philosopher’s Stone. Crystal Links Website. <<http://www.crystalinks.com/philosopherstone.html>>

3. Emile Grillot De Givry. The Illustrated Anthology of Sorcery, Magic and Alchemy. 1973, Causeway Books, New York, New York. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 74-33782

4. J,K. Rowling.  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Scholastic Press; 1ST edition (October 1998). ISBN-10: 0590353403

5. Chris Boucher. The Philosopher's Stone: The Myth and the Reality.

6. Claus Furstner. Lapis Philosophorvm - The Philosophers' Stone Art Studio. <<http://members.ozemail.com.au/~clauspat/stone.htm>>

7. Adam McLean.  The Alchemy Web Site. <<http://www.alchemywebsite.com/texts.html>>

“Two Prudent counsels greeted the happy initiate to after he found the “True Path” and passed the gates of the Citadel of Alchemy:

“Pray theosophically and work phsyico-chemically”

Now she heard the following words sadly sung,—

“Life is a shadow that flits away
In a night of darkness and woe.”

But then would follow brighter thoughts:

“Life has the rose’s sweet perfume
With sunshine, light, and joy.”

And if one stanza sounded painfully—

“Each mortal thinks of himself alone,
Is a truth, alas, too clearly known;”

Then, on the other hand, came the answer—

“Love, like a mighty flowing stream,
Fills every heart with its radiant gleam.”

She heard, indeed, such words as these—

“In the pretty turmoil here below,
All is a vain and paltry show.”

Then came also words of comfort—

“Great and good are the actions done
By many whose worth is never known.”

And if sometimes the mocking strain reached her—

“Why not join in the jesting cry
That contemns all gifts from the throne on high?”

In the blind girl’s heart a stronger voice repeated—

“To trust in thyself and God is best,
In His holy will forever to rest.”

Hans Christian Anderson - The Philosopher’s Stone.