In a previous posting, I wrote about alchemy as a metaphor for personal transformation of the individual. In the same way that western alchemy sought to transmute base metals into gold, the goal of personal transmutation is to change us from being limited by herd thinking and mediocrity to a self actualized person who has transcended the boundaries imposed by society and culture. The transformed person thinks independently, unleashes their creative potential and is ready to be truly free.

Alchemy assumed that gold was inherent in base metals, only requiring a process to reveal it. Similarly, I believe that the individual is “endowed with the seeds of greatness”. This has been diluted with the base qualities of society which enslave the individual. In order to live a free and fulfilled life, the individual must regain their freedom by purging themselves of the contaminants of false perception by transforming themselves.

Introducing the base metals

In alchemy, there are five base metals: lead, tin, iron, copper and mercury. These are the starting materials for transmutation. The end results of transmutation are gold and silver.

Base metals are of low value. They are generally only of value when combined with other materials. They are reactive, and will readily combine with other surrounding substances. In contrast, gold has its greatest value when in its purest form. Gold is a noble metal and is extremely unreactive.

In the same way that gold stays apart from contaminants, the “golden” transformed individual can live in the world without losing his core values – he is in the world but not of it. Nothing can rob him of his freedom. He is comfortable with solitude and thinks independently and not simply conform to herd opinion.

The untransformed individual’s perception of his own value comes from the compliance with the opinions of others. His self worth is not grounded in a realistic self image but increases or decreases based on praise or censure. The result is either being puffed up with arrogant pride or feeling unworthy. He can’t stand alone, or think for himself, in the same way that a base metal is useful only in an alloy.

I see that each metal has particular characteristics that relate to our personal growth. I will discuss each metal in turn in future postings (if enough people are interested). I will start in this posting with mercury.

Mercury – the transforming metal

I have previously written about the transmutation of mercury into gold. Mercury is liquid, volatile and reactive. It will assume any shape that it is put into. The word ‘mercurial’ derives from it and this implies instability and changeability.

Mercury was regarded as the base substance that gold is produced from and is only one element away from gold in the period table, but they are very different. As I noted, gold is unreactive and therefore does not tarnish. In contrast, mercury readily combines with other metals to form amalgams, or reacts with surrounding impurities.

Mercury has long been associated with the possibility of change and transformation. If we think of a mercurial person, it is someone who has become aware of the possibility of transforming themselves (either by luck, talent, or by working on themselves) and has the potential to become truly golden, but has not yet done so. This contrasts with some other metal personalities, who have not even become aware that gold exists and who do not know that any transmutation is possible.

The mercury person is torn between staying in their current place, or moving on. This is an uncomfortable and unstable place, and they will swing from one place to another.

An example of a mercury driven individual is the extremely talented sports person or performer. Everyone can see that they have the potential to become truly great, to take their place in history and to express their gift. We see moments of greatness when gold in is their grasp, but there is an inconsistency in their results. Achievement alternates with mediocrity. Personal problems hold back the person, they are indecisive and unstable. They are unfocussed, reacting with the base elements in the world around them. We find the drug addicted sports person and alcoholic actress in this category.

Often the mercury person is afraid of their gift, so constantly battles with destructive behaviours until the potential is squandered. The person who is at the mercury stage can see gold close by, but doesn’t grab it. They have the potential to move forward, but false beliefs hold them back.

Since mercury is an elusive and volatile element, the individual at this stage must either go forward or fall back. All too often they fall back after touching the gold but never grasping it.

The person at the mercury stage is close to achieving their freedom. They need to push themselves a bit harder and complete the final stage of the transformation to gold. Transformation is a process of carefully examining core beliefs against objective reality and being prepared to throw away cherished but false ideas and embrace truth.

Tags: Personal alchemy

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