In previous postings in this series on personal alchemy, I’ve discussed mercury, which represents the base metal which is one step before gold, and lead, which is the base metal which is the Prima Materia, or starting point in the transmutation to gold. In this posting I will discuss tin, which represents superficial contentment and happiness.

I’ve used alchemy as a metaphor for personal transformation from the person who is unfree and whose thoughts are constructed around the limitations of accepted “wisdom” and self delusion to the golden self actualised person who is open to truth and personal growth.

Tin is a metal best known for its use in alloys (such as bronze) and as a coating for steel cans (which are sometimes called tin cans). It is a bright and corrosion resistant metal, unlike lead. Sometimes a tin compound called stannic sulphide used to be passed off as gold, but tin is only a base metal, and is not valuable as gold is.

We used to incinerate all of our household garbage. When we burnt the tin cans, the tin burned away, leaving only an oxidised base. Tin has no strength by itself and is mainly used for superficial coatings. Tin toys are often regarded as cheap and of low quality. A tin ear is insensitivity to the nuances of music.

In alchemy tin corresponds with the planet Jupiter, which relates to the ancient Greek god Zeus. We get the word jovial (meaning happy and contented) from Jove, which is another name for Jupiter.

The tin person has the characteristics of Jove – good cheer, joviality, generosity, abundance, health and wealth. On the surface, this is all that anyone wants. But like a tin coating on a can, this is only skin deep and does not represent acquisition of truth or true spiritual growth, only blind material affluence.

With tin we have affluence instead of wealth, cheer instead of fellowship, happiness in place of inner joy and fitting in rather than pursuing truth.

In the Bible (Revelation 3:17-18), we have the example of the Laodicean church, which is self deluded by the characteristics of tin:

For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

The tin person has the Mercedes Benz in the driveway of their mansion, a Rolex on their wrist, the beach house, the overseas holidays to exotic locales, the swollen bank account, the country club membership, the trophy spouse and children and the acclaim of their peers but a nagging inner feeling late at night that none of this matters, and that something vital is missing.

Tin may appear to have some characteristics of gold – lustre, wealth, abundance and happiness, but it is false gold. When tried by fire, tin burns away, leading a corroded base. When gold is tried by fire, it only becomes more pure and brilliant.

The affluence of western civilisation is a tin affluence – superficial and not leading us any closer to truth or gold. It does not lead to self actualisation, or answer any of the questions deep in our soul.

What are the challenges facing the tin person? Mainly recognising that they are far away from gold, and that there is far more to life than superficial tin. It is recognition of the need for truth and understanding of life. The tin individual is blinded to the subtleties of life by the superficiality of tin. As with the Laodicean church, self congratulation and complacency must give way to the quest for true gold.

The tin person begins to transform when they realise that there is more to life than outward show, and then start to reach out towards gold. How does anyone transform? By looking at what they regard as true, and challenging each notion and by acquiring new sources of perspective and truth, then rebuilding the psyche based on what is actually true, rather than that which was accepted as truth without any challenge.

Tags: alchemy, Transformation

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 5th, 2007 at 6:14 am and is filed under Personal alchemy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.