I have spent some time trying to familiarize myself with this subject because I find it very fascinating, but there is so much going on that I find it hard to follow. Many of the sources I find tend to be very dull, but I did discover a great source for information at a local bookstore near me. Most of what I’ve learned on this topic is from this book so I recommend checking it out if you can. It’s called “The Black Arts” by Richard Cavendish, and if you’re into history lessons as well, I recommend you check it out.
The idea behind alchemy is that the universe is in unity. All matter is connected in some way and gives rise to other forms of matter. The principle idea behind the unity of the universe is a substance called First Matter. First Matter is everything, it is the possibility of matter. It has every quality and no qualities at the same time. To somewhat understand it better, it is the idea of having an object and stripping away all aspects and characteristics of it that define it.
The popular theory is that the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) are all created by the First Matter and are the root of everything. These four elements combine to create all that exists by the way of the four qualities. Those qualities include hot, dry, wet, and cold. Each element consists of two of those qualities and once one is changed, a different element is created.
- Earth = Cold and dry
- Air = Hot and wet
- Fire = Hot and dry
- Water = Cold and wet
For example, if you take water (which is cold and wet) and heat it up, it becomes air or vapor (hot and wet). This is a very basic way to look at it, but more modern occultists add on to it by encompassing more on what those elements actually are in practice.
- Earth = Solid
- Air = Gaseous
- Fire = Electricity
- Water = Liquid
This theory is crucial to alchemy because it sets the basis of transmutation. If matter is made up of a combination of these elements, then individually these elements can be combined to create matter.