Alchemy

The 3 Principles and 4 Elements

 

According to alchemical theory, the universe is composed of three Principles and four Elements. The four Elements are familiar to most of us: Earth, Air, Fir, and Water. This composes the physical world. However, the spiritual world is composed of three Principles: Salt, Mercury, and Sulfur. All of these, the four Elements and three Princples, are intimately connected, and is described below. But before we get into their interconnectedness we must first discuss what they are.

 

 

The Four Elements

 Earth

 All solid matter is represented by Earth. It is the structure of physical form and the form itself.

 

Water

Everything that is liquid is represented by the element Water. In alchemy it is in the state of water, or liquid state, that energy is most often transmitted. It can also represent emotions.

 

Air

Everything gaseous is represented by Air.

 

Fire

Fire represents pure energy. It is the most active of all the other elements. It can be creative and also destructive. Fire cannot be directly united with Water and Earth, the elements of matter; that is why the presence of Air is necessary in the Soul (Sulfur).

 

 

The 3 Principles

Salt

The Salt represents the Body of a thing. It is the receptacle for the energies of Mercury and Sulfur. This neutral energy resides in the salts of the material you work with in the lab, both soluble and insoluble. Salt contains the elements Water and Earth. The receiving of the influences of the Soul which are transmitted through the spirit occurs through the element Water.

 

Sulfur

The Sulfur is the Male, active energy of the universe. For us it represents the Soul. It resides in the essential oils of the material you work with in the lab.

 

Mercury

The Mercury is the passive, Female energy of the universe. It unites with the Sulfur to produce a Manifestation, whatever that may be (whatever you are trying to create). This energy resides in the alcohol of the material you work with. In order for the energies of Life to transmit their influence into matter, Mercury is needed: It contains the Air of Life and the Water of Matter.

 

 

Do not confuse these with vulgar fire, air, earth, water, salt, mercury, or sulfur. Their names are completely misleading. Also, do not make the mistake in believing one body is only composed of one element, for in any object there are all four elements, just in different proportions. The material bodies of water, air, earth and fire can serve at most as conduits for the energies/elements that go by the same name.

 

In the mineral realm, matter contains a little Fire and Air, but more Water and a major proportion of Earth. In the plant realm, plants do not have much Fire and Eart, but have a good quantity of Water and Air. In the animal realm, there is a large amount of Fire - the greatest amount is in humans - the element Air is present, but there is not much Earth.

 

The interconnectedness and symmetry of these elements and principles can be seen in the following diagram.