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Kimia of Arabian mystics； and was considered as one and the same thing
by every writer of the Middle Ages。
At this time； the physical man was not so dense and grasping for husks；
hence the soul and spiritual part had greater control； and could impart the
real； the alchemical side； of Nature to him； hence the Law of
Correspondences was understood； and guided the educated in their
considerations； researches； and conclusions。
Do you ask why； if they were so enlightened； they have veiled their
knowledge from the world at large？
The power of mind over matter was as potent in those days as now；
and the masses were as correspondingly corrupt as they are today。
Therefore； to put this knowledge into the hands of the multitude would
have been generally disastrous。 So they wrote it in mystical language；
knowing that all educated students in Nature's laws； at that time； would
understand； yet they little dreamed how much their language would be
misunderstood in the centuries to follow； by those who look to their
ancient ancestry for aid on subjects that have become at the present day so
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lost in mystery。
Having ascertained； beyond question； that Alchemy was； and
consequently is； the secret science of Occultismnot the philosophy； mind
you； but the science； let us proceed； for； we shall find that these two
aspects may often differ； or appear to differ； widely from each other；
though they can never do so in reality； for the latter produces and
establishes the facts； while the former occupies itself in their tabulation
and deductions。 The science constitutes the foundation； and the philosophy；
the metaphysical speculations； which rest thereon。 If these important
distinctions are borne in mind； all the apparent confusion； contradiction；
and other intellectual debris； will either disappear or resolve themselves
into their own proper groups； so that we may easily classify them。
It is at this very point； that； so many students go astray amid the
labyrinths of science and philosophy。 They； unconsciously； so mix and
intermingle the two terms； that nine…tenths of the students present only one
side of the questionphilosophy； which soon runs into theory； if not
supported by the science； which they have lost in their volumes of
philosophy。
You may say； one subject at a time。 Yes； this may be true； if its twin
brother is not absorbed and forgotten。
In this chapter； we shall deal especially with organic Alchemy。
Organic Alchemy deals exclusively with living； organic things； and in
this connection differs from the Alchemy of inorganic matter。 These two
aspects may； in this one respect； be compared to organic and inorganic
chemistry； to which originally they belonged； as astrology did to
astronomy。 Alchemy and astrologytwin sisterswere the parents of the
modern offspring； known in chemistry and astronomy as exact science。
These latter； however； deal with shadows and phenomenal illusions； while
the former concern the living realities； which produce them。 Therefore；
there can be 〃no new thing under the sun；〃 saith Solomon。
First； let us deal with the most lovely form of our art； that which
pertains to the floral and vegetable kingdoms。 Every flower or blade of
grass； every tree of the forest and stagnant weed of the swamp； is the
outcome of； and ever surrounded by； its corresponding degree of spiritual
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life。 There is not a single atom but what is the external expression of some
separate； living force； within the spaces of Aeth； acting in unison with the
dominant power corresponding with the type of life。
If science could only behold this wonderful laboratory within the vital
storehouse of Nature； she would no longer vainly seek for THE ORIGIN
OF LIFE； nor wonder； what may have become of the missing link in
scientific evolution； because； she would quickly realize that； biogenesis is
the one grand truth of both animate and inanimate Nature； the central；
living source of which is God。 Science would also； further realize that； this
biune life is ever in motion throughout the manifested universe； circulating
around the focii of creative activities； which we term suns； stars； and
planets； awaiting the conditions which are ever present for material
incarnation； and under all possible combinations of circumstances and
conditions； conceivable and inconceivable； adapting itself to continuous
phenomenal expression。 Links； so called； in this mighty chain of evolution；
may appear to be missing here and there； and； for that matter； whole types
may seem to be wanting； but； this is only because of our imperfect
perception； and； in any case； can make no real difference with the facts；
because； if such be a reality； if there be what we may term MISSING
LINKS in the scheme of evolution； it only shows that spirit； although
associated with； is ever independent of matter。
But matterwhat is to become of it？ Is it independent of spirit？ The
kindness of the Divine spirit heeds not the unconscious mind of matter and
its boasted independence； and works silently on； and at last； accomplishes
its missionthe evolution of matter； the uplifting of the soul of man； as
well as the universe。 The blindness of man is dense； and the saddest part to
admit is that； they will so stubbornly remain so。
If； for one instant； the penetrating eye of the soul could shine forth
through the physical orbs of vision； and imprint the scenes； beheld behind
the veil； upon the tablets of the brain of the physical organism； a fire
would be kindled that； could never be quenched by the fascinating
allurements of the material； perishable things； of matter。
That development of the real atom of biune life can； and does； go
forward； irrespective of the gradation of physical types； needs no
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convincing proof； other than visible Nature。
MAN IS NOT THE OUTCOME OF PHYSICAL EVOLUTION； and
produced by a series of blind laws； that lead him upward from protozoa to
man； as a child climbs up stairs； advancing regularly； ONE STEP AS A
TIME。 This latter conception； we know； is the theory of exact science； but
not of Alchemy； not of the science of Occultism。 Man； according to
Wallace； Darwin； Huxley； and Tyndall； is what progressive stages of
physical evolution have made him。 But the very reverse is true。 The fauna
and flora of past geological periods are what the human soul has produced；