four

Distillation

Chapter Overview

  • Distillation
  • Distillation of Red Wine
  • Separating Sulphur from Mercury in a Tincture

The methods previously outlined for creating a Plant Stone will be useful for situations in which time or tools are limited, as well as providing a quick introduction to the operations of alchemy. However, alchemy is like all areas of meaningful study: the more time, energy, and attention you put into it, the more you will get out of it. What we get out of alchemy are the means to heal ourselves and others and assist in the reintegration of Nature into our daily lives. Each of us must decide how important that is to us, and act accordingly.

To better understand the alchemical maxim “solve et coagula,” it is important to undertake the process of distillation. Distillation is the heating of liquids or solids, condensing the vapor given off, and then cooling the liquid retrieved so that it is purified. In spagyric operations, our primary use for distillation is (1) to create highly pure alcohol from red wine for use as a menstruum for the creation of herbal tinctures and (2) to separate the principal components of a tincture, or the mercury from the sulphur.

Distillation of herbal products is done at very low temperatures and can be carried out with a few simple tools. Laboratory glassware to perform a simple distillation can be obtained easily and inexpensively and speeds up the process by making it more efficient. Otherwise, the procedure described here is the same, as it is based on the same principles: a liquid is heated, the steam or vapor let off is collected and cooled, and the liquid is retrieved.

In alchemy, the process of separating and recombining allows for a liquid pulled from a tincture to grow stronger (more pure) with each successive round of distillation. As the alcohol is pulled from wine, the process allows the alcohol to be used as a menstruum without bringing in the additional components that make wine. For mercury that is pulled from a tincture and remixed with the sulphur, the mercury is able to make the sulphur (or essential oils, fats, and so on) of the plant more subtle and penetrating in its operations.

Red Wine and Alchemy

Alcohol is created by the fermentation, or decomposition, of plant matter. As it decays, chemical reactions occur that transform the water released into alcohol. Each type of alcohol made in this fashion, either commercially or by Nature, will have an odor and flavor distinct from the signature of the plant or plants it is derived from. This signature in some ways acts as a minor homeopathic tincturing to the herbal or spagyric product being created. It is impossible to completely eradicate this organic mark, and some alchemists see this as an impurity in their work. These alchemists claim that the only true spagyric product is one that is fermented in its own alcohol, thereby creating its own mercury with its own unique signature, and is completely pure in its part. A tincture like this is made in the same fashion that wine or beer is brewed.

While this is open to debate, both products created by fermentation and the addition of alcohol from an outside source produce strange and wonderful effects. However, one thing that is strongly encouraged is that each alchemist create his or her own “philosophic” mercury for use in spagyric products through the distillation of alcohol from red wine. According to the doctrines of sympathetic and natural magic, only red wine will do. The quality of the wine is unimportant; it only needs to have a high enough alcohol yield to be worth the effort. Wine averages between 8 and 12 percent alcohol by volume. This means that with an average alcohol volume of 10 percent, a gallon of red wine will yield approximately 6.4 ounces of alcohol. Fortunately, the cheaper wines often sold in gallon bottles have a higher alcohol yield, averaging 12 percent and even approaching 20 percent. This means that with the right red wine, slightly over 12.5 ounces of alcohol can be recovered.

It is important to note that the wine must be made exclusively from red grapes and must not be a fruit wine or have other flavoring additives. Red wine is exceptionally useful because of its signature rather than in spite of it. Wine is made from pressing and fermenting whole red grapes. It is well known that “red fruits” are exceedingly beneficial to the body and high in antioxidants, substances that prevent free radicals from going about their business, which in humans is facilitating the aging process. The skin of red grapes contains the highest yield of antioxidants. For this reason, drinking red grape juice is as beneficial as drinking red wine. Red grapes are considered solar in nature, or having a powerful relationship to the Sun, and they have the ability to convey its life-giving energies more directly than a non-solar plant. The symbolic relationship between red wine and the energies of life is well known in rituals, particularly that of the Christian Mass. Alchemists who spend the time preparing their own plant mercury from red wine will benefit greatly and will see the subtle difference in their finished products.

Distilling Alcohol from Red Wine

Equipment Needed for a Simple Distillation

How to Distill

Distillation is a very simple and easy process. It is, however, time consuming, depending on the volume of fluid you are working with. To assist in your understanding of the process involved, keep the diagram of the distillation setup in front of you as you read these instructions, and take the time to copy it into your notebook.

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Safety Precautions

The Technique

1. Read all directions several times prior to undertaking the experiment. Be sure that you clearly understand each step. Remember: Safety first!

2. Fill the large flask about one-third of the way with several ounces of red wine. You may want to measure the amount of wine first so that you can get a rough estimate of how much will be distilled off as the process begins.

3. Connect both ends of the rubber tubing to the small pieces of glass tubing.

4. Insert both ends of the tubing into the rubber or cork stopper. The stoppers may have holes already drilled in them, or you may have to make the holes yourself with a hand drill.

5. Stopper the large flask containing the red wine.

6. Stopper the receiving flask.

7. Place an asbestos screen on your gas range, and put your large flask on top of it. If you do not have an asbestos screen, you can use a small Pyrex or terra cotta plate filled with clean sand instead. After repeated use, the terra cotta will weaken and break, so watch for cracks. The sand absorbs and distributes the heat so that the flask does not take a direct flame; it also allows for an even distribution of a gentler heat across the bottom surface of the liquid.

8. Place your receiving flask in a secure position opposite the large flask, and immerse the rubber tubing in the water basin. The water should be cold, or at least cool. You can add ice if needed, and non-melting ice packs can also be used.

9. Turn the heat on beneath your large flask. After several minutes, you may see a white vapor in the upper part of the flask. If the liquid should start to form small bubbles on the surface, it has begun to boil and the heat must be turned back immediately.

10. Check your receiving flask to see if any distillate has been collected. If you do not see drops of liquid falling into it, shake it gently to see if any have been collected, as they can be so clear that they may be initially missed until sufficient volume is built up.

11. Continue this until you have collected an amount of fluid slightly less than you have estimated as the amount you expect to recoup.

12. Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water; thus, the surface of the liquid should not be allowed to boil, as this means water is going over with the alcohol.

13. After you have collected your alcohol, allow your equipment to cool. Clean it with strong soap and water and let it dry.

14. Repeat this operation until you have 4 to 8 ounces, or enough alcohol to make a tincture.

15. Once you have collected your alcohol, place it in the large flask and purify it by distilling it six more times, for a total of seven distillations.

Removing the Remaining Water

It is impossible to make absolutely pure alcohol using this method. While the product will be very pure, possibly 90 percent (180 proof) or better, there is an additional operation that you will undertake to decrease the amount of water mixed with the alcohol, thereby sharpening it.

1. Place your alcohol in a jar or flask that can be tightly sealed.

2. Grind several grams of potassium carbonate and place it on a cookie sheet or pie tin in the oven for several minutes to dry out.

3. Once it is dry, open the vessel containing your alcohol and quickly pour it in, using a funnel. Avoid making contact with the powder or breathing it, as it is caustic.

4. Seal the vessel tightly and let it sit overnight.

5. Distill off the alcohol.

The process of repeated distillation is critical in the making of alcohol used in spagyric products. As the vapor rises, it is highly susceptible to psychic influence and is highly charged by the environment, the attitude of the alchemist, and the astral influences of the planetary hours. Repeated separation and recombination creates a menstruum that is very sharp or acute, that is, capable of penetrating the herb and extracting its sulphur. The benefits derived from this additional work will only be obvious to an experienced alchemist, someone who has realized the healing and spiritualizing value of the simple experiments given earlier and seeks to enhance them.

The process of distillation works the same regardless of which tools you choose to use. The laboratory glassware listed below will make the process easier and faster but will not alter the process. This brings up an important point: when examining old alchemical manuscripts and engravings, seek to understand the function of the tools, and then you will understand the process. In distillation, the function of a rubber tube or glass fractionating column is the same: to provide a surface for vapor to come into contact with a cooling agent (water or ice) so that it can condense into liquid. Prior to the widespread use of distillation equipment, or in the absence of running water, alchemists used a device known as a retort. A retort is a round-bottomed flask that has an opening in the top, which is closed with a glass stopper when in use, and has a long glass tube or neck running off the top at a downward angle. The length of the attached glass tube acts in the same manner as the rubber tubing or cooling column, only instead of water, air temperature is used, which produces a slower cooling cycle.

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Equipment for a Simple Laboratory Distillation Train

You can obtain the above laboratory setup new or used inexpensively from several reputable supply houses, as well as from Internet sources such as eBay and LabEx, with costs ranging from $75 to $150. You must exercise caution in purchasing used equipment, as toxic residue may be present and may contaminate your products, making them unusable. If you purchase secondhand equipment, be absolutely positive how it was used and cleaned prior to sale and shipment.

Distillation and Creating a Plant Stone

Just as distillation can be used to produce a highly purified and psychically enriched menstruum from red wine, it can also be used to strengthen and refine existing tinctures, create Elixirs, and produce higher-quality Plant Stones.

Strengthening a Tincture: Method I

1. Place your tincture in the large flask.

2. Place pure white calcined salts in the receiving flask.

3. Distill mercury over into the receiving flask.

4. Filter the salts with fine-grade filter paper and dry them.

5. Grind salts to a powder and place back into the receiving flask.

6. Return mercury to the large flask, mix with sulphur, and repeat the process six more times.

When working with your tincture in this manner, you must be very careful not to scorch or burn your sulphur. It will thicken and turn into a syrup, often called “honey” in alchemical texts, but it must not be allowed to overheat, or it will be ruined.

Method II

Method II is identical to Method I, only the salts are not used to filter the mercury. The mercury is distilled off the sulphur seven times, and with the final distillation it is kept separate. These two essentials will then be added to the salt in the same manner as previously described to create a Plant Stone.

Creating a Plant Stone with the Three Essentials

1. If the salt is white or near-white, place it in a heat-resistant dish or crucible on a heat source turned low. The heat may be modulated, but under no circumstances let it burn or scorch the herb.

2. Slowly, drop by drop, place the mercury and sulphur into the heated salt until they are completely absorbed. This is called imbibition, or imbibing the Stone with life (mercury) and soul (sulphur). You are, in essence, reincarnating the vegetable power of the plant. However, unlike your previous experiment, you are recombining all three essentials in their separate forms.

3. Continue this process for as long as you like, or stop after one full hour, either planetary or secular.

4. Begin again either next week or on another day, preferably Saturday, on the planetary hour of the plant. If this is inconvenient, then begin at any hour when the work can be done.

5. Between the phases of imbibition, keep the Stone in a place away from prying eyes and, if possible, sunlight. Remember, whether it be in the womb or under the earth, many good things like to grow in the dark.

6. When the Stone will accept no more liquid, place it where you can observe the changes that may take place over the next few months.

7. If possible, store the Stone near a heat source, such as in an incubator or near a gas oven range with a running pilot light, if one is available.

8. If the Stone suddenly jells, quickly pour it out of the crucible into a thimble, as it will harden and be difficult to get out of the porcelain crucible. This hardening is desirable, compared with the softer, easily consumable Stones that may appear.

Creating an Elixir

An Elixir is a highly refined tincture or combination of tinctures in a single product. This ability to combine several spagyric products into one medicine allows for the maximum strengthening of their qualities. Here are several possible combinations based on Qabalistic and astrological affinities. A careful study of the planets and their attributes will reveal additional areas of influence.

Moon—Tinctures or Elixirs from lunar plants are beneficial to working with the subconscious, hypnotism, etheric energies, lucid dreaming, astral projection, strengthening of the aura, and the neutralizing of negative karma through action on the psychic level of Yesod, eliminating the possibility of their physical manifestation.

Mercury—Tinctures or Elixirs made from Mercurial plants enhance the mind and communication on all levels, between people and within us. Alchemical and Qabalistic work benefits, as does all magical work involving ritual and the creation of forms and patterns, along with chanting, singing, writing, and strengthening the impact of our thoughts on the astral realm. Mercury offers initiation into the inner temple.

Venus—Tinctures or Elixirs made from plants ruled by Venus are beneficial to our social interaction with others and cultural, artistic, and sexual refinement. Harmonizing of inner energies, including the seven major psychic centers, is done through Venus, and a direct inner contact with Nature’s hidden powers, particularly in plants, can be experienced.

Sun—Tinctures and Elixirs made from solar plants strengthen our sense of self, assist us in understanding our relation to others in the cosmic scheme of things, and bring self-confidence, to the point of pride even, so that we can undertake the Great Work. Solar tinctures enhance an awakening of the Inner Alchemist, or “Knowledge and Conversation with One’s Holy Guardian Angel.”

Mars—Tinctures and Elixirs of plants ruled by Mars strengthen the physical and psychic bodies, particularly on the level of reflex and instinct. Sexual and survival drives are enhanced, blood purified, and muscle tone increased. Mars also enhances the projection of psychic power.

Jupiter—Tinctures and Elixirs of plants ruled by Jupiter are beneficial to general health and well-being. They provide insight into religion, law, philosophy, wealth, rituals, and ceremonies of all kinds. Jupiter bestows Divine Mercy and compassion, and provides for an awakening of the divine name of the Tetragrammaton.

Saturn—Tinctures and Elixirs of plants ruled by Saturn strengthen structures, the bones, teeth, and material supports. They provide patience as well as an understanding of the concepts of time and eternity in relation to our spiritual path. The law of cause and effect is understood through Saturn, and power to bring about manifestation in the material world is enhanced.

If we take the above information and use basic occult principles, we can quickly determine the effects of the following combinations:

Sun and Mars enhances strength and ego.

Sun and Jupiter opens the highest pathways of cosmic realization.

Sun and Saturn reveals the destiny of Self, both spiritual and earthly.

Sun and Mercury gives insights into magic and alchemy and provides personal Illumination.

Moon and Saturn gives profound psychic sensitivity to material life and psychic forces of karma.

Moon and Sun offers a balancing of inner and outer self, the alchemical marriage to a degree.

Moon and Venus provides a special understanding of human emotions and astral influences in biological affairs of plants, humans, and animals.

Mercury and Mars offers speed and power to thoughts, enhancing psychic phenomena.

Mercury and Saturn is the key to hidden occult mysteries.

Mercury and Venus offers a harmonizing of intellect and emotions in the personality.

Jupiter and Venus opens the energies of expansion and mercy into human relations.

Jupiter, Mars, and Sun strengthens self-awareness of the soul.

Mercury, Venus, and Moon strengthens the energies of the psychic body and its projection.

Saturn, Sun, and Moon strengthens the entire spectrum of consciousness.

Key Points

General Assignments for Chapter Four

Meditation Practices for Chapter Four

Distillation Process in Nature

After preparing yourself for meditation, continue with the following:

1. Imagine that you are sitting in a cave in a warm climate and that it starts to rain.

2. Visualize that you are among the clouds, with their vapors and lightning flashes.

3. Feel the vapor condense and raindrops form. Feel the electricity in the air permeate the clouds and feel rain as it forms and begins to fall.

4. Feel the energized rain hit the earth and descend into the earth, giving its energy to the plants and other organisms.

5. Imagine now that the sun is shining. Feel the heat of the sun dry the earth, even penetrate it, drawing out the water that had seeped down into the soil.

6. Feel the water warm and turn into vapor, a mist of fog covering the early-morning grass.

7. Imagine the heat increase with the onset of day. Imagine the vapor rise and return to the clouds and mingle with them.

Meditation on an Elixir

1. Form a strong emotional concept of what you seek to accomplish by creating an Elixir. Identify the qualities that the plant or plants bring to the realization of that goal.

2. Visualize yourself already having the qualities desired or already having achieved the goal.

3. Notice your emotional reaction to it. Is it overwhelmingly positive? Is there a hint of fear or trepidation? What does success mean?

4. Imagine yourself in the retort; the vaporization or the liquid becomes the subtle etherealization of your inner energies. Feel the energies free themselves from the attraction to matter and become strong, vibrant, and emotionally charged.

5. As they descend back into the dark liquid of the tincture, feel the tincture become more vibrant and light, ready to release its energies.

6. Continue with this meditation for several minutes; record your results when you are finished.

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