THE TRIA PRIMA OF SPAGYRICS

The title Spagyric is derived from the ancient Greek words spao (to draw out) and agerio (to gather). This term highlights the basic technique underlying the many forms of Spagyric medicines:  Separate, purify and recombine. 

It’s central blueprint, the Tria Prima, states that all things are composed of three parts: Salt, Sulphur and Mercury. Regarding plants and fungi, the three essentials include the:

• Mineral salt profile- Salt/Physical Body
• Essential oil and active compound profile- Sulphur/Soul or Emotional Body
• Alcohol potential through fermentation- Mercury/Spiritual or Mental Body

Generally speaking (but not always), the Salt is considered fixed, the Sulphur is fixed and volatile, and Mercury volatile. This polarity of fixity vs volatility like the Tria Prima, can be applied to all things. Fixed qualities include heaviness, slowness and physicality. Volatile qualities are light, quick and ethereal.

AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT

It should be well noted that not all authors agree upon the definitions and processes described here. Across the history of alchemy, writings which are in total agreement are rarely found – except perhaps between student and teacher. Universal standardization of nomenclature and processes are lacking, but there are indeed central guiding principles of this art.

Definitions and terminology are also highly contextual in alchemical writings. One word can mean many different things – terms and descriptions are sometimes literal, while other times they can be symbolic or allegorical. This article is meant to act as a view into the unique perspective, clinical application and experience of Secret Fire Apothecary.

WHAT ARE SPAGYRIC ESSENCES?

Spagyric essences focus on volatile components.  As a predominantly volatile preparation, they are associated with the Mercury principle (the spiritual/mental body). The spiritual/mental body represents the consciousness, the universal spark of life (Mercury) which animates all things.

Spagyric essences contain a subtle fraction of volatile Sulphur (essential oil), the volatile Mercury (alcohol) and volatile Salt (sal ammoniac). They also contain the fixed Salt (minerals), to act as a balancing anchor point, locking in the lofty volatiles. 

PREPARATION OF SPAGYRIC ESSENCES

Spagyric essences as prepared by Secret Fire Apothecary, can be considered as a determined spirit. The volatile Spirit and Salt are universal – but the most volatile “head” of the volatile oil impresses the individual signature of the substance onto the preparation.

 The process of making a spagyric essence includes:

• Extraction of Sulphur (essential oil and other active compounds) by maceration in alcohol, or by fermentation
  
• Gentle sweat distillation of the Mercury (alcohol) and the most subtle volatile fraction of the volatile Sulphur (a distinct “head” of the essential oil)
  
• Repeated cohobation of the distillate over the honey-like fixed Sulphur left behind after the previous distillation, to obtain Sal Ammoniac (volatile Salts). This may also be obtained via dry distillation (pyrolysis).
  
• Extraction of the fixed mineral salts by burning the plant material to a fine white ash (calcination) and extracting the salts with distilled water. The leftover liquids from distillation are also reduced and burned to an ash, to extract more minerals (Salt of Sulphur).
  
• Recombination and maturation of the mineral salts (fixed Salt) and distillate (volatile Mercury, Sulphur and Salt)

With their mostly volatile attributes, spagyric essences are generally clear, colorless or faintly golden in color. Their lack of color or faint color is another variable which indicates the focus on the spiritual volatile components. In terms of general association in this context, color is indicated by fixity and clarity indicated by volatility.

INDICATED USES OF SPAGYRIC ESSENCES

Spagyric essences support the spiritual/mental body primarily but also influence the more substantial emotional and physical bodies. Highly bioavailable, they are delivered quickly into the body as a very light and penetrating liquid extract. Spagyric essences can act in both sympathy to support, or antipathy to negate certain mental states.

One method of choosing an appropriate spagyric essence is to consider the associations between personality archetypes and the Stars. Each zodiac sign rules over specific plants, animals, minerals and metals. This rulership can be assessed also by virtue of the substance’s planetary rulership and exaltation. For example:

• Aries – the Warrior – Mars/Sun
• Taurus – the Anchor – Venus/Moon
• Gemini -the Communicator – Mercury
• Cancer – the Caregiver – Moon/Jupiter
• Leo – the King- Sun
• Virgo – the Innocent- Mercury
• Libra – the Judge- Venus/Saturn
• Scorpio -the Magician – Mars/Pluto
• Sagittarius – the Explorer – Jupiter
• Capricorn – the Builder – Saturn/Mars
• Aquarius – the Intellectual – Saturn/Uranus
• Pisces -the Philosopher – Neptune/Venus

MORE INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMER

For further information on the benefits of plants, fungi, spagyrics in general and personal consultation and advice, please CONTACT US.

All information/product provided on www.secret-fire.com is for strictly educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease, ailment or injury of any kind.

These statements have not been reviewed/endorsed by Health Canada nor the FDA.