Alchemy: The Art of Distillation
Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, better known as Paracelsus (CD 1493-1541) was a published author,
medical practitioner and professor of medicine who also was an accomplished Alchemist. He is quoted as saying,
“Therefore, learn Alchimiam, otherwise called Spagyria, which teaches you to separate the false from the true.”
Spagyria Greek, from spao = to draw out, to divide; and ageiro = to gather, to bind, to join. From the Alchemical
phrase “Solve et coagula, et habebis magisterium” which translates “Dissolve and bind, and you will have the
magistry.
Alchemical work, the Magistry, takes place in three states:
1. Separation, through maceration or fermentation, breaking down the matter
2. Purification, through heat, distillation or calcinations
3. Cohobation, recombination, or the chymical wedding
These procedures are thought to separate the impure from the pure or the false from the true. Spagyric is the
application of Alchemical Magistry in the production of healing agents, medicaments, electuaries, cordials and waters.
The “chymical wedding” increases and releases the curative powers of the original matter.
The primary focus of Fiachra Bonesetter’s Magistry remains Spagyrics of plant origin as documented in medieval
sources.
So how do spagyric plant extracts differ from non-spagyric plant extracts?
Ordinary extracts, alcohol or glycerin tinctures, decoctions, teas, infusions and similar methods allow for the “simple”
essence to be extracted and are therefore known as “Simples.” When we employ the standard Alchemical Magistry
methods the matter is “opened” which liberates the stronger essences, essential oils, as well as the vital energy
locked in the plant. The common term describing what happens being synergy.
Modern chemical analysis of Alchemical spagyrics provide only an incomplete picture because of this synergistic
quality, where the whole is greater that the parts. The “chymcal wedding” produces a new material out of the original,
something clean from the unclean, something true from the false.
What is the secret? There are no secrets in the sense of tricks or occult (hidden) sleight of hand. The so called
Alchemical “secrets” consist of the true knowledge of natural law, and its application to the work.
The ancient Vedic text, the Rgveda, states (paraphrased): “The structure of pure knowledge – expression of the Veda
– is contained in the immortal field of transcendental consciousness, in which all impulses of creative intelligence ( or
the laws of nature), which are responsible for the organization of the whole of creation, have their seat.”
Alchemy is neither magic nor chemistry and it is not a religion or a cult, although it may to an outsider look to contain
parts of each of these. As a medieval art and science it developed rules and dogma which many found mysterious
and exciting, a world away from their mundane lives, an escape. To the Church in Rome and its priests, clerics, and
monks it provided a method for exploration of natural law. To the Royal Courts and national governments it provided
the lure of “reason” and truth outside of the Church. To the common man it engendered the thought process and
discriminating evaluation of the so called “Natural Law.”
The conflict that arose between each faction was unavoidable and has clouded the general population’s opinion and
understanding of this science in a negative fashion. The medieval Church and State control of the populaces’
collective mind, opinion and thought process was threatened by Alchemy which encouraged questioning of the status-
quo, so had to be discredited and expunged.
Alchemical Notes
The three Philosophical Principles = Three Essentials = Three Substances
Do not mistake these terms in the classical texts for their use in modern chemistry, for in alchemical terms they are not
atomic elements (S, Hg, and NaCl).
Sulphur Mercury Salt
Mercury: The principle of life, or the vital power (vital essence), the spirit (in the sense of “spirit of life”), the water
of life, the volatile, the etheric. Mercury is considered anonymous and not conscious. It represents the feminine or
passive principle.
Mercury is a volatile substance. In distillation, Mercury is carried by ethyl alcohol (EtOH = C2H5OH). EtOH is
generally not found free in nature, but is the result of fermentation and distillation.
Sulphur: The soul, consciousness, the central point in consciousness, never anonymous. Sulphur is the fiery,
radiant, burning, masculine and active principle.
Sulphur is an oily substance, both volatile and fixed, therefore a double form. In distillation, Sulphur is carried by
essential oils and vegetable oils or animal fat. With regard to fixed Sulphur or Salt of Sulphur is sometimes referred to
as vegetable honey and is found in the bottom of the boiling flask after Mercury has been harvested by distillation.
Salt (Sal): The solid, the body, the vehicle, matter in the modern use of the term. The corporal, that which is
touched, felt and acted upon, neither the vital essence or the soul.
I would encourage each of you reading this to do your own research and experimentation, to study the classical texts,
to find within yourself understanding.
Knowledge itself must be distilled - you must separate the true or pure from the untrue or impure, to raise your
understanding, like vapours towards the heavens while leaving the baser instincts, Earthly things, behind.
Alchemical Distillation and The Extraction of the Three Philosophical Principles from Herbs and Plants
1. The extraction of Essential Oils – Volatile Sulfur
a. Boiling of the herbs in water, distilling the resulting vapor/steam
b. Distilling the herbs by steam rising through the material
c. Extraction with an oil separator
2. Production of Mercury
a. Separation by fermentation
b. Purification by distillation of the fermented
i. Destillatio per ascensum
ii. Destillatio per descensum
iii. Destillatio per latus (lateral)
iv. Destillatio per inclinationeum (downward inclined)
v. Destillatio per Alembicum
3. Production of Fixed Sulfur and Salt of Sulfur
4. Production of Salt
Each of these processes is but one component of the Magistry, the Alchemical work, the transmutation of one thing
into another, the ability to revel the hidden, to make the extraordinary out of the common or plain. Early Alchemists
used very artistic language which I only employ when attempting to convey the innate beauty of the Alchemical
Magistry.
1. The extraction of Essential Oils – Volatile Sulfur
These wonderful components found hidden in some of the most common plants, such as many of the mint family, are
a prime focus of learning and training. The Volatile Sulfur (Essential Oil) of herbs and plants have been used both as
medicines and flavorings since their discovery.
There are three primary methods of extraction for these today:
a. Boiling of the herbs in water, distilling the resulting vapor/steam
b. Distilling the herbs by steam rising through the material
c. Extraction with an oil separator
Of these three, the first method is the most “period” method, while the second and third are the most efficient by today’
s standards.
2. Production of Mercury
The production of Mercury, fermentation of the plant material left after the Volatile Sulfur has been removed to
produce ethyl alcohol and its subsequent distillation is prohibited to private individuals in the United States of
America. While these procedures were done “in period” they are not acceptable today. The agency responsible for
monitoring this activity is the US Treasury. The information covered here is for historical accuracy only and is not an
endorsement for attempting any Alchemical production of Mercury.
a. Separation by fermentation
b. Purification by distillation of the fermented
i. Destillatio per ascensum
ii. Destillatio per descensum
iii. Destillatio per latus (lateral)
iv. Destillatio per inclinationeum (downward inclined)
v. Destillatio per Alembicum
Questions?Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade BureauUS TreasuryNational Revenue Center550 Main Street, Suite
8002Cincinnati, Ohio 45202(513) 684-3334 orToll-Free at 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277)http://www.ttb.
gov/index.shtml
3. Production of Fixed Sulfur and Salt of Sulfur
The production of fixed Sulfur or Salt of Sulfur occurs after the Mercury is distilled off of the fermented herbal
materials. The residue found in the boiling flask is called vegetable honey, because it is a viscous mass that is pitch
like or very thick honey like. The honey is incinerated in an evaporating dish to remove any moisture and
subsequently calcinated at a low heat (400-500 C) and takes several days to complete.
4. Production of Salt
After calcination is complete the production of Sal Salis (the salt of Salt) is commenced. This advanced technique will
be discussed in another class.
Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, better known as Paracelsus (CD 1493-1541) was a published author,
medical practitioner and professor of medicine who also was an accomplished Alchemist. He is quoted as saying,
“Therefore, learn Alchimiam, otherwise called Spagyria, which teaches you to separate the false from the true.”
Spagyria Greek, from spao = to draw out, to divide; and ageiro = to gather, to bind, to join. From the Alchemical
phrase “Solve et coagula, et habebis magisterium” which translates “Dissolve and bind, and you will have the
magistry.
Alchemical work, the Magistry, takes place in three states:
1. Separation, through maceration or fermentation, breaking down the matter
2. Purification, through heat, distillation or calcinations
3. Cohobation, recombination, or the chymical wedding
These procedures are thought to separate the impure from the pure or the false from the true. Spagyric is the
application of Alchemical Magistry in the production of healing agents, medicaments, electuaries, cordials and waters.
The “chymical wedding” increases and releases the curative powers of the original matter.
The primary focus of Fiachra Bonesetter’s Magistry remains Spagyrics of plant origin as documented in medieval
sources.
So how do spagyric plant extracts differ from non-spagyric plant extracts?
Ordinary extracts, alcohol or glycerin tinctures, decoctions, teas, infusions and similar methods allow for the “simple”
essence to be extracted and are therefore known as “Simples.” When we employ the standard Alchemical Magistry
methods the matter is “opened” which liberates the stronger essences, essential oils, as well as the vital energy
locked in the plant. The common term describing what happens being synergy.
Modern chemical analysis of Alchemical spagyrics provide only an incomplete picture because of this synergistic
quality, where the whole is greater that the parts. The “chymcal wedding” produces a new material out of the original,
something clean from the unclean, something true from the false.
What is the secret? There are no secrets in the sense of tricks or occult (hidden) sleight of hand. The so called
Alchemical “secrets” consist of the true knowledge of natural law, and its application to the work.
The ancient Vedic text, the Rgveda, states (paraphrased): “The structure of pure knowledge – expression of the Veda
– is contained in the immortal field of transcendental consciousness, in which all impulses of creative intelligence ( or
the laws of nature), which are responsible for the organization of the whole of creation, have their seat.”
Alchemy is neither magic nor chemistry and it is not a religion or a cult, although it may to an outsider look to contain
parts of each of these. As a medieval art and science it developed rules and dogma which many found mysterious
and exciting, a world away from their mundane lives, an escape. To the Church in Rome and its priests, clerics, and
monks it provided a method for exploration of natural law. To the Royal Courts and national governments it provided
the lure of “reason” and truth outside of the Church. To the common man it engendered the thought process and
discriminating evaluation of the so called “Natural Law.”
The conflict that arose between each faction was unavoidable and has clouded the general population’s opinion and
understanding of this science in a negative fashion. The medieval Church and State control of the populaces’
collective mind, opinion and thought process was threatened by Alchemy which encouraged questioning of the status-
quo, so had to be discredited and expunged.
Alchemical Notes
The three Philosophical Principles = Three Essentials = Three Substances
Do not mistake these terms in the classical texts for their use in modern chemistry, for in alchemical terms they are not
atomic elements (S, Hg, and NaCl).
Sulphur Mercury Salt
Mercury: The principle of life, or the vital power (vital essence), the spirit (in the sense of “spirit of life”), the water
of life, the volatile, the etheric. Mercury is considered anonymous and not conscious. It represents the feminine or
passive principle.
Mercury is a volatile substance. In distillation, Mercury is carried by ethyl alcohol (EtOH = C2H5OH). EtOH is
generally not found free in nature, but is the result of fermentation and distillation.
Sulphur: The soul, consciousness, the central point in consciousness, never anonymous. Sulphur is the fiery,
radiant, burning, masculine and active principle.
Sulphur is an oily substance, both volatile and fixed, therefore a double form. In distillation, Sulphur is carried by
essential oils and vegetable oils or animal fat. With regard to fixed Sulphur or Salt of Sulphur is sometimes referred to
as vegetable honey and is found in the bottom of the boiling flask after Mercury has been harvested by distillation.
Salt (Sal): The solid, the body, the vehicle, matter in the modern use of the term. The corporal, that which is
touched, felt and acted upon, neither the vital essence or the soul.
I would encourage each of you reading this to do your own research and experimentation, to study the classical texts,
to find within yourself understanding.
Knowledge itself must be distilled - you must separate the true or pure from the untrue or impure, to raise your
understanding, like vapours towards the heavens while leaving the baser instincts, Earthly things, behind.
Alchemical Distillation and The Extraction of the Three Philosophical Principles from Herbs and Plants
1. The extraction of Essential Oils – Volatile Sulfur
a. Boiling of the herbs in water, distilling the resulting vapor/steam
b. Distilling the herbs by steam rising through the material
c. Extraction with an oil separator
2. Production of Mercury
a. Separation by fermentation
b. Purification by distillation of the fermented
i. Destillatio per ascensum
ii. Destillatio per descensum
iii. Destillatio per latus (lateral)
iv. Destillatio per inclinationeum (downward inclined)
v. Destillatio per Alembicum
3. Production of Fixed Sulfur and Salt of Sulfur
4. Production of Salt
Each of these processes is but one component of the Magistry, the Alchemical work, the transmutation of one thing
into another, the ability to revel the hidden, to make the extraordinary out of the common or plain. Early Alchemists
used very artistic language which I only employ when attempting to convey the innate beauty of the Alchemical
Magistry.
1. The extraction of Essential Oils – Volatile Sulfur
These wonderful components found hidden in some of the most common plants, such as many of the mint family, are
a prime focus of learning and training. The Volatile Sulfur (Essential Oil) of herbs and plants have been used both as
medicines and flavorings since their discovery.
There are three primary methods of extraction for these today:
a. Boiling of the herbs in water, distilling the resulting vapor/steam
b. Distilling the herbs by steam rising through the material
c. Extraction with an oil separator
Of these three, the first method is the most “period” method, while the second and third are the most efficient by today’
s standards.
2. Production of Mercury
The production of Mercury, fermentation of the plant material left after the Volatile Sulfur has been removed to
produce ethyl alcohol and its subsequent distillation is prohibited to private individuals in the United States of
America. While these procedures were done “in period” they are not acceptable today. The agency responsible for
monitoring this activity is the US Treasury. The information covered here is for historical accuracy only and is not an
endorsement for attempting any Alchemical production of Mercury.
a. Separation by fermentation
b. Purification by distillation of the fermented
i. Destillatio per ascensum
ii. Destillatio per descensum
iii. Destillatio per latus (lateral)
iv. Destillatio per inclinationeum (downward inclined)
v. Destillatio per Alembicum
Questions?Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade BureauUS TreasuryNational Revenue Center550 Main Street, Suite
8002Cincinnati, Ohio 45202(513) 684-3334 orToll-Free at 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277)http://www.ttb.
gov/index.shtml
3. Production of Fixed Sulfur and Salt of Sulfur
The production of fixed Sulfur or Salt of Sulfur occurs after the Mercury is distilled off of the fermented herbal
materials. The residue found in the boiling flask is called vegetable honey, because it is a viscous mass that is pitch
like or very thick honey like. The honey is incinerated in an evaporating dish to remove any moisture and
subsequently calcinated at a low heat (400-500 C) and takes several days to complete.
4. Production of Salt
After calcination is complete the production of Sal Salis (the salt of Salt) is commenced. This advanced technique will
be discussed in another class.
| Alchemy: The Art of Distillation THL Fiachra Bonesetter Making Spagyrics |
Fr. Basilus Valentinus, aka Father Basil Valentine
Canon of the Priory of St. Peter at Erfurt, Germany, in the area
of Strausburg
Benedictine Monk and Alchemist
often considered the father of modern chemistry
Born ca 1394 - Death ca ?
Several of his books describe the importance of "spagyrics"
Canon of the Priory of St. Peter at Erfurt, Germany, in the area
of Strausburg
Benedictine Monk and Alchemist
often considered the father of modern chemistry
Born ca 1394 - Death ca ?
Several of his books describe the importance of "spagyrics"