Earth - Air
- Fire and Water
The Pharmageddon
Herbal
Ivor Hughes
Spagyric Pharmacy Chapter12. Part 2.
Introduction
The whole world of 6 dimensions is filled
with his bounty; wheresoever thou lookest, it is making him known.
Jallaledin Rumi
The Mathnawi. Book 3. Verse 3108
"The alchemist, like the smith, and like the potter before him, is
a �master of fire�. It is with fire that he
controls the passage of matter from one state to another.
The first potter who,
with the aid of live embers, was successful in hardening those shapes which
he had given to his clay, must have felt the intoxication of the demiurge:
he had discovered a transmuting agent.
That which took
natural heat �from the sun or the bowels of the earth-so long to ripen, was transformed
by fire at a speed hitherto undreamed of. This demiurgic enthusiasm springs from that obscure
presentiment that the great se�cret lay in discovering how to 'perform'
faster than Nature, in other words (since it is always necessary to talk in
terms of the spiritual experience of primitive
man) how, without peril, to interfere in the
processes of the cosmic forces. Fire turned out
to be the means by which man could �execute� faster, but it could also do
something other than what already existed in Nature. It was therefore the
manifestation of a magico - religious power which could modify the world and
which, consequently, did not belong to this world. This is why most
primitive cultures look upon the specialist in the sacred � the shaman, the medicine man, the
magician � as
a master of fire.
Mircea Eliade, The Forge and the
Crucible.
When the Earth works upon her chemistry, she does so with heat,
pressure and the forces of the magnetic spectrum. That principle applies not
only to the Ionosphere, Atmosphere and Hydrosphere; but
also to the realms of Soil, Lithosphere and Barysphere. 6 realms of Nature.
It is in
the 7th realm that her works are
revealed. We are part of that 7th
realm, the Biosphere. It is the
Ionosphere and the Atmosphere that mediate the electromagnetic spectrum that
makes life, as it is understood, possible under those chemical conditions
that prevail upon earth. During lightning discharges, a precipitation of
atmospheric nutrients occurs.
The
lightening rips through and vibrates the
atmospheric soup. During this process proteins and other precursors or
biological building blocks are formed and rained down to the waiting earth
It is a Spagyric dictum, �Ever follow the footsteps
of Nature and let her be your guide�.
To that end, a Spagyric
practitioner takes the remedies of nature,
and seeks to bring them to perfection. This is a two fold task, for the
Spagyrist must also works upon their own inner garden, even as they work
upon the products of the outer garden. As Paracelsus has said you must seek
out the pharmacies of nature and see in which box she keeps them.
Nature has perfected the
herb, then so must practitioner perfect the
medicines derived from them. This is done by timing, right attitude and good
intent. The herb must be gathered at the correct time. We know when it is
the correct time to do that.
Before the work is commenced upon the herb, the Spagyrist must prepare themselves. This
is done in solitude with a 24 hour fast with meditation and prayer. No words are spoken,
the only things allowed to pass the lips are clean water, and the breath.
Let no one think, that this is
irrational,
for the science of physics, acknowledges that the experimenter has an effect
upon the experiment, that the observer has an effect on that which is
observed. This is a magnetic and spiritual homeopathy, either on the
conscious or unconscious level. By analogy, we certainly understand the
difference between a Master Chef and the Technician Cook. One follows the
heart, and the other follows instructions.
When operating on the herb each step must be taken at the correct time. The correct
time is when the magnetic flux of Earth is suitable for each operation. No
one is born a Master, each individual must serve the apprenticeship of the
technician. The medicines produced by the technician will grow ever more
perfect with the growing inner perfection of the aspirant.
Pure Astrology as the Basis of Works. 12.9
The Moon and its position in
the Zodiac, as observed from Earth, is integral to plant alchemy. As a
star, our own Sun is a relatively small body in comparison with many of
those giant stars that make up our Zodiacal belt. The output of electronic
matter from those stars is in proportion to their magnitude.
The evidence of Radio Astronomy is irrefutable, the output of those stars is received and
recorded here on earth. All things are the product of their season in the
yearly cycle. Medicinal plants must be harvested at the correct phase of the
moon in relation to the plant part required. When the plant is opened or
operated on, each stage should be done at the astrological time allocated
for each operation.
Without a knowledge of Astrological tools
and methods, the production of a true spagyric medicine is not possible.
For the aspirant, the first tool is a good
Ephemeris or set of Astronomical Tables. In that way one may see the rising and
the setting of the Moon and in which Constellation she lies. Father Sun, Mother
Earth and Daughter Moon
In the preceding module, I tried to present a scientific rationale for those things
that the caucus of science considers irrational. I have done so, because we live
in an age of a Scientific system of thought.
There are many other ways of seeing the
world which cannot be invalidated by science. Science is only a single thread in
the vast tapestry of human experience. Science is not the all, it is just
another system of thought, another way of seeing the world.
Herbs and the Seven Inner Planets. 12.10
It is indicated that the endocrine glands and
their related organ systems are linked to the inner planets by magnetic
influence. From the Empiric viewpoint, i.e. by direct experience, we
understand that medicinal herbs have a profound physiological effect on a
specific organ system.
Accordingly, herbs, like the organs they affect, are considered to fall under the influence of a particular
planet. Medical Astrology makes use of these correlations for diagnostic
and prescribing purposes. Likewise, the Spagyric practitioner notes these
affinities when preparing a remedy. This is the true doctrine of herbal signatures.
Herbs and the Constellations 12.11
Herbs have also been
allocated to a particular sign of the zodiac.
Each individual at birth, is considered to be of a particular Solar Zodiac
type, in that their endocrine settings at birth, predispose them to a
particular temperament. In addition to the temperament, there is also a predisposition to an
organ
weakness, which is peculiar to that Solar
Zodiac type. The weakness is considered to be as a result of a cell salt
deficiency, which the organ requires to operate at optimal level.
Investigation will show that herbs which are known to have a beneficial effect
on a particular organ system,
contain that combination of salts, necessary for smooth functioning. Herbs are allocated to a particular constellation on the basis
of affinity.
The Zodiac and Spagyric Operations. 12.12
Alchemy recognises 12 distinct chemical operations, one for each sign of the Zodiac. When the moon is in a
particular constellation, a corresponding chemical operation is performed. In
other words, the magnetic flux, or state of the matter to be operated, is
considered to be optimal. The evidence for this is Empiric rather than
scientific, and as such, may be considered to be reliable and reproducible; not
on demand, but when the conditions are right. The operations and the
constellations are as follows;
The Spagyric Extracts 12.13
The Spagyric extracts are prepared using the
same methodology that is outlined in the monograph dealing with extractions. The
major differences are in 5 areas.
1. In the preparation of the solvents.
2. The Astrological correspondence.
3. Longer Maceration times.
4. Extraction of the soluble salts from the Marc.
5. The Exaltation of the extract.
Spagyric Solvents 12.14
Plant alchemy makes use of two solvents,
namely: water and alcohol. However, we must draw a clear distinction between the
orthodox chemical understanding of those two substances, and what is understood
by the Spagyric pharmacist. Let us deal with water first.
Water 12.15
It is highly unlikely that there remains a
natural source of uncontaminated water anywhere on the globe. Even rain water
now contains large quantities of industrial contaminants. The minimum
requirement for water in Spagyric preparations is �Distilled Water� The
ideal water for a Spagyric preparation, is the distilled water taken from the
plant material that is to be operated on. It must be potentised by the
correct rotation procedures (Exaltation)
In medieval times, the method of collecting
that water was laborious. Shortly after dawn, a clean linen sheet was drawn
across dew laden plants of the same specie that was to be operated on.
The collected dew was then wrung into a suitable container, and then distilled
and set aside for when the magistery was to be prepared. This would involve
perhaps 4 or 5 weeks work in order to collect sufficient dew to make a
preparation.
The dew has passed through and been exuded
by the plant, it is moon drawn and is formed from
the boundary layer of of the herb
metabolism. If we consider the subject of homoeopathy and molecular memory, we
will understand that the water collected in this manner, will have a
natural affinity with the spagyric preparation.
A more viable method of collecting that
water, would be to trap and condense the warm, moisture laden air from the
dehydration process and then distil it. In this manner, substantial quantities
of the correct type of water may be economically obtained.
Alcohol. 12.16
In the same manner as water,
the alcohol or mercury as it is
called should be obtained from the same
type of herb that is to be operated on. The strength of the alcohol should be
circa 80 % by volume, to ensure maximum extraction of the plant.
The starches in the fresh herb must first be converted to useable sugars for
the fermentation process. When the fermentation process has been completed, the
liquid is then distilled to obtain the mercury. The aim of the distillation
process is to produce 95 % by volume alcohol, which may then be suitably diluted
with the previously obtained water.
Spagyric Maceration 12.17
Tinctures prepared by the spagyric technique,
differ only in the maceration time. Either a lunar month (4 x 7 days), or
a philosophical month (40 days), depending on the type of material being
operated on. The strength of the alcohol is usually 70 to 75 %. If resinous materials are being processed, then
80%
would be the better strength of solvent to ensure the complete extraction of the
resins.
Recovery of Soluble Salts from the Marc. 12.18
On completion of the extraction, the marc is
pressed and the resulting liquid added to the extract. The pressed marc is then
spread out in a fireproof dish and steadily heated from below. Unless one has
access to a fume hood, this process is best carried on outdoors because of the
volume of smoke and fumes produced. The temperature for the Calcination process
should not be allowed to exceed 400C, lest the salts melt and fuse.
The Calcination will proceed in stages and
pass through different colour changes. The first change being the carbonisation
of the marc, which is black. Then through different shades of brown
and orange., then finally grey, and then white. When no
further changes are observed, then the process of Calcination is complete.
Evaporating Dish
Transfer the ash to a mortar and pestle and
subject it to a thorough grinding in order to produce a fine powder. Place the
resulting powder into a Soxhlet extractor, and introduce to the boiling
flask a minimum of 200ml of distilled water. Heat the flask to boiling and carry
out a fourteen fold hot extraction of the ash. When the process is complete,
turn off the heat and allow the apparatus to cool. Transfer the liquid from the
flask to an evaporating dish and drive off the water.
When the evaporation is complete the
crystallised soluble salts will be visible. These salts are corrosive, i.e.,
very strongly alkaline, they will turn litmus paper an intense blue, therefore,
care must be taken when handling them. The salts are washed by filtration and
recrystallised by evaporation. Transfer the soluble salts to a mortar and
triturate them to produce a fine even powder. The grinding process should be
carried out by the method described in Hahnemann�s Organon. The salts are
then added to the extract and stirred well. The extract is then ready for the
exaltation process.
Alternative Extraction Apparatus BP 1958
The apparatus shown on the left is a robust and
cheaper alternative to the Soxhlet extractor. The continuous hot extraction of
plant drugs can only be justified for analytic purposes, such as making a
determination of Alkaloid content. Glycosides and other constituents succumb to
hydrolysis very quickly during such a process.
Exaltation or Circulation 12.19
The exaltation, or circulation, is the Spagyric
equivalent of the Homoeopathic potentisation or succussion process, whereby the
liquid being circulated is raised to a higher level of potency. Essentially, the
liquid to be circulated is gently heated to a temperature not exceeding 35C,
inside a closed container. The vapours from the heated liquid will rise and
condense in the head of the flask, and then run back into the main body of the
flask thus setting up a rhythmic circulation.
The expansion head is critical to the
operation. A suitable apparatus may be constructed by using a Separating funnel
mounted on the top of an Erlenmeyer flask.
The flask is connected to the funnel via a
cork or rubber bung. The liquid to be circulated is poured into the flask, and the
separating funnel, which will double as the expansion head, is mounted on top.
The flask is then gently heated from below.
To prevent any damage to the extract, the flask should be suspended in a water
bath and the temperature regulated by means of a thermostat. A seven fold
circulation is required, i.e., a 7 day process. The apparatus is turned off at
night and turned on again during the day. At the end of the seven fold
circulation the extract may be considered ready for use.
The Soluble Salts -Theoretical Considerations 12.20
All life forms are mineral based. Nearly all
life forms depend upon the green plants for sustenance, irrespective of whether
they are herbivore or carnivore. The major difference between a molecule of
chlorophyll and a molecule of blood, is in the central atom of those respective
molecules.
For chlorophyll, it is magnesium, and
for blood it is iron. The human body has a poor tolerance for
crude minerals, with many having extremely toxic effects. As a general example,
if iron is prescribed for anaemia, it is invariably a preparation of the crude
metal. Many generation of women can attest to its constipating effect and the
subsequent resort to laxatives.
However, if the iron has been
Bio-chelated
(passed through a plant), then it is readily assimilated by the body with none
of the side effects.
Nobel Prize Winner for Bio-Chemistry, Linus Pauling PhD., considered that
a mineral deficiency was the foremost predisposing factor in the genesis of
disease within the body. Analysis of the cremated remains of the human body, has
shown that the remains consist primarily of 12 different salts, as follows :
There is a very effective system of therapy
based upon those salts, which was devised by a German homoeopathic physician,
Wilhelm Sch�ssler. It is important to remember that single salt, or combinations
of them, as found in plants, will act on the cellular level. However the
salts are strongly alkaline and must never be used except in Homoeopathic
potencies. An orthodox
extract or tincture will only operate on the organ level, for the simple
reason that they do not contain
all of the bio-chelated cell salts, and thus,
must be considered incomplete extracts. Whereas, the Spagyric method
produces a complete extraction of the plant. The Solve et Coagula has been achieved. Hahnemann�s Homeopathy, Sch�ssler�s Tissue
Salts and the Bach Flower Remedies, are a direct extension of the Paracelsian
method of Spagyric. A study of the writings of Paracelsus, and the
application of his teaching to the Pharmaceutical Art, will yield a rich
harvest.
The remedy is nothing but a seed that you must develop into
that which it is destined to be.
Paracelsus
Man and his body.
The Tissue salts 12.21
Homoeopathic minerals used in accordance with
the principles developed by German homoeopathic physician, Wilhelm
Sch�ssler (1822-1898). Sch�ssler reasoned that since the remains of the
human body, when it is burned to ashes, primarily consist of 12 mineral salts,
these minerals must play a vital role in the body's integrity and function. In
addition, the different organs and parts of the body in turn reveal different
combinations of minerals. Sch�ssler's method consisted of administering the
appropriate minerals to correct deficiencies, which he identified in his
patients using a complex diagnostic system.
The twelve tissue salts
Calcium phosphate
Calcium sulphate
Calcium fluoride
Potassium phosphate
Potassium sulphate
Potassium chloride
Sodium phosphate
Sodium sulphate
Sodium chloride
Iron phosphate
Magnesium phosphate
Silicon dioxide
Filtration 12.22
Excessive filtration is detrimental to plant drugs. If it is necessary, then the
procedure should be resorted to once only. However it is a useful separation technique for other operations.
There are two basic methods.
Funnel and Filter Paper Method. Figure 12.22A
Filtration can be a slow procedure, traditionally Chamois leather was the filter medium
used.
The procedure can be accelerated by the means of the device shown above right.
It works by a siphon effect, whereby a vacuum at the exit end of the filter
funnel is created each time the funnel siphons.
Filter papers (Acid free) are available in a number of grades relating, to the task that
is to be performed. For filtration of a plant drug (Once Only) then a
standard paper will suffice, with the proviso, that the extraction has been
performed correctly. If it has, the only substance that needs to be filtered
out, is the coagulated albumins. These substances break down the integrity of
the extraction with spoilage organisms, and therefore must be removed.
Filter papers are usually folded in a
fluted manner for insertion into the cone of the funnel. This procedure aids
the filtration process. The funnel is mounted on a
Buchner flask
with a side inlet. This allows for air displacement.
The second method is
more costly in equipment, however it is much more efficient. This is
filtration via a Buchner funnel and reduced pressure.
The pressure is lowered by use of the
Venturi tube shown on the left. The side arm of the Buchner funnel is
attached to the side arm of the venturi tube.
The speed of filtration may be changed
by increasing or reducing the volume of water which passes through the tube
from the tap to which it is attached.
Fast filtration by increasing the volume
of water through the tube tends to be counter productive, better results are
obtained by a gentle suction, this is done by reducing the volume of
water passing through the Venturi tube
The
Spagyric practitioner must at all times adhere to International
pharmaceutical practice in methodology as laid out in previous modules of
the Pharmageddon Herbal. The only permissible solvents are correctly prepared
Alcohol and Water. The pharmaceutical measurements must be strictly
adhered to in order that the preparations may be reproduced on the basis
of the appended signature, in any pharmacy, anywhere world wide. Anything
less is gross irresponsibility on the part of the natural practitioner for
the simple reason that the patients life if traveling could be put at
risk.
Without a knowledge of Astrological tools
and methods, the production of a true spagyric medicine is not possible. 
