Congelation is transformation of matter by freezing and crystallization. It's a straightforward process with many nuances. In spiritual alchemy, congelation embodies symbolic meanings and connection to the alchemical ideal. The process is associated with zodiac sun sign Taurus.
Congelation (from Latin: congelātiō, 'freezing, congealing') is a term of medieval and early modern alchemy for the process of crystallization. In the Secreta alchymiae ('The Secret of Alchemy') by Khalid ibn Yazid (c. 668 - 709), it's one of "the four principal operations". The others are Solution, Albification ('whitening'), and Rubification ('reddening').
It's one of the twelve alchemical operations involved in creation of the philosophers' stone according to George Ripley (c. 1415–1490) in his Compound of Alchymy, as well as by Antoine-Joseph Pernety in his Dictionnaire mytho-hermétique (1758).
Alchemy is a mystical and philosophical science seeking to transform or recompose elements, achieve immortality, and heal disease. It has a number of sources including metallurgy, ancient medicine and plant lore, gemology, pigment and dye making.
The anonymously created goals of alchemy are:
create an elixir of immortality
create a panacea to cure all disease
transform base metals and stones into precious metals and gems
In languages and symbols and secrecy, alchemists intentionally portrayed their experiments using metaphors filled with mysterious allusions to mythology and history. The roots of alchemy can be traced back to Greek, Arabic, and ancient Egyptian words.
What is Congelation?
Congelation is the process of solidifying a substance by lowering its temperature, such as by freezing, resulting in formation of crystals or solids from liquids. This physical transformation is as ice forming on a lake. As time goes on congelation is broadly used to mean crystallization.
In alchemical terms, congelation is the process of capturing and stabilizing energies, bringing about a state of purity and material health. A scientific procedure in practical alchemy, in spiritual alchemy congelation represents a transformative journey.
Just as water, when cooled, transitions to the solid state of ice, therapists believe spiritual or psychological states undergo metamorphoses. Changes ideally lead to enlightenment and realization of greater truths, as claimed in many of the world's religions.
Ancient Days: How to Freeze
Historically, alchemists incorporate congelation in their experiments. For many this means acquiring ice. For example average coldest temperature in Alexandria, January, is 13.8 °C (56.9 °F). Making or acquiring ice, or chilling concoctions, isn't easy in ancient times.
The Desert Cold
In Egypt and India c. 500 BCE a technique develops as people place water in porous clay pots on beds of straw. Rapid evaporation under the cool night sky chills the water and, under the right conditions, creates thin layers of ice.
During a dry, cloudless night in the desert, the desert surface is exposed to the cold night sky, allowing heat to escape easily from substances like water into space. As a result, water can release enough heat to freeze, even at a temperature of 5 °Celsius (41°F).
Lake Ice
In an environment where freshwater freezes, before factories, ice is hand cut with saws from lakes and ponds. It's stacked in ice houses, usually cellars underground, and packed with straw. Glacier ice is moved the same way. Ice production becomes industrialized in the 19th century.
Practical Application of Congelation in Alchemy
Freezing Water and Solvents:
Early alchemists discover substances could be transformed when cooled to their freezing points, revealing new states of matter and properties. By manipulating various compounds, they use the power of congelation to isolate key elements.
Crystallization Techniques:
By inducing controlled congelation in certain solutions, alchemists learn to cultivate crystals thought to hold unique potencies. In mystic thought, these crystals carry inner wisdom or vibrational energy to promote healing or spiritual insight.
Integration of Moon Phases:
Alchemists might align the process of congelation with lunar phases. The moon’s energy enhances the quality of the resultant crystals, making them more potent for their intended use. The moon is associated with silver, quicksilver, and the White Queen of Renaissance alchemy.
The Symbolism of Congelation in Alchemy
Congelation encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It symbolizes the potential for transformation, the idea that through introspection, one can crystallize thoughts, beliefs, and emotions to achieve clarity and understanding.
Quartz manifests when magma cools. Silicon dioxide dissolves in water, but only at high temperature and pressure. When the temperature or pressure drops, the solution becomes saturated and quartz crystals form.
It's interesting to note natural historian Pliny the Elder (c. 23-79 AD) considers clear quartz to be water frozen so long it's turned to stone. He's also the first to identify amber as a resin. It's hit and miss with Pliny.
This process is often associated with:
Stability and Resolution
Just as freeze forms a stable solid, congelation represents the moment when chaotic energies are brought into order. This matured state allows for further transmutational processes to occur.
Purification
Congelation can signify the removal of impurities. In the alchemical context, it indicates only the essential qualities of a substance remain after cooling. In spiritual alchemy it's akin to the human journey of self-discovery, where extraneous thoughts and emotions are shed in favor of pure intention.
Spiritual Manifestation
Casually speaking, when the vapor of one’s aspirations solidifies into tangible reality, congelation comes into play. It reflects the power of defined goals and the alignment of the mind’s energies into a coherent form.
Non-Fiction Books:
Fiction Books:
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