Iosis and ios relate to the final stage of the the alchemical process, or rubedo in Latin. It can be called the reddening or purpling. Purple is associated with the Angel of Violet Light, another name for the prima materia from which arises the stone of the philosophers.
In alchemy, ios and iosis are key concepts in the quest for truth. Origin stories for these are often a matter of interpretation, as different contexts apply over time. Like the alchemist the wordsmith has to filter out the impurities to reveal true meaning.
The origin of iosis may be in the ancient Greek suffix "-iosis," often used in medical terminology to denote a condition, disease or process. In the context of alchemy, iosis can signify a process in the alchemical work, intentional or not.
The lapis philosophorum or philosophers' stone of the West is associated with the color red, relating to the rubedo stage, a time of realization, creation or phoenix-like emergence from the ashes. The "stone" can be powder, liquid or other substance, born of the prima materia.
In alchemical context, iosis also equates with the red or rubedo stage of the alchemical work. It can suggest a process of transformation or evolution, moving from one state of being to another. In the reddening stage the alchemist attains the Magnum Opus or Great Work.
Processes in this stage might involve refining elements. Techniques such as distillation, sublimation, and fermentation relate to this phase.
In Greek iosis is also based on ιωση (iosi) equated with infection.
Ios in Greek Alchemy
Mary or Maria the Jewess (c. 100 AD) emphasizes of the ios of metals.
Zosimos writes:
"When Maria speaks of this question, she says: "There exist a great number of metallic bodies, from lead to copper." When she speaks of diplosis, she says: "There are, in effect, two kinds of materials employed, whether for alloying copper and silver, or alloying gold and silver; molybdochalkon and all the others are comprised in it.
"As for the purification of silver, or its blackening, I have spoken of it previously. How one single tincture is applied to all is stated by Maria alone and proclaimed in these terms: "When I speak of copper, or of lead, or of iron, I mean by it [their] ios."
Maria asserts one metal must die for another to be born. As a Jewish alchemist living in Greco-Roman Egypt some of her terminology comes from Hebrew. The Greek/Hebrew definitions:
ios (pronounced ee-os') can mean:
rust (as if emitted by metals)
venom (as emitted by serpents)
poison
Greek "ios" (ίος) translates to virus or poison. In alchemy ios can symbolize impurities or dross. The concept of ios aligns closely with the negative aspects of nature and humanity.
Approaching Iosis
One approach to "iosis" involves a series of stages, often referred to as the "Great Work" (Magnum Opus). These stages are laid out by several practitioners through history and may number 3 - 32 and more.
They may include processes of calcination, dissolution, separation, conjunction, fermentation, distillation, coagulation and the wondrous Cauda Pavonis or Tail of the Peacock. These are all developed from four color stages named by Maria the Jewess: black, white, yellow and red.
These four steps are identified in Latin / Greek:
nigredo - black, putrefaction, Gr. melanosis
citrinitas - yellow, illumination, Gr. xanthosis
rubedo - red, the Magnum Opus, Gr. iosis
In alchemy and nature magic every process or creative step contains the seeds of destruction within it. Every condition of destruction gives rise to new life, and new hope.
Maria's works (c. 100 AD) are widely disseminated, translated and interpreted in the world of Greco-Roman Alexandria, the Islamic Golden Age and the progressive Renaissance mentality of medieval Europe.
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