Using Alchemically Prepared Herbs to Augment the

Eight Temples Meditation Project Work

© 2003 By John H. Reid III

There are a few methods one can use in deciding which plants to use for initiatory work:

The first of these is the traditional assignation of the ruling planet to a plant known as the doctrine of signatures. Many people still use this method though in my opinion it is not really found upon any stable foundation as at different times and locales persons have ascribed various planets to have an affiliation with a specific plant (see table one). 

The second method is based also on the planets but it bases the assignation of the signature on the area of action the plant has in the human body. So a plant that has an effect on the liver is assigned to Jupiter, and a plant that effects the heart is assigned to the sun and so on. I like this particular method the best, as it seems to me to be the finest of both worlds. Taking the assignation of powers attributed to the planets into account and matching it with verifiable results as to the plant's effects on the body (see table two).

The third method has to do with capillary dynamics and the use of plant saps -which is complex mixture of many things including soluble salts- and reagent grade mineral salts. This method while good for showing an affinity between plants and planets, the small amount of reference material is woefully lacking when compared to the known number of plant species that exist in the world.  This method though valuable, is at this time, in my opinion, best used to show the affinity of the planets and mineral / metallic salts in solution.

The fourth and finale method is actually something that can be used to enhance methods one or two. This involves taking a plant salt and allowing it to crystallize on the day said to rule the planet one wishes to work with or to impregnate the salt while crystallizing with the spiritual energy of the inner star of the alchemist or magician into the salt. In this method the one producing the product must have experienced an inner initiation on the sphere being worked on to be able to produce the appropriate resonance inwardly. This method involves cleaning the salts to white via calcination in a kiln and repeated solve and coagulas so one ends up with a white crystalline salt.

The fourth method may also be increased by mixing the purified salt, the essential oil of the plant, and distilled wine alcohol, in a retort following certain alchemical procedures which will cause all of them to become inseparably united into a highly evolved medicine of the soul. For more information about advanced products contact jhr3@spagyria.com

Finally the above variation may be further enhanced by taking a portion of the crystallized salts and cause them to go into flux to produce a glass. From this glass an extract of the mineral alchemical sulphur is made much as one would extract the mineral alchemical sulphur from metals or minerals, one of the best known being the exalted glass of antimony which produces an exceptional medicine for body and soul. Like the alchemical sulphur obtained from mineral sources the alchemical sulphur obtained from plant minerals may also be made to fly over the head of the alembic thus producing a product par excellence, I call Resurrection Tincturesä*.

The variations of the work discussed in method four are beyond the ability of most persons to do simply because they do now wish to invest in the necessary lab equipment. Yet one may still make rather powerful products to assist their spiritual evolution right on the kitchen counter top! Here is a simple method persons engaged in  the "Eight Temples Meditation Project" can do the following work very easily, without the need for expensive laboratory equipment. You will need for this 1 funnel, 1 mortar and pestle or food processor, 14 mason jars, a pack of filter paper, a flame proof dish such as a corning saucepan, and 7 ounces of solar dried sea salt, 1 permanent marker, and a measuring cup.

Timing: In all of this work one should start the extraction work when the moon is full (waning) and end when the moon is new (waxing). The crystallization of the salts should be done when the moon is waxing, preferably on the planetary day of the week associated with the planet.

1 hour before sunrise take the herb one is working with for that particular day (use the two tables provided at the end of document to choose from) and grind it up fine. Since this is kitchen counter top alchemy 1 ounce of the herb is all that is needed. Place this into a mortar and grind with a pestle, or one can use an electronic food processor instead. Now measure out 5 ounces of vodka or brandy and pour it over the herb in question. Place the ground herb into a mason jar and label it with the herb's name, the date and time. Pour the vodka or brandy over the herb and seal it then place in a warm spot in the house, on top of the refrigerator or radiator is fine.  Leave them there until the next waning moon, then pour the liquid through the filter paper in a funnel, into a clean mason jar. Any solid matter left should be squeezed out by hand. Take this matter and calcine it on your stovetop to a gray ash. Note you may have to do this in small batches as it emits smoke. Doing this under the hood of your stove with the exhaust on works well. One can alternately use a hot plate set-up by a window with a fan directing the exhaust and smoke outside. You truly need to use small batches with this method as the smoke can be seen from outside and neighbors or passers by on the street may call the fire department. Once the plant body has been calcined to a light gray to white ash it is ready to be added back to the extract solution. The addition of the ash should be done also when the moon is in waning on the planetary day associated with the plant. This should now also be gently heated until the next new moon and them filtered to remove the ash. The tincture will have gotten darker and changed color.

As the moon now moves into it waxing period we may augment our work by impregnating our desire for the plant extract to help us in our mediations and temple work.  This may also finely be enhanced by dissolving a few grains of solar dried sea salt in distilled water and allowing them to crystallize about one hour before sunrise on the planetary day of the week ruling the herb we are working with. During the c crystallization of the salts one must form a very plastic picture in their minds about what it is they want the extract to do for them. Or in the case of the temple's meditation work the image of the temple. As the salts crystallize they will lock into their matrix the alchemist / magician's desire. They will act as powerful programmers in the herbal extract constantly reinforcing the will of the operator into the solution, as if pulses of thought were being pinged out of them.  

Table One

Table Two**

*Resurrection Tinctures is a Trademark or registered Trademark of Spagyria, Inc.

** Please note that this list is only partial and the student should investigate the actions different herbs have on the body, and its organs. The information in this article is not meant to prevent, treat or cure any disease. Please see your doctor of health practitioner for any medical advice.

(c)2003 John H. Reid III