The ALCHEMY of the sign of CANCER

The Mystery of ALCHEMY

Alchemy is obscure and can be off-putting, with it’s enigmatic and strange imagery and odd terms. However, once it becomes clarified, it is powerful system for spiritual development and manifestation. To provide this clarification is one of the goals of Sacred Circuit.

There are two basic types of Alchemy, spiritual and physical. Spiritual alchemy comprises the bulk of what you find when you search the term online, or browse books on the subject. Spiritual alchemy involves a system of personal refinement and growth; it is highly psychological in this way. Physical alchemy is actual lab work and experiments. Both of these systems include seven “operations” which are loosely based on the planetary and chakra systems. True Alchemists of old advised that integrating both spiritual and physical alchemy was necessary if substantial personal transformation was desired.

There is another more rarely used system of twelve operations, which correspond to the Zodiac. The twelve steps can be seen as a more detailed version of the seven steps, in which some of them have been split, but most are added in. For Hermetic purposes, which integrate Qabalah, Tarot and Astrology with Alchemy, and for use with work with the Astrological signs of the Zodiac, the twelve-operation system is highly effective, and it is what we have embraced here at Sacred Circuit.

The twelve alchemical operations can be seen as a Hermetic roadmap of spiritual transmutation — a journey in which the raw matter of the self, or Lead, is refined into the radiant gold of awakened consciousness. Each operation — Calcination, Congelation, Fixation, Dissolution, Digestion, Distillation, Sublimation, Separation, Incineration, Fermentation, Multiplication and Projection — corresponds to an Astrological sign, and mirrors a stage in the initiate’s inner work — dissolving attachments, purifying desires, and reuniting fragmented aspects of the psyche, all in alignment with the celestial Ecliptic.

This Alchemical-Zodiacal journey is not only about personal growth and spiritual enlightenment, it is also about manifestation. As the soul undergoes inner purification, it evolves to become a more receptive vessel for the Divine to enter into the realm of forms. Through these operations, the practitioner does not simply manifest desires — they come to embody them. Alchemy, Qabalah, Tarot and Astrology together teach that manifestation is not control over reality, but harmony with the Great Work —the Magnum Opus of the Soul.

THE ALCHEMY of the sign of CANCER

The Alchemical Operation assigned to Cancer is Dissolution. Spiritually, Dissolution involves the breaking down of corrupted aspects of the personality, or personality structures which have been erected due to societal or family programming. These aspects live in the subconscious and can be difficult to access. Certain meditations and practices help to access these structures, which must at least be recognized if not totally dissolved, if personal growth is to occur.

Physically, Dissolution involves turning a substance into a liquid, or dissolving a substance in water or other fluid. Alchemists regarded dissolution not just as a substance simply becoming liquid, but as a return of an element into the womb-like state of it’s elementary principals. 

Qabalistically, the action of performing the operation of dissolution in the material world of Assiah can connect a person more viscerally to the corresponding psychological work of Yetzirah. In other words, the physical action helps the psyche process the equivalent concept in the subconscious, making the psychological-work more accessible.

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The Zodiac Sign of CANCER

Starting with Aries in March, Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac, the sign which the sun enters at the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Those who are born from approximately June 21 to July 22 (depending upon the year) are born under Cancer. Cancer is a Water sign. It is also a Cardinal sign, meaning that people born under this sign excel at starting projects or initiating things.

The element associated with Cancer is Water, and alongside Scorpio and Pisces, it forms the Water triplicity. (The Water Triplicity is one of four elemental triplicities in the zodiac, with the other three being Fire, Earth, and Air.)

ELEMENT: Water, Emotional and Intuitive
KEY PHRASE: “I Feel”
PLANETS: Ruler: The Moon, Detriment: Saturn, Exaltation: Jupiter, Fall: Mars
NEED: The need to give & receive emotional warmth and security
MODALITY: Cardinal
POLARITY: Passive
OPPOSITE SIGN: Capricorn
HOUSE: 4th House of Home & Family, Psychological foundations & Private self
SYMBOL: Crab
CRYSTAL: Rose Quartz
BIRTHSTONE: Ruby
ESSENTIAL OILS: Clove & Jasmine
PATH ON THE TREE OF LIFE: Path 18, The House of Influence
TAROT: Key 7 - The Chariot
HEBREW LETTER: Cheth, fence or enclosure; Simple letter: Speech
ALCHEMICAL OPERATION: Dissolution
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Desirable: Patience, tenacity, conscientiousness, economy, domesticity, maternity, kindness, devotion, versatility, sociability, adaptability, sympathy, patriotism
Undesirable: Variation, vanity, fancy, over-imaginative, untruthfulness, changeability, sentimentality, touchiness, grasping, pride, disorderliness, resentment, indolence

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Sun Symbolism on the Qabalistic Tree of Life

The Qabalah’s Tree of Life is a glyph that represents, simultaneously, two directions: the flow of the Divine from Above to Below, and the Path of Return to Source, Below to Above, for those on spiritual journeys of enlightenment. It is a glyph that represents all of creation and all the energies of creation.

The Tree of Life is comprised of ten circles called Sephiroth and the 22 paths that connect them. The Paths are subjective, and allocated to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as well as the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot. The 10 Spheres are objective and are considered emmanations of the Divine. They are allocated to the First Swirlings, the Zodiac, the six visible planets, the Moon and the Earth.

The Sun is represented in two main places on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. The first and central representation of the Sun is the central Sephirah of Tiphareth.

Tiphareth translates (from Hebrew) to Beauty. It represents beauty, harmony and is the radiant heart of the Tree. It directly corresponds to the Sun in both planetary and symbolic terms. Positioned centrally on the Tree, Tiphareth balances and reconciles Sephirah of Chesed (Mercy) and Geburah (Severity) which are placed on the right and left sides, respectively. Together these three form the Ethical Triad, which is also called the Triad of the Higher Self, and is symbolic of God’s Moral Power. Tiphareth is the sphere of sacrifice, enlightenment, and transformation, and is often linked with the archetype of the dying-and-resurrected god (like Christ, Osiris, or Mithras), whose deaths bring illumination. Tiphareth represents the Higher Self, and it’s magical experience is Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel.

The second representation of the Sun on the Tree of Life is the 18th Path of the Hebrew letter Resh, which corresponds to The Sun card in the Tarot. Resh means “head” which is perhaps appropriate, as the Sun symbolizes the Self, the Ego, and Consciousness, as well as the active male principle.

SOLAR EXERCISE of TIPHARETH

1. Sit Outside in the sunlight, ideally in view of the Sun
   NOTE: Take precautions not to get sunburned, apply sunscreen if necessary.

2. Close your eyes and take 6 deep breaths, in and out, slowly.
   Firmly visualise the a bright beaming Sun above your head.

3. While visualizing this, quietly intone one of the following:
   ”RAM” (Rahm) This mantra activates and balance the Solar Plexus chakra, which is associated with personal power, confidence, and self-esteem. 
   ”Jehovah Aloah Va Daath” This is the Qabalistic god-name for Tiphareth, which inspires alignment with the Higher Self & the Divine

4. While intoning, let the Sun descend into the top of your head. Let the whole body light up, and become warm.

5. Pause intonations when inspired to do so, and receive any impressions. Again, if you have not applied sunscreen, take care not to lose track of time and get sunburned.
   

Secret Alchemy of the Sun

The Sun = Gold
The Sun is a symbol for the sovereign fire that dwells within us, the divine essense of our selfhood, will & radiant creative power.
The Emerald Tablet of the Alchemists describes the “Operation of the Sun", another name for The Great Work - the inner work and spiritual journey of the Soul, where our essense is refined into spiritual gold; the divine transmutation of Enlightenment.

AFFIRMATION:
“I honor the golden sun within me - that which is my true self, strong, noble and divinely guided in purpose and power.”

The Sun in Alchemy: A Symbol of Enlightenment and Transformation

In alchemy, the Sun is a symbol of profound significance, embodying enlightenment, transformation, and the unification of opposites. It serves as a guiding light for the alchemist, both literally and metaphorically, illuminating the path toward spiritual and material perfection. The Sun’s radiant energy represents the divine essence that lies at the heart of the alchemical quest, inspiring seekers to transform their inner darkness into golden wisdom. Through its enduring symbolism, the Sun continues to remind us of the transformative power of light, knowledge, and unity.

The Sun has long been revered as a central symbol in alchemical traditions, representing the ultimate source of life, energy, and enlightenment. In the intricate language of alchemy, the Sun is much more than a celestial body; it serves as a profound metaphor for spiritual awakening, the pursuit of divine truth, and the transformative journey of the soul. This essay explores the multifaceted symbolism of the Sun in alchemy, highlighting its connections to illumination, purity, and the unification of opposites.

The Sun as a Source of Illumination and Enlightenment

In alchemical philosophy, the Sun represents illumination—both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Just as the Sun illuminates the physical world, it symbolizes the illumination of the mind and soul, revealing hidden truths and mysteries. The Sun is often associated with gold, the most precious and incorruptible of metals, which alchemists sought to produce in their Great Work (or Magnum Opus). This pursuit of gold was not merely material but spiritual, signifying the perfection and enlightenment of the soul.

The Sun’s light also represents knowledge and wisdom, casting away the shadows of ignorance. In this context, alchemical processes such as purification and sublimation often draw on the Sun’s symbolism as an agent of transformation. The Sun burns away impurities, leaving behind the essence of truth. This aligns with the alchemist’s goal of refining not only physical substances but also their own inner selves.

The Sun as a Masculine Principle

In alchemical symbolism, the Sun is frequently identified as the masculine principle, often paired with the Moon, which represents the feminine. Together, these celestial bodies embody the duality of existence—light and dark, active and passive, conscious and unconscious. The Sun’s association with masculinity also ties it to qualities like strength, vitality, and clarity. In many alchemical texts, the union of the Sun (masculine) and the Moon (feminine) symbolizes the harmonious merging of opposites, leading to the creation of the “Philosopher’s Stone,” the ultimate symbol of spiritual and material perfection.

The Sun in the Great Work

The stages of alchemical transformation, often divided into phases such as nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening), citrinitas (yellowing), and rubedo (reddening), also reflect the Sun’s symbolism. The citrinitas stage, in particular, is associated with the dawn of the Sun’s golden light, representing the awakening of higher consciousness and the emergence of spiritual insight. This phase marks a critical turning point in the alchemist’s journey, as the darkness of the nigredo gives way to the purity and brilliance of the Sun’s influence.

In the rubedo phase, the Sun reaches its full potency, symbolizing the completion of the Great Work. Here, the Sun’s energy signifies the unity of matter and spirit, the fulfillment of the alchemist’s quest for transcendence. This stage is often depicted with imagery of a radiant, golden Sun, representing the ultimate realization of the alchemist’s spiritual and material aspirations.

The Sun and the Divine

The Sun’s role in alchemy also carries deep spiritual connotations. Many alchemical traditions draw parallels between the Sun and divine forces, seeing it as a symbol of the soul’s connection to the divine. In this context, the Sun represents the divine spark within every individual, the inner light that guides the seeker toward truth and transformation. Alchemical texts often use the Sun’s symbolism to convey the idea of a higher power orchestrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

SOURCE

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Copyright © 2006 by Visionary Living, Inc.