The Phoenix
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In alchemy, the mythical phoenix bird represents the culmination of the opus. Understanding the mythology of this fantastic creature reveals the reason alchemists chose it to represent successful completion of their work. As far as we know humans alone possess the knowledge of their own mortality. That we know we will die gives meaning to our days. In myth the phoenix was endowed with this sacred knowledge. Thus, in seeing its death draw near the phoenix prepared a nest of wood and resin upon which it would perch itself. It then exposed the nest to the full force of the sun's rays. The embers, bursting into flames, consumed the phoenix and reduced it to ashes. Out of these ashes arose another phoenix. The rebirth of the phoenix reflects the aspect of immortality associated with the philosopher's stone. Alchemically this fabulous bird represents regeneration. But there can be no regeneration with first there being a process of dissolution. "No generation without corruption" is an alchemical recipe that succintly describes this process and explains the phoenix's death and resurrection. Death of the body (the matter) is necessary in order to eliminate the coarse, unconscious elements from the prima materia. The method used to accomplish this is calcinatio, the fire operation. In China the phoenix is particularly well known as a symbol of the sun. Ash in alchemy symbolizes the resulting matter left behind in this act of purification. The matter, in other words, is reduced to its most essential and pure state. It provides the ground (the salt) from which a new spiritual body is born. We need physically die in order to have this rebirth experience. Every moment offers us the opportunity to transform consciousness into a more awakened state. The phoenix is an excellent symbol that reminds us of the ever-transforming cycles of life and death. |
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