Alchemy

. . . expressing the intuitive with perfect confidence

A Cauldron Spells Magic

Posted by ike
/ October 24, 2011 / 2 Comments

It’s the season of All Hallow’s Eve and a good time to celebrate the witchery in our heritage. We can’t hardly think of a witch without filing in the scenery around her—at the wall behind her leans a butcher’s broom with its scraggily tipi of twigs; nearby, a black cat or two curl up in a dream or two; and smack dab in the middle of the setting is the inevitable huge, black cauldron where the witch stands, mumbling something we can’t hear. We can see a pair of gnarled hands, gripped onto the handle of a well-weathered wooden paddle that she stirs ‘round and ‘round in the depths of her bubbling brew. What’s she up to, we may wonder. Well, a few years back I saw a cartoon caricature of a witch, who talked on her cell phone and made excuses for staying out of the public eye. She explained herself by saying: “Not tonight, Tony, I’ve got the curse.”
Goddess Moon—The Ancient Queen of Heaven

Posted by ike
/ October 10, 2011 / 1 Comment

For years, the accompanying ‘clip’ of a picture has been a favorite of mine. It mimics art from ancient, matriarchal times. Such a powerful message is held in these characters that national flags (Turkey, for example), and even baked goods (the crescent—yes, that’s the yummy truth) have been created from the design (unfortunately sans the goddess that is so important to the overall effect). Based on the moon behind her and the deer or gazelle poised in the forefront, we know this is a depiction of Artemis, the Greek Moon Goddess and spirit keeper of animals. However, I sense the deer represents something more than just the totality of earth’s animals. Tribal people know the deer is the best shape-shifter in nature. For movement in and out of the earthly plane, many spirits choose to take the form of deer because it makes for a swift and easy transition. And I believe the deer in the foreground gives us a giant hint that the entire depiction is about transformation and therefore, carries a relevant message about the times in which we live.
In the Midst of Divine Distillation

Posted by ike
/ June 14, 2011 / Leave a comment

According to the French Spiritist, Laurant Mulelet this year, 2011, is the year of spiritual distillation. Teaching Aquarian Alchemy, I know that traditionally, distillation is the sixth major operation in the alchemy of transformation. Chemically, distillation involves boiling and condensing the solution created in the first five alchemical steps. It is undertaken in order to increase purity. Distillation is represented by a compound of two substances that once pressed together make what alchemists called a "bezoar." In humans this is like binding the intestines and brain together as one. In spiritual terms this means during the year of distillation, it is going to take guts (or courage from the gut level) to challenge the mind to go forth and finish the seventh and final stage of the planetary and cosmic transformations underway.
Retreat in Spa-Spa-Sparkling Spa

Posted by ike
/ February 10, 2011 / 1 Comment

In case you missed the New Years post announcing the first anniversary of the ikewest.com Member Forum, let me again note: on Halloween Weekend (28-30 October 2011) an international Circle of Forum Members will meet in Spa, Belgium. I set a date of February 1st asking people to let me know if they might be interested in attending. I am pleased to say we have enough people to go ahead with plans for the Halloween Celebration. And three countries (Belgium, UK and Greece) are represented in this initial group of interested Forum members, so we are truly international. Now other people have more time to consider the idea, and can email me at any point in the months ahead to let me know about attendance. In the meantime, let’s explore Spa, an old European center of Alchemy.