[HPforGrownups] Alchemy Notes

[Katze]

No: HPFGUIDX 31661

Hi Heathernmoore,

> 1) Calcination
> 2) Dissolution
> 3) Separation
> 4) Conjunction
> 5) Fermentation
> 6) Distillation
> 7) Coagulation, and the rise of the Phoenix / creation of the Stone

It will be interesting to see how this pans out in the books. Any
speculation?

> Although Peter was a lion in school, his behavior is far more that of
> Slytherin / Serpent.  In taking in the blood of both Peter and Harry
> within himself, Voldemort has taken on the nature of the Chimera. (As
> we have speculated, he doesn't realize that both of the bloods are
> tainted for his purposes.)

How are both bloods tainted?

> "By virtue of this {living} Stone, the Phoenix is burned to ashes in
> which he is reborn."

Is this saying that the Phoenix is the result of the combination of the
lion, serpent, and eagle?


> "The alchemist seeks to render the carbon cycle complete in one being
> (presumably to cheat death?) If he thus instead of exhaling carbon
> fixed it, we would ourselves physically be the Philosopher's Stone."

Not sure I understand this part. What does it mean to "fixed it"?

> There's a theory in here somewhere. Either Voldemort believes that
> Harry is the Living Stone which he needs to transmute himself into
> the immortal Phoenix, or he is trying in some manner to create a
> Living Stone.

So...let me get this straight. If Harry is the green lion, then V would
have to create a stone (by using harry) to become immortal? If Harry was
the actual stone, then V would only need him to become immortal?

Why would V want to kill Harry at the end of book 4, if he needed Harry
for the creation of the stone?

> There is apparently a piece of alchemical allegory in which the Lion
> of the Sun (I think this is the Green Lion) precedes (heralds?
> causes?) the desctruction of the Serpent...

Perhaps this has to do with Trelawney's first predction?

>  I'm beginning to wonder if Snape was not originally drawn to the
> Death Eaters by his fascination with alchemy, only to discover what
> murderous bastards the whole lot of them were and what a barking
> psycho LV is. It would make sense that the "Death Eaters" are
> lieutenants in a dark, dark, dark attempt to, literally, sup with
> death.

Snapes is also very much into following rules and regulations. Perhaps
Dubmledore's world is more orderly than Voldemort's.

> And I've convinced myself that the Order of the Phoenix is somehow
> connected with this not-quite-so-esoteric struggle to create the
> Living Stone.

Take care
-Katze