[HPforGrownups]Re: Alchemy: John Dee, Dijon and a question to Hans

[Ivan Vablatsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 80025

In message 73023 (Jul 25) Iris wrote:

>>Dijon and Burgundy were alchemical centres during the 14th and the 15th
centuries. The Dukes of Burgundy used to protect alchemists, and some of
them had probably been initiated. From 1429 to 1474, there was also a
chivalry order, called the Order of the Golden Fleece. Some say that it was
also a hermetic order, I won't assert it myself. And in many churches,
castles or old mansions, there are alchemical symbols (sculptures,
tapestries, paintings). 

>>Now I'd like to ask Hans a question about the game between "Dijon" and
"John Dee". I read that alchemists used to play with words, that it was part
of their tradition. It was called "phonetic cabbala" if I remember well. Is
the "Dijon-john Dee game" an example? Are there other references of that
kind in HP? Thanks for your help.<<

Hans: Sorry it's taken so long. I've thought a lot about this question and
there are two interesting names that have alchemical/Rosicrucian
connections.

1. Firenze. (i.e. Florence)
Very alchemical and Hermetic! It immediately brings to mind Lorenzo de
Medici "The Magnificent" (1449-92), who got hold of the long lost Corpus
Hermeticum and had it translated from Greek into Latin by Marsilio Ficino
(1433-99). The Corpus Hermeticum is a sublime work of inestimable spiritual
value and majesty. It's about a gentleman named Hermes Trismegistus and his
discourses with some other chaps. One of them is Pymander, who symbolises
the new, omniscient consciousness that I've been writing about. Here again
the connection with Hermione.

I should also mention that Hermes is mentioned in the Fourth Day of the
Alchemical Wedding. The successful candidates to the Wedding are initiated
as Knights of the Golden Fleece at a ceremony during which they wash
themselves in a fountain. A lion is standing next to the fountain and he is
holding a tablet which starts with the words "I, Hermes, being the
primordial fount, flow forth here as a healing remedy.." This means that the
classical Rosicrucians were alchemists, Hermeticists and Gnostics.

Marsilio Ficino also wrote a book called, "On the Alchemical Art". Chapter 5
is called.... you guessed it... "The Philosopher's Stone"!

2. Paracelsus. (mentioned in PS in the chocolate frog cards)
Full name was Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Paracelsus
(1493-1541).
He is mentioned in "The Alchemical Wedding". On the sixth day the successful
candidates enter the fourth floor of the Tower of Olympus and there they
find a great copper basin filled with yellow sand. An egg is buried in the
sand which is warmed. A large bird later hatches out. The copper basin is
square and on one of the sides the name of Paracelsus is inscribed. 

Paracelsus is also mentioned in a 1614 publication of the classical
Rosicrucians, the "Fama Fraternitatis RC". A whole paragraph is devoted to
him there, saying that Paracelsus was not a Rosicrucian but his work was
extremely valuable. He was prevented fromn doing his work properly by his
opponents.

There are undoubtedly more references in HP to all sorts of Alchemical
symbols and practices, but I'm not (yet) aware of them. 

All these works can be found on Internet. A book I have found particularly
helpful is "The Alchemical Wedding of Christian Rosycross - Esoteric
Analysis of Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz Anno 1459", by Jan van
Rijckenborgh. Vol 1 is ISBN 90 6732 058 7, Vol. 2 is 90 6732 078 1. I have
seen this book on the Amazon website.

Jan van Rijckenborgh has also written a book called "Dei Gloria Intacta". It
deals with the Path of self-initiation I have so often mentioned. Here's a
quote from the website: "In 'Dei Gloria Intacta' Jan van Rijckenborgh
announces the beginning of an entirely new phase. In clear language he
explains why the old religions and initiation systems no longer work and why
a new esoteric development is necessary today. He describes this spiritual
revolution and leaves us in no doubt that we stand before a concrete path of
initiation, which he explains using the symbolism of planets such as
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter." ISBN is 90 6732 118 4.

I hope I've been helpful to you and those who wish to research the
alchemical connections of HP.

Hans in Holland


________________________________________________________________________
Want to chat instantly with your online friends?  Get the FREE Yahoo!
Messenger http://mail.messenger.yahoo.co.uk