Alchemy Throughout Harry Potter

[entropymail]

No: HPFGUIDX 98425

I've been looking through some Alchemy references, and am finding some
amazing correlations between the study of Alchemy and the HP series,
other than just Nicholas Flamel and his Stone.  I'll sum up a few of
the things I've noticed (tried to keep it brief!), as I think that
Alchemy can be used to better understand the books (JKR clearly has an
understanding of it), as well as predict what is to come in future books:

1. Alchemy is divided into two disciplines:  "Outward Alchemy", in
which materials are transformed from their impure state to their most
pure state.  Simultaneously, the Alchemist also practices "Inward
Alchemy", which deals with the task of spiritual growth and
enlightenment. In both branches of Alchemy, colors are used to
represent the various phases of change:

Black: Also known as the nigredo stage. Being the first stage of
alchemy, where the substance is at it's most impure state.  The metal
used to begin this process is Lead, which (coincidentally) is
represented by a symbol not unlike a lightening bolt.  In terms of
spiritual development, the person in question is at his "darkest"
moment. Feeling abandoned, alone, betrayed.  Sounds like Harry
throughout the series, but particularly throughout OOP.

White: Also known as the albedo. This represents a purifying stage.
This stage is often represented by the moon (Luna) and the Lily.

Red: Also known as the rubedo stage. This is the stage of change, in
which transformation to a recongealed, or re-united, stage occurs. 
This stage is commonly represented by the Red Lion.

Please notice that each of these phases directly relates to a
character's name: Black, of course, is Sirius Black.  White relates to
Albus (for white). And Red,  can be found in Hagrid's first name,
Rubeus. Could it be that each of these characters will be the one to
facilitate each of Harry's transformations toward spiritual enlightenment?

2. In order to transform matter, it must first be transformed into
what is described as Prime matter (which represents the "possibility"
of all things). This can only happen through the union of opposites,
which causes a release into Prime matter.  These opposites are:

Sulphur, related to Fire and the Mind (think Ron's red hair and chess
expertise) and Mercury, which relates to Water and the Soul (the Greek
form of Mercury is the god Hermes, the male version of Hermione). They
also represent the masculine and feminine polarities of life.  A
coupling of Ron and Hermione (get out your flags, all of you H/R
shippers!), or possibly a combining of forces between the two, may
also facilitate Harry's transformation.

3. Each of Harry's tasks of the Triwizard Tournament relates to
various stages of alchemical work (fire, water, and labyrinth).

Anyway, I think that this whole thing is really interesting, and bears
further probing. And hope you guys can decipher some of this into some
meaningful explanations of what's about to occur. Good luck!
:: Entropy ::