Turba Philosophorum:
The 2008 International Alchemy Conference
The Turba Philosophorum ("Assembly of the Alchemical Philosophers") is an
influential twelfth-century Latin manuscript that brought together the best
thinkers and the key concepts of the alchemical tradition in a single volume.
The International Alchemy Conference carries on that tradition by bringing
together some of the world's leading alchemists and exploring the many paths
that alchemy has taken in the modern world.
I got some welcome help putting on last year's conference when Duane Saari
volunteered to take over as master of ceremonies. Duane is a master networker
with his own alchemical consulting company and really helped keep things moving
smoothly. Duane opened the conference on Friday evening with a fascinating
presentation exploring Isaac
Newton’s love of alchemy and how the principles of the Great Work were the basis
of some of his revolutionary work in science.
I followed with a lecture on the Materia Prima (First Matter), the
essential yet mysterious ingredient necessary to all transmutations. Nothing was
more important to alchemist’s work than this spiritized essence, which, by means
of the Secret Fire, they believed could be extracted from any substance and
actually rendered tangible and visible, and I described some of my experiences
seeking to isolate it in the lab during my apprenticeship in Vienna.
Laboratory demonstrations were once again part of the activities. A
demonstration of alchemical distillation of plant essences were given by Gary
Stadler, who handed out hydrosols from his distiller to all members of the
audience. And chemistry professor Dr. Kevin Dunn performed live chemical
experiments that amazed everyone. Robert Allen Bartlett, who worked with Frater
Albertus at Paralab, opened the Saturday session with an in-depth look at one of
the most important parts of the work with metals, the preparation of the metal
acetates. Robert also held a two-day workshop on spagyrics in which he revealed
some of the laboratory techniques alchemists used to isolate the living essences
of plants.
My workshop on spiritual alchemy turned out to be a little embarrassing,
however. I usually hand out alchemical trinkets to help participants remember
the lessons of the workshop. This year I had ordered little "fragranti"
meditation stones from India. These are lightweight flour-gypsum concoctions
that are inscribed with symbols, baked until hard, and then sprayed with rose
oil. But when I opened the box I found 50 "flagranti," which are the short
leather 7-tailed whips used by the flagellant sect in India for self-punishment.
Well, I figured I would hand out the whips anyway -- as a symbol of ego
self-control. Unfortunately, during the rest of the conference, whenever one of
my students would see me in a restaurant or casino, they would start waving
their whips at me. I am sure all the tourists thought I was some sort of Las
Vegas S&M king.
A much more appropriate excursion into Indian alchemy was given by Dr. Pradheep
Chhalliyil, a highly respected biochemist whose presentation on the connection
between the inner work in Vedic alchemy and the physical transformation sought
by the alchemist was one of the conference's most inspiring lectures. Another
inspiring presentation was given by spiritual alchemist Gudni Gudnason and
Theresa Ibis, who discussed the alchemy of the creation of the universe as
presented in the Kabbalah.
The creation of the inner universe of the psyche was discussed by Jungian
psychologist Dr. Thom Cavalli. Using examples from his own practice, Dr. Cavalli
showed how hidden alchemical principles are at work on all levels of our being.
Dr.
René
Lawson showed how the ancient art of storytelling can connect us to the those
same alchemical principles to provide insight and power in our lives. Dr. Bruce
Fisher also focused on the inner work with his exploration of Theurgy, which is
the attainment of divine consciousness by developing and invoking our own higher
divine faculties of abstract thought and intuition.
Hermeticist John Michael Greer explored the ancient alchemical healing system of
the Four Elements, and author JJ Semple talked of his how the life force is
elevated and enhanced in the Taoist alchemist's Golden Flower meditation and the
Circulation of the Light. Alchemist Art Kunkin discussed his research into how
to attain immortality using alchemical methods in meditation as well as in the
lab.
The astrological aspects of alchemy were covered by Andrew Minkin, who showed
how to combine mathematical chaos theory with astrology to enable better
interpretations of stellar energies, and Timothy Wilkerson, who demonstrated how
to do a basic astrology chart in relation to alchemical laboratory work.
Alchemical artists were also represented at the conference. Dr. Michael Pearce
brought several pieces of artwork showing profound alchemical symbology, and a
demonstration of alchemical music in the tradition of Pythagoras was performed
by Phil Campbell and Annie Aronson of the Hobbyhorse band. Las Vegas magician
Jeff McBride and the Alchemical Ritual Theatre Company helped keep the energy
flowing and once again performed a powerful closing ceremony that touched all
those present.
The real power of any assemblage of creative people is the networking and
exchange of ideas that goes on. Many present took home new ideas and seeds of
transformation in their personal, social, and working lives. With the third year
of the International Alchemy Conference, the conference itself undergoes a
transformation as it moves from Las Vegas to the Los Angeles Convention Center.
We are expanding the venue to allow for much larger audiences and more room for
lectures, workshops, and vendors. The change will give us a larger vessel in
which to perform the Great Work in which we are all part of the chemistry. See
you next year!