The Philosopher's *Tone
To mark a place among the ranks of the great Hermetists and Alchemists, I suppose we all need some sort of dissertation on how people can achieve this elusive “Philosopher’s Stone.” But, it’s actually all so simple, so elegant, that it’s almost comical.
The truth is, when we pay attention to the symbols, numbers, and myths that these ancient sages left behind, it’s as if the veils of reality part just enough for us to glimpse the truth. So, let’s take a moment and really explore what it means to achieve the Philosopher’s Stone, because this is a journey that everyone, absolutely everyone, can undertake.
The Hermetic Principles & The Chakras: Bridging Two Mystical Systems
To begin, let’s bridge two systems: the 7 Hermetic Principles, drawn from Western esoteric thought, and the 7 Chakras of the Eastern yogic system. These frameworks, though separated by time and geography, reflect a universal truth about the human experience, and when understood, opens the door to transcendence. We will also ground this wisdom in the modern sciences, so it’s not just theoretical but something you can integrate into your life today.
The 7 Hermetic Principles from the Kybalion and the 7 Chakras of the yogic system both offer maps for understanding reality, energy, and consciousness. While these systems come from different traditions (Hermeticism in the West, yoga in the East) they are deeply interconnected.
At the core of Hermeticism stands Mercury: Hermes, Thoth, the god of wisdom, writing, and alchemy. He represents the very essence of Mind, Thought, and Transmutation. Mercury is the embodiment of the Principle of Mentalism: The All is Mind. This means everything we see, hear, touch, and think about is just a reflection of a higher, universal mind. It’s not some far-off idea. It’s within us, accessible to anyone willing to tap into it. Think of this super-consciousness as Spirit, or that part of you that exists beyond time and space.
This mirrors the Crown Chakra in the yogic system, the energy center that governs our connection to universal intelligence and reality. The Crown Chakra is about realizing that consciousness shapes the world around us. In alchemy, Mercury is the intermediary between the heavens and the earth, just as our thoughts are the bridge between the spiritual and material realms, initiating transformation.
The Esoteric Significance of Mercury in the Periodic Table
The symbolic importance of Mercury doesn’t end with mythology, it stretches into the material world, down to the elements we use to color our “periodic” table. Mercury is element number 80. The number 8 holds profound esoteric meaning (it’s the symbol of infinity, balance, and the eternal cycle of transformation). The shape of 8 resembles the ouroboros, the serpent eating its own tail, signifying self-regeneration. It’s the eternal loop of life, death, and rebirth, both literally and symbolically.
And then, we have the number 12, connected to the zodiac. The 12 signs represent the different archetypes of cosmic consciousness, the energies that define our experience of the world. Think of the 12 disciples surrounding Christ (each representing a different facet of spiritual evolution).
Mercury’s position in the periodic table (the Group 12 element) corresponds to the number 12 of the zodiac, but it’s deeper than astrology. These elements have 12 valence electrons, a number that reflects the bonds we form with each other, our relationships, and our interactions. Just as elements bond in chemistry, so too do we bond with the world, and the way we interact with it defines our reality. This energetic structure, our “valence,” is what the ancients called the Philosopher’s Stone: a perfected state where matter is spiritualized, and spirit is embodied in matter.
The Human Toroidal Field and the Holy Grail
We are all magnetic beings, and our energy fields are structured in the form of a toroidal field: a self-sustaining electromagnetic shape. This is not some abstract concept, but the very essence of who we are. This toroidal field is analogous to the Holy Grail in mystical traditions. The Grail represents the vessel that holds divine spirit (the purified cup that is fit to receive the sacred blood, the life force itself).
In the same way, our aura, when purified and aligned, becomes the vessel for spiritual illumination. The emotional and energetic frequency we emit creates the openness of our Grail. When our frequency aligns with the divine, we become receptive to higher knowledge, allowing us to live as fully optimized, radiant beings. This is the process of becoming the Philosopher’s Stone, where we refine ourselves and open ourselves to the divine energy of the universe.
Activating the Chakras for Ultimate Enlightenment
By applying the 7 Hermetic Principles to the 7 Chakras, we create a map for human enlightenment, a guide that brings us from the abstract to the practical. Here’s how it looks:
Pictured to the right are the symbols of the 7 Chakras.
Crown Chakra (Mentalism): Mastering thought and realizing that all is consciousness. (Bottom)
Third Eye Chakra (Correspondence): Seeing the interconnection between self and universe, understanding that as within, so without. (Middle, Right)
Throat Chakra (Vibration): Aligning speech and sound to higher frequencies, knowing that words create worlds. (Center)
Heart Chakra (Polarity): Transcending duality through love and seeing the unity beneath apparent opposites. (Middle, Left)
Solar Plexus Chakra (Rhythm): Flowing with the natural cycles of personal power, knowing when to act and when to rest. (Top, Right)
Sacral Chakra (Cause and Effect): Owning our choices, desires, and emotional creations, understanding how our inner world shapes the outer. (Top, Middle)
Root Chakra (Gender): Grounding divine energy into the material world, embodying spirit in flesh. (Top, Left)
My fellow alchemists will be able to unpack libraries of symbolism when interconnecting western esotericism with these eastern mystic symbols.
But, you don’t need to be an alchemist to begin to draw subconscious connections between the archetypal forms expressed by geometry.
Pictured to the left is the Hermetic, Philosopher’s Stone.
As we activate and ascend these energy centers, we awaken fully, not just as an abstract idea but as a living, breathing reality. This isn’t theory. This is embodied transformation. When we harmonize our energetic valence, we become fully realized being: human and divine simultaneously.
The Truth of Reality: The Web of Mind
If all of this sounds like nonsense right now, take a moment and reflect on how dreams work. Or, consider those experiences where you’ve left your body, whether in meditation or through psychedelics. Did you “go” anywhere? No. You merely attuned your frequency to another level of experience.
This web of mind, connecting all things, is all that exists. What’s left? What’s real? It’s simply the way you decide to experience reality. There is no secret place you must go, no hidden treasure buried in the earth. The treasure is within you, at the very core of your being. You are the Philosopher’s Stone, the Grail, the divine vessel, waiting to be activated.
You can take this as a guide, or you can reject it. The choice is yours. But know this: the fingers of the many have been pointing to your true nature since time began. Everything you experience is perfectly designed, just for you.
-Love
