Can you describe the 7 steps of Alchemy?

Question

I just want to know exactly what each step implies.

Answer 1

There are thousands of steps in Alchemy, so I assume that you mean the Seven Steps for the Magnum Opus or Great Work as listed in published writings like the Emerald Table.

The Steps are called:

Calcination
Dissolution
Separation
Conjunction
Fermentation
Distillation
Coagulation

Each of these steps is an outward sign of an inner transformation. The implications can be learned but not taught. The true meaning of each step lies within the Alchemist.

If you want the translation into modern chemistry, then search "Chemistry History" with the title of each step.

Answer 2

Magnum Opus Alchemy

Answer 3

There are indeed more than seven steps of Alchemy. Presumably, you refer to what are called the seven "stages" or "operations" of Alchemy. It is true that Dennis William Hauck's book "The Emerald Tablet" describes seven steps. But this is his own "distillation" (interpretation) if you will, of the alchemical texts, and describes his conception of the steps of personal psychological transformation. The Tabula Smaragdina (Emerald Tablet) itself does not refer to or list specific alchemical operations.

Various alchemical emblems from the 15th century onward illustrate different numbers of "stages" with different names for the stages. Sometimes you will see five. Sometimes the seven described by Hauck. Sometimes you will see nine. Sometimes twelve. Sometimes even more than twelve. The number of "stages" depend on the particular alchemical operation that is being described. And the order of the operations varies amongst manuscripts and emblems.

The Seven Stages or Operations of Alchemy that you are inquiring about are commonly described as:
1. Calcination
2. Dissolution
3. Separation
4. Conjunction
5. Fermentation
6. Distillation
7. Coagulation

Calcination describes the first state of the transformation of matter in this particular alchemical operation. The Alchemist applies fire to reduce the matter to a white ash.

Dissolution means to dissolve. The matter is immersed in water and constituents can be dissolved in order to be separated from the matter.

Separation refers to isolating the dissolved constituents by filtration or some other method.

Conjunction means to re-combine the separated constituents back into one matter.

Fermentation refers to the putrefaction of the matter and its resurrection to a new level.

Distillation refers to the boiling and evaporation of the fermented liquid and then its condensation, usually in a separate receiver.

Coagulation refers to the creation of a new solid matter, usually by sublimation.

You will note that there are sometimes more than one term WITHIN each of the above stages or operations.

One description of five stages:
conjunction
corruption
impregnation
childbirth
nourishment

Sometimes the seven stages were represented by a ladder with seven steps. Sometimes you see a ladder with nine stages.

These twelve operations are associated with the zodiac signs:
digestion
fixation
distillation
separation
calcination
congelation
sublimation
dissolution
incineration
fermentation
multiplying
projection