Spagyrics: A Practical Course in Plant Alchemy, Volume I of 2, Lessons 1-24

«Dom Pernety inspired this threefold division; he claims that should you wish success on the Alchemical Path, you shall need the three following qualities:» — el curso remite a Dom Pernety la división en filosofía, teoría y práctica, y la funda en tres cualidades exigidas al que quiera acertar en la vía.

«In the section of “Alchemical Theory” we intend to provide you with the necessary knowledge to achieve a sound judgment; its most obvious consequence will be liberated thinking which doesn’t at all imply the idea of a free thinker.» — asigna a la sección teórica la formación del juicio, y acota de inmediato el término: pensamiento liberado no quiere decir librepensador.

«The section of “Alchemical Theory” proposes two important goals. First, to provide the theoretical knowledge without which alchemical experimentation is impossible.» — el primero de los dos objetivos de la teoría es la condición de posibilidad del experimento: sin teoría no hay experimentación alquímica.

«never attempt an alchemical experiment if you don’t know the objective, the procedure and the desired result: in Alchemy, there is no random experiment, nor an experiment made out of curiosity.» — prohíbe el experimento sin objetivo, procedimiento y resultado previstos, y niega que en alquimia quepa el ensayo al azar o por curiosidad.

«As one becomes imbued with alchemical theory, the unintelligible language becomes clearer, then luminous.» — describe la lectura de los herméticos como efecto gradual de la teoría asimilada: el lenguaje ininteligible se aclara y luego se vuelve luminoso.

«Under the heading of “Practical Alchemy,” we describe the essential laboratory techniques in detail, along with the necessary accompanying precautions. The first experiments are simple and we shall gradually go on to more complex experiments so the students who do not have previous knowledge or experience in a chemical or alchemical laboratory will get a chance at developing a “skilled hand.”» — declara el plan de la sección práctica: técnicas de laboratorio con sus precauciones y una progresión de lo simple a lo complejo para quien no tenga experiencia previa.

«Obviously, in using this method, the same subjects will appear in the three different sections of the course, but they will be viewed from different angles. An advantage of these repetitions will be to make us sense, under seemingly divergent aspects at first, the unity of Knowledge and its resulting convergence.» — justifica la repetición de los mismos asuntos en las tres secciones: verlos desde ángulos distintos hace sentir la unidad del conocimiento.

«We should point out right away that some elements in the course will seem to contradict this introductory lesson.» — advierte de antemano que partes del curso parecerán contradecir esta primera lección.

«the philosophical and theoretical sections may concentrate more on the alchemical rather than the spagyric aspect, while the practical section will be devoted to the spagyric — or the vegetable aspect — for the theory is similar in all three realms.» — explica el desnivel entre secciones: filosofía y teoría tiran a lo alquímico y la práctica a lo espagírico, porque la teoría vale igual en los tres reinos.

«The adage says: “Read and reread.” Therefore, do not hesitate to read the texts again and again and become imbued with them, thereby following the example set by some chemical operations through which persevering repetition brings about an alchemical result.» — aplica al lector el adagio de leer y releer, y lo compara con las operaciones de taller donde la repetición perseverante produce el resultado.

«Another adage says one must rid matter of its superfluous terrestrial principles; therefore, we avoid literary dilution of information.» — deriva de un segundo adagio —quitar a la materia lo superfluo terrestre— la regla de estilo del curso: nada de dilución literaria.

«Nonetheless, you should know that each of our texts contains one or two previously undisclosed or little known — if known at all — principles or rules which are worth the effort of thought and deep meditation.» — sostiene que cada texto del curso guarda uno o dos principios poco o nada divulgados, y de ahí la exigencia de meditarlo.

«At this point, it is perhaps easier to describe what Alchemy is not, rather than what it is.» — declara el método de la definición que sigue: decir primero lo que la alquimia no es.

«Alchemy considers the spiritual aspect as well which is generally invisible to the sensory perception of the operator. This aspect of alchemical study brings the operator to spiritual progress, to a higher level of consciousness.» — añade a los mecanismos de la naturaleza el aspecto espiritual, invisible al operador por los sentidos, y hace de su estudio el vehículo del ascenso de consciencia.

«Spiritual advancement “makes one high” but, in order to accomplish the work, the Alchemist must remain grounded. He becomes aware of higher realities while he keeps in mind the significance of physical manifestations.» — presenta como ventaja de la vía alquímica su dualidad: el operador se eleva y a la vez queda obligado a mantenerse en tierra por el trabajo material.

«Whatever the nature of his belief, religion, and esoteric method or personal doctrine, it is important for him to start each working cycle, whether meditative or experimental, with an invocation and to close it with a prayer of thanks to God, the Cosmos, Unity, the Great Architect, the Divine or Spiritual Conception which he chooses in his heart.» — deja libre el contenido de la creencia y fija en cambio la forma del ciclo de trabajo: abrirlo con invocación y cerrarlo con acción de gracias.

«The second item which should be well understood and which shall be discussed is the goal the Alchemist sets for himself: it must concern his personal spiritual growth only.» — restringe el fin del alquimista a su propio crecimiento espiritual.

«Thinking of far away metallic transmutations in the aim to help others is not an excuse nor is it an apology to the Infinite.» — niega valor de excusa al propósito altruista de transmutar para ayudar a otros.

«We wish to warn you that the law of our country forbids individuals who do not belong to the medical profession to prescribe any product with the aim to cure or heal another individual.» — advertencia legal del curso, referida a la ley francesa: quien no sea del gremio médico no puede prescribir producto alguno para curar a otro.

«Thus, do not consider producing elixirs to cure others. To avoid temptations in this matter, we do not give the means that would permit production of the elixirs — at least in the beginning.» — de esa advertencia deriva una retención deliberada: el curso no da al principio los medios de fabricar elixires.

«There is a sacred selfish principle which requires one to personally advance first before one thinks of helping others advance.» — enuncia lo que llama un principio egoísta sagrado: avanzar uno mismo antes de pensar en hacer avanzar a otros.

«However good our intention may be, if we do not follow this principle, we risk helping others to move backwards rather than forwards.» — añade el riesgo de saltarse ese orden: con buena intención se puede hacer retroceder al otro.

«In chemistry, if you have the right ingredients and if operations are correctly performed, success will be achieved — independently of the operator.» — primera diferencia entre química y alquimia: en química el éxito no depende del operador.

«In Alchemy, even if you have the right ingredients and if operations are properly conducted, success is not necessarily achieved because it depends upon the personal state of the operator.» — el reverso de esa diferencia: en alquimia el éxito depende del estado personal de quien opera, aun con ingredientes y procedimiento correctos.

«In a very restrictive sense, Alchemy could be viewed as the parapsychology of chemistry, for the success of the operation depends upon the inner spiritual state of the operator.» — propone la fórmula de la alquimia como parapsicología de la química, con la reserva restrictiva puesta en la misma frase.

«Therefore, for a rational outset, start with the simplest operations: ATTEMPT THE MINOR WORK before you approach the major work.» — regla de orden del trabajo: empezar por lo simple e intentar la Obra Menor antes de acercarse a la Mayor.

«Chemistry doesn’t view the bodies it works with as alive. As a matter of fact, the processes are such that chemistry only deals with dead bodies which, of course, can’t evolve.» — segunda diferencia: la química trata con cuerpos muertos, que por serlo no pueden evolucionar.

«Conversely, Alchemy is a biodynamic system which uses the forces of life in its operations. A threefold work is accomplished on bodies: the effects are purification, regeneration and evolution.» — define la alquimia como sistema biodinámico que usa las fuerzas de la vida, con tres efectos sobre los cuerpos.

«The most powerful principles are found in the forces of fecundation and reproduction and from these they will be extracted in order to be used.» — sitúa los principios más potentes en las fuerzas de fecundación y reproducción, de donde han de extraerse.

«But if this operation seems possible in the vegetable realm, the extraction of the metallic semen or sperm, known only be a few adepts, is considered a Utopian venture by most.» — acota esa extracción: viable en lo vegetal, la del semen metálico la conocen pocos adeptos y la mayoría la tiene por utópica.

«The Alchemist or the skilled Artist can and must accomplish, through physical material, the manipulation of the divine, spiritual and invisible components which are, in beings and things, the genuine elements of life.» — fija la tarea del operador: manipular por medio de la materia física los componentes divinos, espirituales e invisibles que son los elementos verdaderos de la vida.

«To succeed, one must obey the laws of Nature, but the Alchemist must also, in his work, align himself with the designs of Nature.» — tercera diferencia, la del fin: obedecer las leyes de la naturaleza no basta, hay que alinearse además con sus designios.

«It is obvious, in view of the last statement, that the vegetable realm is more easily perceivable than the metallic realm or the mineral realm, and that, in the vegetable domain, an experience of appreciation of the level of psychic development and of the levels of attained consciousness doesn’t incur risk and may be an experience that bring about growth.» — deriva de ahí la ventaja del reino vegetal: más perceptible que el metálico o el mineral, y sin riesgo para medir el desarrollo psíquico alcanzado.

«I accelerate the process of Nature by never stepping out of its rules. e Tremove the obstacles which prevent Nature from acting spontaneously. e I strive to help Nature in the work of universal reintegration.» — los tres adagios con que cierra la teoría de la primera lección: acelerar sin salirse de las reglas, quitar los obstáculos y ayudar a la reintegración universal.

«200 to 300 grams (7 to 10.5 oz.) of dry lemon balm (melissa ofÏcinalis). You can buy this herb at a drug store or health food store.» — materia del primer experimento: melisa seca, comprada en droguería o tienda naturista; la grafía ofÏcinalis es del OCR, que rinde la ligadura fi como Ï.

«A mortar and a pestle or equivalent so that you can reduce the plant to powder. A manual tool is a preferable choice as electric grinders are not appropriate for this work.» — prescribe mortero manual para pulverizar la planta y descarta el molino eléctrico.

«About 300 cc of wine alcohol like cognac, armagnac, brandy or any other wine alcohol. e Any alcohol which does not come from the wine is absolutely excluded from this experiment.» — exige alcohol de vino y excluye de modo absoluto cualquier alcohol de otra procedencia.

«A ceramic dish which can resist very high temperatures. This dish is going to be used for calcinations. Borosilicate glass like Pyrex is not resistant enough to stand such heat. On the other hand, Coors porcelain may be used. The lid can be made of something like Pyrex because at its top the temperature is lower.» — detalle de taller para la calcinación: cerámica resistente, el borosilicato tipo Pyrex no aguanta, la porcelana Coors sí, y la tapa sí puede ser de Pyrex porque arriba baja la temperatura.

«A source of heat: gas heat is preferred over an electric heat because it permits better control of heat intensity. If one does not have a Bunsen burner a camping gas stove is adequate. Also a lab hot plate may be used if no gas is available.» — prefiere el gas a la electricidad por el control de la intensidad, y admite hornillo de camping o placa de laboratorio como sustitutos.

«When you are though with this experiment in several weeks, we would like to hear about the result, but do not mail any product to the organization. We prefer to talk about it during the following lessons.» — pide el resultado por escrito y prohíbe enviar producto a la organización; la grafía though por through es del impreso.

«Mv esoteric researches started when I was twelve, after a tremendous inner experience: the invisible world had become for me as true as the world of matter where we live.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword] data el origen de su vía en una experiencia interior a los doce años tras la cual, dice, el mundo invisible le resultó tan cierto como el material.

«From there on. I wrote three courses. one on Alchemy. one on Qabala. and one called The Fundamentals of Esoteric Knowledge.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword] enumera los tres cursos que escribió, y este volumen es la primera mitad del de espagiria dentro del de alquimia.

«Jean founded a group in France around 1984 to disseminate his work. and to conduct group research. The association. Les Philosophes de la Nature. or LPN, ceased operations several years ago and was legally dissolved in 1999.» — [Sue y Russ House] datan la fundación de Les Philosophes de la Nature hacia 1984 y su disolución legal en 1999.

«Its English-language counterpart. The Philosophers of Nature closed on December 31. 1999. Triad Publishing is now the sole publisher of these courses for the English language. duly authorized by Mr. Dubuis.» — [Sue y Russ House] fechan el cierre de la rama inglesa el 31 de diciembre de 1999 y declaran a Triad Publishing único editor autorizado de estos cursos en inglés.

«Jean's research was based on some of the classical texts in these fields, such as the "Sepher Yetzirah" and works of MacGregor Mathers in Qabala. as well as "The Golden Chain of Homer" and the works of numerous alchemists including Flamel. Becker. and Hollandus.» — [Sue y Russ House] enumeran las fuentes que adjudican al trabajo de Dubuis: el Sepher Yetzirah y Mathers para la cábala, la Cadena de Oro de Homero y alquimistas entre los que nombran a Flamel, Becker y Hollandus.

«These courses are not. however. mere reworks of library books by some scholar. The emphasis of Mr. Dubuis has been in practical work. and the courses are meant to support experimentation.» — [Sue y Russ House] niegan que los cursos sean refundiciones de libros de biblioteca y sitúan su énfasis en el trabajo práctico.

«Originally both associations sent the lessons a few at a time to their subscribers. so that one lesson was studied each month.» — [Sue y Russ House] describen el régimen original de distribución: las lecciones llegaban por correo y se estudiaba una al mes.

«It was required that the Spagyrics (Plant Alchemy) course of 48 lessons be received before taking the Alchemy course which expanded in time to have 84 lessons. Similarly, the Qabala course of 72 lessons was to be studied progressively.» — [Sue y Russ House] fijan el orden y el tamaño de los cursos: 48 lecciones de espagiria antes de las 84 de alquimia, y 72 de cábala en progresión.

«When we founded the association "Les Philosophes de la Nature’, no organization accessible to the public was in existence - at least in France - that clarified or disocculted esoteric disciplines such as Alchemy and Qabala.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword desde la introducción a otro de sus cursos] sitúa el motivo de la asociación en la ausencia, en Francia, de una organización pública que desocultara la alquimia y la cábala.

«This course is. perhaps. Mr. Dubuis' finest publication to date. It provides a synthesis of a number of important ideas in esoteric studies. and provides a suitable foundation for a novice.» — [Sue y Russ House] valoran el curso de Fundamentals of Esoteric Knowledge como la mejor publicación de Dubuis, con la reserva perhaps dentro de la propia frase.

«We have heard from numerous long time students of esoteric groups who say that they have learned more from this course than in several vears of study with their association.» — [Sue y Russ House] refieren, como testimonio de terceros y no como medición propia, que estudiantes veteranos de grupos esotéricos dicen haber aprendido más aquí.

«The plant kingdom is relatively safe for experimentation. and the costs are minimal because plants are readily available. and the equipment required is not particularly specialized.» — [Sue y Russ House] dan las razones prácticas de que el reino vegetal vaya primero: seguridad, costo mínimo y equipo poco especializado.

«The theoretical aspects of Alchemy. which are the foundation for all practice. can be learned more readily using plants than with metals.» — [Sue y Russ House] sostienen que la teoría, base de toda práctica, se aprende antes con plantas que con metales.

«Further, the Mineral courses are written with the assumption that the person has studied all of the Spagyrics courses. There are many references to ideas and techniques which are explained fully in the Spagyrics course, and which are absolutely necessary to benefit from the course on Mineral work.» — [Sue y Russ House] señalan la dependencia de los cursos minerales respecto de este: dan por estudiada la espagiria y remiten a ideas y técnicas que solo aquí se explican.

«Our association with Mr. Dubuis began as earnest students of his lessons. around 1988. when they were first translated into English.» — [Sue y Russ House] datan hacia 1988 su relación con Dubuis y la primera traducción inglesa de las lecciones.

«Jean has often repeated the admonition that we must respect the personal freedom of each one on the Path of Return.» — [Sue y Russ House] atribuyen a Dubuis, como dicho repetido de viva voz, la exigencia de respetar la libertad personal de cada uno en el Camino del Retorno.

«We believe that the dissemination of these courses through the agency of a publishing firm. rather than through that of a fraternal group or membership association. will support that objective.» — [Sue y Russ House] derivan de esa exigencia su decisión editorial: difundir por editorial y no por grupo fraternal ni por asociación de miembros.

«In 1995. the author of the present work wrote: "My name is Jean Dubuis. I am. this present day that I write. aged 76 years old. and I have a practice of esotericism of more than half a century.» — el foreword de Triad abre citando un texto que fecha en 1995, donde Dubuis se presenta por su edad y por su medio siglo de práctica; la puntuación con puntos donde irían comas es del OCR, y la contracubierta de la plana 195 reimprime este mismo pasaje.

«My researches started with books. where I didn’t find much. so my early progress was rather slow. Much later. I found the only book that really helped me. the Sepher Yetzirah.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword] nombra el Sepher Yetzirah como el único libro que de veras le sirvió, tras un arranque lento por vía de lecturas; el pasaje se reimprime en la contracubierta de la plana 195.

«After the ill success of books. I became a member of groups of Rosicrucian or Martinist spirit. I did not find really useful elements there. Their habit of illegitimate secrecy led me far from these groups.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword] declara su paso por grupos de espíritu rosacruz y martinista y su salida de ellos, y adjudica la causa a lo que llama secreto ilegítimo; se reimprime en la contracubierta de la plana 195.

«It is. in fact. a persevering personal effort that lead me to renew my experience. and that resulted in my few contacts with the Eternity.» — [Dubuis, citado por el foreword] atribuye la renovación de su experiencia al esfuerzo personal perseverante, y no a los libros ni a los grupos; se reimprime en la contracubierta de la plana 195.

«INDEX OF THE SPAGYRICS LESSONS Volume 1, Lessons 1 - 24» — el índice de Triad reparte el curso en dos volúmenes y este cubre las lecciones 1 a 24.

«I checked each plant in the following books * Websters dictionary * The Herb Book by John Lust * Natural Healing with Herbs by Humbart Santillo I left question marks by the plant I could not find.» — [nota de la traductora, Brigitte Donvez] declara las tres obras contra las que coteja los nombres botánicos de las listas y el signo con que marca los que no halló.

«Hypericum androsoeum : Tutsan ? (We have Hypericum perforatum which is St Johnswort)» — [nota de la traductora] primera de sus dudas sobre la lista saturnina, con la especie que sí encuentra puesta entre paréntesis.

«Sybilum marianum ? (Milk thistle is Carduus marianus) — Smyrnium olutrasum: Maceron?» — [nota de la traductora] sus dudas sobre la lista joviana, con el cardo mariano remitido a otro nombre latino.

«The same plant or plant family may have a different latin name in Europe and America.» — [nota de la traductora] primera de las dos causas que da de las discrepancias: el mismo vegetal lleva nombre latino distinto a un lado y otro del Atlántico.

«Some plants found in Europe do not have a corresponding plant in America. But you may find that with the American variety of the plant often the first latin name is the same and the latin qualifier is different.» — [nota de la traductora] segunda causa: hay plantas europeas sin correspondiente americano, y la variedad americana suele compartir el primer nombre latino y no el calificativo.

«When lesson 8 of the Spagyrics Course was being translated from French into English, the translator, Brigitte Donvez, encountered a difÏculty. The lesson was primarily a chart of plants and their planetary rulers. Some of the scientific names used in the French lesson did not correspond to those used in the reference books available to the translator.» — [Russell House, en las Revisions to Spagyrics Lesson 8 de las planas 67 a 70] describe el problema que Brigitte Donvez halló al traducir la octava lección: nombres científicos del original francés sin correspondencia en sus obras de consulta; la grafía difÏculty es la ligadura ffi del OCR.

«At present, we are looking over the lessons, and making improvements that make them more legible, complete and correct. Since some of the references were in question, the lesson was published with the unresolved entries identified.» — [Russell House] declara el estado del trabajo editorial y la decisión de publicar la lección con las entradas dudosas marcadas en vez de resolverlas en silencio.

«Culpepper’s Complete Herbal, by Nicholas Culpepper, W. Foulsham & Co. Ltd., England. This was the primary text, since it was apparently the source for the creation of the table in the original lessons.» — [Russell House] adjudica al Complete Herbal de Culpepper la fuente aparente de la tabla original y lo toma como texto primario del cotejo; la grafía Culpepper es la del impreso.

«Even this classic text is not without error. For example, All-Heal, is identified as Prunella vulgaris.» — [Russell House] objeta al propio Culpepper una contradicción: la misma especie asignada a dos plantas de talla distinta y a dos regentes distintos, Marte y Venus.

«This error leads me to believe that the Latin names for the plants are a later addition to the text. Such errors are not numerous but must be considered.» — [Russell House] deriva de esa contradicción una hipótesis sobre la transmisión del texto: los nombres latinos serían añadido posterior, y acota que los errores no son numerosos.

«Devil’s Bit, described as ‘venereal’ by Culpepper under “Government and Virtues” was listed as ‘not ascribed to a planet or astrological sign’. Venereal herbs are under Venus, just as jovial herbs are under Jupiter, and martial herbs under Mars.» — [Russell House] resuelve una entrada sin planeta por el adjetivo mismo que Culpepper usa, y enuncia la regla: lo venéreo va bajo Venus como lo jovial bajo Júpiter.

«Also of value was The Alchemist’s Handbook by Frater Albertus, Samuel Weiser, 1981. This text gives charts which are intended as a list of attributions assigned by Culpepper in his Complete Herbal. It is a good check list, and yet it has a few flaws.» — [Russell House] añade como cotejo el Alchemist's Handbook de Frater Albertus, que reproduce las atribuciones de Culpepper, con reserva sobre sus defectos.

«In several instances, two plants are printed on the same line, such as “vine viper’s bugloss” and “sage samphire”. In other cases, a two-part name is printed on two lines, such as “benedictus cardines”.» — [Russell House] enumera los defectos tipográficos que atribuye a la tabla de Albertus: dos plantas en un renglón y un nombre de dos partes repartido en dos.

«J. M. Nickell’s Botanical Ready Reference, Trinity Center Press, CA, 1976, is an extensive cross reference by scientific name and common name. This proved very useful, as did A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, Dorset Press, NY, 1992. In addition to having indices by scientific and common names, it offers complete descriptions of the plants, and cites Culpepper. This combination of features proved helpful in making some decisions.» — [Russell House] nombra las otras dos obras de referencia del cotejo, la de Nickell y A Modern Herbal de Mrs. Grieve, y dice qué aportó cada una.

«The original French Spagyrics lesson was also an important resource. This edition has a French to English table of plant names which sorted out some problems. It is not included in the English-language lessons, since it is not common for English readers to use French-language references for identifying plant names.» — [Russell House] declara que la lección francesa original tenía una tabla de nombres franceses e ingleses y por qué no se imprime en la versión inglesa.

«These were generally because of naming problems: the Latin names of plants have changed from time to time with reclassifications by botanists, and often the species name used by the editor of Culpepper’s Complete Herbal, is not a common species in France.» — [Russell House] explica los pocos errores de adscripción por la deriva de los nombres latinos con las reclasificaciones botánicas y por especies poco comunes en Francia.

«The list of plants in the lesson was corrected to agree with Culpepper, and to use the most widely accepted Latin name according to the references I have cited.» — [Russell House] declara el criterio de su corrección: acuerdo con Culpepper y el nombre latino más aceptado según las obras citadas.

«That Culpepper was the original source is apparent because there were not more than two plants in the original lesson that were not classified by Culpepper. Further, the choice of plants is unusually like those catalogued by Culpepper, including many plants rarely available and therefore not in common use today.» — [Russell House] razona la adjudicación de la fuente por dos indicios: casi ninguna planta de la lección falta en Culpepper y la selección incluye especies hoy raras.