Originally, Alchemy was understood as an essentially symbolic language for spiritual realities and the ultimate symbolic representation of the transformation; it was illuminated as the transformation of tenebrous, leaden physicality of earthbound consciousness into the refined gold of a spiritually illuminated being who is doubtlessly concerned with inner dynamics resulting in the purification of the body, mind, and soul. Thus, St. Germain's true purpose and intention of his alchemical remedy is the transformation of the self by Divine initiation into the establishment of the noble ideas, aiming for its totality.
Historically, the alchemical tradition is derived from Hermetic texts attributed by Hermes Trismegistus "Thrice great Hermes." It has been described in the experts' work that Hermes was the author of twenty thousand books, which were founded upon the prototypical figure explained in The Book of Thoth, the book of Divine science, sacred magic, and wisdom. Various secret and alchemical writings emerged in the early centuries of the Christian era, especially the text Hermetica, known as the great work of Egyptian Mystery Rites. The Renaissance alchemists believed that he was the author of great and ancient metaphysical documents. The Hermetica's work was attributed to the great alchemists/philosophers, and eventually created the early centuries of Neoplatonist philosophers. Hermes Trismegistus is identified by some as the Greek God Hermes, and the Egyptian Thoth; Egyptians regarded him as the God of wisdom, letters, and the recording of time.
It is in consequence of the great respect entertained for Hermes by the old alchemists that chemical writings were called "hermetic," and that the phrase "hermetically sealed" is still in use to designate the closing of a glass vessel by fusion, after the manner of chemical manipulators. We find the same root in the hermetic medicines of Paracelsus-1 5the century's greatest physician and alchemist-and the hermetic freemasonry of the Middle Ages. The Hermetica contains the great magical diction; however, it was considered a sacred text. "A man of great ancient history and fully permeated with every kind of knowledge," not only identified as "God" but alluded to as the "Son of God" in his writings of Hermes.
The best known of the so-called Hermetic texts is the Emerald Tablet, which is the source of the famous dictum "As above, so below." The Emerald Tablet was worshiped during the Renaissance as the essential alchemical doctrine, containing references to a number of things:
It is true without lie, certain and most veritable, that what is below is like what is above and that what is above is like what is below, to perpetrate the miracles of one thing. And as all things have been, and come from one by the meditation of One; thus all things have been born from this single thing by adaptation. The Sun is its father and the Moon its mother. The Wind has carried it in his belly and the Earth is its nurse. The father of all the perfection of all the world is here. Its force or power is entire if it is turned into earth. Thou shalt separate the Earth form the Fire, the subtle from the gross, softly, with great ingenuity. It rises from the Earth to the sky and again descends into the Earth, and receives the force of things superior and inferior. Thou shalt have by this means the glory of all the world. And therefore all obscurity shall flee form thee. And this is the strength strong of all strength. For it shall vanquish any thing subtle and anything solid penetrate. Thus the world is created. From this shall be and shall proceed admirable adaptations, of which the means is here. And in this connection I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having the three parts of the philosophy of all the world. It is finished, what I have said of the operation of the sun.
The alchemical tradition is as old as the shaman, hermit, priesthood, and those pagan ritualistic lines and various alchemical works and legacies that have been found throughout the world. However, the context of St. Germain's secret alchemical remedy is thought to be closely associated with Daoistic-Alchemy, Tantric-Alchemy, and mystic-Cabbalah.
The ancient Alchemists were originally Hermits who resided in the mountain areas where they developed the methods of meditation and healing that provided insights leading to soul chemistry. Various spiritual and chemical experiments were later incorporated into traditional medicine and an original form of Oriental medicine was born. The esoteric side of alchemical virtue and practices is like preserving the essence of life's vital energy, which contributes to good health and longevity. For the Alchemists, gathering virtue is equivalent to gathering healing, and doing so maintained a long life. In order to stay in touch with our vital reserves with our inner strength, we do not waste life's energy or the vital essence. The basic principle of the key element is to attain by controlling, joining, and blending the body's own vital elements and forces. The preservation of life energy is similar to the practice of the Hindu yogi of "no action" (maintain one's center core to the main purpose only and drop the rest as unnecessary). The principle was to maintain the physical as well as the mental balance and harmony, inner unity and centeredness by living a life of moderation.
Traditionally, Alchemists practiced daily invocation and recitation of the Golden Alchemical Mantra. A practice containing the seventy-two Divine names practiced talismanic magic, herbal concoction, and meditative trance dance to awaken the psycho/physical essence and the supernatural power for transformation. Purple Light represents divinity, spirituality, healing power and Divine Protection; thus, an invocation of the Purple Light to invite the medicine of healing was an essential part of their lives.
Another important color and substance used in the Alchemist meditation and ritual was gold. The color gold is considered sacred, due to its purity and majesty. It represents power, longevity, prosperity, and transformation of the soul. It also represents the untarnished pure state of being, wisdom, understanding, the pearl of enlightenment, and being a source of Light. Thus, gold and purple are illuminated by flames to become the symbolic interpretation of wisdom. Alchemists, throughout the ages, believed that the essence of gold is the link between heaven and earth, and associated it with great work. The final stage of the Alchemical process, known as the Philosopher's Stone, is to be enlightened. It is said to be concealed in the formula V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Visit the interior of the earth; through purification thou wilt find the hidden stone).
The core element of Alchemy is fire, as it is a symbol of the generative power aroused and tamed for mystical use, which relates Alchemy to the core elements of Tantra. This fire, stimulated by air passing through holes in the Athanor (the symbol of the human body and known as the Alchemical vessel or oven where the elixir is prepared and is either flowing naturally or fanned with bellows), recalls the yogic Pranayama breathing techniques used to arouse Kundalini, "Serpent power." Alchemists believed one can encourage health and longevity by imagining that the abdomen is like an Alchemical crucible where the body's vital energies are combined to form a golden pearl and immortality.
Alchemical writers were unanimous in preaching and promising the spiritual rewards of the art striving to protect Divine Science and sacred Alchemy from the misuse of power. As it is told in various myths and folklore, the primordial Gods hid the great power of the universe within the hearts of men to conceal its power.