Water is a key element in alchemy, both metaphysically when we speak of the elements and as an essential tool of the work. The primary power of water is in assisting the creation of forms for the expression of consciousness, providing nutrition for their continued existence, and physical purification. Water achieves the first two goals by acting as a conduit for higher, more intense psychic energy. We stated earlier that energy can only be transferred from one body to another in a liquid state: blood transfers physical and psychic nutrition to the organs of the body; endocrine secretions transfer specialized "orders" for the body's health and well-being; and sexual fluids transfer the very essence of life.
This fundamental idea of energy transfer through liquids applies to vapor as well. It is in vapor form that liquids are distilled and thereby separated for purification. We also said that when a liquid tincture is being distilled, the energy part of it-the mercury or alcohol-is highly susceptible to energetic influences. Alchemists take advantage of this receptive state, combining it with the astral influences of planetary hours and their own consciousness as participant in the process, thereby increasing the energy level of the tincture.
However, water is very fragile as an energy transfer and storage medium. The energetic changes created in a vapor state hold because of the additions of the sulphur and salt and, in some instances, through the addition of gold or a diluted drop of the alchemist's blood. If it were not for these additional properties, the charged water would quickly dissipate its energy level. This can easily be seen in the rainwater alchemists seek to collect. Rain that is charged in the highly electric atmosphere of April and May, and preferably collected during a lightning storm, is highly prized. The famous prints in the alchemical treatise Mutus Liber show alchemists catching the morning dew on sheets and collecting it in wooden-presumably oak-buckets for use in the laboratory. Once collected, it was used quickly before its energy could deteriorate.
CHAPTER OVERVIEW
The Water in Alchemy
• Psychic Experiments with Water
Distillation of Water and Water Experiments
The healing power of fresh spring dew was also considered very beneficial for skin ailments. Traditional German folk magic encourages walking barefoot on the morning dew to keep the aura healthy and strong. In fact, in the Medieval and Renaissance traditions, any water that fell from heaven was considered exceptionally beneficial. Where it landed or how it was collected only added to its uniqueness. Water, snow, or even hail collected during the holy seasons, on holy ground, such as a churchyard or cemetery, or inside the hollow of an old oak were highly sought. The most beneficial of all was water collected on April 1, or the morning after Walpurgis Nacht. Because of its sacramental nature and use, baptismal water also gained favor in folk practices. It was also believed that you could make holy water by placing written pieces of scripture inside previously unblessed or unconsecrated water that had been collected in the above fashions. Since drawing down the power of the Full Moon into a chalice of water or wine is a standard Wiccan rite, as is the exposure of crystals, talismans, and mirrors to the rays of the Moon, we can presume that it would be advantageous to collect water during the New Moon and Full Moon cycles as well.
Experiments conducted at McGill University in Montreal have demonstrated the ability of individuals to impact the energetic patterns of water and, using it as a medium, transfer those patterns to living organisms. In his groundbreaking work Vibrational Medicine, Dr. Richard Gerber, M.D., describes the work done by Dr. Bernard Grad. The first set of experiments intended to see whether the energy field suggested by aura photography really existed and if this energy field could be made to assist in healing other human beings. To eliminate the placebo effect, or the patient's own positive belief system in regard to being healed, Grad needed to create a sick patient that had no beliefs. He achieved this by using plants, specifically barley seeds soaked in salt water. (Salt water is a known growth retardant.) Grad then had self-described "healers" perform a "laying on of hands" on the container of saline solution. Lab assistants then placed the barley seeds into a container holding the healer-treated water. Salt water untreated by the healers was used as a control.
Given that our physical bodies are 90 percent water, the idea that water can be charged with specific emotional and thought patterns that in turn affect other living organisms is a critical one for practical occultists.