Recently I've been feeling pretty low in terms of vitality. I'm not sick. I'm not depressed. I honestly thought I was just taking a bit of a break. Since I began my more public career, I've had folks telling me to slow down and rest more, and like a typical Sun sign Taurus, when in motion, I tend to stay in motion, and when I took some time out to rest, I feel like I'm now stuck in rest mode. Though rest for me, I realize, is still pretty busy compared to most people I know. The main difference for me is that I don't feel enthusiastically “on fire” about any of my current projects. I keep up with administration, but that spark wasn't there. I think I'm roughly paraphrasing the amazing author Nema as she teaches “the condition of the priesthood is to be aflame with love.” I often feel that love, that connection, that enthusiasm for all of my vocation like a fire and the fire's been dim. 

I got a message from a trusted source that made it clear it was time to kick my ass a bit and get into gear, so I am. I've been tackling exercise, diet and various health supplements and it triggered a teaching from one of my old crystal healing and reiki instructors, overlaid with what I now know about alchemy. 

Some of it has been through reading about the healing crisis of author Alberto Villoldo, whose work I have a strange love-hate relationship with, in his new book One Spirit Healing. My overall healing research emphasized how we are really in a constant battle with the levels of chemicals and poisons in our environment and system, and some emphasized the harmful effects of mercury and lead, two of the alchemical metals that are toxic in the human body, yet we all have varying amounts of them through “modern” living. Another aspect of my research was the books The Sphere of Art Volume I and II by R.J. Stewart. In it, he works with the purifying fire, and has a process to enliven and uplift alchemical substances. 

Added into the research mix was a new crystal I acquired at a gem show, Auralite 23, a type of amethyst similar to “Super Seven” but instead of seven different substances, it has potentially twenty-three different metals, elements and chemicals in it. Some of the more familiar ones include nickel, iron, pyrite, hematite, copper, silver, gold and platinum. It's magick is said to be of alchemical healing, and all those different metals and minerals in the stone got me thinking about all the minerals and metals in my own body. I had a very visceral effect when first holding the stone with my spirit sister. We felt almost chemically high, and released a lot of angst.

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Auralite 23

In crystal healing, we will usually cleanse the crystals of unwanted energy and intentions, and then consciously program them for their beneficial healing effects and magickal purposes. I learned you could do the same with things in your body as well, and in my personal meditation work, I was drawn to do I it with the alchemical metals in their traditional order. The work expanded to include other aspects of conscious attunement with the body, so this is just Part 1 on the metals and minerals. Since doing this work, I've noticed a shift in my day-to-day health and happiness. I feel the alchemical fire of transformation helping me become “aflame with love” once again. 

This working catalyzes the healing properties of all the minerals and metals in your body. You might think that many things, such as lead and mercury, are fully toxic. They cannot be healing. And on a physical level, I'd agree. But if they are present, they are serving some purpose, even if the purpose is learning how to heal from them. This vision work can help spiritually neutralize the toxic effects while alchemically enlivening the substances to help in your evolutionary process. It does not mean one should eat or drink toxic substances purposefully, but having them present in some of our foodstuff makes them a reality in our life. Working with them on this level can help alleviate potential problems before they can manifest. 

 

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Fig - Clockwise from Top - Alchemical Mandala with Planets, Signs, Metals and Operations

Relax your body. While I usually advocate sitting up for meditation, this works quite well laying down.  Relax your mind. Open your heart. Be guided by your inner light. Get into a meditative state. Breathe deeply and be fully present in your body, from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. Feel your entire self, and the energy field around you that we call the aura. 

Lead 

Be aware of any heavy particles of lead within your body. Lead is the dense metal of the planet Saturn, the Planet of Karma. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any lead, or lead energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the lead to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this lead is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this lead transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for anything new that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the lead. 

Tin

Be aware of any brittle particles of tin within your body. Tin is the shiny metal of the planet Jupiter, the Planet of Expansion. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any tin, or tin energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the tin to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this tin is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this tin transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for anything new that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the tin. 

Iron

Be aware of any strong particles of iron within your body. Iron is the hard metal of the planet Mars, the Planet of Will. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any iron, or iron energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the iron to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this iron is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this iron transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for new iron or other substance that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the iron. 

Copper

Be aware of any rosy particles of copper within your body. Copper is the rose colored metal of the planet Venus, the Planet of Love. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any copper, or copper energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the copper to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this copper is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this copper transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for new copper or other substance that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the copper. 

Quicksilver

Be aware of any elusive particles of quicksilver within your body. Quicksilver is the shiny liquid metal of the planet Mercury, the Planet of Communication. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any quicksilver, or quicksilver energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the quicksilver to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this quicksilver is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this quicksilver transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for anything new that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the quicksilver. 

Silver 

Be aware of any reflective particles of silver within your body. Silver  is the bright colored metal of the Moon, the Planet of Emotions and Magick. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any silver, or silver energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the silver to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this silver is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this silver transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for new silver or other substance that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the silver. 

Gold

Be aware of any yellowish particles of gold within your body. Gold is the incorruptible metal of the Sun, the Planet of the True Self. Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any gold, or gold energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the gold to bring out its most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that this gold is one of many holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth. These minerals connect us all the way back to the stars and the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May this gold transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for new gold or other substance that is needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging the gold. 

All Other Metals and Minerals 

Be aware of any other metals and minerals in your body, such as sodium chloride, platinum, zinc, manganese, chromium, molybdenum and selenium. All of these minerals play a role in our health.  Inhale slowly, and as you do, think about clearing all the unwanted, unhealthy energies from any other minerals, or  mineral energies, in your body. Exhale and feel the energy of the exhale sweep through your body, clearing it. 

Inhale slowly, and hold the intention to catalyze all the other minerals to bring out the most helpful healing spiritual properties. Be aware that all of these minerals are holy expressions of the planet, linking you to the land beneath your feel and the divine Mother of the Earth as well as the Star Goddess. Exhale. 

Inhale. May these minerals transmute to something more helpful when no longer needed, or simply leave my body with ease, grace and gentleness, making room for new minerals or other substance that are needed. So mote it be. Exhale and feel the wave of energy sweep through your body, charging all of the other minerals. 

When you feel the process of cleansing and charging is complete, return your awareness back. Notice the difference in your flesh and blood, breath and bone. Feel your awareness shift with this new anchor in yourself and your world. Feel the holiness of the minerals in the body resonating with the land and planet. Keep this awareness in your daily thought. 

 

Part Two: Microbe Symbiosis