Secret Alchemy of the Sun

The Sun = Gold
The Sun is a symbol for the sovereign fire that dwells within us, the divine essense of our selfhood, will & radiant creative power.
The Emerald Tablet of the Alchemists describes the “Operation of the Sun", another name for The Great Work - the inner work and spiritual journey of the Soul, where our essense is refined into spiritual gold; the divine transmutation of Enlightenment.

AFFIRMATION:
“I honor the golden sun within me - that which is my true self, strong, noble and divinely guided in purpose and power.”

The Sun in Alchemy: A Symbol of Enlightenment and Transformation

In alchemy, the Sun is a symbol of profound significance, embodying enlightenment, transformation, and the unification of opposites. It serves as a guiding light for the alchemist, both literally and metaphorically, illuminating the path toward spiritual and material perfection. The Sun’s radiant energy represents the divine essence that lies at the heart of the alchemical quest, inspiring seekers to transform their inner darkness into golden wisdom. Through its enduring symbolism, the Sun continues to remind us of the transformative power of light, knowledge, and unity.

The Sun has long been revered as a central symbol in alchemical traditions, representing the ultimate source of life, energy, and enlightenment. In the intricate language of alchemy, the Sun is much more than a celestial body; it serves as a profound metaphor for spiritual awakening, the pursuit of divine truth, and the transformative journey of the soul. This essay explores the multifaceted symbolism of the Sun in alchemy, highlighting its connections to illumination, purity, and the unification of opposites.

The Sun as a Source of Illumination and Enlightenment

In alchemical philosophy, the Sun represents illumination—both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Just as the Sun illuminates the physical world, it symbolizes the illumination of the mind and soul, revealing hidden truths and mysteries. The Sun is often associated with gold, the most precious and incorruptible of metals, which alchemists sought to produce in their Great Work (or Magnum Opus). This pursuit of gold was not merely material but spiritual, signifying the perfection and enlightenment of the soul.

The Sun’s light also represents knowledge and wisdom, casting away the shadows of ignorance. In this context, alchemical processes such as purification and sublimation often draw on the Sun’s symbolism as an agent of transformation. The Sun burns away impurities, leaving behind the essence of truth. This aligns with the alchemist’s goal of refining not only physical substances but also their own inner selves.

The Sun as a Masculine Principle

In alchemical symbolism, the Sun is frequently identified as the masculine principle, often paired with the Moon, which represents the feminine. Together, these celestial bodies embody the duality of existence—light and dark, active and passive, conscious and unconscious. The Sun’s association with masculinity also ties it to qualities like strength, vitality, and clarity. In many alchemical texts, the union of the Sun (masculine) and the Moon (feminine) symbolizes the harmonious merging of opposites, leading to the creation of the “Philosopher’s Stone,” the ultimate symbol of spiritual and material perfection.

The Sun in the Great Work

The stages of alchemical transformation, often divided into phases such as nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening), citrinitas (yellowing), and rubedo (reddening), also reflect the Sun’s symbolism. The citrinitas stage, in particular, is associated with the dawn of the Sun’s golden light, representing the awakening of higher consciousness and the emergence of spiritual insight. This phase marks a critical turning point in the alchemist’s journey, as the darkness of the nigredo gives way to the purity and brilliance of the Sun’s influence.

In the rubedo phase, the Sun reaches its full potency, symbolizing the completion of the Great Work. Here, the Sun’s energy signifies the unity of matter and spirit, the fulfillment of the alchemist’s quest for transcendence. This stage is often depicted with imagery of a radiant, golden Sun, representing the ultimate realization of the alchemist’s spiritual and material aspirations.

The Sun and the Divine

The Sun’s role in alchemy also carries deep spiritual connotations. Many alchemical traditions draw parallels between the Sun and divine forces, seeing it as a symbol of the soul’s connection to the divine. In this context, the Sun represents the divine spark within every individual, the inner light that guides the seeker toward truth and transformation. Alchemical texts often use the Sun’s symbolism to convey the idea of a higher power orchestrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

SOURCE

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Copyright © 2006 by Visionary Living, Inc.

Tarot Cards of the Sun & Summer Solstice

The Major Arcana Tarot Card that best represents the celestial Sun is, of course, The Sun card. The general meaning of this card is hope, joy and optimism, and a call to be your authentic self. The Sun represents the Self, the Ego, and Consciousness. The Hebrew letter attributed to this card is Resh, which appropriately means Head.
The Minor Arcana Two of Cups is a bit less obvious. However when a Decan Wheel is consulted (see image below), the first Decan of Cancer is found to be from June 21 - July 1. And as the Summer Solstice technically starts at 02:43 UTC (Universal Time) June 21st, it falls within that first Decan, which corresponds to the Two of Cups. The Two of Cups’ general meaning is Love, partnerships, unions and shared goals. The combination of these two could be read as taking this time to be authentic in your expressions of love, or to be your authentic self in regards to partnerships, unions and shared goals.

Happy Summer Solstice! Set Your Intent

In scientific terms, a solstice is one of two times a year when the Earth's axis is tilted most closely toward or away from the sun, resulting in the longest or shortest day of the year for a given hemisphere. The Summer Solstice marks the cardinal axis - the moment the earth's tilt toward from the sun is at a maximum - 23.5˚ - and aligns with the Tropic of Cancer (which is a Cardinal sign).

Astrologically, the Summer Solstice marks the start of the zodiacal reign of Cancer, June 20/21 - July 20/21 - the sign of the Mother. Cancer is associated with birth and the life giving properties of water. The ancient Greeks called Cancer “the Gate of Men”. Souls were said to descend to Earth from heaven through the Cancer constellation, and then go back the other way and ascend to heaven through “the Gate of the Gods” in Capricorn.

A Magical Alignment

A powerful alignment happens during the Summer Solstice as the Sun, a symbol of masculine life-sustaining fire and energy, enters the Cardinal gate of Cancer, a symbol or the feminine and mother associated with the live-giving properties of waters. The climatic joining of these opposing forces creates a powerful manifestation portal.

Because of this alignment, the Summer Solstice is a perfect time to set your intent for the second half of the year. Setting an intent is very similar to saying an affirmation, and is done by speaking out loud that which you would like to manifest in your life. Intent can feel more powerful if done in a ritual (see below) or spiritual setting, or during/after a meditation when your mind is clear and focused.

The following are examples that can be used or adapted for setting an intent:
General Empowerment
1. I am aligned with my highest potential and call forth all that supports my growth.
2. I fully receive the abundance that flows effortlessly into my life.
3. I step boldly into [ … ] with clarity, confidence, and grace.

Spiritual Awakening
4. I open fully to the wisdom of my higher self and integrate it with ease.
5. I walk the path of grace and am a vessel of God’s will.
6. I embrace and embody sacred transformation in every cell of my being.

Wealth & Abundance
7. I am a magnet for wealth, prosperity and [ ... ] .
8. I allow money to serve my [purpose/project] and flow freely into my life.
9. My creative gifts generate sustainable abundance with joy.

Love & Relationships
10. I attract and nurture deep, conscious, and loving connections.
11. I radiate self-love and call in partnerships that honor my worth.
12. I am open to giving and receiving unconditional love.

Health & Vitality
13. My body is strong, my mind is clear, and my energy is vibrant.
14. I restore, regenerate, and realign with perfect balance and health.
15.  Every breath nourishes me on a cellular and spiritual level.

Alchemical Focus
16.    I dissolve from my essence all that no longer serves me.
17.    I transmute fear into clarity, and limitation into infinite design.
18.    I call forth the future-self that already knows, already is, already becomes. 

A Summer-Solstice Intent-Setting Ritual

Ritual Instructions:

1. Create a Sacred Space
Find a suitable place where you can be alone and/or have privacy. If possible, sunlight should fill the room or space. Sanctify the space by doing one of the following:
• Light sage and direct the smoke in a circle, clockwise, around the room and around yourself
• Use a fan, feather or hand broom to “sweep away” negative energy from each direction in turn, starting with East and moving clockwise. (E, S, W, N)
• Do the Banishing Ritual of the Lesser Pentagram

2. Set up Your Sacred Space
• Arrange a small altar with:
South: Fire - Choose one: A wand, a yellow or gold candle (wax or electric), Censor with insence (Frankensense)
West: Water - Choose one: A chalise, a bowl or cup of water 
North: Earth - Choose one: A pentagram, a small plate with Salt, foliage, flower or crystal
East: Air -  Choose one: a small dagger or knife, a feather, a bell, or pictures of dragonflies, birds or butterflies
Center: A white candle and a simple drawing of the solar glyph ☉ or your own sun sigil or symbolic object, ex. The Sun Tarot Card. A yellow candle can be used if it not being used in the south/fire position.

3. Opening: Invocation of Light
• Light the candle. Say aloud:
“I call upon the energy of the Sun that shines within me and around me. May the golden light of the inner and outer Suns purify my heart, illuminate my path and open the gate of transformation.”

4. Breath & Visualization
• Close your eyes and imagine you are breathing in energetic sunlight -energy and releasing old, tired energy.
• As you are breathing, visualize a golden orb of light growing in your solar plexus.
• Feel this inner Sun expanding outward, burning away fear, doubt, or stagnation. Let it fill your body and expand to a comfortable size. Then, seal it with a firm edge, so that it remains with you as your personal energetic space. You are in control of what enters or leaves this space.

Note: if you have placed a Tarot Card on your altar, take this time to meditate on the Card and receive any impressions.

5. State Intent
•  Face East. Speak your intention for the second half of the year. Use or modify one of the suggestions above, or create your own.

6. [Optional: Qabalistic recognition:
• Touch your chest (Tiphareth), and say:
“Beauty and perfect Balance dwell within me.”
• Dip your fingers in the water (Cancer) and anoint your heart (Tiphareth), anchoring spiritual light in your body.]

7. Closing
• Close by saying “I release my intent to God/the Universe/Great Spirit/etc., knowing it is already fulfilled in the right and perfect way for me and through me, with gratitude as brilliant as the celestial Sun.”
• Repeat santifying choice, this time moving counter-clockwise (or repeat LBRP)
•  Extinguish candle (use a snuffer if possible) or turn off the candle if electric, with thanks

For this ritual, I have chosen items that are most similar to the Tarot Suits: a dagger (East, Air, Swords), a crystal wand (South, Fire, Wands),  a Cup (West, Water, Cups) and a pentacle made of selenite (North, Earth, Disks or Pentacles). In the center, for this particular ritual, is a Pyrite Sun and The Sun card from the Rider-Waite deck.