The Secret Alchemy of Pisces

The Mystery of ALCHEMY (scroll down for the Secret Alchemy of Aquarius)

Alchemy is an enigmatic subject. It can feel super esoteric, ancient, obscure and can be off-putting, with its strange imagery and odd terms. However, once it is hoisted into the 21st century, and its terms are brought into a psychological light,  it can be recognized as a powerful system for spiritual development and manifestation. To provide this clarification is one of the goals of Sacred Circuit.

There are two basic types of Alchemy, spiritual and physical. Spiritual alchemy comprises the bulk of what you find when you search the term online, or browse books on the subject. Spiritual alchemy involves a system of personal refinement and growth; it is highly psychological in this way. Physical alchemy is actual lab work and experiments. Both of these systems include seven “operations” which are loosely based on the planetary and chakra systems. True Alchemists of old advised that integrating both spiritual and physical alchemy was necessary if substantial personal transformation was desired.

There is another more rarely used system of twelve operations, which correspond to the Zodiac. The twelve steps can be seen as a more detailed version of the seven steps. Some of them have been split or divided into sub categories, but most are added in. For Hermetic purposes, which integrate Qabalah, Tarot and Astrology with Alchemy, and for use with work with the Astrological signs of the Zodiac, the twelve-operation system is highly effective, and it is what we have embraced here at Sacred Circuit. It can be seen as a roadmap of spiritual transmutation via astrology.

Each of the twelve operations — Calcination, Congelation, Fixation, Dissolution, Digestion, Distillation, Sublimation, Separation, Incineration, Fermentation, Multiplication and Projection — corresponds to an Astrological sign, and mirrors a stage in the initiate’s inner work   — dissolving attachments, purifying desires, and reuniting fragmented aspects of the psyche, all in alignment with the zodiac.

This Alchemical-Zodiacal journey is not only about personal growth and spiritual enlightenment, it is also about manifestation. As the soul undergoes inner purification, it evolves to become a more receptive vessel for the Divine to enter into the realm of forms. Through these operations, the practitioner does not only manifest desires — they come to embody them. Alchemy, Qabalah, Tarot and Astrology together teach that manifestation is not control over reality, but harmony with the Great Work —the Magnum Opus of the Soul.

The Secret Alchemy of Pisces

The alchemical operation assigned to Pisces is Projection. Projection the act of casting a small portion of the “finished stone” onto a quantity of base metal. The stone then “projects” its perfected quality, instantaneously transmuting the base metal into a more purified substance, such as gold. The Stone, having undergone the other operations, carries within it the power to alter other substances without being itself being diminished. Projection can be therefore be considered transmissive.

Spiritually, Projection represents the outward radiation of an inner attainment. Once the ego has been purified and consciousness clarified through the earlier operations, the individual becomes a living Stone, capable of influencing and elevating others through what seems to be their mere presence. Projection is the transmission of awareness or “vibes” into the source field of life. It is the stage at which enlightenment ceases to be private and becomes tranmissive, projecting the frequency of coherent Will into the world as an energetic force.

A real-world example of Projection is heart coherence. According to HeartMath Institute, heart coherence is a “measurable physiological state in which the heart’s rhythm pattern becomes smooth, ordered, and sine-wave–like, reflecting synchronization between the heart, brain, and nervous system.” This coherent state is associated with feelings of appreciation, compassion, and calm focus and is believed to optimize mental clariy, emotional well being and overall body system performance. HeartMath researchers suggest that because the heart generates a measurable electromagnetic field, coherent states may positively influence group environments.

In this way, Projection suggests that transformation is not confined to the individual but becomes truly transmissive. One’s presence becomes medicine. Without preaching or imposing change, a person who has refined their will and clarified their consciousness may naturally embody the very strength, steadiness, or compassion that another person lacks in a given moment. Just as a small measure of the Philosopher’s Stone was said to transmute a larger quantity of base metal, a coherent and elevated state of being can subtly influence the emotional and moral atmosphere around it. A household may feel calmer, a workplace more focused, even a neighborhood more harmonious.

The idea is that by stabilizing your own physiological and emotional state, you create a coherent field that can promote calm, clarity, and emotional regulation not only within yourself but also in those around you. On a personal note, years ago I experienced the amazing effect of generating heart coherence. I found myself in a situation where I was with a child who was extremely upset. I knelt down and embraced the child, and then spontaneously generated heart coherence. Within 30 seconds the child was drawing away from me, saying she was OK. She had, within moments, stopped trembling and crying, and seemed suddenly perfectly OK. It was quite astounding how effective it was..

The Great Work is called the Operation of the Sun because it implies conscious participation in divine illumination, literally and figuratively turning Lead into Gold. The master alchemist, adept or enlightened soul becomes a solar center, projecting coherence and vitality into the world. Gold/Sun is King, but Silver/Moon is Queen. The Moon and Pisces describe the receptive, fluid medium through which energetic influence spreads. The Sun corresponds to the heart as a solar center of core life-force - the body’s engine. When the solar heart is coherent, it projects clarity and order into the lunar field of emotion and relationship. In this way, Projection becomes the marriage of Sun and Moon: inner solar coherence transmitted through a Piscean-Moon medium, uplifting and stabilizing the wider environment through resonance.

To generate heart coherence, HeartMath teaches a simple three-step process:

1. Heart-focused breathing – Shift attention to the area around the heart and breathe slowly and evenly (about 5–6 seconds in and out).

2. Activate a regenerative emotion – Intentionally evoke feelings such as gratitude, care, or appreciation.

3. Sustain the feeling – Maintain both the steady breathing rhythm and the elevated emotion for several minutes.

   Note: In my own personal experience, I will sometimes experience heart coherence as that “warm and fuzzy” feeling in your chest, when it feels like it’s actually getting warmer.

Suggested Links:

Heart Math Institute

Sources:
Mytho-Hermetic Dictionary by Dom Antoin-Josef Pernety
The Alchemy of Tarot by Juno Lucino
Hermetic Alchemy - The Golden Dawn Alchemy by Paul Foster Case
Qabalistic Tarot by Rober Wang
Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kynes
The Idiot’s Complete Guide to Alchemy by Dennis William Hauck
Alchemy Study Program course books (set of 6) by Dennis William Hauck
Hermetic Qabalah by Oliver St. John
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall

The Tarot Cards of Pisces

The Major Arcana Tarot Card allocated to the sign of Pisces is the Moon card. The general meaning of this card is subconscious realms, illusions, cycles & women’s cycles, changeability & unreliability.
The Minor Arcana Cards of the Eight, Nine and Ten of Cups have less obvious connections to the sign of Pisces. To begin with, each Suit corresponds to an element, and the Suit of Cups corresponds to the element of Water, the emotional plane. Since Pisces is a Water sign, it corresponding minor cards will be found in the Suit of Cups.
When a Decan Wheel is consulted (see image below), the first Decan of Pisces is found to correspond to the Eight of Cups, Lord of Abandoned Success (February 19 - February 28.) The second Decan corresponds to the Nine of Cups, Lord of Material Happiness, (February 20 - March 9). And the third Decan corresponds to the Ten of Cups, Lord of Perfected Success (March 10 - 19). If your Sun sign is Pisces, you can determine which minor card is “your” card by seeing where your birthday falls within the Decans, by consulting the chart below. It can be used as an alternate Identifier, or you may contemplate how the card is thematic in your life. Additionally, using the Decan Wheel allows for time to be introduced into readings.

What exactly is a Decan Wheel? A “Decan Wheel” divides a circle, which has 360 degrees, into 36 10-degree segments (“dec” means 10.) Each of these 36 segments correspond to one of the Minor Arcana cards in the Tarot, excluding the Aces and the Court Cards. The 36 segments are grouped into 12 groups of 3. The 12 groups are the Zodiac signs, and the 3 within those groups are the Cardinal (1st decan), Fixed (second decan) and Mutable (third decan) sub-aspects of each sign. So for example if your birthday is October 6, your birthday falls within the approximate 10- day segment of the 2nd decan of Libra. This indicates your birthday is a Fixed sub-aspect (the 2nd decan) of a Cardinal sign (Libra), and corresponds to the 3 of Swords. Reflecting on your particular set of aspect & correspondence will undoubtedly inspire insights about yourself and your life.

Sources:
Tarot Correspondences by T. Susan Chang
Tarot Deciphered by T. Susan Chang & MM Maleen
Qabalistic Tarot by Robert Wang

The Zodiac Sign of Pisces

Starting with Aries in March, Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac. Those who are born from approximately February 19 to March 20 (depending upon the year) are born under the sign of Pisces. Pisces is a Water sign. It is also a Mutable sign, meaning that people born under this sign excel at innovating change, and adapting to changes in time and space.

The element associated with Pisces is Water, and alongside Cancer and Scorpio, it forms the Water triplicity. (The Water Triplicity is one of four elemental triplicities in the zodiac, with the other three being Fire, Earth, and Air.)
The symbol of Pisces is two fish tied together by their tails, with a ribbon or rope. In general, Pisces are sensitive, impressionable, psychic, devoted, melancholic, and can often feel misunderstood.

ELEMENT: Water, Emotional and Intuitive
KEY PHRASE: “I Imagine”
NEED: The need to commit to a dream or ideal and work towards its realization
PLANETS: Ruler: Neptune, Detriment: Mercury, Exaltation: Venus, Fall: Mercury
MODALITY: Mutible
POLARITY: Passive
OPPOSITE SIGN: Virgo
HOUSE: 12th House of devotion to higher ideals and spiritual values, social service, collective soul, overcoming ghosts or debts of the past
SYMBOL: Two fish tied together by their tails, with a ribbon or rope
CRYSTAL: Clear Quartz and Serpentine
BIRTHSTONE: Moonstone
ESSENTIAL OILS: Myrrh and Cedarwood
PATH ON THE TREE OF LIFE: Path 29, The Ruler of Flux and Reflux, The Child of the Sons of the Mighty
The Twenty-ninth Path is the Corporeal Intelligence, so called because it forms every body which is formed beneath the whole set of worlds and the increment of them.
TAROT: Key 18 - The Moon
HEBREW LETTER: Qoph, Back of head, Ear
RELATED SOUND: B Natural
ALCHEMICAL OPERATION: Projection
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Inspiration, idealism, concentration, hospitality, service, peace, refinement, purity, perception, psychometry, order, method, easy-going, loyal
Undesirable: Negativismm, diffidence, dreaminess, lethargy, carelessness, indolence, indecisiveness, spologetic, submissiveness, self-deprecation, inferiority complex, timidity, self-pity

Sources:

Astrological Keywords by Manly P. Hall
The New A to Z Horiscope Maker and Delineator by Llewellyn George
Qabalistic Tarot by Rober Wang
Astrology for Yourself by Douglass Bloch & Demetra George
A Beginners Guide to Astrology by Lisa Butterworth
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall

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Aquarius on the Qabalistic Tree of Life

The Qabalah’s Tree of Life is a glyph that represents, simultaneously, two directions: the flow of the Divine from Above to Below, and the Path of Return to Source, from Below to Above, for those on spiritual journeys of enlightenment. It is a glyph that represents all of creation and all the energies of creation.

The Tree of Life is comprised of ten circles called Sephiroth and the 22 paths that connect them. The Paths are subjective, and allocated to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as well as the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot. The 10 Spheres are objective and are considered emmanations of the Divine. They are allocated to the First Swirlings, the Zodiac, the six visible planets, the Moon and the Earth.

Aquarius is represented on the Tree of Life through its associated Tarot Card, which is Key 17, The Star. The 28th Path connects Netzach (Victory) to Yesod (The Foundation) on the Tree of Life. It is one of the three paths in the Astral Triad, the Triad of the Personality. The Hebrew letter for this path is Tzaddi, which means Fish Hook. Its numerical value is 90, it is a simple letter - its “gift” – is imagination. As meditation and imagination are combined, a process that is described as the “merging of two streams” takes place, of individual consciousness and of higher consciousness.As Robert Wang puts it, “as we experiment with meditation and imaginative visualization, casting ourselves into the Universal sea, we seek an understanding of the very processes of life and death.” Our Personalities cast out the fish hook, in hopes of finding the meaning of life and reality through meditation, and yet at the same time, our higher selves aim to hook us and pull us up from the depths of our ignorance.

The Star is often referred to as Tzaddi, the fishook, which is cast into the waters of Mem, The Hanged Man, to catch the Fish, The Death Card. This describes the individuals place within the collective consciousness, which is an Aquarian theme.

The Benefits of Creative Visualization
by Reality Pathing

• Clarity of Purpose: Visualizing your goals helps clarify what you truly desire.
• Enhanced Motivation: A clear mental image of your desired outcome increases motivation and commitment to achieving it.
• Stress Reduction: Visualization can serve as a form of mental therapy, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
• Improved Performance: Athletes often use visualization techniques to enhance performance by mentally rehearsing their actions.
• Greater Self-Confidence: Regular practice of visualization can boost self-esteem and confidence levels.

Preparing for Creative Visualization
Before delving into the step-by-step process of creative visualization, it’s essential to set the right foundation for your practice.

Find a Quiet Space
Choose a comfortable location where you won’t be disturbed. This could be a quiet room in your home, a peaceful outdoor setting, or any place that feels calming and conducive to relaxation.

Set an Intention
Identify what you want to achieve through creative visualization. Be specific about your goals—whether they pertain to career advancement, personal development, health, relationships, or any other area of life.

Gather Tools That Inspire You
You might want to keep a journal or create a vision board that reflects your goals. Having visuals can help anchor your imagination when you practice visualization.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Visualization

Step 1: Relax Your Mind and Body
Begin by settling into a comfortable position. You can sit or lie down—whichever feels best for you. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Focus on releasing tension from each part of your body as you breathe out. Allow your thoughts to settle until you feel calm and centered.

Step 2: Clarify Your Goals
Reflect on what it is that you wish to manifest in your life. Write down these goals in a clear and affirmative manner. Instead of saying “I want to be successful,” try phrasing it as “I am successful in my career.” Use positive language to reinforce a sense of ownership over your aspirations.

Step 3: Visualize Your Desired Outcome
Once you have clarity on your goals, begin creating a mental image of them as if they have already come true:
Engage all senses: Imagine not only what achieving your goal looks like but also how it feels, sounds, smells, and even tastes. The more sensory details you incorporate into your visualization, the more real it will feel.
Create a movie in your mind: Picture yourself in various scenarios related to your goal—perhaps receiving an award at work or enjoying good health.
Use affirmations: Alongside visualizing, repeat positive affirmations that resonate with your desired outcome to reinforce belief in its possibility.

Step 4: Feel the Emotions
Emotions play a crucial role in effective visualization. As you visualize:
Feel the excitement associated with achieving your goal.
Embrace gratitude for having already attained what you desire.
Allow joy to wash over you as you imagine living the life you’ve envisioned.
These emotions will deepen the imprint on your subconscious mind.

Step 5: Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative visualization requires consistent practice:
Dedicate time daily for this exercise—whether it’s 5 minutes or an hour.
Integrate it into existing routines; perhaps visualize during meditation or before sleep.
The more frequently you visualize your goals with clarity and emotion, the stronger the connection will grow between thought patterns in your subconscious mind.

Step 6: Take Inspired Action

Creative visualization is not meant to replace action; rather, it serves as a catalyst for taking inspired steps toward achieving your goals:
Look for opportunities that align with what you’ve visualized.
Trust your intuition; if something feels right or resonates with your goal, pursue it actively.
Combining visualization with concrete actions creates momentum toward bringing your desires into reality.

Step 7: Reflect on Your Progress

Periodically assess how close you’ve moved toward achieving your goals:
Keep track of any shifts or changes in mindset or circumstances since beginning this practice.
Note any synchronicities or opportunities that arise following visualizations.
Reflection reinforces progress while allowing adjustments when necessary.

Common Challenges in Creative Visualization

While many find success in practicing creative visualization, some may encounter challenges along the way:
Distractions: It’s normal for thoughts to wander during visualization—gently bring focus back without frustration.
Self-Doubt: Negative beliefs may surface; acknowledge them but choose not to dwell on them—affirmation can help combat self-doubt.
Lack of Clarity: If unsure about what to visualize, spend some time exploring different aspects of life—perhaps journaling or consulting trusted friends can provide insights.
Impatience: Change takes time; maintain consistency in practice while being patient with the process.

Conclusion

Creative visualization is more than merely imagining outcomes; it’s about harnessing the power within yourself to create lasting change in alignment with what matters most to you. By following this step-by-step guide—starting from relaxation through regular practice—you’ll cultivate a deeper connection between aspiration and achievement while enhancing overall well-being. Remember that persistence pays off; with dedication and belief in yourself, anything is possible through creative visualization!

Sources:
Tarot Correspondences by T. Susan Chang
Kabbalah by Charles Ponce
Qabalistic Tarot by Rober Wang
Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kynes
Hermetic Qabalah by Oliver St. John
The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall