What Is the Azoth?
Azoth
(áz-oth):
the supreme secret of transformation that contains all things within itself (the
"alpha-omega" or "A-Z"). Known in alchemy as the
Mercury of the Wise or
the
Universal Cure, the
Azoth is also the
Universal Life Force.
Come join us in the Great Work of personal and global
transformation and discover your Azoth!
Azoth is the essential agent of transformation in alchemy.
It is the name given by ancient alchemists to Mercury, the animating spirit
hidden in all matter that makes transmutation possible. The spelling consists of
the initial letter of the English, Greek and Hebrew alphabets followed by the
final letters of the English alphabet (Z), the Greek alphabet (Omega) and the
Hebrew alphabet (Tau). The word comes from the Arabic
az zÄ'uq
which means "Mercury." The word occurs in the writings of many early alchemists,
such as Zosimos, Mary the Jewess, Olympiodorus, and Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber).
The word Azoth is also related to the
Ain Soph (ultimate substance) of the Kabbalah.
In his masterwork The Secret
Teachings of All Ages. Manley P. Hall explained
this connection: "The universe is surrounded by the sphere of light or stars.
Beyond that sphere is Schamayim, who is the Divine Fiery Water, the first
outflow of the Word of God, the flaming river pouring from the presence of the
eternal mind. Schamayim, who is this fiery Androgyne, divides. His Fire becomes
Solar fire and his Water becomes Lunar water in our universe. Schamayim is the
Universal Mercury or Azoth -- the measureless spirit of life. That original
spiritual fiery water comes through Eden ("vapor" in Hebrew) and pours itself
into the four main rivers of the four Elements. This comprises the River of
Living Water -- the Azoth -- or fiery mercurial essence, that flows out from the
throne of God and Lamb. In this Eden (vaporous essence or mist) is the first or
spiritual Earth, the incomprehensible and intangible dust out of which God
formed Adam Kadmon, the spiritual body of man, which must become fully revealed
through time."
In his book
Transcendental Magic,
Eliphas Levi wrote: "The Azoth or Universal Medicine is, for the soul, is
supreme reason and absolute justice; for the mind, it is mathematical and
practical truth; for the body it is the quintessence, which is a combination of
gold and light. In the superior or spiritual world, it is the First Matter of
the Great Work, the source of the enthusiasm and activity of the alchemist. In
the intermediate or mental world, it is intelligence and industry. In the
inferior or material world, it is physical labor. Sulfur, Mercury, and Salt,
which, volatized and fixed alternately, compose the Azoth of the sages. Sulfur
corresponds to the elementary form of Fire, Mercury to Air and Water, Salt to
Earth."
Known as the Universal Solvent, Universal Cure, and Elixir
of Life (elixir
vitae), the Azoth is said to embody all
medicines, as well as the first principles of all other substances. The 16th
century alchemist Paracelsus was said to have achieved the Azoth, and in
portraits of him carrying his sword, the inscription "Azoth" can be seen on the
pommel or handle. It is said he kept the infallible remedy handy in a concealed
compartment in the handle in case he needed it in an emergency or if he was
injured in a fight. He said it was the "counter poison" to any physical, mental,
or spiritual threat.
As the Universal Life Force, the Azoth is not only the
animating energy (spiritus
animatus) of the body but is also the
inspiration and enthusiasm that moves the mind. In the cosmos and within each of
us, the Azoth is the mysterious evolutionary force responsible for the
relentless drive towards physical and spiritual perfection. Thus, the concept of
the Azoth is analogous to the light of nature or mind of God.
Because the Azoth contains the complete information of the
whole universe, it is also used as another word for the Philosopher's Stone. One
of the hints for the preparation of the Stone is
Ignis et Azoth tibi sufficiunt
("Fire and Azoth are sufficient"). There are scores of esoteric drawings
depicting the Azoth and how it is used in the Great Work of alchemy. Examples
include the
Azoth of the Philosophers
of Basil Valentine and the
Hieroglyphic Monad of Dr. John Dee.
Colorized Version of the Azoth
Go to the Azoth Ritual
