I am an Alchemist, Yes I am....

Alchemy is an ancient practice that was the base for the development of the modern "Inorganic Chemistry". Though the name sounds vaguely familiar to us, if not what it actually is. Everybody knew of the legend of "Philosopher's stone"; the elixir that gives immortality to the partaker and also the legendary substance that turns any metal into gold. I am sure you might have encountered this legend, if not in "Harry Potter's" debut adventure at the Hogwarts Castle, somewhere in one of the bed time stories. Though the substance itself was of legendary nature; Alchemist or alchemy are not. They are the people who worked on chemicals and gifted, though I wonder whether I can accept it as a gift, cosmetics, dyes, gun powder, liquors, glass preparation and many other things that has something to do with chemicals and substances. But of all these things, the fame of the one, which was supposed to be their product; "The Philosopher's stone" overshadowed all, even the Alchemists themselves, as I mentioned earlier, most people definitely heard of the creation, if not the creators.

On the other day, a dull grey weekend where the local weather
display showed the temperature was hovering near 0 degree Fahrenheit and the wind blowing like the thoughts of an agitated mind, both limited the outdoor activities of this "Not so great outdoor" person, I was musing about various other things, I was wondering about the "elixir of life". Does it means the physical substance that was supposed to do what everybody believe or is it a metaphor of something more philosophical or abstract than physical and concrete.

Once started, strong thoughts are out of control for ordinary human beings, so the thoughts related to the "elixir of life" taken its own course on the winding alleys and unforgotten lanes of my mind. Attaining immortality; does it means living "flesh and blood, sinew and nerves" forever or living in the memories of people for the "Greater good" done by oneself. Does the conversion of any metal to gold signifies change of metals to gold as such or transformation of ordinary self ("Aaathma") into extraordinary self ("Mahaathma") . Gold, apart from the symbol of richness is also the most radiant, malleable and ductile metal found in earth. i.e. pure gold is so flexible so that a minute quantity can be expanded into larger surface area. So does the transformation signifies being broadminded, radiant, pure and rich in wisdom? Well, I believe in the philosophical part of both properties of "Philosopher's Stone".

Well, the name christened to this elixir itself is quite interesting. Philosopher's stone... hmmm, Philosophy is the subject to analyze and understand the true nature of things. So, it makes sense for me to believe that the stone refers to the heart of those who understand who they are and what things are... Once you attain this enlightenment greed, selfishness, jealousy and all these lousy feelings goes away and the self remains pure and it lives by its own, not exploiting others. This state is precious than gold and the person that attained this level will always love everything else as he loves himself and thus remains immortal forever in those minds that crossed his path.

So, lets come to the topic of this blog. Well, If not at the greatest extent, I believe, I did left my prints on some of the people I have crossed in my life. So, if not an expert alchemist, I can call myself "Apprentice Alchemist". Ok, Ok, I hear somebody murmuring, what else you wanted to be; earlier it used to be teacher, farmer and now its Alchemist and God saves us from this wretched being. mhmm... That's not my fault, my dear folks. Its the sun sign; my sun sign !!! I also belive that within everyone there lies an Alchemist. If he wakes up; wonderful the world wii be, full of Alchemists !!!

BTW, lets come to the lighter side, I have noticed one similarity. Everybody knows the symbol of Gold in Latin is Au; Its the abbreviation for Aurum, Is it not coincidental that one of the name for the jewellery in Tamil is "ஆரம்."