Red Hot Ruby's

OMG.  Can this subject be more elusive?  So, I’ve been learning about alchemy for a while now, several years, digging up history and millions of perspectives on this incredible topic so I can write a companion for this painting.   The Red Lion of Alchemy.

I’ve struggled with the notion that alchemy can be translated into ONE word, and I think that the word change is just about right.  Well, at least that’s the word I started with and it’s a good one, but alchemy is also about refinement.  I like that word a lot too.  Alchemy is about taking something “fake” or even toxic and creating something incredibly valuable.  Historically, and I’m talking about some very ancient, multi-societal history dating back to the AD 200s, alchemy is a scientific process that attempts to turn lead into gold.  Literally.  Over time alchemy has become so much more to poets, artists, and spiritual teachers and those who think in metaphors and object lessons.  I love object lessons and so what I want to talk about here is spiritual alchemy.  

This morning as I woke up from an amazing 12 hours of sleep, the thought came to me that I actually can re-write history.  You know, everyone tells you that you cannot, but the writers of grade school textbooks have been doing that forever, LOL, so here I go.

Please understand, dear reader, that I’ve reached a spot in my life where my relationship with my personal power is changing, and I’ve realized that I have the power to rewrite my story, to rewrite history.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about lying to myself, compartmentalizing anything, or pretending.  What I am talking about may sound more like changing my definitions and while that idea leans in the right direction, that’s not quite it, so just listen.

The stuff that *#cks me up the most is my own story that I tell myself about what has happened to me.  You know what I mean!  The stories that won’t let me go to sleep (let alone enjoy 12 hours of it) or the 2:00 a.m. tales of how my life is permanently fucked up, and no one cares.  Yes, THAT story. It’s not fair.  It should have been different.  I don’t deserve it.  True?  Maybe.  But what happens if I apply an alchemical process to this shit show of thoughts? 

Because those are indeed all thoughts. MY OWN thoughts.  Most of which are dripping with fear and emotions and only a fraction of the story even if I were telling myself the truth.  Whatever that means.  And while a lot of these midnight thoughts are fake and toxic, they are real to me in the moment, weighing me down, creating a gravity that is hard to resist. 

It’s the lead. 

And this script is about alchemy . . . personal spiritual alchemy.  Changing.  Refining.  This is about taking the lead of my life and turning it into gold. 

There are many stories to tell, but thankfully alchemy is an inclusive process and includes everything in the mix. 

Allow me to be specific, but please insert your own details here. 

I have, in my life, moved frequently. This is super hard for me to state as it’s really close to my heart.  I am more than anything a “home-body”.  I’ve hated it, been ashamed of it, told myself it was because I was a failure.  It has been excruciating and exhausting.  However, I am beginning to believe that all the times I have moved from what I felt was my home, are actually exercises in alchemy: Domestic alchemy.  I allow that my choices have sometimes been forced upon me or limited.  I forgive myself for not being more loving and nurturing to ME. 

I’ve been lied to, misled, tricked.  Who hasn’t?  But is see this now as a chance for me to find what really is true and believe in myself: This is the alchemy of self-esteem.  The alchemy of forgiveness.  The ability to see that I am trustable.  Despite any other stories.

Falling apart has been a chance to pick up all the beautiful pieces, my pieces, and rebuild stronger: Social alchemy.  Emotional alchemy. 

Having a broken heart is a chance to stitch together a stronger one, a more flexible one, to mend the cracks with gold: the alchemy of love teaching me that I am stronger than I realize and I can love without conditions because that’s what the heart does best.

My life has offered me a lot of lead. I am learning to see it as source material!  Because domestic security weighs less than fear, believing in myself is lighter and shiner than suspicion, mending can be done with golden glue, and forgiveness is filled with light! But remember!  You don’t start with gold . . . you end up with it.

Art and words by me; Ruby Karen Annette Wilcox, CRP, AGS, CADC

This original painting can by purchased here: The Red Lion of Alchemy Original Watercolor Painting, OOAK – Etsy

I am accepting clients for my spiritual mentorship program. If you wish to realize your own alchemical process . . . please reach out to me using the form below. I would love to hear from you and I really mean it.