The Gold in Our Veins

Unearthing the Depths of Transformation

Alchemy

The pursuit to transform matter,

The quest for immortality,

and the endeavor to transmute base metals like lead into precious gold.

Extending back as far as ancient Egypt, alchemy has been embraced by civilizations throughout the ages until the inception of the Scientific method.

I’ve found the practice to be for the most part, useless. A relic to modern day chemistry.

Gold is formed in the heart of a dying star.

The gold we find in the earth is all the gold that will ever be available to us. While we can create gold from other elements, it requires a nuclear reaction that is more expensive to engineer than the value of the gold produced (Oppenheimer music intensifies).

Pyrite (FeS2), commonly known as fools gold, is abundant. Most of the things we want are superficial. What makes gold valuable is that it is rare. The value is in the digging.

All That Glitters, is not Gold. - Shakespeare

Just like alchemists hunted for a way to turn plain metals into gold, we're searching for something precious amid the superficiality of modern life. But alchemy doesn’t work.

Is there anything in life that is actually of substance?

Authenticity

The world itself doesn't change all that quickly, but humans certainly do.

As we grow and learn, our understanding of the world shifts too. Our brains are like maps that we use to navigate reality. Mental maps are constantly getting updates to keep up with the ever-changing terrain. It's essential to realize that we all make mistakes because our maps are never entirely accurate.

Understanding this has made me more compassionate, both to others and to myself. I've come to accept that my perception of reality is a work in progress. What defines authenticity, is not having a flawless map, but being honest about the changes to the perceptions of our reality. It's when we try to hide those shifts that we are inauthentic.

While demanding unwavering honesty from every person we meet is impractical (and… terrifying in theory), we can seek authenticity in our close relationships. The willingness to be genuine, to acknowledge the continuous evolution of our understanding of ourselves and the world, is a rare treasure worth cherishing.

Occasionally in life, we encounter individuals who shine like the remnants of a supernova, people who radiate a character of gold. They remain true to themselves as they navigate the ever-evolving maps of their minds.

Revisiting Alchemy

My initial feelings towards alchemy has evolved. My map has changed. While alchemy may not find a home in the realm of science, it resides within the human spirit.

The true brilliance of alchemy is not the transformation of base metals into gold but the profound ability within each of us to transmute the ordinary into the extraordinary. We hold the power to take our perceivably worthless parts and imbue them with meaning.

With the hands that we are dealt we have been given the opportunity to transform ourselves into something that is more valuable than what is produced in the dying of stars.

We are matter that is the part of the universe experiencing itself.

"The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them."- Paul Coelho

Santiago's Journey

In Paulo Coelho's masterpiece, "The Alchemist," we follow Santiago, a shepherd on a quest for treasure. His transformation from a complacent herder to a courageous and spiritually awakened individual demonstrates the essence of the human journey.

Santiago's quest is not solely about the pursuit of external riches but a profound exploration of self-discovery, growth, and the realization of his "Personal Legend". His unique life purpose.

In his quest for treasure, he became gold.

-Jonathan the Alchemist