• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Societas Rosicruciana in America®

Dedicated to the Promotion of Rosicrucian Principles and Teachings

  • Home
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Sylvester Clark Gould
    • George Winslow Plummer
    • Contact
    • Organization
    • Donate
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Studies
    • The Associate System
    • The Collegiate System
  • Store
    • Books
      • Consciously Creating Circumstances
      • Rosicrucian Symbology
      • Principles and Practice for Rosicrucians
      • Esoteric Masonry
      • A Way of Life for the Rosicrucian Student
      • The Art of Rosicrucian Healing
      • Rosicrucian Healing
      • The Rosicrucian Philosophy
      • The Divine Pymander
      • The Cross and its Symbolism
      • The Cloud upon the Sanctuary
      • The Mystery of the Human Aura
      • The Science of Death
      • Victorinus Teaches
      • Lettergrams
    • Prints
      • Knocking at the Door to the Mysteries
      • Celestial Mother
      • Portrait of “Khei” (Dr. Plummer)
      • Rose Cross and Caduceus
    • Subscription Courses
      • The Foundation Course
      • The Intermediate Course
      • The Advanced Course
      • The Post Graduate Course
    • Shopping Cart
  • Membership
    • To Those Who Seek
    • Welcome to the Associate Membership Program
    • Subscription Courses
    • The Foundation Course
      • Level 1: Rosicrucian Series (Part 1)
      • Level 1: Rosicrucian Series (Part 2)
      • Level 2: Hermetic Series (Part 1)
      • Level 2: Hermetic Series (Part 2)
      • Level 3: The Kabalah / Tarot Series (Part 1)
      • Level 3: The Kabalah / Tarot Series (Part 2)
      • Level 1: Complete Rosicrucian Series
      • Level 2: Complete Hermetic Series
      • Level 3: Complete Kabalah / Tarot Series
    • The Intermediate Course
      • Level 4: The Alchemical Series (Part 1)
      • Level 4: The Alchemical Series (Part 2)
      • Level 5: The Esoteric Series (Part 1)
      • Level 5: The Esoteric Series (Part 2)
      • Level 6: The Philosophic Series (Part 1)
      • Level 6: The Philosophic Series (Part 2)
      • Level 4: Complete Alchemical Series
      • Level 5: Complete Esoteric Series
      • Level 6: Complete Philosophic Series
    • The Advanced Course
      • Level 7: The Psychological Series (Part 1)
      • Level 7: The Psychological Series (Part 2)
      • Level 8: The Spiritual Series (Part 1)
      • Level 8: The Spiritual Series (Part 2)
      • Level 09: The Spiritual Healing Series (Part 1)
      • Level 09: The Spiritual Healing Series (Part 2)
      • Level 7: The Complete Psychological Series
      • Level 8: The Complete Spiritual Series
      • Level 09: The Complete Spiritual Healing Series
    • The Post Graduate Course
      • Level 10: The Spiritual Alchemy Series (Part 1)
      • Level 10: The Spiritual Alchemy Series (Part 2)
      • Level 10: The Complete Spiritual Alchemy Series
    • Log In
    • Register
  • Resources
    • Archives
    • Contemporary Articles
    • Links
  • Blog
  • My Account
    • Orders
    • Downloads
    • Addresses
    • Account details
  • Cart
  • Show Search
Hide Search

The Alchemy of Desire

By Frater Cleo (Metropolitan College)
Director of the Advanced Astrological Section

alchemy_desire

“Be careful what thou intensely desireth for it will surely come to thee.”

How often we have realized the truth of this statement, when, having set the wheel of desire in motion, we obtain the longed-for desire, at a time when we no longer wish for it. We started the working of the Law and Law must be fulfilled. The laws underlying Time and Space do not work con-jointly with the laws of Desire, unless specially evoked, consequently the effect of the Desire often comes at an inopportune time, so far as the choice of the Ego is concerned.

Only after many bitter experiences does the Ego awaken and begin to recognize some of the laws working on the different planes of activity. Oftentimes, these experiences are productive of so much anguish, that from the fear of the repetition of the anguish, the Ego almost ceases its activity. Cessation of activity is death. To live, we must be active, we must desire. Desire was and is the originating, and the impelling force of the world, which carries all of us onward to the goal of evolution.

When the Ego begins to differentiate between the joyous and the sorrowful results attained from its desires, then it develops discrimination. Discrimination is one of the first definite steps, which later leads the Soul to God. It is the Life of Mercury, the child, which leads the Pilgrim to Paradise.

In the accompanying illustration from Jacob Boehme’s, “Mysterium Magnum,” the connecting link, between the Law and the Prophets and the Godhead, is clearly indicated. It contains the symbolism of the child Mercury standing between Moses, the Law of the material world and the Christos, the Law of the spiritual world. It is also significant that the Divine Child stands between Law on one side and Love on the other, the two paths which the mystics mention, both of which lead to the same goal.

There are several other points, contained in this illustration, which are full of deep meaning and worthy of consideration, especially by astrological students. On the Zodiacal Belt surrounding the world, Scorpio will be noted as the prominent central sign. Scorpio is “the negative side of Mars,” and it is known as the sign of spiritual regeneration. Mars is the planet of force, energy, which operates particularly on the plane of Desire. In the undeveloped Ego, the force of Mars generates impulse, while in the developed Ego, impulse is spiritually transmuted into Will.

The figure of the Christos stands with the left foot in the ring, or round, 6 and 7, which corresponds to the signs Virgo and Libra, the signs of Purity and Balance. The right foot in 8, corresponding to Scorpio, the sign of Creating and Constructing – the Law of the Father. The Christos must have Purity of body, soul and spirit. He must have the strength to stand alone, balanced between the extremes of both attraction and repulsion. Working in accordance with “Thy Will and not mine be done,” the Initiate is always creative and constructive.

Mercury is the Alchemist, who transmutes impulses into Will, that force which rightly selects and directs the desires of the regenerated Soul. Mercury is the Thinker, the Discriminator, who teaches the impermanence of the material, and the realness of immaterial things.

You have felt the anguish of unsatisfied material desires; you have turned from such because you understand the Law. If within your Soul there are aspirations for better, purer and more permanent desires, then Mercury has been born and he has planted a Rose on your Cross. Later you will become the spiritual Alchemist who transmutes all of his strong desires, by the direction of his Will, into an intense longing for God, and His Light, then will blossom forth the full grown Rose. You will know in the “doing of His Will,” the true Brotherhood of Man, for you will love all, and in your consciousness you will realize the truth that “All is One and One is All.”

This is the Alchemy of Desire.

Footer

Copyright © 2025 · SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN AMERICA®

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT