A Druid's Handbook to the Spiritual Power of Plants: Spagyrics in Magical and Sexual Rituals - Jon G. Hughes 2014

Harmonious Associations
Alchemy: Its Relationship to the Druidic Tradition

When I began to focus my research on the details of the spagyric methods of the alchemical tradition, I was instantly overwhelmed by its similarities to the Druidic practices I had grown up with. I was, and still am, amazed at how both these traditions have survived and developed for so long, yet there is no mention of either the Druid’s work in the history of alchemy or the alchemist’s work in the history of the Druids. There is, in fact, no equivalent word for alchemy in the Welsh language, although in modern Irish it may be translated as ailceimic.

So let us begin our comparison of the two traditions by looking at some of the main differences between them. This will lead us to a fuller understanding of how each may—given the correct concordance—inform and influence the other.

Western alchemy has, since the Middle Ages, progressively shed its mystical and magical aspects in favor of a more physical, scientific approach—in other words, abandoning the inner elixir for the outer elixir. Although retaining some of its spiritual elements and continuing to acknowledge the transmutation of base metals into gold as a metaphor for spiritual elevation and enlightenment (the outer elixir as a metaphor for the inner elixir), it remains preoccupied with chemical experiment and the science of transforming and elevating matter.

Having said that, no alchemical experiment is ever completely devoid of some form of spiritual and moral dimension. True alchemists continue to purify themselves before they begin their experimentation, and there are still established fasting and cleansing rituals used by each adept in preparation for his or her work. There are, however, very few modern adepts who continue to make use of the spells and invocations of the ancient alchemists.

Given the religious and political history of Europe leading up to and during the Middle Ages, the Inquisition, and the persecution of those not subscribing to the Christian faith, it is not surprising that alchemy in Europe abandoned a large portion of its original pre-Christian, mystical beliefs. Some areas even developed a strange style of Christian alchemy, merging the arcane pre-Christian practices with mainstream Roman Catholic doctrine. The results of this imaginative coalition may still be seen today.

In contrast, the Druidic tradition has retained the union between the physical and the mystical in the belief that the two are inseparable and that neither may be effectively employed without the other. While accepting the physical curative properties of the plants it employs, it also believes that the physical (chemical) benefits of potions and remedies can reach their full potential only if they are prepared and administered by mystic ritual.

This being the case, Druidic potions of all kinds are used in many applications other than purely medicinal remedies. They have a fundamental role to play in most Druidic rituals, and their use stretches far beyond their curative capabilities.

Later, we shall see just one example of how Druidic potions derived from the plant kingdom are used to energize, stimulate, and enhance sexual potential and performance during sex magic rituals. From this example you will gain an understanding of how Druidic potions may be employed in sympathy with the mystical and spiritual elements of the tradition.