The Mercury Enigma, Hermetic Symbolism & Alchemy

The riddle of the alchemical Mercurius is the greatest & best kept secret of the Hermetic tradition. “That which is below is like unto that which is above, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing", so speaks Hermes Trismegistus, the alchemist-sage about this mysterious energia.

For those with eyes to see, hidden in plain sight the Emerald Tablet points to a core practice to locate Mercurius, the universal life spirit, in nature. But in both practical and physical terms, what is this mercury in alchemy? And how have modern, solely spiritual interpretations of it in the Western Esoteric tradition missed the physicality of the One Thing- which is intrinsically both psycho & chymical at the same time? This talk is an exploration of the role that the Mercury archetype plays in and out of the laboratory in traditional Hermetic alchemy, with images and work shared from the speaker's lab.

Benjamin Turale has been working as an adult educator since 2006, most recently lecturing on bachelor and graduate diploma programs in the field of consciousness studies. His underpinning interest in life has been exploring the intersection between consciousness and matter. Benjamin has completed studies in philosophy, transpersonal psychotherapy and Hermetic science. As a practitioner of Buddhist meditation daily and on long retreats for many years, Benjamin has also completed a postgraduate study on psychological functioning and resilience in meditators.

His current pursuits extend to teaching the Western Hermetic tradition and iatrochemistry, disseminating the practice and theory underpinning laboratory alchemy insofar as the practices extend traditionally to Alexandrian Egypt. Benjamin sits on the faculties of several programs internationally that teach the Royal Art. To this end he also maintains an enterprise called the Temple of Mercury, a Hermetic Mystery School devoted to educating the public about alchemy and creating spagyric medicines. Benjamin has been awarded the Paracelsus Award for outstanding contributions to the field of alchemy in 2021 and recently created Mercurialia: the Victorian Occult Conference, an annual event in Victoria that focuses on building community between the various streams of the Western esoteric traditions.

Benjamin also sits on the International Alchemy Guild's Board of Directors.

The MTS is committed to providing events that align with and further The three objects of The Theosophical Society:

• To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour.
• To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
• To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in the human being.

However this being stated, the MTS does not endorse any health, spiritual, science-related, philosophical or theological /other assertions or claims made by any facilitator we host.