Dissolution: Purification by Water

DISSOLUTION is the second major operation in the alchemy of transformation.

Chemically, it is the dissolving the ashes from Calcination in water. In the Arcanum Experiment, Dissolution is represented by iron oxide or rust, which illustrated the potentially corrosive powers of Water on even the hardest of metals. When processed, Vitriol breaks down into sulfuric acid and iron oxide, which are the first two arcana or secret ingredients. The Egyptians smelted Iron as far back as 1500 BCE and used iron compounds in tonics and as disinfectants.




On the Planetary level, Dissolution is the Great Flood, the cleansing of the earth of all that is inferior.


According to the Emerald Tablet, “Its mother is the Moon.” Element: Water. Color: Light Blue (color of this page).

Planet: Jupiter. Metal: Tin. Play Dissolution Theme Music