The Legend of the Stone

The Philosopher’s Stone (or lapis philosophorum in Latin) is a mythical substance, used in the ancient field of Alchemy. Legend has it, it has the power to transform base metals into gold, cure all disease and bestow immortality on the user. Its first recorded mentions date back to 300AD in Ancient Greece, and it is also referenced in biblical verse. Its equivalent exists in Buddhism and Hinduism, known as Cintamani, a wish fulfilling jewel. 

The conventional imagery of the Alchemist searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, is that of an old man hunched above smoking and bubbling cauldrons. He squints at test tubes and melts metals down in a bid to achieve riches. However, at its base, Alchemy is actually the study of the philosophy of nature. 

The Gold of the Mind

However, a school of thought suggests that the ‘gold’ that the Philosopher’s Stone creates is, in fact, metaphorical. Rather than a literal transformation of base metals into precious ones, the alchemist’s quest for the perfection of nature is considered by some as the pursuit of enlightenment itself—the gold of the mind. This philosophical interpretation transcends the material realm and enters the domain of consciousness. Moreover, the notion of ‘immortality’ granted by the stone takes on a more abstract significance. It can be seen as the liberation from the shackles of the ego, fostering a profound connection with the spiritual self.

Nourishment of the Gods

Adding an intriguing layer to this interpretation is the historical context of gold consumption in ancient Egypt. Dating back to the second millennium BC, the Egyptians consumed gold not as a material delicacy, but as a sacred food with votive purposes. The gold-coloured skin depicted in their frescoes symbolized the divine, and the act of eating gold was a means to draw closer to their gods. This practice mirrored the belief held in Far Eastern civilizations, as chronicled by Marco Polo in “Il Milione.” Here, too, the consumption of gold was seen as a ritualistic act, an offering to attract the favour of the divine.

This historical link between gold consumption and spiritual connection implies that the alchemical pursuit, including the search for the metaphorical Philosopher’s Stone, may have roots in ancient practices aimed at elevating consciousness and achieving higher states of being. The alchemist’s quest for enlightenment, much like the ancient Egyptians and Far Eastern civilizations, might extend beyond the laboratory and into the realms of spiritual exploration.

Helena Blavatsky’s “The Secret Doctrine” is quoted as saying;

(The user of the Philosopher’s Stone) “finds himself both linked to his external body, and yet away from it in his spiritual form. The latter, freed from the former, soars for the time being in the ethereal higher regions, becoming virtually ‘as one of the gods.”

Sound Familiar?

To many, soaring free from the realms of everyday consciousness and feeling “one with the gods” brings one thing to mind, a psychedelic trip. The use of psychedelics to expand the mind or for ceremonial purposes has been a human practice for millennia. It is very possible that Medieval alchemists were using psychedelics for the same goals. It is likely that the symbology for the philosophers stone has become intertwined with magic truffles, mushrooms and possibly other psychedelics, such as peyote. Especially when you consider how secretive different groups had to be about their practices, often facing persecution and death for partaking in these traditions. Using codes like “gold of the mind” and “philosophers stone” could have been a way to keep early alchemists safe, and able to pass on their research to the next generations.

The Power to Heal

Additionally, as new research is proving, the active ingredient in magic truffles, psilocybin does have the ability to heal. Disorders such as depression, OCD and PTSD have all been shown to be greatly improved by psilocybin treatment, as well as chronic pain of many kinds, which was and still is extremely prevalent, and may have earned it it’s reputation as a “curer of all disease”.

“Not of Stone, Not of Bone, Not of Metal”

It is also said that the Philosopher’s Stone is “not of stone, not of bone, not of metal.”. This of course leaves plants, and in that bracket, fungi. The origin of this axiom is not known, an example of how these traditions often pass on by word of mouth. Subtle hints like this, that have become part of the story of alchemy, entice us to delve deeper into the meanings of the different legends such as the philosophers stone. We might just find out it’s something simpler than expected.