The Green Lion: The Stem and Root of the Radical Essence of Metals
“Of Our Mercury which is the Green Lion Devouring the Sun Know that it is Mercury cold and moist and God hath created all minerals of it, for it is an airy element, flying from the fire.
Therefore, when any part is fixed to it, it effecteth an high matter and it is a profitable spirit, and there is not any thing in the world but it. Neither is there any thing that may stand in the place of it, and it is a thing searching to the bottom in every body, and enriching it.
Therefore, when it is mingled with the body, it reviveth it and illuminates it and converts it from disposition to disposition, and, from one colour into another, therefore it is the whole Elixir of whiteness and redness, and it is a permanent water, and water of life and death..”
— The Rosary of the Philosophers, c. 1550
the Green Lion (Leo Viridis), a symbol that appears in many alchemical texts. The Green Lion is often depicted devouring the Sun, representing the dissolution of the ego and the raw, primal forces of nature that must be harnessed in the alchemical work. It is associated with the prima materia, the chaotic, unformed substance from which all creation arises.
The Green Lion
(From Facebook, probably from AI) “The Green Lion holds a central place in the allegorical language of alchemy, representing a transformative and essential force within the Great Work. Found in numerous classical texts and imagery, the Green Lion symbolizes processes such as dissolution, purification, and the uncovering of vital essences. This essay will explore the meaning and function of the Green Lion through references to historical alchemical literature and its practitioners. The Green Lion as a Symbol of Vital Mercury In Basil Valentine’s "Twelve Keys", the Green Lion appears in the context of the dissolution process. Valentine describes it as a devouring force that consumes the "Sun" to extract its inner purity. Here, the Sun is often interpreted as gold or sulfur, representing the fixed or essential principle, while the Green Lion signifies the volatile spirit, which is often associated with Mercury. Valentine writes: "The Green Lion devours the Sun, and from this act, the soul of the King is released to undergo purification." This passage emphasizes the Green Lion’s role in breaking down the dense material to release and refine its spiritual essence. Ripley’s Scroll: The Consuming Green Lion George Ripley, in his Ripley Scroll, presents the Green Lion in vivid symbolic imagery. The lion is often depicted as a beast of life, devouring or consuming symbols of fixed matter. Ripley’s verse describes: "There is a Lion green, strong and great / In his belly holds venom innate / Melt him in balneo, till he be dead / And he will bring forth a tincture red." The reference to the "balneo," or bath, suggests the use of gentle heat (the bath of dissolution) to extract the tincture, or the red elixir. Ripley connects the Green Lion to the first phase of transformation—the alchemical solve—a process that dissolves matter into its primal components. Paracelsus and the Green Lion Paracelsus, though less allegorical than some of his predecessors, also discusses concepts that align with the Green Lion. In his writings, he emphasizes the power of vital forces found in nature, particularly in the vegetative and mineral kingdoms. While not explicitly naming the Green Lion, he refers to a "universal solvent" present in all things that extracts the quintessence. His approach often integrates practical chemical operations, hinting at the Green Lion as a natural agent of transformation within both the physical and spiritual realms. The Green Lion as Vitriol The Green Lion has frequently been associated with vitriol (sulfuric acid), a crucial substance in alchemical practice. Vitriol was seen as a powerful agent capable of dissolving metals and minerals, embodying the lion’s devouring nature. The phrase "the Green Lion devours the Sun" can thus be understood as vitriol dissolving gold, an essential step in creating the Philosopher’s Stone. This interpretation is supported by works such as The Rosarium Philosophorum, where the Green Lion is described in terms that resonate with vitriol’s properties. Philosophical Interpretations of the Green Lion The Green Lion is more than a mere chemical symbol; it also represents the alchemist's spiritual journey. It signifies the initial chaotic energy, the raw, untamed force that must be mastered and refined. As Michael Maier articulates in Atalanta Fugiens: "The lion green is the force within, but beware—it is destructive if not tempered by wisdom. In it lies the foundation of transformation, yet also danger." Maier’s words highlight the dual nature of this symbol, emphasizing the need for balance and caution in the alchemical process. Conclusion The Green Lion stands as one of alchemy's most profound symbols, embodying both the raw power of nature and the transformative potential of the alchemist's art. From Basil Valentine to George Ripley, and through the works of Paracelsus and Michael Maier, the Green Lion represents a necessary and dynamic force in the journey toward perfection. Its devouring nature, often linked to vitriol, dissolves impurities and releases hidden essences, signifying the alchemical process of death and rebirth. As the Green Lion devours the Sun, the alchemist learns to navigate the volatile energies of transformation, ultimately revealing the hidden light within matter.”
"I am the true green and golden lion without worry. In me lies all the secret knowledge of the philosophers." — Rosarium philosophorum. Secunda pars alchimiae de lapide philosophico vero modo praeparando, continens exactam eius scientiae progressionem, c. 1550
