7 Planets and Metals: Sun/Gold
“From where I am," the sun said, "I can see the Soul of the World. It communicates with my soul, and together we cause the plants to grow and the sheep to seek out shade. From where I am--and I'm a long way from the earth--I learned how to love.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Since the being of mankind’s time on earth, we have always looked at the Sun/Gold as a beacon of hope, warmth, confront, and protection. To the first initiates into the mysteries, the Sun/Gold represented pure spiritual fire, pure conscious, pure awareness, and the perfect ethereal body. To the adepts of the Ancient World, the Sun/Gold represented the light that rises from the darkness, giving force to the elements and intellect of mankind. To the alchemist of those days, Sun/Gold was the divine seed that lay dormant in all matter and living things. Those alchemist believed, that Sun/Gold was the proof of God’s spirit given to man, unlocked through the purification of the soul.
Sun/Gold has always been connected with the heart and soul of mankind. Sun/Gold has been used in many medical practices throughout the ages. Sun/Gold was used for dentistry, ingested for mental, bodily, and spiritual purification, and golden salves healed skin ulcers. There was a belief that gold could also restore youth. It was also believed, that Sun/Gold’s vibrations once ingested, could warm the body, control infection, relax blood vessels , and help to create new cells.
Sun/Gold is used in magic rituals to invoke solar deities, male force, authority, self confidence, creativity, financial riches, fortune, hope, and magical power.
To the ancient Persians, Sun/Gold was personified as the god Mithras. Mithras name means “that which causes binding.” Mithras was the Zoroastrian divinity and is one of the oldest religions still practiced today. Mithras was often depicted wangling a bull and killing it. He was also the god of justice, the guardian of cattle, the god of the harvest, waters, and the all seeing protector of the truth. Their was a Roman mystery cult dedicated to the worship of Mithras. This cult worshipped in caves away from the public in places such as Syria, Britain, and Italy.
In Ancient Rome, the Sun/Gold was personified as the god Apollo. Apollo was the god of healing, medicine, music, poetry, prophecy, and judgment. Apollo’s main oracle was the oracle of Delphi. Apollo also was guardian of cattle.
In Ancient Egypt Ra was god of the Sun/Gold. Ra ruled all parts of creation, the sky, earth, and the underworld. Ra represent order and the divine rite of kings. All forms of life were said to be created by Ra, people where believed to be created from the deity’s tears and sweat. The Egyptians called themselves the cattle of Ra and this is why the Pharaohs of old are depicted holding a crook and flail.
To the alchemist of today, Sun/Gold is the spiritual fire that lives in man. It is through Sun/Gold that the alchemist is able to unlock divine creativity, uniting him or herself with the soul of the God. Because of Sun/Gold qualities of flexibility, endurance (does not tarnish), and pure nature, the alchemists learns to use the fire of his soul to purify him or herself, becoming a perfect vessel for the will of the Divine. Once the alchemist, has learned to use the courage, strength, and authority given by the Sun/Gold’s energy, they will overcome all trauma and imperfection and will gain full control of themselves and the world around them.
