Alchemy
Saturday 25th November 2023
Dear friends
The magnum opus of the ancient alchemists was in seeking to create the ‘philosopher’s stone’. This stone would, as legend had it, turn base metals into gold, heal any wound, and serve as the elixir of life - bestowing immortality upon the possessor.
Of course, from today’s rationalist perspective, it is easy to scoff. Yes, we say, the alchemists were the fore-runners of chemists, but the rest of their work was complete twaddle.
Of course, from one perspective, that might be right.
But another way of looking at the work of alchemy is as internal work. You see, in seeking the philosopher’s stone, these old mystics repeated their processes again and again.
Each time with slightly more precision.
Each time with slightly more perfection.
In their work to create the philosopher’s stone, in the perfecting of their processes over and again, the alchemists purified themselves.
So what has all of this got to do with craft?
Well there was a saying back in Rowden: “You don’t make the piece, the piece makes you.”
Which, from the perspective above, has a very alchemical ring to it.
In making a piece of furniture that is just beyond your level, you have to change.
You become more careful.
You become more focused.
You become more grounded.
But the work of change, it is wise to remember, is not without its birth pangs. I have seen many an angry maker over the years, as their piece has gone wrong in some way. I have experienced this myself.
Angry at my tools
Angry at my material
Angry at my design
But when I took a moment to simmer down, I realised that there was really only one culprit: myself.
You see, there is a part of all of us that wants to blame someone or something else when things go wrong. It is natural. It is human nature. If something is going wrong then there is something wrong with how I am viewing or approaching the world. And if this is true then I have got to either live with that, or a small piece of my Ego has to die.
But when there is literally just you, the wood, the bench, and your tools,
You realise that there is no-one to blame but self.
It is a sad fact of life that we have been soothed, far too often, by the words ‘it’s not your fault’.
But taking responsibility is one of the most empowering things you can do in life.
You see, if this mistake was my fault, then the ability to correct it is in my control.
Accountability and responsibility leading to self-empowerment is one of the strongest beliefs you can hold.
And what better way to craft it within yourself that at the workbench.
Modern day alchemy.
Until next time,
Stay sharp friends,
~sh