The Seal of Hermes

“The alchemist who establishes the alchemical laboratory in their being and through the calcination of the three principles reveals the secret of prima materia will soon experience the majestic form and essence of the inner furnace. The hermetic seal is formed by attaching the distillation cap or helmet to the retort, so that the subtle forces do not escape the vessel and the particular alchemical body. This is also referred to as the seal of silence and the seal of Hermes. The spiritualised volatile essence is collected in the receiving vessel as during distillation.”

• Alchemy – the divine work

“Hermetically” sealed retort with mysterious metals was considered as a special space where sublime forces, reminiscent of mythical ones, reigned, and in which metals underwent strange metamorphoses and transmutations, similar to the changes the soul undergoes under the influence supernatural powers. Hermes was the master of ancient initiations and embodied the descent of divine powers into the world, which was represented in the descent of divine saviors."

— C. G. Jung, Psychology and Alchemy