the incarnation of consciousness in matter through seven alchemical operations
I. Laboratory alchemy II. The creation of the world III. The spiritual transformation of the material world IV. The creation of humanity V. The transformation of a mortal being into an immortal being VI. The life of Christ, VII. The revelation of the whole being of Divinity
“The hermetic initiatory tradition uses the number seven to describe the incarnation of consciousness in matter through seven alchemical operations. These operations aim to redeem seven archetypal pairs of opposites through the exercise of virtue and art to achieve seven levels of divine gifts. The seven operations then also become the epitome of the seven biblical days of creation. Through its gradations, seven levels of seven degrees emerge through which the adept can complete the divine work. The seven levels concern i) laboratory alchemy, ii) the creation of the world, iii) the spiritual transformation of the material world, iv) the creation of humanity, v) the transformation of a mortal being into an immortal being, vi) the life of Christ, and vii) the revelation of the whole being of Divinity. Within each level, development takes place through the seven operations of creation.” - Alchemy: The Divine Work by Tommy Westlund & Katarina Falkenburg