The alchemical concept of “The Crowning of Nature” refers to the fulfillment or apotheosis of Nature. It symbolizes the ultimate goal of the Great Work: to complete Nature’s evolution, to crown and glorify her potential through the perfected stone (lapis philosophorum).
nature’s perfection or apotheosis.
“Crowning” Nature means bringing forth the latent divine perfection within matter itself, enabling Nature to reach her destined state of harmony, completion, and spiritualized beauty.
Alchemy's ultimate purpos is not to dominate Nature, but to assist her in reaching her highest expression. The alchemist becomes Nature's midwife, helping birth the perfected forms that she carries as potential. This is the true meaning of the Philosopher's Stone: Nature's own perfection made manifest through conscious collaboration.
"it is not possible to participate in the Great Work of Nature without experiencing a self-transformation"
The alchemist’s Art was thus a handmaiden to Nature’s own artifice, accelerating and completing what Nature left unfinished.
Medieval alchemists, following Aristotle, observed that metals in the earth slowly “ripen” from base to noble over long ages. They aimed to help Nature do in months what might take eons underground.
As one commentary on the Splendor Solis puts it: “Natural ‘greening’ ripens things at the proper time, but one must assist nature by using the art of alchemy to speed up the process.”