Sacrifice of the Pelican
shows Soul and Spirit being purified in Water during the Distillation operation.
Quagmire of the
Ego depicts the remains of the self -- the essences of Soul and Spirit -- putting on
the Garment of Rebirth during Distillation. (Spender Solis 1500s)
The Rebis Reborn
shows the unified essences of Soul and Spirit raised to androgynous perfection. The Rebis
holds the Four Elements in its right hand and a mirror representing the First Matter. In
its left hand, it holds an egg representing the Fifth Element, the Quintessence that
becomes the Stone.
Sublimation of the Work shows Nature sitting in a
tree-of-life chair
representing Distillation. She tells the alchemist to leave his narrow mechanistic
thinking behind and follow her. (Miniature by Jehan Perreal of Austria, 1516)
The South
Wind shows the Rebis in repeated Distillation, which is represented by the pile of
bodies of eagles at its feet. (Aurora Consurgens)
