‘News From The Pews’ A voice from the pews of St Stephen’s Cathedral, Issue 20, 12 November 1999

 

 

 

Alchemy: The Black Art

 

We have previously seen how in the shrine in question, Ms Foley has used the darkened sun and moon as references to the Aboriginal Kunapipi ceremony.  In Crowley’s system, this same sun and moon also serve as a reference to alchemy.

 

In ordinary usage, alchemy is the art of changing base metals into gold.  However, Crowley and others have noted that alchemy has long served as code or camouflage for certain occult practices.

 

Further, the alchemy here is of a very particular kind: spiritual alchemy.  In plain language, spiritual alchemy is a system of initiation into the demonic.  For example, a person’s soul is surrendered to the devil. This is sometimes referred to as the Luciferic initiation.

As well as the ‘sun and moon’ motif, there are a number of other clear portrayals of alchemy in the shrine:

 

 

The four square panels - 3, 4, 5 & 6 - present the so-called 4 elements of alchemy: earth, air, fire and water.  Panel 3 presents the dark sun: fire.  Panel 4 presents the red earth.  Panel 5 presents water.  Panel 6 presents the night air.

 

In order to understand the meaning which the artist is trying to convey in her work, it is useful to refer to her other works.  Alchemy has been a persistent theme in Ms Foley’s art work elsewhere: for example, there is Ms Foley’s 1997 series Alchemy 1-4, and also her set designs for the Australian Ballet’s performance of Alchemy, also incorporating another alchemical ‘4’ theme.

 

We have previously noted Ms Foley’s practice of inter-weaving Aboriginal and western occult symbols, and how offensive this practice is to traditional Aborigines.  Part of the joke here also comes from the fact that alchemy means, literally, “the black art”.  “The black art” too has been another identifiable theme in Ms Foley’s art practice, as graphically illustrated in her 1993 catalogue, Lick My Black Art.  Given this background, there can be no doubt that alchemy is a key theme in the St Stephen’s shrine.

 

Alchemy: Front for the Occult

 

Occultists have long seen alchemy as the alternative spirituality of the devil.  They have fondly anticipated that in time alchemy would come to replace Christianity.  Aleister Crowley, CG Jung and many ‘New Age’ writers have held this position.  Jung has described alchemy as “rather like an undercurrent to the Christianity that ruled on the surface”.

 

Active Convergers

 

Dr Maurice Ryan of the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane has also pointed out that the New Age Movement represents an alternative religious tradition within western liberal cultures.  Dr Ryan has pointed out that ‘tolerant sympathisers’ in the Church look to a transition from a dominant Christianity to a ‘radical pluralism’.  This radical pluralism includes the veneration of spirits and of nature and occult practices.

 

Dr Ryan also writes, “Many mainstream Christian Church theologians and ordinary Church members have merged teachings and practices of the New Age Movement with their Christian beliefs and practices.  Typically, these people hold to much of their traditional Christian religious identity … Most often, they have remained committed to Christianity with the conscious intention of influencing or transforming it from within…”

 

Dr Ryan calls these people “active convergers” with the New Age.  Dr Ryan makes the point that they are working for a “radical transformation of the present order.”

 

Convergers at Work

 

Curiously, material discussing alchemy was distributed in St Stephen’s Cathedral in the course of Cathedrals Week this year.  The handout in question, The Essential Hildegard, states, “In line with the current considerable revival of interest in the occult, alchemy appears to be staging a comeback, at least as a literary if not an experimental topic”.  The handout also gave a definition of alchemy and discussed the 4 elements - earth, air, fire and water.

 

In its discussion of alchemy, the handout made reference to magic, astrology, the fallen angels and the god Thoth – all key Crowleyan themes.  Crowley even wrote The Book Of Thoth.

 

What purpose is served in promoting such themes in a Christian Cathedral?  Why not promote the Christian faith instead?

 

The handout in question is precisely the sort of promotion which, if Dr Ryan is correct, you would expect to see from ‘active convergers’.  Ms Foley’s shrine to Lucifer can also be seen as consistent with activities of Dr Ryan’s active convergers.

 

Do Your Job …

 

We have previously noted the many and varied forms of spirituality currently being promoted around the archdiocese.  We have also noted that in many cases people appear to be unaware of the often subtle differences between authentic spiritualities and occult practices, some of which are known to entail risks of psychological harm.  We have seen that the necessary guidance appears to be almost completely lacking.  Further, the relevant Vatican warnings and guidelines are almost never referred to.

 

The responsibility for this situation rests squarely with Archbishop John Bathersby.  He is the Vatican’s representative and as the local archbishop it is his duty to promote and defend the faith and observe Vatican guidelines.  Yet, in his own cathedral we have the mockery of Christian and traditional Aboriginal spiritualities, together with the promotion of Luciferan concepts.  Even when this situation is publicly revealed, the archbishop does nothing.

 

What we have in Brisbane is an archbishop and some like-minded church insiders who are determined to thumb their noses at the Vatican and to go their own way, a group moreover who show an unhealthy fascination with the occult and non-Christian spiritualities.  Memo to John Bathersby:  “He who is not with me is against me.”  Do your job or stand aside.

 

Tim Pemble-Smith

3 – 111 Central Avenue, Indooroopilly Q 4068

after hours: (07) 3871 2047

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