QUOTE(Mchawi @ Dec 1 2009, 05:52 PM)
Am not into practical alchemy but its a topic, hoping to delve into once I have finished paining with one art as it were, can't use two brushes at once yet so excuse the slightly off commentary on this one.
Practical Alchemy uses solar cycles to both harvest and time operations in general, have been attuning myself to cycles recently bumping into a bit of herbal lore which uses lunar cycles in place of solar as seen in wicca and so on... so the correct moon phase is used, perhaps in a particular sign etc so the question is an obvious one. As alchemy works with the subconsious, lunar, aspect of ourselves then why aren't lunar cycles used? Granted it probably finds use in some work but speaking in general here.
Makes more sence surely.
Alchemy actually uses both cycles.
Plants, being photovores, are more sensitive to sunlight than moonlight. Some plant properties are only found in some parts of the plant at different times of the year (Winter / Fall for roots, Spring / Summer for flower, Summer / Fall for roots, etc.)
Magical hours are usually computed based on sunrise and sunset. As each plant vibrates to a particular planetary frequency, the best time to begin working with that plant is on the magical day, during the magical hour in question.
Hope this helps!
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