Way Too Much Alchemical HP Symbolism

Damn. I do a little more digging around in alchemical texts and suddenly a deluge of relevant Potter imagery comes gushing forth. There's so much that seems to fit with my quintessential Potter theory (and don't even get me started on quintessence being the fifth Hermetic element) that I don't even know what to do with it. Except document it, I suppose, for now. Maybe I'll work up a more elaborate theory later. And if you haven't read the post below this one, you should do that first.

The final stages of inner alchemy and the animal symbolism relating thereto: white tincture (unicorn), red tincture (stag), final work (phoenix).

White tincture represents the feminine aspect of the soul. Sometimes symbolized by the unicorn, because the unicorn could only be tamed by the touch of a pure woman. Also pictured as a queen dressed in shining white robes appearing in the alchemist's flask.

I will add that lilies are also white and symbolize purity. (I wonder what happens when a queen sacrifices herself in wizard chess?)

Red tincture represents the masculine aspect of the soul. Sometimes symbolized by the stag bearing antlers, the stag being seen as a noble masculine animal. Also pictured as a red king or knight brandishing a sword in the alchemist's flask.

In some alchemical illustrations, such as that of the late 16th century Book of Lambspring, the Stag and Unicorn meet in the forest of the soul as part of the process of inner transformation. (I wonder if the forest in Albania is just the Forbidden Forest for grown-ups?)

The tinctures of alchemy relate also to the substances of the Mass — the red wine, the blood, and the white wafer, the body of Christ. Administration of the sacraments was seen as spiritualising the soul of the partaker, and the tinctures serve much the same purpose in alchemy but without a priest. Here alchemy apparently links directly with Grail stories, which use similar parallels between the Grail and the Sacraments. Now is probably not the time for me to delve into Arthurian Grail quest or the hallows (sacred objects of the inner quest) found along the way, or to try and relate these to the tarot.

Where was I? Oh yes, the Stag and Unicorn have met up, and now it's time for the final stage of the alchemist's work, symbolized by...

The Phoenix! Rising from the flames! Hey, maybe I should have invoked the Lightening Struck Tower tarot card. But in interior terms the phoenix marks the rebirth of the personality from out of the crucible of transformation. In other words, alchemists experienced an inner death and then rebirth in attaining the "Philosopher's Stone." For the record, I should probably note that I think Dumbledore is quite dead and that Harry is the metaphorical newborn phoenix who's going to rise from the ashes.

One symbol for the philosopher's stone was the ouroboros, the snake eating it's own tail. I'm sure I've already discussed somewhere below how this also signifies the dual nature of all things, the vicious cycle that begins anew as soon as it ends, immortality, the One who proceeds from the clash of opposites; and I think Carl Jung also said that the ouroboros simultaneously slays himself and brings himself to life. Which is so Voldemort & Harry.

Also uncovered some interesting but somewhat cryptic 14th century writings by Nicholas Flamel. There's a lot of snake imagery on his gravestone, including the ouroboros and the caduceus (two intertwined snakes, representing primal power to heal or harm, see chapters 21 & 22 of OotP), and he seemed to have a thing about helping orphans. I'm sure there's more, but I couldn't get myself to read it.

I suppose it's a good sign for a quintessential Harry Potter theory when not only all of what Jo has ever said in interviews but also ~2,500 years of Western philosophical tradition line up neatly behind it. Now if only I could find a way to make money off this....

ETA: Does it never end?? Add to list of important alchemical emblems the knight with sword fighting giant inner snake, the wild wolf and tame dog vying for supremacy at the edge of the forest, the king of the forest who does not have to fight the beasties in it, and the Stag and Unicorn turned to red and white birds fighting each other (one above and one below), before transforming into white doves and then becoming a phoenix (the polarities fight, absorb each other, and then are reborn in a new form).