Quintessence - Fifth alchemical principle. The underlying spiritual basis underpinning the four elements, corresponding to the idea of the Ether, or space-time continuum.
A fifth element, or quintessence, is the underlying spiritual essence out of which the four material elements are precipitated.
During the fifth phase the preceding four are integrated, the quintessence (quintus, the fifth) of the experience of the Culture is distilled, developing what we term a complete Civilization.
This makes sense when it is recalled that Mercury symbolises Ether, the quintessence of the four elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire.
It is the quintessence of the path which leads from the "unconscious" (ascendant) to the "light of consciousness" (midheaven). Whether this path is followed to the very end by the individual cannot be known.
The process has two principal parts: first is the process of removing all impurities, resulting in obtaining the quintessence of the substance. We can note the quality, for example, of a liquor which has been carefully distilled.
Sun is said to be his Soul (Atma), Moon his mind (citta, consciousness), Mars his vitality or valour (Purushattwam), Mercury his speech (Vani, the medium of expressing inner experiences and understanding), Jupiter is the quintessence of wisdom ...
This is not to say that these figures, being the quintessences of history, are not carefully and exactly conceived'.
A new light of tried universality and stilled quintessence initiates its sun life.
 See also: Moon, Earth, Signs, Planet, Element
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