There’s much to explore about this ancient symbol which we’ll do in future posts but, today, listen to the words of Theophrastos, whose poem was composed between 700 and 900 A.D., as he describes the first step in the process of alchemical transmutation:

“A dragon springs therefrom which, when exposed In horse’s excrement for twenty days, Devours his tail till naught thereof remains. This dragon, whom they Ouroboros call, Is white in looks and spotted in his skin, And has a form and shape most strange to see. When he was born he sprang from out the warm And humid substance of united things. The close embrace of male and female kind, -A union which occurred within the sea- Brought forth this dragon, as already said; A monster scorching all the earth with fire, With all his might and panoply displayed, He swims and comes unto a place within The currents of the Nile; his gleaming skin And all the bands which girdle him around Are bright as gold and shine with points of light…”