What is the Prima Materia in Alchemy?

Like most other alchemical symbols there are are various interpretations of the substance, or body known as the Prima Materia.

But without dismissing the obvious based on the term “prima" I think it’s safe to say it is whatever stands at the beginning of the alchemical transformation.

Sometimes referred to as the “lead”, it is the matter in need of transformation. The raw material of the process. The starting point.

An important aspect of the symbol is the fact that, although a common and readily available substance, it is of high intrinsic value. Sometimes this high value is hidden or veiled behind a common, ugly or negative appearance as the alchemical “black sun".

Since the transformation both refers to the matter under consideration and the alchemists themselves, the prima materia is the “natural person" or “body" prior to the spiritual change that occurs during the work.

Interpreted like this we can understand the high value attributed to the prima materia because the spirit, soul and body of the alchemist are once again reunited at the completion of the work.

If there's no(body) to begin with- there's no(body) resurrected.

A partial list of symbols for Prima Materia:
body, lead, Saturn, black sun, dirt, sand, mud, dung iron, toad, king, salt, wild beast, raven, ashes, darkness, anything ubiquitous,
 
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