CALCINATION
There are seven stages of transformation in the alchemical process which an initiate must undergo to achieve spiritual perfection. The first of these stages is Calcination:
Chemically, the Calcination process involves heating a substance in a crucible until it is reduced to ashes. Psychologically, this symbolises the destruction of ego and our attachments to material possessions. Calcination employs a variety of spiritual disciplines that ignite the fire of introspection and self-evaluation. It can be experienced as the metabolic discipline or aerobic activity that tunes the body, burning off excesses from overindulgence and producing a lean, mean, fighting machine.