“When an individual is worthy of the mystery of Attachment (Devekut), he can also be worthy of the mystery of Stoicism (Hishtavut). After he is worthy of Stoicism, he can also be worthy of Meditation (Hitbodedut). And after he is worthy of Meditation, he can be worthy of Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit, enlightenment). From there, he can reach the level of Prophecy, where he can actually predict the future.

In explaining the mystery of Stoicism, Rabbi Abner related the following account:⁷⁷

A sage once came to one of the Meditators (Mitbodedim) and asked that he be accepted into their society.

The other replied, “My son, blessed are you to G-d. You intentions are good. But tell me, have you attained stoicism or not?”

The sage said, “Master, explain your words.”

The Meditator said, “If one man is praising you and another is insulting you, are the two equal in your eyes or not?”

He replied, “No my master. I have pleasure from those who praise me, and pain from those who degrade me. But I do not take revenge or bear a grudge.”

The other said, “Go in peace my son. You have not attained stoicism. You have not reached a level where your soul does not feel the praise of one who honors you, nor the degradation of one who insults you. You are not prepared for your thoughts to bound on high, that you should come and meditate (hitboded). Go and increase the humbleness of your heart, and learn to treat everything equally until you have become stoic. Only then will you be able to meditate.”

Da Vinci's drawing of the Flower of Life.

“Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind:

1) Study the science of art.

2) Study the art of science.

3) Develop your senses, especially learn how to see.

4) Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

Here’s Maier’s Atalanta fugiens alchemy diagram again, for reference:

Four

Going back at least to the pre-Socratic Greek philosophers was the idea that all matter is composed of four elements:  fire, air, earth, and water.  

Alchemy adapted this idea by stating that the two first principles (dua prima) are Sulphur and Mercury and that Sulphur corresponds to fire and air, while Mercury corresponds to earth and water.   In the Maier emblem above, the four elements are symbolized by the square.  

Here’s one depiction personifying the four elements, also from Atalanta fugiens:

(From left to right the men are carrying fire, air (wind), water, and earth.)

The main way I’ve seen authors using the four elements is to mark their characters as Sulphur or Mercury.  The Sulphur character will have a name or characteristic that marks him (usually) as fire and/or air, while a Mercury character will have a name or characteristic marking her (usually) as earth and water.  Jon Snow and Lyra Belacqua are both marked as water, for example.  Daenerys is marked as air.

J.K. Rowling did something different: she chose to identify the four Houses of Hogwarts with the Four Elements.  She even told an interviewer this was what she was doing.  Gryffindor corresponds to fire, Ravenclaw to air, Slytherin to water, and Hufflepuff to earth.  You could argue that the Sorting Hat’s decisions dividing the First Years into Houses corresponds to the Separation stage of alchemy.  For the divided world of Hogwarts to come together, the four Houses have to be reconciled and unite in a common purpose.  

Five

One of the names for the Philosopher’s Stone is the Fifth Element, the Quintessence, which is created when the Four Elements are united.  The Quintessence is sometimes described as azure, sky blue, and symbolized by the sapphire.

I haven’t seen too much use of this symbolism in alchemy stories.  One of Harry Potter’s textbooks is called The Quintessence, but it plays no role in the series.  On the other hand, Brienne coming from Tarth, the Sapphire Isle, becomes significant in the unfolding of her relationship with Jaime in ASOIAF.  It marks her as his alchemical partner early on, before their Chemical Wedding in the tubs in Harrenhall.  

Six