Cinnabar

Common name for mercuric sulfide,
which takes the form of red crystals or
clumps. Cinnabar is important in Indian
alchemy, particularly that of the mercurial (dhatuvada) school because it is a
chemical union of the two elements representing the god Shiva (mercury) and
his consort, Shakti (sulfur). According
to Hindu alchemy, the world is a series
of bipolar opposites in tension with one
another. By unifying these opposing
forces, one may achieve spiritual
progress and the end of reincarnation
(samsara). In Hindu alchemy this is
done by physically consuming various
substances. In this case, mercury is said
to be Shiva’s semen and sulfur Shakti’s
uterine blood; their combination and
consumption is believed to spur the
aspirant’s progress.