The Gold that was sought, however was not the material gold. This is where it all starts. It is the initial state, already present for the beginning of the process. It assumes all elements and aspects of the Universe are present. All is unmanifested and undifferentiated.
All opposites exist alone and together.
This phase corresponds to the color black. Blackness is achieved, first passing through red, attempting to bring the pnuema, spirit or breath, back into the remains. This is often done by distillation. The uniting, joining together, the spirit in matter, Nous and Physis, Sol and Luna, Mercury and Sulphur. This can take place in the most intense heat.