The Alchemy of Relationship In traditional alchemy, the process by which lead becomes gold requires three elements: Something to transform A container, or Athanor, which holds the heat necessary for alchemical digestion A source of energy or heat Becoming human is a transformational process in which the heat of our challenges, the fire of suffering, brings forth the gold in our being. To realize our potential as human beings, the unconscious and disowned energies or elements