From Seeker to Alchemist Course

You’re Not at the Beginning. You’re at a Threshold.

There comes a point in the seeker’s journey when gathering more information is no longer enough.

You want to understand where you are, why you’ve traveled the path you have, and what comes next.

From Seeker to Alchemist introduces you to the Nine Stages of Alchemy—an ancient map of transformation passed through the Daoist Alchemical tradition for more than 1,500 years.

Think of the Nine Stages as a map of the human journey: from the moment you sense there must be more to life, through the stages of inner transformation, toward becoming more fully who you are.

Instead of giving you only one piece of the path, this course gives you the whole map at once—and helps you begin finding yourself within it.

The Path Begins With You

Every journey through Alchemy begins in the same place: experiencing the work for yourself.

Whether you’re exploring Alchemy for your own personal transformation or you’re a practitioner interested in bringing this perspective into your work with others, the first step is understanding your own journey.

Throughout approximately four hours of teaching divided into nine self-paced modules, Leta Herman and Jaye McElroy guide you through each of the Nine Stages and invite you to experience the map rather than simply study it.

Because in Alchemy, knowing the path intellectually is only the beginning.

You learn the map by finding yourself on it.

What You’ll Explore

Throughout the course, you’ll discover:

The Complete Nine Stages of Alchemy
Explore the full arc of Alchemical transformation in clear, accessible language and begin recognizing how the stages may appear within your own life.

Guided Experiences
Exercises throughout the course help you explore each stage personally, recognize what it may be asking of you, and consider what comes next.

A New Perspective on Your Story
Begin seeing your history not simply as something to overcome or recover from, but as part of the curriculum that has shaped your path.

A Way to Find Where You Are
Explore one of the seeker’s most important questions:

Where am I—and how do I actually begin?

Move through the material in an afternoon or spend weeks exploring the stages and exercises.

There is no rush.

Your spirit is like gold. It cannot tarnish or degrade, and nothing that has happened—or will ever happen—can harm it.

Choose Your Path

The core Nine Stages journey begins in the same place for everyone. When enrolling, simply choose the version of the course that best fits how you intend to use the teachings.

Self-Cultivator Path

For personal exploration and transformation.

The Self-Cultivator Path gives you the complete foundational experience of the Nine Stages of Alchemy.

You’ll receive:

• All Nine Stages teaching modules
• Guided exercises throughout the course
• Approximately four hours of teaching
• Self-paced learning
• Lifetime course access
• A framework for exploring your own Alchemical journey

No Chinese Medicine background is required.

This path is ideal if your primary interest is personal cultivation, self-discovery, and understanding your own journey through the Nine Stages.

Practitioner Path

For practitioners ready to explore the personal and clinical dimensions of Alchemy.

The Practitioner Path begins with the same foundational journey as the Self-Cultivator Path—because practitioners must first experience the map themselves.

You’ll receive everything included in the Self-Cultivator Path, plus:

• Additional clinical teachings and perspective
• Guidance for recognizing the Nine Stages within persistent patient patterns
• The first acupuncture point protocol of the Alchemical path
• Material designed to help bridge personal Alchemical understanding with clinical practice
• Continuing education credit
• A short completion quiz for CE certification

The Practitioner Path is designed for acupuncturists and other appropriate Chinese Medicine practitioners who want to begin exploring how the Alchemical framework can deepen their understanding of the people they treat.

Continuing Education

Continuing education is available with the Practitioner Path.

CE credit is approved through NCBAHM and the California Acupuncture Board. Completion requirements, including the required quiz, must be met to receive CE certification.

Meet Your Teachers

Leta Herman has spent more than two decades studying and practicing Daoist Alchemy, including extensive study with Master Jeffrey Yuen, an 88th-generation Daoist priest and Chinese Medicine master. Her work bridges traditional Chinese Medicine, Alchemical healing, personal cultivation, and practical application.

Jaye McElroy is co-founder of the Alchemy Learning Center and brings decades of experience in Alchemical transformation, teaching, coaching, and personal practice.

Together, Leta and Jaye have guided hundreds of students—from first-time seekers to experienced practitioners—through the Alchemical path.

From Seeker to Alchemist is the map they wish someone had opened for them when they first began.

You’ve Been a Seeker Long Enough.

The map has existed for centuries.

Now you can begin finding your place on it.

Choose your path and begin your journey through the Nine Stages of Alchemy.