The Cryogenic Equation (Past-Future Biohackers – Episode III)
➵ Back-story: What if biohacking already existed in the 16th century?
Our steampunk-inspired 5-part story series takes place in medieval Europe, during a time when the Church sought to eliminate pagan traditions, alchemy, early science, and other practices seen as heretical. This was a pivotal period for free thought—across science, medicine, and ancient wisdom. Paracelsus, a key figure in the medical revolution, carried out much of his groundbreaking work during this era of persecution. The series blends historical fact with fiction. Any resemblance to speakers at the upcoming HOLOLIFE Summit 2025 Europe, taking place on 14–15 June, is purely coincidental. Enjoy the educational story :)
Seekers of the HOLOLIFE, Episode II/V:
The ancient monastery rose from the mist-shrouded Thuringian Forest like a forgotten dream, its weathered stone walls bearing silent witness to centuries of secrets. The location was no ordinary religious retreat but a hidden Rosicrucian sanctuary: one of seven built across Europe by the secretive Brotherhood of the Rose Cross.
The building's exterior, deliberately modest to avoid unwanted attention, concealed its true significance. Only those with trained eyes would notice how the facade's proportions followed the golden ratio or how the rose-shaped stained glass windows aligned precisely with specific celestial positions during the equinoxes: architectural features that were simultaneously scientific instruments and symbolic keys.
As dawn broke over the forest canopy, the convoy of unmarked waggons bearing the Hololife Movement reached the monastery's moss-covered gates. The journey from Leiden had been rife with danger: Spanish patrols, zealous informants, and treacherous mountain passes had all threatened to end their quest before they reached this crucial sanctuary.
"We must remain invisible," whispered the Wellness Actualizer Dr Atkinson, repeating the ancient Rosicrucian motto as they carefully concealed their waggons beneath camouflaging foliage. "Just as our predecessors understood, true transformation occurs beyond the reach of those who would corrupt knowledge for power."
The monastery's exterior betrayed nothing of its true purpose, but the travelers' scrolls had been explicit. Beneath this unassuming structure lay one of the most extraordinary achievements of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood: a cryogenic vault constructed at the precise intersection of seven magnetic ley lines that naturally converged at this geographical location, a site chosen by Christian Rosenkreuz himself.
The Rosicrucian Legacy
Dr Atkinson stepped forward to examine the ancient stone markings above the monastery entrance. The carvings appeared to depict biblical scenes to casual observers, but to those initiated in Rosicrucian symbolism, they revealed a complex cypher: geometric patterns that, when properly decoded, provided instructions for accessing the hidden chambers below.
"These markings combine astronomy, sacred geometry, and alchemical symbolism," he explained, his fingers tracing the pattern that resembled both a pentagram and a human figure, resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. "The brotherhood designed their sanctuaries as living textbooks, buildings whose very proportions encoded scientific principles while simultaneously serving as spiritual amplifiers."
He pressed specific points on the carved rose at the centre of the archway, following a sequence derived from the Fibonacci numbers. A soft clicking sound emanated from within the stone, and a previously invisible door swung silently inward.
"Just as the Rosicrucians fused science with mysticism, we continue their traditions using empirical methods to achieve what others dismiss as impossible," Dr Atkinson continued as they entered the monastery's main hall. "They understood that knowledge must serve both spiritual and physical healing – never one at the expense of the other."
Inside, the group discovered chambers that, while appearing monastic in design, contained subtle architectural anomalies such as precise angular measurements, unusual acoustic properties, and materials that seemed to absorb and redirect energy in patterns that defied conventional understanding. The main hall's dimensions formed a perfect cube, while the chapel beyond was designed as a sphere embedded within that cube in geometric symbolism representing the Hermetic principle "As above, so below."
The Botanical Stem Cell Activation
The Stem Cell Sage Mr. Drapeau, moved with reverence through the monastery's extensive herbal garden, which miraculously remained vibrant despite centuries of abandonment. His trained botanist's eyes recognised plants that shouldn't have survived this climate.
"The Rosicrucians created a botanical archive of incalculable value," he whispered, carefully examining a section of the garden where plants were arranged in a perfect spiral pattern. "They understood plant intelligence at a level we're only beginning to rediscover."
In what had once been the monastery's alchemical laboratory, Drapeau established his workspace, surveying the ancient equipment with appreciation. Copper distillation apparatus, crystal grinding mortars, and astronomical alignment tools had been preserved in perfect condition.
"The Rosicrucian botanical system was built on three fundamental principles," he explained as he began unpacking his own carefully transported specimens. "Release, mobilize, and signal – a perfect reflection of stem cell dynamics."
From various pouches and containers, he carefully extracted his botanical treasures: plants gathered from around the world, each selected for specific regenerative properties. "Their approach to stem cell activation was far more sophisticated than our modern pharmaceutical interventions," he continued, arranging the specimens according to the same spiral pattern he had observed in the garden.
As he worked, Drapeau discovered something remarkable: many of the plants he had brought with him were already growing in the Rosicrucian garden, some in varieties he had never encountered before. "It cannot be coincidence," he marvelled. "The Brotherhood cultivated the exact species needed for complete stem cell activation centuries before stem cells were discovered."
The Protocol
With methodical precision, Drapeau began preparing the first phase of his regenerative protocol: Release. "The cornerstone of stem cell release is Aloe macroclada," he explained, carefully harvesting leaves from a thriving specimen in the Rosicrucian greenhouse. "Not the common aloe vera most people know, but this rare Madagascan species."
He skilfully extracted the inner gel, which glowed with an unusual pearlescent quality. "Scientific studies have documented that this specific aloe can increase the number of circulating stem cells by up to 80% within four hours of consumption," he continued. "The Rosicrucians called it the architect of renewal for precisely this reason."
Beside the aloe, he placed a container of vivid blue-green powder. "Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). The travellers specifically mentioned this microalgae, which triggers stem cell release from the bone marrow."
Next came a dark brown seaweed extract. "The Brotherhood maintained saltwater pools beneath the monastery where they cultivated marine species. This particular seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, contains compounds that significantly enhance stem cell release."
The final component of the release phase was a root extract with a distinctive aroma. "Panax notoginseng: what the Rosicrucians called the root of celestial renewal. Its unique saponins trigger stem cell release and provide cardiovascular protection during the mobilisation phase."
With the release components prepared, Drapeau turned to the second phase: Mobilize. "Once stem cells are released into circulation, they must be effectively mobilised to reach tissues needing repair," he explained as he arranged another set of botanical preparations.
From a sealed container, he extracted what appeared to be crystalline enzymes. "Fibrinolytic enzymes derived from fermentation processes the Brotherhood perfected centuries ago. These support blood fluidity and ensure stem cells can navigate efficiently through the circulatory system."
He carefully measured green powder from another container. "Olive leaf extract harvested from olive trees from Greece. It supports vascular health and protects stem cells from oxidative damage during mobilisation."
He held up a particularly precious vial containing golden liquid. "Ginkgo biloba enhances microcirculation, ensuring stem cells can reach even the most poorly perfused tissues."
The mobilisation blend was completed with several additional plants and components.
For the third and final phase (Signal) Drapeau prepared the most complex botanical combination of all. "Once stem cells arrive at tissues needing repair, they require specific signals to know exactly what type of cells to become and how to integrate with existing tissues," he explained.
From an ornately carved wooden box, he withdrew a series of small vials containing vibrant extracts. "This is a rare citrus the Rosicrucians preserved from ancient Chinese imperial gardens. Its flavonoids enhance immune modulation, helping stem cells properly integrate without triggering inflammatory responses."
Next came a deep brown powder. "Terminalia chebula, what Ayurvedic texts call the king of medicines: it promotes joint and digestive health, directing stem cells to focus on these systems."
A vivid yellow-orange powder followed. "Curcuma longa extract is cultivated by the Brotherhood using methods that maximise its bioactive compounds, providing the perfect setup for stem cell differentiation."
The blue-green of spirulina came next. "This is spirulina grown in the monastery's specialised aquaculture tanks. It enhances antioxidant defence during the critical differentiation phase."
Additional signalling compounds were added to the formula.
To bind all three phases into a cohesive system, Drapeau added two final ingredients. "Beta-glucans extracted from mushrooms growing in the monastery's underground caves support various aspects of stem cell function across all phases. And highly fractionated colostrum, which contains growth factors documented to support stem cell function throughout the entire process."
As he completed the formulation, combining these numerous botanical extracts with precision and reverence, Drapeau stepped back to regard his creation. The final preparation glowed with subtle bioluminescence: plant intelligence designed to coordinate the most profound stem cell regeneration possible.
"The Rosicrucians understood what modern medicine is only beginning to grasp," he said softly. "That the body's regenerative capacity is not limited by age but by the health of stem cells. These plants speak a biochemical language that awakens our dormant potential for renewal.”
The Electromagnetic Shield of Rosicrucian Design
As Drapeau completed his botanical preparations, the other members of the Hololife Movement worked to prepare the Rosicrucian sanctuary for their suspension.
The EMF Armorist Mr. Seipel, discovered an ingenious electromagnetic system hidden throughout the monastery: copper vines in archways, iron roses in ceilings, and silver threads forming an integrated shielding network centuries ahead of its time.
In the central tower, he found a geomagnetic monitoring station disguised as an observatory, with copper coils and quicksilver instruments allowing the Brotherhood to track Earth's electromagnetic fluctuations.
Below the wine cellar stood "The Harmoniser," a device that generated standing waves that neutralised harmful frequencies while amplifying beneficial ones.
Seipel integrated his technology with the Rosicrucian system, adding Faraday meshes and crystalline oscillators. For the cryogenic capsules, he installed resonators calibrated to the seven planetary signatures: specific frequencies for optimal organ function that would complement Drapeau's botanical formulas during suspension.
When the Extraction Guild approached, this electromagnetic system shielded the team and actively misdirected the Guild's scanning technology with false readings, protecting the sanctuary's secrets.
The Photonic Neural Network
The Photon Curator Mrs. Turner, was drawn immediately to the monastery's remarkable system of light channels: narrow shafts cut through stone walls at precise angles that directed sunlight into otherwise darkened chambers. These weren't simple windows but sophisticated optical instruments designed to capture specific light frequencies.
In the monastery's eastern chamber, Turner discovered a hidden solar observatory where prisms, mirrors, and crystal lenses sorted daylight into discrete spectral bands. Ancient charts depicted how different light wavelengths affected specific bodily systems, particularly the intricate connection between gut function and neural activity.
"The Rosicrucians understood the brain-gut axis centuries before we had terms for it," she explained, examining etchings showing light pathways connecting the cranium and abdomen. "These diagrams precisely map the vagus nerve and demonstrate how specific light frequencies modulate its signals."
Turner integrated her phototherapy equipment with the monastery's existing light channels, carefully calibrating amber filters to enhance circadian signalling.
She installed specialised LED arrays that mimicked the natural light sequence, dawn's blue-rich light transitioning to midday's full spectrum and then evening's red-dominant glow – creating a photonic stimulation that would maintain optimal brain-gut communication during cryogenic suspension.
When preparations were complete, Turner activated the integrated system, filling the suspension chamber with precisely modulated light that pulsed in harmony with Earth's natural day-night cycle. These photonic signals would preserve the critical neural-enteric pathways even as other bodily systems entered suspension, ensuring the mind-body connection remained intact throughout their transformation.
The Consciousness Architect
The Perception Smith Mr. Vain discovered that the monastery's chapel was far more than a place of worship; it was a precisely engineered consciousness technology. The octagonal chamber's dimensions followed the Fibonacci sequence, creating acoustic properties that induced specific brainwave states when activated properly.
In the chapel's centre stood a curious arrangement of seven crystal bowls, each tuned to a specific frequency corresponding to what Rosicrucian texts called the planetary tones. Vain immediately recognised these as powerful tools for conscious modulation, similar to those he used in his work as a psychedelic guide and coach.
"The Brothers created technologies of transcendence disguised as religious artefacts," he observed, gently striking one bowl that produced a tone that seemed to resonate directly with the pineal gland. "These aren't merely musical instruments but precise neurological tools designed to activate specific brain regions associated with higher consciousness."
Vain carefully integrated his modern understanding of brainwave entrainment with the Rosicrucian acoustic technology, programming precise tone sequences that would guide the team through the expanded awareness states of cryogenic suspension.
He calibrated harmonic overtones and vocal narratives to maintain theta and delta brainwave patterns that would allow consciousness to remain active while the body underwent regeneration.
When the system was fully activated, the chapel filled with a complex harmonic field that seemed to create pockets of altered time perception: consciousness technologies that would serve awareness during their suspension journey, preserving continuity of identity through what might otherwise be an overwhelming transformation of the Self.
The Genomic Timekeeper
The Genome Cartographer Dr Matt Dawson was amazed to discover the monastery's scriptorium contained encoded knowledge of hereditary principles centuries before modern genetics.
Ancient manuscripts displayed diagrams resembling DNA helices, while complex charts mapped what the Rosicrucians called the signature of generations, which modern scientists refer to as epigenetic modifications.
In a hidden laboratory beneath the scriptorium, he found preserved specimens of plants selectively bred over centuries to express specific traits, alongside detailed records of inheritance patterns. The Brotherhood had intuited the existence of heritable factors and had been systematically documenting their observations using a sophisticated symbolic language.
"They understood epigenetics conceptually without having the molecular tools to observe it directly," Dawson marvelled, examining a manuscript showing how environmental factors modified inherited traits. "These diagrams depict methylation patterns and histone modifications: the very mechanisms we now know regulate gene expression."
Dawson established his epigenetic stabilisation laboratory, where he prepared compounds that would temporarily halt the methylation clock during suspension. He created a stabiliser formula that would preserve beneficial gene expressions throughout the cryogenic process.
When his preparations were complete, Dawson created a comprehensive epigenetic preservation system that would not merely suspend genetic activity but optimise it, ensuring that when the team emerged from suspension, they would activate longevity pathways that typically remain dormant throughout human life.
Activation of the Crystalline Chamber
When all was ready, Dr Atkinson gathered them in the Chamber of Christian Rosenkreuz, where the seven crystalline suspension capsules awaited. "What we attempt tonight represents the perfect fusion of ancient wisdom and future science," he declared.
"The Rosicrucians prepared this sanctuary centuries ago, preserving knowledge that would otherwise have been lost. The time pilgrims sent back the missing pieces needed to activate this system fully. And we, standing at the intersection of past and future, will be the bridge between these traditions."
Mr. Drapeau presented each member with a crystal goblet containing his completed botanical formula: a formulation that shifted colours as it caught the light, moving through the spectrum from deep amber to violet.
"This represents the most sophisticated stem cell activation protocol ever created," he explained. "Three phases working in perfect harmony: release, mobilize, and signal. As you consume it, know that centuries of botanical wisdom are awakening regenerative capacities that normally remain dormant throughout human life."
The Cryogenic Journey
One by one, the six members of the Hololife Movement entered the crystalline capsules. As the chambers sealed and the suspension process began, Drapeau observed with profound satisfaction how his botanical preparation began to emit bioluminescence: plant intelligence awakening with photons of light.
Drapeau's orchestration of botanical fireworks performed its regenerative magic at the deepest levels of cellular function while the team went through cryogenic suspencion for two weeks. When they finally emerged from suspension, the results exceeded even his most optimistic predictions.
"The regeneration is unprecedented," Drapeau announced as he examined tissue samples from each member. "The aloe macroclada achieved a 93% increase in circulating stem cells: beyond anything documented. The mobilisation compounds created perfect vascular pathways for stem cell migration, while the signalling botanicals directed flawless cellular differentiation."
Mr. Dawson held up a vial containing a blood sample. "Look at the telomere length: these are the protective caps on our chromosomes that shorten with age. According to these measurements, our biological age has been reduced by an average of fifteen years.” The Rosicrucian's botanical wisdom, combined with the travellers' guidance, had achieved what modern medicine would consider impossible.
As the group prepared for their next destination – the Finnish genetic sanctuary – Mr. Drapeau carefully preserved samples of the rare botanical species from the Rosicrucian garden. "These plants represent a botanical legacy of incalculable value," he explained.
"The Brotherhood preserved species of regenerative compounds. They must be protected and propagated for humanity's future."
With their bodies and minds profoundly transformed by the three-phase botanical regeneration protocol aided by light therapy, sound therapy and EMF protection under cryogenic suspension, the six members of the Hololife Movement departed the Rosicrucian sanctuary, carrying within them living proof of what becomes possible when ancient plant wisdom and future technology find their perfect integration.
Stay tuned for Episode IV in this series: "Genetic Cartography"
