The recipes

The early alchemists had recipes listing ingredients or techniques by which they made metals. The basis for many of these recipes was to introduce to base metals properties which the metals lacked.

Quintessence

Definition of Quintessence and etimology Quintessence (Latin, quinta essentia, «fifth essence or element») is in Pythagorean mysticism the fifth element or spirit that fills the universe generating its life and vitality. Quintessence encompasses the

Prima materia

Prima materia, prime matter, like the goal of the alchemical process has various definitions, with no one definition considered prominent. This is because alchemists had personal definitions of prima materia. Many definitions even

Philosophical mercury

The Philosophical mercury, in alchemy, is the preparation of the combination of sulphur and argent vive and distinguished from ordinary mercury. It is commonly known as Mercurius. A.G.H Source: Drury, Nevil. The Watkins Dictionary of

Philosophers stone

Originally the Philosopher’s Stone was believed to be the chemical that changed base metals into silver or gold, often it was termed the Power of Projection. It was first mentioned

Pagan Vision of Alchemy

According to tradition Christians learned alchemy from the Arabians who adopted it from the Egyptians since in Arabic the term meant «matter of Egypt,» Al-Khemeia, «Land of the Moon,» and ancient name of Egypt. Since

Opus alchymicum

Opus alchymicum, or opus, sometimes called the «work,» is the alchemical process of transmuting cheaper metals into more precious ones. Initially the opus alchymicum had four stages: the nigredo(black), the albedo(white/silver), the

Nicholas Flamel

Nісоlаѕ Flаmеl wаѕ a ѕuссеѕѕful Frеnсh ѕсrіvеnеr аnd mаnuѕсrірt-ѕеllеr whо dеvеlореd a роѕthumоuѕ reputation аѕ an alchemist due to hіѕ rерutеd work оn thе Philosopher’s Stone. Alchemy Aссоrdіng to thе introduction

Mother

In alchemical terms mother applies to prima materia because from it (her) came all things. This is equally seen in the Judeo-Christian creation story. «And the spirit of God moved upon the face of

Moon

In alchemy the moon is another androgynous symbol representing the King and Queen in their chemical wedding. The moon also represents silver. Since the moon is illuminated by the sun rays it

Mercurius

Mercurius, in alchemy, was the transformative substance which allows the process of transmutation to occur. It was frequently called philosophical mercury, thus distinguishing it from ordinary mercury. Mercurius represented the divine spirit

Lion

The lion like the eagle symbolizes dominance or dominion. It is important in heraldry and in fable is referred to as «king of beasts.» Its astrological sign is Leo, and has the sun

Lead

Lead, in alchemical terms, definitely has an androgynous nature with qualities of cold and damp allowing it to be called an arcane substance representing the lusterless prime matter. For this reason it is similar

King sol

King Sol, «King Sun,» is the embodiment in alchemy of the male qualities of «hot and dry» associated with the sun, sulphur, and gold. The king unites with the receptive qualities «cold

Islamic Alchemy

Islamic Alchemy and Alchemists Islamic alchemy evolved rapidly with the mingling of cultures and the Near East began absorbing Greek knowledge. Philosophers already in the region lacked sufficient knowledge to meet their

Alchemy Gold

Gold in alchemy was the goal of the process, the transmutation of base metals into silver or gold. Gold is the most precious of all metals. In many cultures the

First Matter

The First matter in alchemy is thought of as the fusion of spirit and matter, manifestation of the godhead. It is also known as prima materia, and it was formless and

ergon

Ergon, in alchemy, was a term designating the right eye of the soul, which was turned toward eternity. This was opposed to the left eye of the soul, parergon, which was directed

Eagle

The eagle has been associated with the belief in renewal or rebirth. In a fragment of an ancient Babylon text, there is the story of King Erana being taken to

Alchemy Dragon

Alchemy Dragon In alchemical symbolism dragons are associated with fire and the primal chaotic material. The Western concept of dragons is to portray them as fire animals spewing fire. Something to

Dew

Dew traditionally has been considered a symbol of the Philosopher’s Stone: «Thus out matter is our dew, fat, airy, and heavy, also found on the surface of the earth…Another dewy general

Chinese Alchemy

Ancient Chinese Alchemy Both the origin and source of Chinese alchemy are uncertain, if not unknown. Perhaps two or three centuries before the Greek writings on alchemy there appeared Chinese literature describing

Chemical Wedding

Chemical wedding or marriage, sometimes called coniunctio, in alchemy is the joining of the male elements (fire and air that are represented by sulphur) with the female elements (water and earth that

Caduceus

  What is Caduceus, definition and meaning The caduceus, Greek karukeion, is the staff and symbol of the Greek god Hermes, messenger of the gods, and later these attributes were transferred to Roman