ALCHEMY

By Lucero Chavez

ALCHEMY!(Some

Etymology)

From Old French word “alquimie”

From Medieval Latin “ alchimia”

From Arabic “al-kimia”

Alche…what?

Defined as :the medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy whose aims were the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for diseases, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life

Alchemy is the precursor to many of our modern sciences such as chemistry or physics.

Contrastingly, alchemy has its basis in philosophy and more spiritual ideology than what we generally believe today.

It is often called a “protoscience” since it opened the path to modern science.

Ok, so what is it?

But why??? The primary goal of

alchemy is “transmutation,” in other words, change.

Alchemists hoped to achieve the greatest good for humanity

Change what…? Some examples of this

“greater good” through change are:

Passing from sickness to

health

Moving from earthly life to the

supernatural after death

finding the philosopher’s stone

turning base metals into gold

and silver

discovering the elixir for

eternal youth

?

THREE MAJOR REGIONS:

Alchemy

Middle Easter

n

ChineseWestern

Where does it come from?

THREE MAJOR REGIONS:

Origins: Began in Ancient Egypt,

from the concept of

mummification and the

desire for immortality, which

led to chemical knowledge.

Spread west when

Alexander the Great

conquered Egypt and then

again when the Arabs

entered.

Began independently in Asia

and India

European alchemy began around the

time of the Crusades and throughout

the Medieval Ages.

Alchemy itself existed as a legitimate

science for at least 1700 years

Died down in the 1400’s due to the

increase of charlatans who would

profit from fooling with their “magic.”

Western (European) Alchemy

Discoveries: Roger Bacon (Medieval England) studies

combustion in air and discovered how to purify it. He is also said to have obtained the philosopher’s stone.

Thomas Vaughan is said to have achieved the transmutation of metals

Men like Arnold de Villanova, theologian and alchemist, were often persecuted, and accused of getting their knowledge from the devil. (especially during the Inquisition)

Contrastingly, Raymond Lully balanced Christianity with alchemy. He published 486 treatisies which make historians believe “Roamond Lully” was just a pseudonym for many authors.

Western (European) Alchemy cont.

Roger Bacon

Chang Tao Ling is the most sounded name in Oriental alchemy, quoted from ancient records of sound 35 A.D

He retreated to the mountains where he studied and meditated

Supposedly received the elixir of eternal life from Lao-tzu

Demonstrates a connection between alchemy and taoism.

Chinese Alchemy

Arabian Alchemy Popularized

around the 3rd century (one of the oldest)

Alchemy before that period was burned by Diocletian

One of the most renown figures is Geber, or Abou Moussah Djfar-Al Sell who wrote The Investigation of Perfection

First to lable sevral compounds like nitrate as corrosive

Rhasis was able to transmutate metals into gold

Modern Alchemy

Check out what they said in the NY Times here

Whereas alchemy itself is not as common nowadays, it remains as the root of chemistry and even physics.

We continue working on transmutation and many of its basic

principles. There are forums and conventions where you can become an

alchemist (careful with scams)

As humans, we are still obsessed with the same concepts: youth, death, virtue, etc

Here’s the proof:

Want to become a real alchemist?

But just for fun…

Here’s how in 3 easy steps…

There are two types of Alchemy:

1) Practical which focuses on curing the ill (yes, like a mystical doctor)

2) Spiritual which focuses on the philosophy of the pseudoscience.

FIRST: Pick your poison.

SECOND: Learn this plus all the chemical knowledge you can get.

THIRD: Believe This! 1. Every thing in the universe contains its opposite, e.g., light and dark or love and hate.2. The essence of Everything is contained in every Thing, as the poet Blake described seeing “a world in a grain of sand.”3. You have the ability to choose what you wish to focus on.4. What you choose to focus on, in your mind, will expand.5. Once your level of internal focus reaches a critical mass, you will begin to look for and see evidence of it in your outer world.6. Knowing every thing contains the essence of everything, you will now be able to see that which you are looking for in that which you are looking at.

OR

…just become a chemist

REMEMBER:

Sources: (including images)

http://www.alchemylab.com/history_of_alchemy.htm

New York Times

http://www.levity.com/alchemy/

http://www.sacred-texts.com/alc/index.htm

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2002/crabb/history.htm

lhttp://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2002/tubb/history.htm

http://whewellsghost.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/newton-and-alchemy-a-constant-surprise/

crystalinks.com

Chemical Heritage Foundation