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