I am starting to study some of the history and bases of alchemy to better understand it so I can conduct experiments with it later on. For the past year I've been interested in alchemy ever since I read a book where the main character studied alchemy and alchemical symbols. Since we're able to do independent projects and since alchemy is what helped start chemistry, I thought now would be a great time to start delving more into it.
Since I have a lot to understand about alchemy before I start with experiments, I started to take notes today. I found that alchemy was believed to have started in ancient China by a man named Hermes Trismegitus, who also created the Emerald Tablet. His Emerald Tablet, also known as the Smaragdine Table, has been known as the primary document of alchemy. The Emerald Tablet supposedly holds the secret to the prima materia, the starting material for the Magnum Opus. It has also been told that the Smaragdine Table has been associated with many things, including the creation of the Philosopher's Stone and phase transition. I also found out that the Magnum Opus is the alchemical term for the Philosopher's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone is the well known substance that's capable of turning base metals into gold.
There are many tales of alchemists who have lived longer, mainly by using this substance. As alchemy progressed, many people started believing alchemy to be the work of magicians or people in communication with devils. Parliament in England passed a and act that forbid anyone to practice alchemy, otherwise they would be punished by death.
Alchemists believe that there are four main elements, fire, air, water, and earth. Each element had a corresponding symbol since many alchemists used cryptic symbols. Fire was an upwards triangle, while air was an upward triangle with a horizontal through it near the tip. Water was an upside down triangle, while earth was an upside down triangle with a horizontal line through the triangle near the tip.
In alchemy, there is the Prima Materia. There are three things included in this, mercury, sulfur, and salt. Mercury represented the transformative agent. Sulfur represented the binding of and agent. Salt represents the solidifying agent. These materials also represented parts of a person. Mercury represents the spirit, like the imagination or moral. Sulfur is the soul, like emotions or desire. Lastly, Salt represents the body of the person.
In alchemy there are seven planetary metals, each with various symbols. First, there's gold, which is also known as Sol. Then there's silver which is Luna. Iron is mars and mercury represents Mercury. Tin is the planet Jupiter, while Copper is Venus. Lastly, Lead represents the planet Saturn. I still need to research the meanings of each planet and metal because many of them have meanings.
Lastly, the Magnum Opus was rumored to have started out with four steps, nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, and rubedo. As the years went on it became 12 steps to make the substance. During my research, I found that there are many different versions on these 12 steps. For example, there's steps that are represented by the Zodiac sign, but then there's the 12 steps that Mutus Liber created.
So far, my research has been really interesting. All of the information has been captivating to me. I'm excited to research more about this and hopefully try some of the experiments. I still have a lot to research and learn though because some of the stuff I've seen has confused me, like the different versions of the 12 steps to creating the Magnum Oprus.
Since I have a lot to understand about alchemy before I start with experiments, I started to take notes today. I found that alchemy was believed to have started in ancient China by a man named Hermes Trismegitus, who also created the Emerald Tablet. His Emerald Tablet, also known as the Smaragdine Table, has been known as the primary document of alchemy. The Emerald Tablet supposedly holds the secret to the prima materia, the starting material for the Magnum Opus. It has also been told that the Smaragdine Table has been associated with many things, including the creation of the Philosopher's Stone and phase transition. I also found out that the Magnum Opus is the alchemical term for the Philosopher's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone is the well known substance that's capable of turning base metals into gold.
There are many tales of alchemists who have lived longer, mainly by using this substance. As alchemy progressed, many people started believing alchemy to be the work of magicians or people in communication with devils. Parliament in England passed a and act that forbid anyone to practice alchemy, otherwise they would be punished by death.
Alchemists believe that there are four main elements, fire, air, water, and earth. Each element had a corresponding symbol since many alchemists used cryptic symbols. Fire was an upwards triangle, while air was an upward triangle with a horizontal through it near the tip. Water was an upside down triangle, while earth was an upside down triangle with a horizontal line through the triangle near the tip.
In alchemy, there is the Prima Materia. There are three things included in this, mercury, sulfur, and salt. Mercury represented the transformative agent. Sulfur represented the binding of and agent. Salt represents the solidifying agent. These materials also represented parts of a person. Mercury represents the spirit, like the imagination or moral. Sulfur is the soul, like emotions or desire. Lastly, Salt represents the body of the person.
In alchemy there are seven planetary metals, each with various symbols. First, there's gold, which is also known as Sol. Then there's silver which is Luna. Iron is mars and mercury represents Mercury. Tin is the planet Jupiter, while Copper is Venus. Lastly, Lead represents the planet Saturn. I still need to research the meanings of each planet and metal because many of them have meanings.
Lastly, the Magnum Opus was rumored to have started out with four steps, nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, and rubedo. As the years went on it became 12 steps to make the substance. During my research, I found that there are many different versions on these 12 steps. For example, there's steps that are represented by the Zodiac sign, but then there's the 12 steps that Mutus Liber created.
So far, my research has been really interesting. All of the information has been captivating to me. I'm excited to research more about this and hopefully try some of the experiments. I still have a lot to research and learn though because some of the stuff I've seen has confused me, like the different versions of the 12 steps to creating the Magnum Oprus.