Alchemy - Revision history

Thlwynne: /* Alchemy in the SCA */

2011-05-06T18:00:21Z

Alchemy in the SCA

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:00, 7 May 2011
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	== Alchemy in the SCA ==		== Alchemy in the SCA ==
	Although not common, it is not unheard of for [[SCAdian]]s to practice alchemy, often as a demonstration activity at [[event]]s. Drawing from original alchemical texts, "alchemists" in the [[SCA]] attempt to recreate experiments and chemical processes. However, since many medieval alchemical substances were extremely toxic, a great deal of care should be taken in handling them.		Although not common, it is not unheard of for [[SCAdian]]s to practice alchemy, often as a demonstration activity at [[event]]s. Drawing from original alchemical texts, "alchemists" in the [[SCA]] attempt to recreate experiments and chemical processes. However, since many medieval alchemical substances were extremely toxic, a great deal of care should be taken in handling them.

			Alchemy can be a specific category in the Arts and Sciences, and it includes all chemical processes related to the time period. Some examples of chemical processes are: cooked and non-cooked non-culinary recipes (e.g., soap, candles, potpourri, perfume, etc.).

	This is not to be confused with actual practicioners of modern alchemy, who are often considered [[pagan\|Neo-Pagans]].		This is not to be confused with actual practicioners of modern alchemy, who are often considered [[pagan\|Neo-Pagans]].

Paul Matisz: added alchemy in the SCA section

2007-06-17T14:55:48Z

added alchemy in the SCA section

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:55, 18 June 2007
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	Around the same time, in the same area of Hellenized Egypt, thrived the Hermetic tradition which still remains vital and alive even today, having provided fertile ground for the [[Rosicrucian Order]], which in turn gave rise to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Although its roots reach back into the ancient, inner esoteric pantheism of the Egyptian religious polytheism, it was around the first couple centuries AD that the actual body of Hermetic writing arose, known as the ''Corpus Hermeticum'', authored by the mythical ''Hermes Trismegistus''. The Corpus Hermeticum, an extremely important body of writing for both the ancient and modern alchemist, was probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].		Around the same time, in the same area of Hellenized Egypt, thrived the Hermetic tradition which still remains vital and alive even today, having provided fertile ground for the [[Rosicrucian Order]], which in turn gave rise to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Although its roots reach back into the ancient, inner esoteric pantheism of the Egyptian religious polytheism, it was around the first couple centuries AD that the actual body of Hermetic writing arose, known as the ''Corpus Hermeticum'', authored by the mythical ''Hermes Trismegistus''. The Corpus Hermeticum, an extremely important body of writing for both the ancient and modern alchemist, was probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].


	== Basic Alchemical Principles ==		== Basic Alchemical Principles ==
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	Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).		Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).

	== ~~Links~~ ==		== Alchemy in the SCA ==
			Although not common, it is not unheard of for [[SCAdian]]s to practice alchemy, often as a demonstration activity at [[event]]s. Drawing from original alchemical texts, "alchemists" in the [[SCA]] attempt to recreate experiments and chemical processes. However, since many medieval alchemical substances were extremely toxic, a great deal of care should be taken in handling them.

			This is not to be confused with actual practicioners of modern alchemy, who are often considered [[pagan\|Neo-Pagans]].

			== Links ==
	; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.		; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.

Paul Matisz: added links, removed some of the more editorial and off-topic comments to conform to wiki style

2007-06-17T14:50:33Z

added links, removed some of the more editorial and off-topic comments to conform to wiki style

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Alchemy''', being a sacred science (a marriage of science and spirituality, flourishing at times when there is no seperation made between the two), is often misrepresented as a strictly medieval European phenomenon. Quite to the contrary, it has thrived across the globe, in many different countries, rooting itself in the histories of various cultures. Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic Empire all at one time or another were home to the furnaces and laboratories of devoted alchemists.
+'''Alchemy''', being a "[[sacred science]]" (a marriage of science and spirituality, flourishing at times when there was little seperation made between the two), is often misrepresented as a strictly [[medieval]] [[Europe]]an phenomenon.  However, alchemy is known in many different countries, rooting itself in the histories of various cultures; [[Egypt]], [[India]], [[China]], [[Greece]], [[Rome]], and the [[Islam|Islamic Empire]] all at one time or another were home to the furnaces and laboratories of devoted alchemists.
 The quest to turn lead into gold was also a spiritual one, as it represented the change of an impure substance into a pure substance - the equivalent of returning Man from his current state of sin to a state of Grace last known before the Fall.
@@ Line 35: / Line 22: @@
 Despite never discovering the Philosopher's Stone, alchemists did come up with a number of interesting reactions and the knowledge gathered eventually led to the foundations of modern [[chemistry]].
 Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).
@@ Line 40: / Line 28: @@
 ; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.
 [[category:sciences]]

User 144: categorising

2006-05-20T09:07:53Z

categorising

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 20 May 2006
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	; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.		; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.
			[[category:sciences]]

206.116.129.130 at 22:11, 28 April 2006

2006-04-28T22:11:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:11, 29 April 2006
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	'''Alchemy''', being a sacred science (a marriage of science and spirituality, flourishing at times when there is no seperation made between the two), is often misrepresented as a strictly medieval European phenomenon. Quite to the contrary, it has thrived across the globe, in many different countries, rooting itself in the histories of various cultures. Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic Empire all at one time or another were home to the furnaces and laboratories of devoted alchemists.		'''Alchemy''', being a sacred science (a marriage of science and spirituality, flourishing at times when there is no seperation made between the two), is often misrepresented as a strictly medieval European phenomenon. Quite to the contrary, it has thrived across the globe, in many different countries, rooting itself in the histories of various cultures. Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic Empire all at one time or another were home to the furnaces and laboratories of devoted alchemists.

	For the sake of brevity, however, this article will focus on alchemy as it is known in the West, during the medieval and Rennaisance periods of history.		For the sake of brevity, however, this article will focus on alchemy as it is known in the West, during the medieval and Rennaisance periods of history, which has its origins in the Graeco-Egyptian culture.


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	The oldest alchemical text known to date was written by the Gnostic Christian, Zosimus of Panopolis, sometime around 300 A.D. Despite his title, Zosimus lived in Alexandria, home to the famous Library of Alexandria (the burning of which was perhaps one of the greatest tragedies in history; many other alchemical treatises most probably were lost forevern in this same fire).		The oldest alchemical text known to date was written by the Gnostic Christian, Zosimus of Panopolis, sometime around 300 A.D. Despite his title, Zosimus lived in Alexandria, home to the famous Library of Alexandria (the burning of which was perhaps one of the greatest tragedies in history; many other alchemical treatises most probably were lost forevern in this same fire).

	This text, named "Isis the Prophetess to Her Son Horus" claims that the origins of alchemy come from the Nephilim, the Fallen Angels, who taught it to Isis in exchange for sexual intercourse. Not to be confused with any kind of demonic entities, the Nephilim were said to be great teachers and guides for the human race, helping us along with everything from war to cosmetics.		This text, named "Isis the Prophetess to Her Son Horus" claims that the origins of alchemy come from the Nephilim, the Fallen Angels, who taught it to Isis in exchange for sexual intercourse. Not to be confused with any kind of demonic entities, the Nephilim were said to be great teachers and guides for the human race, helping us along with everything from war to cosmetics. Although such a story may be deemed untrue, Zosimus is here telling us that he was not the first alchemist, as he also claims as his sources the writings of the Persians and the Jews.

	~~About~~ ~~one~~ ~~hundred~~ ~~years earler~~ in Hellenized Egypt ~~bloomed~~ the Hermetic tradition which still remains vital and alive even today, ~~providing~~ fertile ground for the Rosicrucian Order, which in turn gave rise to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. ~~The~~ ~~Corpus~~ ~~Hermeticum,~~ an ~~extremely~~ ~~important~~ ~~body~~ of ~~writing~~ ~~for~~ ~~both~~ the ~~ancient and~~ ~~modern~~ ~~alchemist~~, . ~~The~~ ~~Emerald Tablet,~~ the ~~"cornerstone~~ of ~~the~~ ~~Hermetic~~ ~~movement"~~ ~~was~~ ~~said~~ to be ~~first~~ ~~recieved~~ by ~~Adam~~ ~~from~~ an ~~angel~~ ~~before~~ the		Around the same time, in the same area of Hellenized Egypt, thrived the Hermetic tradition which still remains vital and alive even today, having provided fertile ground for the Rosicrucian Order, which in turn gave rise to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Although its roots reach back into the ancient, inner esoteric pantheism of the Egyptian religious polytheism, it was around the first couple centuries AD that the actual body of Hermetic writing arose, known as the Corpus Hermeticum, authored by the mythical Hermes Trismegistus.

			While one can certainly say that Western alchemy is not Hermeticism and Hermeticism is not alchemy, it would also be ignorant to say that the two have no relationship. Far from it, Hermeticism seems to have lain the spiritual and philosophical ground for the experiments of future alchemists. Both concern themselves with what is known as the Great Work, the spiritual transformation of mankind from our confused and degraded state to a return to grace and unity with the divine. Both affirm that the microcosm in the human being reflects and contains within it all that is in the macrocosm of the universe.



			The Corpus Hermeticum, an extremely important body of writing for both the ancient and modern alchemist, .

			The Emerald Tablet, the "cornerstone of the Hermetic movement" was
	probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].		probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].


			== The Four Elements and the Three Essentials ==


	It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...		It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...

Yevaul at 04:44, 28 April 2006

2006-04-28T04:44:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 28 April 2006
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			'''Alchemy''', being a sacred science (a marriage of science and spirituality, flourishing at times when there is no seperation made between the two), is often misrepresented as a strictly medieval European phenomenon. Quite to the contrary, it has thrived across the globe, in many different countries, rooting itself in the histories of various cultures. Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic Empire all at one time or another were home to the furnaces and laboratories of devoted alchemists.
⚫	~~'''Alchemy''' was a pseudoscience of [[medieval]] times,~~ probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].

			For the sake of brevity, however, this article will focus on alchemy as it is known in the West, during the medieval and Rennaisance periods of history.


			== History ==

			The oldest alchemical text known to date was written by the Gnostic Christian, Zosimus of Panopolis, sometime around 300 A.D. Despite his title, Zosimus lived in Alexandria, home to the famous Library of Alexandria (the burning of which was perhaps one of the greatest tragedies in history; many other alchemical treatises most probably were lost forevern in this same fire).

			This text, named "Isis the Prophetess to Her Son Horus" claims that the origins of alchemy come from the Nephilim, the Fallen Angels, who taught it to Isis in exchange for sexual intercourse. Not to be confused with any kind of demonic entities, the Nephilim were said to be great teachers and guides for the human race, helping us along with everything from war to cosmetics.

			About one hundred years earler in Hellenized Egypt bloomed the Hermetic tradition which still remains vital and alive even today, providing fertile ground for the Rosicrucian Order, which in turn gave rise to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The Corpus Hermeticum, an extremely important body of writing for both the ancient and modern alchemist, . The Emerald Tablet, the "cornerstone of the Hermetic movement" was said to be first recieved by Adam from an angel before the
		⚫	probably influenced by the [[Egypt]]ians and the [[Greek Philosophy]] of [[Democritus]].

	It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...		It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...

69.221.146.35 at 04:03, 9 January 2006

2006-01-09T04:03:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:03, 9 January 2006
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	The basic idea of the atom as the "smallest unit of divisibility" was also formed during this time - though this truly bears little relation to the present-day concept of the atom (which is merely named after the Democritian concept). Atoms were considered to be tiny, perfect spheres and made up of one of the four above-mentioned elements...considering the scientific state-of-the-art up to that point, not a bad theory, and one which lasted surprisingly long.		The basic idea of the atom as the "smallest unit of divisibility" was also formed during this time - though this truly bears little relation to the present-day concept of the atom (which is merely named after the Democritian concept). Atoms were considered to be tiny, perfect spheres and made up of one of the four above-mentioned elements...considering the scientific state-of-the-art up to that point, not a bad theory, and one which lasted surprisingly long.

	One of the concepts was that, because [[lead]] and [[gold]] (the perfect metal) were from the earth element, earth could therefore be turned into lead and gold using an "appropriate catalyst" known as the [[Philosophers stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. This was a magical substance which could turn water into [[wine]], heal the sick, and as mentioned, turn really boring lumps of metal into gold and [[silver]]. Most of it though was just processes like mixing [[copper]] with [[arsenic]] to give it a silver finish, or a philosophical trick by which the alchemist's [[apprentice]], through years of hard work and training, was turned from lead (i.e. an ignorant klutz) into gold (i.e. an alchemically educated klutz). :)		One of the concepts was that, because [[lead]] and [[gold]] (the perfect metal) were from the earth element, earth could therefore be turned into lead and gold using an "appropriate catalyst" known as the [[Philosophers stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. This was a magical substance which could turn water into [[wine]], heal the sick, and as mentioned, turn really boring lumps of metal into gold and [[silver]]. Most of it though was just processes like mixing [[copper]] with [[arsenic]] to give it a silver finish, or a philosophical trick by which the alchemist's [[apprentice]], through years of hard work and training, was turned from lead (i.e. an ignorant klutz) into gold (i.e. an alchemically educated klutz).

	The quest to turn lead into gold was also a spiritual one, as it represented the change of an impure substance into a pure substance - the equivalent of returning Man from his current state of sin to a state of Grace last known before the Fall.		The quest to turn lead into gold was also a spiritual one, as it represented the change of an impure substance into a pure substance - the equivalent of returning Man from his current state of sin to a state of Grace last known before the Fall.

Eadmund at 09:26, 3 December 2005

2005-12-03T09:26:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 3 December 2005
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	It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...		It is based on the idea that the world is composed of the four elements [[fire]], air, water and earth. These elements are considered to be contained in all things, the most common example being wood which "obviously" contained earth (which was why it was hard) and water (sap when squeezed out) and air (smoke when lit) and fire (you could light it). It was a nice little theory...

	The basic idea of the atom as the "smallest unit of divisibility" was also formed during this time - though this truly bears little relation to the present-day concept of the atom (which is merely named after the Democritian concept). Atoms were considered to be tiny, perfect spheres and made up of one of the four above-mentioned elements... ~~like~~ I ~~said,~~ a ~~nice~~ ~~little~~ ~~theory~~ ~~and~~ a ~~lot~~ ~~more~~ ~~advanced~~ ~~than~~ ~~the infinite-turtles style of science that~~ ~~was~~ ~~around~~ ~~previously~~.		The basic idea of the atom as the "smallest unit of divisibility" was also formed during this time - though this truly bears little relation to the present-day concept of the atom (which is merely named after the Democritian concept). Atoms were considered to be tiny, perfect spheres and made up of one of the four above-mentioned elements...considering the scientific state-of-the-art up to that point, not a bad theory, and one which lasted surprisingly long.

	One of the concepts was that, because [[lead]] and [[gold]] (the perfect metal) were from the earth element, earth could therefore be turned into lead and gold using an "appropriate catalyst" known as the [[Philosophers stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. This was a magical substance which could turn water into [[wine]], heal the sick, and as mentioned, turn really boring lumps of metal into gold and [[silver]]. Most of it though was just processes like mixing [[copper]] with [[arsenic]] to give it a silver finish, or a philosophical trick by which the alchemist's [[apprentice]], through years of hard work and training, was turned from lead (i.e. an ignorant klutz) into gold (i.e. an alchemically educated klutz). :)		One of the concepts was that, because [[lead]] and [[gold]] (the perfect metal) were from the earth element, earth could therefore be turned into lead and gold using an "appropriate catalyst" known as the [[Philosophers stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. This was a magical substance which could turn water into [[wine]], heal the sick, and as mentioned, turn really boring lumps of metal into gold and [[silver]]. Most of it though was just processes like mixing [[copper]] with [[arsenic]] to give it a silver finish, or a philosophical trick by which the alchemist's [[apprentice]], through years of hard work and training, was turned from lead (i.e. an ignorant klutz) into gold (i.e. an alchemically educated klutz). :)
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	Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).		Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).

			== Links ==

			; [http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ The Alchemy Website] (mirrored at [http://www.levity.com/alchemy www.levity.com/alchemy]) : A site for modern alchemists; do not expect that modern alchemy is necessarily related to period alchemy.

Tobin at 03:53, 9 October 2005

2005-10-09T03:53:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:53, 9 October 2005
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	Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).		Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).









	<div id="wikitikitavi" style="overflow:auto; height: 1px; ">
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	[[http://WTHP3.coolhost.biz \| WTHPD3]]
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24.14.74.111 at 20:49, 8 October 2005

2005-10-08T20:49:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:49, 9 October 2005
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	Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).		Alchemy also gave rise to concept of the [[panacea]], the "[[medicine]]" to cure all illnesses - also never found, but a search for it led to an interesting number of ways to [[poison]] oneself (mercury, silver and lead poisoning being numbered under the chief ways that alchemists died).