Sierra Acai Company
Sierra Acai Company
Open 7 Days a Week
MonaVie Independent Distributor
Distributor Training
Shop Online
Enroll Now
Buy Wholesale and maintain an Active status for 2 months and we will refund your $39 Distributor Fee
Friends
Buy Wholesale and maintain an Active status for 2 months and we will refund your $39 Distributor Fee
16-September-2008 16:15:17 - Alchemy For other uses, see Alchemy disambiguation. Part of a series of articles on Hermetism Hermes Trismegistus Hermetic Religion Hermetism · Hermeticism Mythology Hermes Trismegistus · Thoth · Poimandres Hermetica Corpus Hermeticum · Kybalion Three Parts of the Wisdom of the Whole Universe Alchemy · Astrology · Theurgy Influence and Influences Hermetic Movements Rosicrucianism · Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn Topics in Hermetism Qabalah Hermetists and Hermeticists Aleister Crowley · Israel Regardie ThÄ?bit ibn Qurra · Paracelsus Giordano Bruno · Manly P. Hall Hermetism Portal In the history of science, alchemy from the Arabic الخيمياء al-khÄ«miyÄ?' 1 refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art all as parts of one greater force. Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, Japan, Korea and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations, and then in Europe up to the 19th century-in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years. Contents 1 Alchemy as a philosophical and spiritual discipline 1.1 Psychology 1.2 Magnum opus 2 Alchemy as a subject of historical research 2.1 History 2.2 Etymology 3 Modern alchemy 3.1 Alchemy in traditional medicine 3.2 Nuclear transmutation 3.3 In popular culture 3.4 In Contemporary Art 4 See also 4.1 Other alchemical pages 4.2 Alchemy and psychoanalysis 4.3 Other resources 4.4 Related and alternative philosophies 4.5 Substances of the alchemists 4.6 Scientific connections 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links Alchemy as a philosophical and spiritual discipline Renel the Alchemist, by Sir William Douglas, 1853 Renel the Alchemist, by Sir William Douglas, 1853 Alchemy was known as the spagyric art after Greek words meaning to separate and to join together. Compare this with the primary dictum of Alchemy in Latin: SOLVE ET COAGULA - Separate, and Join Together. The best-known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold called chrysopoeia or silver less well known is plant alchemy, or spagyric; the creation of a panacea , or the elixir of life, a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely; and the discovery of a universal solvent.2 Although these were not the only uses for the science, they were the ones most documented and well known. Starting with the Middle Ages, European alchemists invested much effort on the search for the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or both of those goals. The philosopher's stone was believed to mystically amplify the user's knowledge of alchemy so much that anything was attainable. Alchemists enjoyed prestige and support through the centuries, though not for their pursuit of those goals, nor the mystic and philosophical speculation that dominates their literature. Rather it came from their mundane contributions to the chemical industries of the day-ore testing and refining, metalworking, production of gunpowder, ink, dyes, paints, cosmetics, leather tanning, ceramics, glass manufacture, preparation of extracts, liquors, and so on it seems that the preparation of aqua vitae, the water of life, was a fairly popular experiment among European alchemists. Starting with the Middle Ages, some alchemists increasingly came to view metaphysical aspects as the true foundation of alchemy; and organic and inorganic chemical substances, physical states, and molecular material processes as mere metaphors for spiritual entities, spiritual states and ultimately, spiritual transformations. In this sense, the literal meanings of 'Alchemical Formulas' were a blind, hiding their true spiritual philosophy, which being at odds with the Medieval Christian Church was a necessity that could have otherwise lead them to the stake and rack of the Inquisition under charges of heresy.3 Thus, both the transmutation of common metals into gold and the universal panacea symbolized evolution from an imperfect, diseased, corruptible and ephemeral state towards a perfect, healthy, incorruptible and everlasting state; and the philosopher's stone then represented some mystic key that would make this evolution possible. Applied to the alchemist himself, the twin goal symbolized his evolution from ignorance to enlightenment, and the stone represented some hidden spiritual truth or power that would lead to that goal. In texts that are written according to this view, the cryptic alchemical symbols, diagrams, and textual imagery of late alchemical works typically contain multiple layers of meanings, allegories, and references to other equally cryptic works; and must be laboriously decoded in order to discover their true meaning. In his Alchemical Catechism, Paracelsus clearly denotes that his usage of the metals was a symbol: Q. When the Philosophers speak of gold and silver, from which they extract their matter, are we to suppose that they refer to the vulgar gold and silver? A. By no means; vulgar silver and gold are dead, while those of the Philosophers are full of life.4 Psychology Alchemical symbolism has been occasionally used by psychologists and philosophers. Carl Jung reexamined alchemical symbolism and theory and began to show the inner meaning of alchemical work as a spiritual path. Alchemical philosophy, symbols and methods have enjoyed something of a renaissance in post-modern contexts.citation needed Jung saw alchemy as a Western proto-psychology dedicated to the achievement of individuation. In his interpretation, alchemy was the vessel by which Gnosticism survived its various purges into the Renaissance. In this sense, Jung viewed alchemy as comparable to a Yoga of the East. The act of Alchemy seemed to improve the mind and spirit of the Alchemist. His interpretation of Chinese alchemical texts in terms of his analytical psychology also served as the same function.citation needed Magnum opus Main article: Magnum opus The Great Work; mystic interpretation of its three stages:5 nigredo-putrefactio, blackening-putrefaction: individuation, purification, burnout of impureness; see also Suns in alchemy - Sol Niger albedo, whitening: spiritualisation, enlightenment rubedo, reddening: unification of man with god, unification of the limited with the unlimited. Within the Magnum Opus, was the creation of the Sanctum Moleculae, that is the 'Sacred Masses' that were derived from the Sacrum Particulae, that is the 'Sacred Particles', needed to complete the process of achieving the Magnum Opus. Alchemy as a subject of historical research The history of alchemy has become a vigorous academic field. As the obscure hermetic language of the alchemists is gradually being deciphered, historians are becoming more aware of the intellectual connections between that discipline and other facets of Western cultural history, such as the sociology and psychology of the intellectual communities, kabbalism, spiritualism, Rosicrucianism, and other mystic movements, cryptography, witchcraft, and the evolution of science and philosophy. History Main article: Alchemy in history The origins of Western Alchemy are traceable back to ancient Egypt.6 Alchemy was thought of by philosophers in ancient Greece, theorizing that there were only four elements rather than that of today's 112; Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. To prove their point, they burned a log: The log was the earth, the flames burning it was fire, the smoke being released was air, and the smoldering soot at the bottom was bubbling water. Because of this, the belief that these four elements were at the heart of everything soon spread, only later being replaced by Roman scientific advances, and later on past the Dark Ages. Extract and symbol key from a 17th century book on alchemy. The symbols used have a one-to-one correspondence with symbols used in astrology at the time. Extract and symbol key from a 17th century book on alchemy. The symbols used have a one-to-one correspondence with symbols used in astrology at the time. Alchemy encompasses several philosophical traditions spanning some four millennia and three continents. These traditions' general penchant for cryptic and symbolic language makes it hard to trace their mutual influences and genetic relationships. Alchemy starts becoming much clearer in the 8th century with the works of the Islamic alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan known as Geber in Europe, who introduced a methodical and experimental approach to scientific research based in the laboratory, in contrast to the ancient Greek and Egyptian alchemists whose works were often allegorical and unintelligble.7 Other famous alchemists include Wei Boyang in Chinese alchemy; Calid and Rhazes in Islamic alchemy; Nagarjuna in Indian alchemy; and Albertus Magnus and pseudo-Geber in European alchemy; as well as the anonymous author of the Mutus Liber, published in France in the late 17th century, and which was a 'wordless book' that claimed to be a guide to making the philosopher's stone, using a series of 15 symbols and illustrations. The philosopher's stone was an object that was thought to be able to amplify ones power in alchemy, and, if possible, grant the user ageless immortality, unless he fell victim to burnings or drowning; the common belief was that fire and water were the two greater elements that were implemented into the creation of the stone. There is, however, one main difference between Chinese and European alchemists. The European alchemists tried to transmute lead into gold, and, no matter how futile or toxic the element, would continue trying until it was royally outlawed later into the century. The Chinese, however, paid no heed to the philosopher's stone or transmutation of lead to gold; they focused more on medicine for the greater good. During Enlightenment, these elixirs were a strong cure for sicknesses, unless it was a test medicine. Most tests were generally fatal, but stabilized elixirs served great purposes. The Islamic alchemists were often interested in alchemy for various reasons, whether it was for the transmutation of metals or artificial creation of life, or for practical uses such as Islamic medicine or engineering. A tentative outline is as follows: Egyptian alchemy 5000 BCE - 400 BCE, beginning of alchemy Indian alchemy 1200 BCE - Present8, related to metallurgy; Nagarjuna was an important alchemist Greek alchemy 332 BCE - 642 CE, studied at the Library of Alexandria Chinese alchemy 142 CE, Wei Boyang writes The Kinship of the Three Islamic alchemy 700 - 1400, Geber a very important chemist introduces experimental method and theories on philosopher's stone and creation of life Islamic chemistry 800 - Present, Alkindus and Avicenna refute alchemy and Tusi discovers conservation of mass European alchemy 1300 - Present, Saint Albertus Magnus builds on Arabic alchemy European chemistry 1661 - Present, Boyle writes The Sceptical Chymist, Lavoisier writes Elements of Chemistry, and Dalton publishes his Atomic Theory Etymology Alchemy, generally, derives from the old French alkemie; and the Arabic al-kimia: the art of transformation. Some scholars believe the Arabs borrowed the word kimia from the Greeks. Others, such as Mahdihassan,9 argue that its origins are Chinese. Thus, an alchemist was called a 'chemist' in popular speech, and later the suffix -ry was added to this to describe the art of the chemist as chemistry. A connection has been made between alchemy and Egypt. One source in particular gives further background into the probable founding of the name itself in the following passage: ...The concept is a very ancient one, which seems to answer to deep human motivations. It came to Medieval Europe by way of Egypt. When they invaded Egypt, which they called Khem, in the seventh century, the followers of the moon god discovered that the Egyptians were masters of the art of working in gold. They called gold-working al-kimiya - 'the art of the land of Khem' - and so, according to one account, the word 'alchemy' was born.10 Modern alchemy Islamic alchemy was a forerunner of modern scientific chemistry. Alchemists used many of the same laboratory tools that are used today. These tools were not usually sturdy or in good condition, especially during the medieval period of Europe. Many transmutation attempts failed when alchemists unwittingly made unstable chemicals. This was made worse by the unsafe conditions. Up to the 16th century, alchemy was considered serious science in Europe; for instance, Isaac Newton devoted considerably more of his time and writing to the study of alchemy see Isaac Newton's occult studies than he did to either optics or physics, for which he is famous. Other eminent alchemists of the Western world are Roger Bacon, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Tycho Brahe, Thomas Browne, and Parmigianino. The decline of alchemy began in the 18th century with the birth of modern chemistry, which provided a more precise and reliable framework for matter transmutations and medicine, within a new grand design of the universe based on rational materialism. In the first half of the nineteenth century, one established chemist, Baron Carl Reichenbach, worked on concepts similar to the old alchemy, such as the Odic force, but his research did not enter the mainstream of scientific discussion. Matter transmutation, the old goal of alchemy, enjoyed a moment in the sun in the 20th century when physicists were able to convert platinum atoms into gold atoms via a nuclear reaction. However, the new gold atoms, being unstable isotopes, lasted for under five seconds before they broke apart. More recently, reports of table-top element transmutation-by means of electrolysis or sonic cavitation-were the pivot of the cold fusion controversy of 1989. None of those claims have yet been reliably duplicated. Alchemy in traditional medicine Traditional medicines involve transmutation by alchemy, using pharmacological or combination pharmacological and spiritual techniques. In Chinese medicine the alchemical traditions of pao zhi will transform the nature of the temperature, taste, body part accessed or toxicity. In Ayurveda the samskaras are used to transform heavy metals and toxic herbs in a way that removes their toxicity. In the spagyric processing of herbal medicine similar effects are found.11 These processes are actively used to the present day.121314 Nuclear transmutation In 1919, Ernest Rutherford used artificial disintegration to convert nitrogen into oxygen.15 From then on, this sort of scientific transmutation is routinely performed in many nuclear physics-related laboratories and facilities, like particle accelerators, nuclear power stations and nuclear weapons as a by-product of fission and other physical processes. see also: Glenn T. Seaborg In popular culture The subject of alchemy is extensively used in many cartoons and comic books, often in the form of superpowers. In some Japanese anime and manga, most notably Fullmetal Alchemist, alchemy and transmutation are treated as sciences, mixed with magic but fully understandable and utilizable with proper knowledge. Fullmetal Alchemist also refers to equivalency or equivalent exchange for alchemy to work; i.e to create, something of equal value must be lost, thus making something into something related or new. In Buso Renkin, alchemy is used primarily as a means for superpowers. In Contemporary Art In the twentieth century alchemy was a profoundly important source of inspiration for the Surrealist artist Max Ernst, who used the symbolism of alchemy to inform and guide his work. M.E. Warlick wrote his Max Ernst and Alchemy describing this relationship in detail. Contemporary artists use alchemy as inspiring subject matter, like Odd Nerdrum, whose interest has been noted by Richard Vine, and the painter Michael Pearce 16, whose interest in alchemy dominates his work. His works Fama 17 and The Aviator's Dream 18 particularly express alchemical ideas in a painted allegory. Scotsman Adam McLean has made the study and revitalization of alchemy his life, reproducing seminal texts in hand bound leather covered ions and making fine quality copies of important alchemical imagery. See also Other alchemical pages Alchemical symbol Alchemy in art and entertainment Alembic Alkahest Astrology and alchemy Berith Jakob Boehme Circle with a point at its centre Duality Elixir of life Emerald Tablet Robert Fludd Four Humors Gold water Hermeticism Homunculus Ethan Allen Hitchcock Michael Maier Musaeum Hermeticum Paracelsus Philosopher's stone Quintessence Herbert Silberer Vulcan of the alchemists Fullmetal Alchemist Monas Hieroglyphica Alchemy and psychoanalysis Carl Jung Analytical psychology Other resources List of alchemists List of magical terms and traditions List of occultists Related and alternative philosophies Western mystery tradition Internal alchemy Astrology Necromancy, magic, magick Esotericism, Rosicrucianism, Illuminati Taoism and the Five Elements Xiuzhen Jing Qi Shen Asemic Writing Kayaku-Jutsu Acupuncture, moxibustion, ayurveda, homeopathy Anthroposophy Psychology and Carl Jung New Age Tay al-Ard Substances of the alchemists lead tin iron copper mercury silver gold phosphorus sulfur arsenic antimony vitriol cinnabar pyrites orpiment galena magnesia lime potash natron saltpetre kohl ammonia ammonium chloride alcohol camphor Acids: sulfuric muriatic nitric acetic formic citric tartaric aqua regia gunpowder carmot Scientific connections Chemistry Physics Nuclear transmutation Scientific method Protoscience, Pseudoscience, and Anti-science Obsolete scientific theories Historicism Notes ^ Online Etymology Dictionary ^ Alchemy at Dictionary.com ^ Blavatsky, H.P. 1888. The Secret Doctrine. Theosophical Publishing Company, vol ii, 238. ISBN 978-1557000026. ^ Paracelsus. Alchemical Catechism. Retrieved on 2007-04-18. ^ Meyrink und das theomorphische Menschenbild ^ Neumann, Erich. The origins and history of consciousness, with a foreword by C.G. Jung. Translated from the German by R.F.C. Hull. New York : Pantheon Books, 1954. Confer p.255, footnote 76: Since Alchemy actually originated in Egypt, it is not improbable that esoteric interpretations of the Osiris myth are among the foundations of the art ... ^ Kraus, Paul, Jâbir ibn Hayyân, Contribution à l'histoire des idées scientifiques dans l'Islam. I. Le corpus des écrits jâbiriens. II. Jâbir et la science grecque,. Cairo 1942-1943. Repr. By Fuat Sezgin, Natural Sciences in Islam. 67-68, Frankfurt. 2002: To form an idea of the historical place of Jabir's alchemy and to tackle the problem of its sources, it is advisable to compare it with what remains to us of the alchemical literature in the Greek language. One knows in which miserable state this literature reached us. Collected by Byzantine scientists from the tenth century, the corpus of the Greek alchemists is a cluster of incoherent fragments, going back to all the times since the third century until the end of the Middle Ages. The efforts of Berthelot and Ruelle to put a little order in this mass of literature led only to poor results, and the later researchers, among them in particular Mrs. Hammer-Jensen, Tannery, Lagercrantz , von Lippmann, Reitzenstein, Ruska, Bidez, Festugiere and others, could make clear only few points of detail... The study of the Greek alchemists is not very encouraging. An even surface examination of the Greek texts shows that a very small part only was organized according to true experiments of laboratory: even the supposedly technical writings, in the state where we find them today, are unintelligible nonsense which refuses any interpretation. It is different with Jabir's alchemy. The relatively clear description of the processes and the alchemical apparatuses, the methodical classification of the substances, mark an experimental spirit which is extremely far away from the weird and odd esotericism of the Greek texts. The theory on which Jabir supports his operations is one of clearness and of an impressive unity. More than with the other Arab authors, one notes with him a balance between theoretical teaching and practical teaching, between the `ilm and the `amal. In vain one would seek in the Greek texts a work as systematic as that which is presented for example in the Book of Seventy. cf. Ahmad Y Hassan. A Critical Reassessment of the Geber Problem: Part Three. Retrieved on 2008-08-09. ^ The oldest Indian writings, the Vedas Hindu sacred scriptures, contain the same hints of alchemy - Multhauf, Robert P. Gilbert, Robert Andrew 2008. Alchemy. Encyclopædia Britannica 2008. ^ Mahdihassan S. Alchemy, Chinese versus Greek, an etymological approach: a rejoinder ^ Mysteries of Mind, Space Time - The Unexplained, Volume 1; Published by H.S. Stuttman, Inc. © Orbis Publishing Limited 1992, Westport, Connecticut. ^ Tillotson, Alan; AHG, D.Ay., PhD Safety and Regulation ^ Tierra, Michael; AHG, OMD, L.Ac. Processing Chinese Herbs ^ Benefits of Herbal Extracts; herbalist-alchemist.com ^ Junius, Manfred M; The Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy: An Herbalist's Guide to Preparing Medicinal Essences, Tinctures, and Elixirs; Healing Arts Press 1985 ^ School Publications. Reviewing Physics: The Physical Setting in English. Amsco School Publications. The first artificial transmutation of one element to another was performed by Rutherford in 1919. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen with energetic alpha particles that were moving fast enough to overcome the electric repulsion between themselves and the target nuclei. The alpha particles collided with, and were absorbed by, the nitrogen nuclei, and protons were ejected. In the process oxygen and hydrogen nuclei were created. ^ Cal Lutheran | Department of Art - Faculty ^ The Gilded Raven Blog + » fama ^ The Gilded Raven Blog + » Storm / The Aviator's Dream References Cavendish, Richard, The Black Arts, Perigee Books Gettgins, Fred 1986. Encyclopedia of the Occult. London: Rider. Greenberg, Adele Droblas 2000. Chemical History Tour, Picturing Chemistry from Alchemy to Modern Molecular Science. Wiley-Interscience. ISBN 0-471-35408-2. Hart-Davis, Adam 2003. Why does a ball bounce? 101 Questions that you never thought of asking. New York: Firefly Books. Marius 1976. On the Elements. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-02856-2. Trans. Richard Dales. Thorndike, Lynn 1923-1958. A History of Magic and Experimental Science 8 volumes, New York: Macmillan. Weaver, Jefferson Hane 1987. The World of Physics. New York: Simon Schuster. Zumdahl, Steven S. 1989. Chemistry, 2nd ed., Lexington, Maryland: D.C. Heath and Company. ISBN 0-669-16708-8. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alchemy The Alchemy website - Alchemy from a metaphysical perspective. The al-kemi.org website - Alchemy from a spiritual/philosophical perspective. Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry Alchemy images Dictionary of the History of Ideas: Alchemy Antiquity, Vol. 77 2003 - A 16th century lab in a 21st century lab. The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry, Muir, M. M. Pattison 1913 Transforming the Alchemists, New York Times, August 1, 2006. Historical revisionism and alchemy. Electronic library with some 420 alchemical books 15th- and 20th century and 50 original manuscripts. Retrieved from http://en..org/wiki/Alchemy Categories: Alchemy | Arabic words and phrases | Defunct occupations | HermeticismHidden categories: All articles with statements | Articles with statements since May 2008 Views Article Discussion this page History Personal tools Log in / create account Navigation Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Search Go Search Interaction Community portal Recent changes Contact Donate to Help Toolbox What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent link Cite this page Languages Afrikaans العربية Bosanski БългарÑ?ки Català Česky Corsu Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Ù?ارسی Français Gaeilge Galego í•œêµì–´ Õ€Õ¡ÕµÕ¥Ö€Õ¥Õ¶ Hrvatski Ido Bahasa Indonesia Ã?slenska Italiano עברית Latina LatvieÅ¡u Lietuvių Magyar МакедонÑ?ки മലയാളം मराठी Bahasa Melayu Nederlands ‪Norsk bokmÃ¥l‬ ‪Norsk nynorsk‬ Polski Português Română РуÑ?Ñ?кий Shqip Simple English SlovenÄ?ina SlovenÅ¡Ä?ina СрпÑ?ки / Srpski Srpskohrvatski / СрпÑ?кохрватÑ?ки Basa Sunda Suomi Svenska Tagalog ไทย Tiếng Việt Türkçe УкраїнÑ?ька 粵語 ä¸æ–‡ This page was last modified on 16 August 2008, at 16:52
39 Reasons to Drink Acai Juice Every Day
What is MonaVie - Watch the 8-minute video
Discovering MonaVie Video
The Power of You Video
Effects of MonaVie Active on Antioxidant Capacity in Humans
Log into your Wholesale MonaVie Account
So many of us do not eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, have too much stress, or are impacted with toxins and pollutants. Drinking 2 ounces of MonaVie twice a day will help your body detoxify as well as build your immune system. Its the smartest thing you can do for yourself, so start today. Buying MonaVie through our company guarantees you support 7 days a week and, if you would like to share MonaVie with your family and friends we will guide you from start to finish.
1. Click on Enroll Now (30 - 55% off retail price)
2. Pay $39 for your Wholesale ID number.
3. NO minimum order required.
4. MonaVie is delivered to your door in 3 to 5 days.