| Main Information on Alchemy |
Alchemy is one of the three pillars of hermetic science, along with magic and astrology. It is seen as an olden protoscientific and philosophical discipline combining the elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, botany, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art. Alchemy has been practiced in many ancient lands, and still continues to be taught and practiced today.
In the 19th century, as mainstream alchemy evolved into modern chemistry, its mystic and Hermetic aspects became the focus of a modern spiritual alchemy, where material manipulations are viewed as mere symbols of spiritual transformations.
The process used in preparation of alchemical substances are symbolic of the inner purification of the worker. The search for the elusive Philosopher's Stone, which is said to both transmute base metals into gold and to be the Elixar of Immortality, signifies the alchemist's goal of achieving union with the divine. A great alchemical maxin is "solve et coagula," meaning "dissolve the body and coagulate the spirit." The alchemist liberates the secret fire contained within all physical materials, thereby purifying and spiritualizing them.
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| Meaning of the word Alchemy |
The word alchemy comes from the Arabic al-kīmiya or al-khīmiya, with the Greek word chumeia meaning "cast together", "pour together", "weld", "allow", etc. etc. etc.
Some believe that al-kīmiya means "The Egyptian Science" borrowing the Coptic word for "Egypt", keme. The ancient Egyptian word referred to both the country and the colour black. Thus explaining the nickname "Egyptian black arts".
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| Wannabes and RPGers |
Sadly, the increase of wannabe and RPG alchemists continues to rise. For example, recent uproar has been caused by the bringing of the hit Japanimation "FulllMetal Alchemist" to American television. Many of these "FMAlchemists" believe alchemy is how it is portrayed in the show/comic, which has some truth in it but is overrode with pure animated fiction.
Alchemy is one of the three pillars of hermetic science, along with magic and astrology. It is seen as an olden protoscientific and philosophical discipline combining the elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, botany, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art. Alchemy has been practiced in many ancient lands, and still continues to be taught and practiced today.
In the 19th century, as mainstream alchemy evolved into modern chemistry, its mystic and Hermetic aspects became the focus of a modern spiritual alchemy, where material manipulations are viewed as mere symbols of spiritual transformations.
The process used in preparation of alchemical substances are symbolic of the inner purification of the worker. The search for the elusive Philosopher's Stone, which is said to both transmute base metals into gold and to be the Elixar of Immortality, signifies the alchemist's goal of achieving union with the divine. A great alchemical maxin is "solve et coagula," meaning "dissolve the body and coagulate the spirit." The alchemist liberates the secret fire contained within all physical materials, thereby purifying and spiritualizing them.
----------
| Meaning of the word Alchemy |
The word alchemy comes from the Arabic al-kīmiya or al-khīmiya, with the Greek word chumeia meaning "cast together", "pour together", "weld", "allow", etc. etc. etc.
Some believe that al-kīmiya means "The Egyptian Science" borrowing the Coptic word for "Egypt", keme. The ancient Egyptian word referred to both the country and the colour black. Thus explaining the nickname "Egyptian black arts".
----------
| Wannabes and RPGers |
Sadly, the increase of wannabe and RPG alchemists continues to rise. For example, recent uproar has been caused by the bringing of the hit Japanimation "FulllMetal Alchemist" to American television. Many of these "FMAlchemists" believe alchemy is how it is portrayed in the show/comic, which has some truth in it but is overrode with pure animated fiction.
