Alchemy

This unique and peculiar notion does not have anything in common with magic, it represents the ancient science of transformations. It was indeed a huge step forward. The most famous written document celebrating alchemy is “Emerald Table” by Hemes Trismrgistus.  Another text which puts this subject closer focuses on two phrases so profound that it led to the fundamental change in thinking – people wanted to know according to what is referred  “as above, so below”. The alchemy was acknowledged by extraordinary people such as Robert Boyle - the father of chemistry or Isaac Newton, who, wrote more about alchemy itself than about his field of study - physics. To understand alchemy we have to focus on language which is not an easy one; it is a language of encryption, codes, symbols – by no means, secretive. The most intriguing question is: What was the purpose of alchemy? For some it was an attempt to turn base metal into gold. Furthermore what alchemists found, all the way long, has changed the perception of science and its particles forever. The Emerald Table is very significant, namely, it is the first ancient text translated into Latin. There is no coincidence, it appeared in the XII century, the time the alchemy revolutionized Europe. It appears in Aristotle’s texts, who showed and wrote about people’s needs and interests. Aristotle’s text contains famous words “as above, so below”. These words described the notion of magical philosophy and alchemy altogether. First we have to answer … why … was it so relevant? Because while reading Emerald Table accordingly to the notion “as above” and “so below” we would be able to understand the influence of the heavens and planets which were described in Ptolemaic cosmos. The influence of seven metals, which I give examples of two, such as – Sun represents gold, whereas, Saturn represents lead. Metals are the matter below of all other substances. There is also an unquestionable relation of what is “up” and what is “down” with a biblical reference, however, the sole text is not based on the bible  - it is much more dynamic and filled with symbols.  Try to imagine people at that time, the tight community bound by the biblical lines, suddenly, their perception is gradually changed by the new, revolutionary text, which still indicates some biblical connection. The Book of Genesis refers to “the light” which in Emerald Table stands for “as above”. The Christian tradition is not given up, alike, the Islamic one. Texts from Alexandria were brought to Europe and translated into Latin. Alchemy is mostly associated with magic, turning everything into gold, love potions and so on… . It is true that the discussion about transmutation and turning one substance into the other one is present in Aristotle’s works. It was later followed by British philosopher Roger Bacon, who picks up the notion of distillation. He discovered that the pure substance may be used for medical purposes, he proved that when we purify the substance we will uncover its natural properties, we will activate its true powers, it means that, the substance does not only have physical properties but spiritual ones, as well – when taken it comes though our bodies. At this stage the discourse about medicine begins. He and his followers were interested in the elixir of life – in a very positive way, alchemists imagined substance which makes one healthier, enables one to live longer. 

The following notion will be predominant in later periods. While talking about the alchemists we image how must they  have worked, and, what we see is an old – fashioned laboratory, with all glass pipes and tubes, herbs and mystery recipes. The textual evidence proves it may have happened that way. Roger Bacon was the first experimental philosopher. He was absorbing things and questioning them. He goes back to the Idea of Genesis where there is a basic substance which is the same for everything, and, if one can find a key to that particular substance, one can move it around, he presents the theory of experiment which was closely related to The Book of Nature. He tried to understand what was going on in the physical world; by absorbing it, by picking up the notion that all things are positive. All alchemists believed that there was some prime matter – they called in “The Philosopher’s Stone”. It was substrate common to all things, individual types of species, metals …. It would be developing from the primitive, base forms to much more greater and sublime ones. Alchemist were pursuing away what was originally happened in the earth,  all its processes – the speed of life and the changes of life, which they believed was God’s work. Alchemists look for symbols, products – the quintessence. It is expressed by substances which have good properties to the body. Quintessence stands for spirit. They are aware of sin – which is represented by Eve. The result of Eve’s sin are diseases and death. The bible tells us the story of angels who came along, sent by God to Adam, they tell him what he needs to know to heal all his diseases. It was Adam who had as a first individual, a knowledge about medicine. The life declines, men begin to live less longer. The begin of medicine begins in nature, by studying nature, the purpose is to find out the angelic knowledge, to find out a universal knowledge and apply it to all. To find the knowledge Adam and Eve had after the fall, to find it for Us to be able to heal ourselves better. Yet, it is not a universal means we can find anywhere. Isaac Newton loved alchemy, he wrote more about it than he wrote about physics. He focused on mechanical philosophy. He aimed to change people perception.

This unique study of various notions made alchemists very famous, their belief, that “The Philosopher’s Stone” symbolizes supernatural properties and ability to communicate with angels, remains till nowadays an intriguing subject. Modern science pursues its search for fundamental particles, the material that can be universally transformed from one substance to anther. With or without success, it will not give up.

Bibliography:
The Northon Anthology of English and American Literature. Vol.1.