Outline of alchemy

Alchemy, derived from the Arabic word al-kimia (الكيمياء), is both a philosophy and an ancient practice focused on the attempt to change base metals into gold, investigating the preparation of the elixir of life, and achieving ultimate wisdom involving the improvement of the alchemist.^{[1][not in citation given]} The practical aspect of alchemy generated the basics of modern chemistry, namely concerning procedures, equipment and the identification and use of many substances.

Alchemy has been practiced in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), India, Persia (modern Iran), China, Japan, Korea, the classical Greco-Roman world, the medieval Islamic world, and then medieval Europe up to the 20th century, in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2,500 years. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Alchemy:

Alchemical-related articles Alchemical symbol Alchemy in art and entertainment History of alchemy Alembic Alkahest Astrology and alchemy Berith Jakob Boehme Elixir of life Emerald Tablet Robert Fludd Four Humors Hermeticism Homunculus Michael Maier Musaeum Hermeticum Panacea Paracelsus Philosopher's stone Herbert Silberer Vulcan of the alchemists Monas Hieroglyphica Frater Albertus Alchemy and psychoanalysis Carl Jung Alchemical Studies (vol. 13 of his Collected Works) Marie-Louise von Franz Analytical psychology Metacognition 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, Freemasonry, Hermeticism, Illuminati, Rosicrucianism Taoism and the Five Elements Asemic writing Kayaku-Jutsu Acupuncture, moxibustion, ayurveda, homeopathy Anthroposophy Psychology and Carl Jung New Age Tay al-Ard Yoga Nidra Substances of the alchemists lead • tin • iron • copper • mercury • silver • gold phosphorus • sulfur (sulphur) • arsenic • antimony vitriol • quartz • cinnabar • pyrites • orpiment • galena magnesia • lime • potash • natron • saltpetre • kohl ammonia • ammonium chloride • alcohol • camphor sulfuric acid (sulphuric acid) • hydrochloric acid • nitric acid • acetic acid • formic acid • citric acid • tartaric acid aqua regia • gunpowder carmot blue vitriol • vinegar • salt Scientific connections Obsolete scientific theories Biological transmutation Chemistry Cupellation Erosion Historicism Nuclear transmutation Physics Protoscience and Pseudoscience Scientific method Synthesis of noble metals Splendor Solis

References

1. ^ alchemy: Definition from Answers.com. Retrieved 2010-01-22.

External links

• Etymology of "alchemy"
• Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts by Herbert Silberer
• The Alchemy website - Alchemy from a metaphysical perspective.
• Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry
• 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 hundreds of alchemical books (15th- and 20th century) and 160 original manuscripts.
• The Chymistry of Isaac Newton - A scholarly site devoted to the alchemical, or chymical, writings of Isaac Newton.
• Rex Research - Numerous online alchemical texts.
• Forgotten Books - Numerous online alchemical texts.