Alchemy And Its Many Wonders

Origin

Alchemy was born in Ancient Egypt where the word Khem was meant to be about the fertility of the flood plains around the Nile. Egyptian beliefs in life after death, and the mummification procedures they developed, probably gave rise to basic chemical knowledge and a goal of immortality. After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, Greek philosophers were interested in the Egyptian ways. Greek views of how matter was made up of the four elements were merged with Egyptian “sacred science” to make Khemia, the Greek word for Egypt.

Philosopher's Stone

The Philosopher’s Stone is known by Alchemists for its supposed ability to transform base metals into precious ones like gold and silver. It was believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation, and be able to give IMMORTALITY. The quest to find this stone encouraged alchemists from the Middle Ages to examine numerous substances and their interactions in their laboratories, giving birth to a body of knowledge that ultimately led to the sciences of chemistry, metallurgy, and pharmacology.

Modern Alchemy

For more than 2000 years alchemy shows up in the medicine, art, craft and religious practices of people in China, India, the Mid-East and Europe. It still shows up in our myths, movies, museums, kitchens, gardens, and dreams.

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