What is alchemy?

Answer 1

Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, astrology, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, mysticism, and religion. There were three main goals many alchemists sought for. The most renowned goal of alchemy is the transmutation of any metal into either gold or silver.Also they tried to create universal panacea, a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely.

Answer 2

From the books and notes of Ismail A. M.: Alchemy 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. Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in Muslim civilization, and then in Europe up to the 19th century — in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years.

Western alchemy has always been closely connected with Hermeticism, a philosophical and spiritual system that traces its roots to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic Egyptian-Greek deity and legendary alchemist. These two disciplines influenced the birth of Rosicrucianism, an important esoteric movement of the seventeenth century. In the course of the early modern period, 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.

Today, the discipline is of interest mainly to historians of science and philosophy, and for its mystic, esoteric, and artistic aspects. Nevertheless, alchemy was one of the main precursors of modern sciences, and many substances and processes of ancient alchemy continue to be the mainstay of modern chemical and metallurgical industries.

Although alchemy takes on many forms, in pop culture it is most often cited in stories, films, and games as the process used to change lead (or other elements) into gold.

You could get more information from the link below...

Answer 3

If you were to consult a chemistry book, it would say that alchemy was the precursor to chemistry with it's main goal of turning lead into gold. While this was a goal this was not the main goal. a true alchemist is a religious person who used the limited knowledge of what science there was in an effort to understand their god better. In other words, often using the elements as a magical tool. Their understanding of chemistry and the elements was limited to the dogma of their religions however.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy gives a great history of alchemy which had 3 goals:
1. turn lead into gold
2. find an elixir that would prolong life
3. spiritual transformation of human life.
In essence Alchemy used to be considered a science, but in our modern age spirituality became divorced from science so now Alchemy is considered a pseudoscience.

Answer 5

Some history of Alchemy can be found here;

http://www.alchemylab.com/history_of_alchemy.htm
http://www.alchemylab.com/origins_of_alchemy.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alchemy

Answer 6

the only purpose alchemy was invented in the first place long ago was to turn common metals into gold, not kidding.

Answer 7

Alchemy is a ritual and religion that our bodies are of spirit, which also comes from the elements of nature. Earth, wind, fire, water... It is a chemistry + spiritual ritual of combinations of items to make them poof or make different colored flames.

Answer 8

the science of turning common metals into gold. I don't think anyone's ever been successful...but lots of people worked n still work on it.

Answer 9

a mixture of chemicals is alchemy

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Answer 10

THE PRE- CURSOR TO CHEMISTRY