does anyone know what alchemy means?

Answer 1

Alchemy is an early form of investigative science. There are those who see it as a spiritual matter.

One entry found for alchemy.


Main Entry: al·che·my
Pronunciation: 'al-k&-mE
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English alkamie, alquemie, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French alkimie, from Medieval Latin alchymia, from Arabic al-kImiyA', from al the + kImiyA' alchemy, from Late Greek chEmeia
1 : a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
2 : a power or process of transforming something common into something special
3 : an inexplicable or mysterious transmuting

Answer 2

Alchemy is a pseudo-science (probably no longer practiced) which sought to:

1. Find the Touchstone, a lodestone which changed base metals into gold. They believed that this could be done on a chemical level, that is, by adding or 'touching' diverse elements to base metal to effect the change. Now we know that this is not possible. However, using a cyclotron scientists can now achieve this end. This is done on a sub-atomic level using an 'atom-smasher,' but the energy expended makes the process cost-prohibitive.

2. Perfect the Elixir of Life, a potion which would prolong life indefinitely. I suppose everyone still does this to extent or other. In any case, this was perhaps a more noble pursuit than the first.

Anyway, in a nutshell, that is what alchemy was.

Hope that helped.

H

Answer 3

Yes. And so does Carl Jung. He dedicated alot of his psychological analysis to Alchemy, as it is a process of transmuting the self. It is a truly valuable tool for anyone willing to put energy into it... as you put energy into it it sympathetically gives back equal if not more.

I highly recommend any of Jung's works, Active Imagination, being the first on the list.

Also Hermetics incorporates Alchemy into its system... I suggest that avenue as well.

The rest is up to you, do with it as you will.

Answer 4

*Alchemy mean a Science studied in the Middle Ages, that involved trying to charge ordinary metals into gold.

Answer 5

Alchemy is simply a form of medieval chemistry. This medieval chemistry included speculative philosophy aimed to:
1) achieve transforming of metals into gold--the mark of wealth during medieval times.
2) Prolong life/longevity of human life
3) Discover a universal cure for life.

In a nutshell, it was an attempt to use chemistry/chemicals in order to become wealthy, immortal and invincible.

Answer 6

Here you go :-)

In the history of science, 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.

Answer 7

Alchemist were ancient majicians that used chemicals to create things. One of the big things was that they were trying to create the philosopher's stone to transmut lead in to gold. Power to give eternal life. This was the alchemists biggest dream.

Answer 8

It means for a man to use various items to create gold, diamonds, or silver.

Or...if you're talking about full metal alchemist. xD

Answer 9

it was the precursor to science but they were mixing all sorts of things trying to make gold, finally we learned gold is an element and you cant make it, you can only find it.

Answer 10

Its the name of the ***** that gave me chlamydia.