Whats alchemy all about?

Question

I wonder......

Answer 1

Babek is correct.

Alchemy, in one sense, was an early form of chemistry and pharmacy. Some alchemists really were just dabbling with chemical experiments and also were really trying to manufacture gold by fermenting minerals and organic substances in glass containers. They wrote about their experimental laboratory observations in symbolic language. Sir Isaac Newton was an alchemist as was the "father" of modern pharmacy, known as Paracelsus, and another 16th century guy (can't remember his name off the top of my head here) who is regarded as the "father" of modern chemistry.

On another level, alchemy was--and still is--a highly esoteric spiritual discipline in which the alchemical laboratory process is a metaphor and also an adjunct to meditation practices that lead to spiritual realization and transformations--much like the spiritual transformations that occur for people who practice certain forms of Tantric yoga. Spiritual alchemists were trying to perfect themselves just as they were trying to manufacture "pure" essences and minerals in their laboratory experiments. In certain forms of yoga, the goal is to transcend all physical limitations to acheive what is called the "diamond body." In spiritual alchemy, the goal is sort of the same (although physical gynmastics are not part of the path of alchemy per se). The person who achieves enlightenment through the path of alchemy is said to have manufactured the "philosopher's stone."

Check out the work of William Hauck if you are interested in reading about spiritual alchemy.

Answer 2

"Al-Kimia" is the stone that turns base (normal) metals into gold or other valuable metals (in the Arabic Language). Now, the same stone is also said to make you wise and understanding, when imbibed.
The truth of the matte, however, is that alchemy isn't about metals and chemistry. it is merely a coding used by the wise sages of past to describe the path to spiritual growth. The Salt, Sulphur and Mercury of alchmy are all references to the various energy states of our body (e.g. physical, astral and mental states).

The various operations mentioned in true alchemical books (not those that just try to imitate their style but are really about simple chemistry) will not yield right chemical results in many cases (although some might do, because the writers had to mix in some chmistry in order not to sound heretical, and not to be burned at the stakes), but when read with various symbols and meanings in mind, will yield practics of magical/spiritual nature.

Answer 3

Alchemy is considered the changing of base metals into gold. Inner alchemy is changing yourself for the better.

Answer 4

Alchemy was a medievel form of chemistry in which scientists of the day tried to turn simple compounds such as lead and copper into precious medals like silver and gold

Answer 5

its about all kind of stuff, turning lead into gold,finding an elixir of life, making fire that doesnt burn out. Your probably not gonna be able to find a lot of information.
you can go to levity.com/alchemy but all the text there is old and complicated ive studied this for a couple of year and havent been able to come up with anything
mythology and folklore. you seriously picked the wrong category

Answer 6

a dodgy form of chemistry all of which is complete and utter poppycock

Answer 7

devil workshopy..........