In an era not so long ago, there lived a particular group of scientists who believed in the symbolic unity of the human race and the cosmos. As such, their fundamental beliefs were heavily derivative from mythological and spiritual aspects, with scientists trying to achieve two main things. That is, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Elixir of Life. These are the long ago alchemists, in the singular, alchemist.
This Philosopher's Stone, which was the maddening objective of most alchemists, was a stone which, according to them, had the powers to transform base metals into their noble form. Essentially, the Stone had the power to turn elements such as copper into precious metals like silver and gold.
The Elixir of Life was a potion of some sort believed to prolong the life of its taker to eternity, and establish one's youthfulness through this same while. Evidently, alchemists were pretty much determined to find, if possible, a scientific means to ending any of life's problems, with gold buying anything that was necessary for material living and youth and life providing the opportunity to extend life's happy moments on Earth.
The principles of alchemy may truly sound laughable in today's times, but the keen thinker will identify a pioneering aspect of alchemy in regards to modern science. Modern science features none of the Hermetic principles alchemy once used and it certainly does not believe in the existence of mythological gods, or humano-cosmological unity.
Perhaps it wouldn't be complete if mention of a third objective of alchemy was left out. Alchemy also strove to discover a universal solvent. As much as water was always available to them, it may be safe assume that they were looking for particularly distinguishing characteristics, which water might not have had.
In any case, the alchemist could also have been looking for a more intellectually fulfilling answer. Preferably one construed from meticulous research, long periods of sleepless nights, wonderful calculations, and mystical significance; all this for their insatiable desire for stimulating philosophy.
This Philosopher's Stone, which was the maddening objective of most alchemists, was a stone which, according to them, had the powers to transform base metals into their noble form. Essentially, the Stone had the power to turn elements such as copper into precious metals like silver and gold.
The Elixir of Life was a potion of some sort believed to prolong the life of its taker to eternity, and establish one's youthfulness through this same while. Evidently, alchemists were pretty much determined to find, if possible, a scientific means to ending any of life's problems, with gold buying anything that was necessary for material living and youth and life providing the opportunity to extend life's happy moments on Earth.
The principles of alchemy may truly sound laughable in today's times, but the keen thinker will identify a pioneering aspect of alchemy in regards to modern science. Modern science features none of the Hermetic principles alchemy once used and it certainly does not believe in the existence of mythological gods, or humano-cosmological unity.
Perhaps it wouldn't be complete if mention of a third objective of alchemy was left out. Alchemy also strove to discover a universal solvent. As much as water was always available to them, it may be safe assume that they were looking for particularly distinguishing characteristics, which water might not have had.
In any case, the alchemist could also have been looking for a more intellectually fulfilling answer. Preferably one construed from meticulous research, long periods of sleepless nights, wonderful calculations, and mystical significance; all this for their insatiable desire for stimulating philosophy.
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