Throughout the ages, the "science" of alchemy has fascinated people across the globe. In fact, it was ancient alchemy--the pursuit of riches and everlasting life, especially through creating a mythical philosopher's stone--that became the basis for our modern chemistry.

However, alchemy has undeniable strains of greed (wanting to turn things into gold & wanting eternal life) and some questionable "dark arts"-type elements that make it less-than-noble in the eyes of many.

What are your views on alchemy? How does it rate scientifically (is there any merit to it)? How have you portrayed alchemy in your writings?

Alchemy is a very interesting subject, if I might say so myself.

Apparently, the philosopher's stone wasn't a rock at all, but a powder. Supposedly, the philosopher's stone could cure any illness and even has the gift of eternal life. It also had the ability of transmutation. In other words, it could turn any type of metal into gold.
Accordingly, a man named Nicolas Flamel bought a very old book with odd writing in it. He couldn't decipher it, so he got help. And guess what it was? Apparently, the book contained the secret ingredients for making the philosopher's stone! But the man helping Flamel decipher the signs died before they could finish.
Later, Flamel wrote that he had turned mercury into silver successfully. And it was later thought that the Flamels suddenly had a great deal of wealth. But no one actually knows if he truly found the philosopher's stone.

Anyway, that's how it goes. I always thought is was a fun story.

As for my views, I think alchemy is very interesting. Yes, it could be classified as witch craft, but I look at it in all good fun. It would be a very interesting thing to write on. As for a scientific rating? How about a zero. The philosopher's stone is as good as a myth and legend. Sure, people have claimed to have been able to turn some metals into gold, but it is a fact that it is not actual real gold. More like fools' gold, if you think about it.
Secondly, from a christian aspect, God is the only one who has the ability to transmute things, heal illnesses, and give eternal life. There's the answer right there.

God Bless
-Donn Q.

How much witchcraft was in alchemy, do we know?

Andrew

From what I've read ever kind of scientific study was called alchemy and frowned upon by the church. So its hard to tell how much of it was actual science and how much was the occult.

Ah, OK. Interesting

Andrew

I've never known much about Alchemy, and I've found it near impossible to find out anything. But from what I've heard there were alchemists who were scientists, and there were alchemists who were sorcerers, and sometimes you couldn't tell the difference...

Keep in mind that the church frowned on science in general, and oftentimes classified it with witchcraft, which lended itself to the melding of the two in alchemy. The idea of transmutation was obviously quite far fetched, but often time alchemists were involved in many other sciences then that, including astronomy.

I've heard much the same thing. Alchemist could be both sorcerers and scientists. And yes, it could be near impossible to tell the difference.
I've also heard that alchemists were some of the first chemists the world had. Thousands of years ago they were thought to be the leading scientific thinkers of their day. For some reason, these thinkers were shown as old men with white beards and long robes.
Perhaps this is where it was taken to the point of witch craft and that is where the idea of sorcerers made its appearance. Maybe that is how we ended up with both sorcerers and scientists!

Now I'm just brainstorming. It could be a possibility, you know?
But I think you are right--there isn't much known about Alchemy.

God Bless!
-Donn Q.

Yep, Katie and Donn are dead on.

Hm. Very interesting

I just figured that it really depended on the individual. Doubtless, there were many who used witchcraft quite a lot, but it is possible that there were others who did not at all.

So far, I have not really written about alchemy, but there is someone mentioned who was what they would have called an alchemist, though his goal was not to create the philosopher's stone. Basically, I have him looking down on the alchemists who, powered by greed use witchcraft, etc. to power their experiments.

Hope that helps!

Now that's an interesting take on the science/alchemy in writing, Milly! I'd be interested to read this story of yours *pleading eyes*

*Chuckles and looks at her half-written book* I think you'll have to wait awhile...

That's awesome what you mentioned about Nicholas Flannel, Donn. Here's the wikipedia page for anyone who wants to read it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Flamel


Also, I though I'd mention a quote from the movie Thor. "Magic is just science we don't understand yet." While I do believe that there is true magic that deals with satanic power, it's a good idea to keep in mind that in primitive societies, advanced science has almost always been looked upon as magical. Just because we don't understand something does not mean there must be arcane power involved.

The Catholic church at that point was ridiculously stubborn. They were ready to kill people for saying they were wrong about a geo-centric universe for crying out loud.

*waves flag in defense of hard-working, earthy alchemists*

I love that you quoted Thor, Willow and you made a good point, no less--the line between science in magic is never quite so sharp as we might be inclined to think. Magic itself, after all, is only what is unnatural in this generation.

I totally agree. A lot of what people back then viewed as magic was merely science. And take modern technology. If ancient Britons had seen some of the gizmos we take for granted, they would have classed it as magic.

Hm. That is true.

I agree, anything beyond 'normal' was viewed as highly suspicious. *Nods*