Outline of alchemy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to alchemy:

Alchemy – A philosophical tradition recognized as protoscience, that includes the application of Hermetic principles, and practices related to mythology, religion, and spirituality.

Branches

Influences

Alchemy developed dependent on a number of influences and experienced regional and period-specific variations:

Related fields

Concepts

Mandala from the Musaeum Hermeticum incorporating the septenary, four elements, tria prima, and hieros gamos.

Processes

Magnum opus – great work of alchemy consisting of:

Alchemists also engaged in practical and symbolic processes including:

Symbolism

Mandala illustrating key alchemical concepts, symbols, and processes. From Spiegel der Kunst und Natur.

Alchemical symbol consists of:

1. Glyphs

2. Imagery

3. Visual Symbolism

Scientific connections

Alchemical apparatus. (Carlo Lancillotti, 1681.)

Substances of the alchemists

Main article: List of alchemical substances

Apparatus

Stills

Vessels

Heating devices

Alchemy organizations

Alchemical texts

Journals

Alchemists

Hermes Trismegistus – traditionally credited as the author of the Hermetica and legendary founder of Western alchemy. (Maier, 1617)
Main article: List of alchemists

The most influential names in the history of alchemy include:

  • Hermes Trismegistus – by tradition, the founder of Western alchemy.
  • Wei Boyang – authored the earliest known book on theoretical alchemy in China.
  • Zosimos of Panopolis – a Gnostic mystic who wrote the oldest known books on Western alchemy.
  • Khālid ibn Yazīd – credited with bringing alchemy to Arabia.
  • Jābir ibn Hayyān – notable for takwin, sulfur-mercury theory, and emphasis on experimental science.
  • Roger Bacon – influenced the reintegration of alchemy and Christianity.
  • Paracelsus – developer of iatrochemistry.
  • Robert Boyle – alchemist critical of Paracelsus, credited as the father of modern chemistry.
  • Mary Anne Atwood – key figure in the occult revival of alchemy.
  • Carl Jung – merged alchemy and psychoanalytic thought.

See also

External links

Find more about Alchemy at Wikipedia's sister projects
Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Learning resources from Wikiversity
Outlines
  • General reference
  • Culture and the arts
  • Geography and places
  • Health and fitness
  • History and events
  • Mathematics and logic
  • Natural and physical sciences
  • People and self
  • Philosophy and thinking
  • Religion and belief systems
  • Society and social sciences
  • Technology and applied sciences
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.