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Alchemy (the practice)

Alchemy is the practice of combining magic and science in a method much like chemistry. It was at its peek throughout the 16th century. Famous alchemist, such as Nicholas Flamel, were reported to have been able to turn less valuable metals, such as lead, into silver and gold. They also claimed to create potions or philosopher's stones to make themselves immortal.

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What does alchemy symbolize?

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Alchemy symbolizes transformation and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. It represents the journey of self-discovery and the process of turning base materials into something valuable or higher in nature.

What are the medieval alchemists concepts of the philosophers stone?

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Medieval alchemists believed that the philosopher's stone was a substance that could transform base metals into gold, create the elixir of life for immortality, and provide spiritual enlightenment. They considered it a powerful and mystical substance that held the key to unlocking hidden knowledge and achieving ultimate perfection.

Why was alchemy practiced?

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Alchemy was practiced to transform base metals into precious metals like gold, find the elixir of life for immortality, and create a panacea for curing diseases. Alchemists believed in the idea of transmutation and sought to uncover the secrets of nature through experimentation and symbolism.

What is Greek alchemy?

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Greek alchemy was a practice in ancient Greece that focused on the transformation of metals and substances into more valuable forms. Influenced by Egyptian and Babylonian traditions, Greek alchemists sought to discover the secrets of nature and the universe through their experiments and observations. While Greek alchemy laid the foundation for later developments in alchemical practices, it eventually evolved into the more philosophical and mystical tradition seen in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Is alchemy a religion?

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Alchemy is not a religion, but rather a philosophical and proto-scientific tradition that was practiced in various civilizations throughout history. It focused on transforming base metals into gold, creating a universal panacea, and achieving spiritual enlightenment through the purification of the self. While some alchemists incorporated religious or spiritual beliefs into their practices, alchemy itself is not a religion.

Is the philosopher's stone real?

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The philosopher's stone is a legendary substance from alchemy that was believed to be able to transform base metals into gold and grant immortality. There is no scientific evidence to support its existence, and it is considered a mythical concept.

How do you know nicholas flamel is still alive?

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There is no concrete evidence to suggest that Nicholas Flamel is still alive. Flamel was a historical figure known for his connection to alchemy and mythology, but there is no credible source confirming his current existence. It is widely believed that he passed away centuries ago.

Can when anyone prove to me truthfully that Nicholas Flamel is or isn't still alive?

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There is no concrete evidence to prove that Nicholas Flamel, a legendary alchemist, is still alive. Flamel's existence is often associated with folklore and mythology, making it challenging to verify his status with historical accuracy.

What is alchemy what did this alchemist do?

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Alchemy was an ancient practice that combined elements of science and mysticism in the pursuit of transforming base metals into gold and creating the elixir of life. Alchemists performed experiments, studied substances, and sought to uncover the secrets of nature. They also developed early techniques that laid the foundation for modern chemistry.

How old was Nicholas Flamel when he married Perenelle Flamel?

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Nicholas Flamel was 43 years old when he married Perenelle Flamel.

How did alchemy develop?

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Alchemy originated in ancient Egypt and Greece, blending elements of philosophy, mysticism, and empirical experimentation. It later spread to the Islamic world, where it flourished during the medieval period, before eventually influencing European alchemy in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Alchemy transitioned into modern chemistry as experimental methods improved and mystical elements were gradually discarded.

Where is Nicholas Flamel supposedly buried?

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Nicholas Flamel is supposedly buried in the Parisian church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie. However, there is no concrete evidence to verify this claim, and the exact location of his grave remains a mystery.

What did alchemy contribute?

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Alchemy contributed to the development of modern chemistry by producing laboratory techniques, equipment, and apparatus. It also played a role in advancing the understanding of chemical processes and the discovery of new substances. Additionally, alchemy laid the groundwork for the scientific method and experimentation in the field of chemistry.

When was alchemy popular?

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Alchemy was popular during the medieval and Renaissance periods, roughly between the 12th and 17th centuries. It was practiced by scholars, philosophers, and mystics in their quest to transmute base metals into gold and to seek the elixir of life, among other pursuits.

How did alchemy originate?

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Alchemy originated in ancient Egypt and Greece around the 1st century AD, blending mysticism with early chemistry. It aimed to transform base metals into gold and discover the "philosopher's stone" granting immortality. Over time, alchemy evolved into modern chemistry as practitioners began emphasizing scientific principles over mystical beliefs.

In the series written by Michael Scott why is are the third and sixth books entitled with feminine suffixes if nicholas flamel is a male?

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The titles of the third and sixth books in the series were inspired by the concept of duality in alchemy, where there are both masculine and feminine aspects. The feminine suffixes in the titles serve to represent this balance and duality, reflecting the themes of male-female balance in the series.

Is a homunculus real?

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No, a homunculus is not a real creature. It is a concept in alchemy and folklore, representing a miniature human creature created through mystical or artificial means. It is not scientifically possible to create a living, miniature human in reality.

Where is the book that nicholas flamel wrote?

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Nicholas Flamel is a legendary alchemist from the 14th century, known for achieving the philosopher's stone. There are no historical records of him actually writing a book. The idea of him writing a book is referenced in fiction, particularly in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

What was the main goal of alchemists?

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The Alchemists mostly wanted to find a means by which lead could be transformed into gold.

What made alchemy unscientific in its pratices?

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It was not based on evidence and experiment.

Who practiced alchemy and when?

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Alchemy is now what we refereed as chemistry. Most of the ancient scientist practiced alchemy. With the church trying to make people follow the practice of the monks, didn't allow it and that was why it was kept quiet.

Why were alchemists secretive about there work?

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There was a time when the church had books control. Knowledge was not common. Alchemy was beginning of chemistry we have today. Because of the control of the church, there was a law concerning the contents of manuscripts. Early alchemists hid their work because the punishment was heavy.

Who was the alchemist who tried to turn lead into gold?

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Many ancient scientists tried to achieve that. One of the supreme quests of alchemy is to transmute lead into gold. Lead (atomic number 82) and gold (atomic number 79) are defined as elements by the number of protons they possess. Changing the element requires changing the atomic (proton) number. The number of protons cannot be altered by any chemical means. However, physics may be used to add or remove protons and thereby change one element into another. Because lead is stable, forcing it to release three protons requires a vast input of energy, such that the cost of transmuting it greatly surpasses the value of the resulting gold. Transmutation of lead into gold isn't just theoretically possible - it has been achieved! There are reports that Glenn Seaborg, 1951 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, succeeded in transmuting a minute quantity of lead (possibly en route from bismuth, in 1980) into gold. There is an earlier report (1972) in which Soviet physicists at a nuclear research facility near Lake Baikal in Siberia accidentally discovered a reaction for turning lead into gold when they found the lead shielding of an experimental reactor had changed to gold.