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[]

Influences upon alchemy – 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 – 1. Glyphs

2. Imagery

3. Visual Symbolism

Scientific connections[]

Alchemical apparatus. (Carlo Lancillotti, 1681.)

Substances of the alchemists[]

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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; many alchemical works were attributed to him.
  • Wei Boyang – authored the earliest known book on theoretical alchemy in China.
  • Pseudo-Democritus – anonymous author of the oldest extant works of Greco-Egyptian alchemy.
  • Zosimos of Panopolis – influential Greco-Egyptian alchemist.
  • Khālid ibn Yazīd – credited with introducing alchemy to the Islamic world.
  • Pseudo-Apollonius of Tyana – earliest known source of the sulfur-mercury theory of metals and the Emerald Tablet.
  • Jābir ibn Hayyān – notable for the (ʿilm al-mīzān), the theory of artificial generation (ʿilm al-takwīn), and a general emphasis on experimental science.
    • Pseudo-Geber – later Latin alchemist who wrote the influential Summa perfectionis.
  • Roger Bacon – staunch proponent of the use of alchemy.
  • 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[]

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