Outline of alchemy

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 [edit]

Alchemy and chemistry in medieval Islam
Chinese Alchemy
- Neidan
- Processing (Chinese materia medica)
Iatrochemistry
- Spagyric
New Age
Psychoanalysis
- Analytical psychology
  - Individuation
- Metacognition
Rasayana

Influences [edit]

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

Related fields [edit]

Concepts [edit]

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

Alchemical elements – Primarily the four Classical elements of:
- Fire (classical element)
- Water (classical element)
- Earth (classical element)
- Air (classical element)
- For variations see: Wu Xing • Mahābhūta • Five elements (Japanese philosophy)
Alchemy in art and entertainment
Alkahest
Anima mundi
Chrysopoeia
Filius philosophorum
Takwin
- Homunculus
Philosopher's stone
Prima materia
- Yliaster
Septenary of the seven metals and Classical planets in Western alchemy
- Lead • tin • copper • iron • mercury • silver • gold
- Saturn • Jupiter • Venus • Mars • Mercury • Moon • Sun
Tria Prima (three primes)
- Salt • mercury • sulfur
- Body • soul • spirit
Unity of opposites or coincidentia oppositorum
- Hieros Gamos

Processes [edit]

Magnum opus – great work of alchemy consisting of:

Nigredo
Albedo
Citrinitas (sometimes excluded)
Rubedo

Alchemists also engaged in practical and symbolic processes including:

Symbolism [edit]

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 [edit]

Alchemical apparatus. (Carlo Lancillotti, 1681.)

Substances of the alchemists [edit]

Main article: List of alchemical substances

phosphorus • sulfur (sulphur) • arsenic • antimony
vitriol • quartz • cinnabar • pyrites • orpiment • galena
magnesia • lime • potash • natron • saltpetre • kohl
ammonia • ammonium chloride • alcohol • camphor
sulfuric acid (sulphuric acid) • hydrochloric acid • nitric acid • acetic acid • formic acid • citric acid • tartaric acid
aqua regia • gunpowder
blue vitriol • vinegar • salt

Apparatus [edit]

Stills

Vessels

Heating devices

Alchemy organizations [edit]

Alchemical texts [edit]

Journals [edit]

Alchemists [edit]

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.
- Pseudo-Geber
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.

External links [edit]

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