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[[Image:JosephWright-Alchemist.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Alchymist, In Search of the Philosophers' Stone'' by [[Joseph Wright of Derby]], 1771.]]
[[Image:JosephWright-Alchemist.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Alchymist, In Search of the Philosophers' Stone'' by [[Joseph Wright of Derby]], 1771.]]


The '''philosophers' stone''' ({{lang-la|lapis philosophorum}}) is a legendary alchemical substance, said to be capable of turning base [[metal]]s, especially [[Lead (element)|lead]], into [[gold]] ({{Lang|grc-Latn|''[[chrysopoeia]]''}}); it was also sometimes believed to be an [[elixir of life]], useful for [[Rejuvenation (aging)|rejuvenation]] and possibly for achieving [[immortality]]. For a long time, it was the most sought-after goal in [[Western culture|Western]] [[alchemy]], meditated upon by alchemists like [[Isaac Newton's occult studies#Newton's alchemical research and writings|Sir Isaac Newton]], [[Nicolas Flamel]], and [[Frater Albertus]]. The Stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection, [[Enlightenment (spiritual)|enlightenment]], heavenly bliss, [[theophany]] and of the [[Christ]]. The discovery of the philosopher's stone was known as the [[Great_Work#In_alchemy|Great Work]].<ref>[[Max Heindel|Heindel, Max]], ''[http://www.rosicrucian.com/frc/frceng01.htm Freemasonry and Catholicism]'', ISBN 0-911274-04-9</ref>
The '''philosophers' stone''' ({{lang-la|lapis philosophorum}}) is a legendary alchemical substance, said to be capable of turning base [[metal]]s, especially [[Lead (element)|lead]], into [[gold]] ({{Lang|grc-Latn|''[[chrysopoeia]]''}}); it was also sometimes believed to be an [[elixir of life]], useful for [[Rejuvenation (aging)|rejuvenation]] and possibly for achieving [[immortality]]. For a long time, it was the most sought-after goal in [[Western culture|Western]] [[alchemy]], meditated upon by alchemists like [[Isaac Newton's occult studies#Newton's alchemical research and writings|Sir Isaac Newton]], [[Nicolas Flamel]], and [[Frater Albertus]]. The Stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection, [[Enlightenment (spiritual)|enlightenment]], heavenly bliss, [[theophany]] and of the [[Christ]]. The discovery of the philosopher's stone was known as the [[Great_Work#In_alchemy|Great Work]].<ref>[[Max Heindel|Heindel, Max]], ''[http://www.rosicrucian.com/frc/frceng01.htm Freemasonry and Catholicism]'', ISBN 0-911274-04-9</ref> (In Latin, "philosophorum" is the plural genitive and translates to "of the philosophers", not "of just one philosopher".)

In Latin, "philosophorum" is the plural genitive and translates to "of the philosophers", not "of just one philosopher". A more accurate translation would therefore be "Philosophers' Stone", not "Philosopher's Stone".{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}


== Origins ==
== Origins ==

Revision as of 15:50, 16 September 2010

For other uses, see Philosopher's stone (disambiguation).
The Alchymist, In Search of the Philosophers' Stone by Joseph Wright of Derby, 1771.

The philosophers' stone (Latin: lapis philosophorum) is a legendary alchemical substance, said to be capable of turning base metals, especially lead, into gold ([chrysopoeia] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)); it was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For a long time, it was the most sought-after goal in Western alchemy, meditated upon by alchemists like Sir Isaac Newton, Nicolas Flamel, and Frater Albertus. The Stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection, enlightenment, heavenly bliss, theophany and of the Christ. The discovery of the philosopher's stone was known as the Great Work.[1] (In Latin, "philosophorum" is the plural genitive and translates to "of the philosophers", not "of just one philosopher".)

Origins

The origins of the philosopher's stone seem to be in Ancient Hinduism.

The seventh century South Indian sage, Thirumoolar in his classic, Thirumandiram, an esoteric masterpiece of 3000 verses, explains man's path to immortal divinity. In verse 2709 he declares that the name of God, Shiva, is an alchemical vehicle that turns the body into immortal gold. His poetry resonates with the deathless nature of spiritual attainment. And since God Shiva is usually depicted through a Shivalinga, a sculpted stone, this is possibly the origin.

Another great South Indian saint, Ramalinga Swamigal (1823-1874) dissolved his perfected body into blinding white light just as another earlier sage, Manickavasagar had done in the seventh century. As a child Ramalingar delivered brilliant scriptural discourses and commentaries without any formal education. He too claimed direct knowledge bestowed by divine grace. In his classic testimony, The Divine Song of Grace, Ramalinga describes the transmutation of his dense physical body into a body of light:

"Oh God! The Eternal Love, just to bestow upon me the golden body, You, Universal Love, have merged with my heart, allowing yourself to be infused in me. Oh Supreme Love, You with the Light of Grace have alchemised my body". [2]

Names

Numerous synonyms were used to make oblique reference to the stone, such as "white stone" (calculus albus, identified with the calculus candidus of Revelation 2:17 which was taken as a symbol of the glory of heaven[3]), vitriol (as expressed in the backronym Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem), also lapis noster, lapis occultus, in water at the box, and numerous oblique, mystical or mythological references such as Adam, Aer, Animal, Alkahest, Antidotus, Antimonium, Aqua benedicta, Aqua volans per aeram, Arcanum[disambiguation needed], Atramentum, Autumnus, Basilicus, Brutorum cor, Bufo, Capillus, Capistrum auri, Carbones, Cerberus, Chaos, Cinis cineris, Crocus, Dominus philosophorum, Draco elixir, Filius ignis, Fimus, Folium, Frater, Granum, Granum frumenti, Haematites, Hepar, Herba, Herbalis, Lac, Melancholia, Ovum philosophorum, Panacea salutifera, Pandora, Phoenix, Pyrites, Radices arboris solares, Regina, Rex regum, Sal metallorum, Salvator terrenus, Talcum, Thesaurus, Ventus hermetis.[4] Many of the medieval allegories for a Christ were adopted for the lapis, and the Christ and the Stone were indeed taken as identical in a mystical sense. The name of "Stone" or lapis itself is informed by early Christian allegory, such as Priscillian (4th century), who stated Unicornis est Deus, nobis petra Christus, nobis lapis angularis Jesus, nobis hominum homo Christus.[5]

History

Middle Ages

The 8th-century Persian alchemist Jābir ibn Hayyān (Latinized as Geber) analyzed each classical element in terms of the four basic qualities of hotness, coldness, dryness, and moistness. Fire was both hot and dry, earth cold and dry, water cold and moist, and air hot and moist. He further theorized that every metal was a combination of these four principles, two of them interior and two exterior. From this premise, it was reasoned that the transmutation of one metal into another could be affected by the rearrangement of its basic qualities. This change would presumably be mediated by a substance, which came to be called al-iksir in Arabic (from which the Western term elixir is derived). It is often considered to exist as a dry red powder (also known as al-Kibrit al-Ahmar الكبريت الأحمر—red sulphur) made from a legendary stone—the philosopher's stone.[6][7] Jabir's theory was based on the concept that metals like gold and silver could be hidden in alloys and ores, from which they could be recovered by the appropriate chemical treatment. Jabir himself is believed to be the inventor of aqua regia, a mixture of muriatic (hydrochloric) and nitric acids, one of the few substances that can dissolve gold (and which is still often used for gold recovery and purification).

In the 11th century, there was a debate among Muslim chemists on whether the transmutation of substances was possible. A leading opponent was Avicenna (Ibn Sina), who discredited the theory of transmutation of substances:

"Those of the chemical craft know well that no change can be effected in the different species of substances, though they can produce the appearance of such change."[8]

According to legend, the 13th-century scientist and philosopher Albertus Magnus is said to have discovered the philosopher's stone and passed it to his pupil Thomas Aquinas, shortly before his death circa 1280. Magnus does not confirm he discovered the stone in his writings, but he did record that he witnessed the creation of gold by "transmutation".[9]

Renaissance to Early Modern period

The 16th-century Swiss alchemist Philippus Paracelsus believed in the existence of alkahest, which he thought to be an undiscovered element from which all other elements (earth, fire, water, air) were simply derivative forms. Paracelsus believed that this element was, in fact, the philosopher's stone.

The Alphabeticall Table (an index) to the 1658 edition of Sir Thomas Browne's encyclopaedia Pseudodoxia Epidemica includes the entry, 'Philosopher's Stone, not impossible to be procured'.

A mystical text published in the 17th century called the Mutus Liber appears to be a symbolic instruction manual for concocting a philosopher's stone. Called the "wordless book", it was a collection of 15 illustrations.

Alchemical process

The Tabula Smaragdina is the oldest document[10] which provides a "recipe" for the creation of the Stone.

According to this description, which was taken as the basis of numerous later works, the procedure consists of seven stages:

1. solutio or liquefactio, the "dissolution" or "liquidation" of the materia prima
2. putrefactio, also nigredo, a "blackening" or a descent into the nether sphere in which the materia becomes black or putrid. This stage is symbolized by the raven and by the burial of a dead body in the earth.
3. albedo or "lightening", the putrid or blackened substance is made white or pure once again, symbolized by the transition of the raven into a white dove.
4. citrinitatio or "yellowing". The materia must be re-enriched by "philosophical milk" or lacta philosophica, the completion of which is indicated by the assumption of a yellow colour, symbolized as cauda pavonis or peacock's tail.
5. destillatio, also, rubedo or "reddening", symbolized by a red dragon
6. coagulatio or fixatio, a coagulation or solidification of the materia
7. tinctura, the completion of the lapis

Other sources name twelve stages, the first seven corresponding to those above, but with an added five steps following the production of the tinctura:

1. calcinatio (solidification by fire, ruled by Mercury),
2. putrefactio or mortificatio (purification by decay of the impure components, ruled by Saturn),
3. sublimatio (sublimation of the materia into volatile form, symbolized by a chalice or a raven's head on which a little white bird is sitting, ruled by Jupiter)
4. solutio (symbolized by the "silver queen" riding a griffin, ruled by the Moon)
5. distillatio (ruled by Venus)
6. coagulatio (symbolized by hieros gamos, by an androgynous figure or a combination of a unicorn and a stag, ruled by Mars)
7. extractio (ruled by the Sun)
8. digestio
9. ceratio
10. fermentatio
11. multiplicatio
12. projectio, the final transmutation of the base metal into gold.[11]

Alchemists once thought a key component in the creation of the stone was a mythical element named carmot.[12][13]

In art and entertainment

The philosopher's stone has been a subject, inspiration, or plot feature of innumerable artistic works: novels, comics stories, movies, animations, video games, and even musical compositions.

Literature

Comics, movies, TV, and animations

  • The Philosopher's Stone (1958), a Bengali film directed by Satyajit Ray
  • Lupin the Third: Secret of Mamo (1978) the first animated Lupin the Third film, had the Philosopher's Stone a coveted object by the world's richest man, who hired Fujiko to compel Lupin's retrieval of same.
  • The Flash (1958), a rogue known as Doctor Alchemy used a philosopher's stone as his main weapon in crime.
  • Indiana Jones and the Iron Phoenix (1994), graphic novel by Lee Marrs.
  • The Slayers (1995). The version of the stone that was depicted in this series varied quite substantially from traditional depictions of it. The stone was of a dark color and appeared to have a metamorphic-rock-like consistency. It was said to be part of the "Staff of the Gods" that supported the Slayers' world and increased a magic user's powers exponentially, to the point of being almost god-like.
  • Rock of Ages (1997–98), a six-part story-arc in DC Comics' JLA comic series.
  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001); retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US.
  • Justice League (2002). Jason Blood and his alter-ego Etrigan the Demon seek the assistance of the Justice League in preventing the philosopher's stone from falling into the hands of his ancient enemy, the sorceress Morgaine Le Fey.
  • The Philosophers Stone, (2008) a feature length experimental film by director Raymond Salvatore Harmon comparing the Philosopher's Stone to the hallucinogenic LSD.
  • Fullmetal Alchemist (2001), a legendary stone is said to allow the holder to completely bypass the law of Equivalent Exchange. It is created using the souls of living humans and condensing them into a Stone with incredible alchemic energy.
  • Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water(1992). Anime by Hideki Anno. The said Blue water crystal which the characters of Nadia and her father, (both Atlanteans aka Taltesonians aka Lemurians aka hominid ALIENS, E.T., Ancient astronauts) carry is in fact the a tris´megistues, also known as the Red dragon (on few occasions the Blue water goes into blood red colour), also known as the Great orrichalcum or known by the human specie as the Philosopher stone. In the finale of the anime it is used to bring back to life Nadia´s boyfriend Jean, after he is several minutes dead and his head has bled out, transmuting the Blue Water, in the process, from a quantum-level pure energy structure to a lower energy level of normal grey lead.

Video games

  • World of Warcraft - The Philosopher's Stone is a trinket crafted and used by Alchemists to transmute different materials into others. It also acts as an equippable item.
  • Valkyrie Profile - The Philosopher's Stone is held by Lezard Valeth and is described to be more like a million-page codex that must be deciphered. Lezard ultimately uses it to survive Ragnarok.
  • Devil May Cry - The Philosopher's Stone is used as one of the keys to enter the Underworld.
  • Shadow of Memories - The Philosopher's Stone was given to Dr. Wagner by Eike as the final ingredient in making Homonculus.
  • Tomb Raider Chronicles - the goal of the first episode of the game, which takes place in Rome, is to find The Philosopher's Stone.
  • Alone In The Dark - The Philosopher's Stone was given to Edward Carnby by Theo Paddington while New York City was being destroyed by earthquakes which were caused by an evil spirit that was released by the power inside the stone. Edward Carnby must find the Path Of Light and make a critical choice that will either save the world or destroy it forever. During his mission, he is being pursued through Central Park by Zombies who were once human but they were transformed by the power of the stone. A madman named Crowley is also pursuing Carnby because he wants him dead so that he can get his hands on the stone so that he can further his evil plans.
  • League of Legends - The Philosopher's Stone is an advanced item improving the wearer's mana and health regeneration. It also passively increases gold income.
  • Shadow of memories - Also called "Shadow of Destiny". The protagonist, Eike, is being manipulated by a being called Homunculus to help obtain The Philosopher's Stone, which is the key to Homunculus' life.
  • Ragnarok Online - The Philosopher's Stone is an advanced item used for evolving alchemist's and biochemist's homunculus into its second form, stronger than the previous one and with a hidden skill enabled.
  • Doodle God - You can make "The Philosopher's Stone" by combining Demigod and Quicksilver.
  • Star Ocean: Till the End of Time - Peppita and Eliza can make The Philosopher's Stone Through the inventing process. it is used to recruit Ansala as an inventor.

Music

  • The concept album Grand Materia (2005) by the Swedish metal band Morgana Lefay is about Nicolas Flamel and his life and how he made the philosopher's stone.
  • Thievery Corporation features Philosopher's Stone as a track on the deluxe version of their 2008 album Radio Retaliation.
  • The album Back on Top (1999) by Van Morrison includes a track Philosopher's Stone, which contains the phrase: "Even my best friends they don't know that my job is turning lead into gold." Van Morrison also released a collection of previously unreleased tracks and alternate takes under the album name Philosopher's Stone in 1998.

See also

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References

  1. ^ Heindel, Max, Freemasonry and Catholicism, ISBN 0-911274-04-9
  2. ^ http://www.levity.com/alchemy/caezza3.html
  3. ^ Salomon Glass, Johann Gottfried Olearius, Philologia sacra: qua totius Vet. et Novi Testamenti Scripturae tum stylus et litteratura, tum sensus et genuinae interpretationis ratio et doctrina libris V expenditur ac traditur ^, imp. J. Fred. Gleditschius (1743)
  4. ^ listed e.g. in W. Schneider, Lexikon alchemistisch-pharmazeutischer Symbole, Weinheim 1962.
  5. ^ Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum t. XVIII, p. 24, cited by C. G. Jung in Roots of Consciousness.
  6. ^ Ragai, Jehane (1992), "The Philosopher's Stone: Alchemy and Chemistry", Journal of Comparative Poetics, 12 (Metaphor and Allegory in the Middle Ages): 58–77
  7. ^ Holmyard, E. J. (1924), "Maslama al-Majriti and the Rutbatu'l-Hakim", Isis, 6 (3): 293–305
  8. ^ Robert Briffault (1938). The Making of Humanity, p. 196-197.
  9. ^ Julian Franklyn ans Frederick E. Budd. A Survey of the Occult. Electric Book Company. 2001. p. 28-30. ISBN 1843270870.
  10. ^ it is unclear if the text originates in the Middle Ages or in Late Antiquity, but it is generally assumed to predate 1150, when Gerard of Cremona translated it from the Arabic (Mircea Eliade, History of Religious Ideas, vol. 3/1)
  11. ^ H. Biedermann, Lexikon der magischen Künste (1998), p. 407.
  12. ^ Burt, A.L. 1885. The National Standard Encyclopedia: A Dictionary of Literature, the Sciences and the Arts, for Popular Use p. 150. Available online.
  13. ^ Sebastian, Anton. 1999. A Dictionary of the History of Medicine. p. 179. ISBN 1-85070-021-4. Available online.
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