Alchemy is a pre-scientific practice that combines elements found in modern chemistry, physics, art, semiotics, psychology, metallurgy, medicine, astrology, mysticism and religion. The common goal of all alchemists was to discover a way of turning lead into gold (the so-called philosophers’ stone), a cure for all diseases (the panacea) and a magical elixir of immortality. Alchemy is regarded as the direct ancestor of today’s chemistry. Symbolic alchemy is part of the ritual of the “Masonic journey”, which symbolises, among other things, the ascetic path leading to Masonic gnosis – knowledge for the initiated. The word alchemy derives from the Arabic al-kimiya (الكيمياء or الخيمياء), made up of the prefix al- and the Greek word χυμεία (chymeia), meaning to combine or to fuse. There is also a theory deriving khemeia (chymeia) from Kham, a name for Egypt (which, according to one account, appears in the Bible as the name “Ham”). Another theory derives khemeia from the Greek khumos, meaning plant juice, making it the art of extracting liquids from fruit.
First published (Polish original): 25 February 2009. Written by astrologers and esoteric specialists working with our editorial team; edited and translated for HOROSCOP.SPACE. © All rights reserved.
