Sylvia Rose
10 Alchemical Metals - Ancient Metals of Alchemy
Ten metals are used in alchemy since its ancient emergence. They are antimony, bismuth, copper, gold, iron, lead, quicksilver (mercury),...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 175 min read
Alchemical Salt: Essential Salts of Alchemy
Salts are ubiquitous in nature and play critical roles in sciences from biology to medicine. In alchemy, salts are standard ingredients....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 164 min read
Paracelsus: Renegade Renaissance Physician
Renegade physician Paracelsus is one of the most dramatic figures of the European Renaissance. Doctor, alchemist, astrologer,...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 163 min read
The Alembic: Essential Alchemy Equipment
The alembic is an essential alchemical tool. It functions like a retort, which in lead, iron or copper form has been used through...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 164 min read
Literature: Great Literary Patrons in History
Benefactors of literature cultivate intellectual centers of creativity and innovation. Here are five powerful historical patrons whose...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 144 min read
Diplosis: Gold Doubling & Multiplication in Alchemy
Displosis is the ancient practice of doubling gold. It's considered to be a skill of alchemists and early metal workers as well. If done...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 137 min read
Divine Water: Sulfuric Acid in Alchemy
Divine Water, oil of vitriol or sulfuric acid, scientifically denoted H₂SO₄, is commonly used in alchemy experiments. A mineral acid, it...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 125 min read
Living Metals & Genders in Ancient Alchemy
The Alexandrian alchemists, as philosophers of nature steeped in Greco-Egyptian thinking, define the properties of metals as living...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 114 min read
Eirenaeus Philalethes: Alchemy & Death in Renaissance London
Eirenaeus Philalethes is a pseudonym of London alchemist George Starkey (1628 - 1665). It turns out he needs one. Financially he...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 83 min read
Moonwort (Botrychium Lunaria): Folklore, Magic and Medicine
Botrychium lunaria, lunary or common moonwort has a long history of use in folklore and medicine. It's found in the alchemy of Maria the...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 86 min read
Almadén Mines: Ancient Mercury Extraction
The Almadén Mines in central Spain have an infamous past driven by profit and greed. The deadly history of ancient Almadén revolves...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 62 min read
Democritus: Laughing Philosopher Ahead of His Time
In ancient philosophical thought, Democritus is a visionary whose ideas continue to illuminate minds. Born in 460 BCE in Abdera, Greece,...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 64 min read
Metal Smelting & Metallurgy in the Ancient World
Smelting, the art of extracting metal from its ore through heating and extraction, has been a part of human civilization since c. 6000...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 66 min read
Metal & Gemstone Dyeing in Alchemy
In alchemy, science and mysticism intertwine. Among the practical alchemical skills is dyeing of metals and gems. Alchemists from early...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 54 min read
Baphomet, the Goat of Mendes in History
Baphomet is a unity of opposites. The mysterious figure emerges from the mythology, esotericism, and dramatic history of medieval Europe....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 56 min read
Alchemy in the Renaissance: Quest for Truth
Alchemy surges to the forefront of many intellectually-driven cultures. From the Golden Age in Alexandria to Islamic mysticism and thence...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 45 min read
How to Make Venetian Red Artisan Pigment
Venetian Red, also called Mars Red, is a non-toxic iron oxide pigment used by dyers, painters and craftspersons since the early days of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 45 min read
Lucrezia Borgia: Exploring the Enigma
Lucrezia Borgia is an enigmatic figure of the Italian Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1550 AD). This period sees revival of art, culture and...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 34 min read
Titans of the Renaissance: Powerful Italian Families
Powerful Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Gonzaga and Este families rise to prominence in the Renaissance. Behind the vast artistic innovations...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 33 min read
Science of Onion Tears: Demystifying Acids
What exactly causes onions to make a person cry? The answer involves a combination of chemistry and enzymes. The trigger behind the tears...
18 views
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