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Thirty Years' War Europe: Five Major Battles
The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) is one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. Up to 8 million people lose their lives...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 7, 20243 min read
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Thirty Years' War: Conflict, Antagonists, and Impact on Society
The Thirty Years' War (1618 - 48) is a major factor in the collapse of the European Renaissance and devastates a continent for three...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 7, 20244 min read
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Art of Egg Tempera: Paint Like the Old Masters
Egg tempera painting is beloved for its luminous quality and durability. This method uses egg yolk as a binding agent for pigments, and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 7, 20247 min read
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Process of Projection in Renaissance Alchemy
Projection, according to experts of the Renaissance, is the final act of alchemical work once the Philosophers' Stone has been made. The...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 6, 20243 min read
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Niter (Saltpeter): Science of Alchemy
Niter or saltpeter (KNO3) is the mineral form of potassium nitrate. A soft substance easy to grind, it creates colorless to white...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 6, 20243 min read
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Sophie Brahe Writer, Alchemist & Astronomer
Sophie Brahe (1556 - 1643) is born into a noble Danish family. Sister of astronomer Tycho Brahe, Sophie is destined for greatness. She...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 4, 20244 min read
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Fermentation: Yeast & the Active Microworld
Fermentation is used intentionally by c. 8000 BCE to create honey mead , a blend of fermented honey and water. Yeast is crucial to...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 4, 20244 min read
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Book of Comarius: Making Gold with Cleopatra
The Book of Comarius is a mysterious tome dedicated to Cleopatra the Divine, or Cleopatra the Alchemist of Alexandria. In it, Comarius, a...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 3, 20245 min read
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Tartrate Crystals: Secrets of Tartaric Acid
Tartrate crystals appear on the bottom of a wine glass or in a bottle of grape juice, created by a reaction of tartaric acid. Reference...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 3, 20243 min read
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Red & White Tartar: Wine Salts of Alchemy
Red and white tartar are ingredients used by ancients and yet today. Alchemists have great interest in salts, waters, spirits and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 2, 20242 min read
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Fulminating Silver: Dangerous Explosives in Alchemical Science
Fulminating silver is a term applicable to a number of silver base d explosives which "fulminate" or detonate easily and violently,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 27, 20243 min read
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Johann Glauber: Fulminating Gold & Sodium Sulfate
Johann Rudolf Glauber is a German-Dutch polymath who revolutionizes the scientific world with groundbreaking discoveries and innovative...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 26, 20244 min read
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Arcanum Duplicatum: Double Secret of Alchemy
Arcanum Duplicatum is known by many names: sulphate of potash, arcanite, potash of sulfur, potassium sulfate. An inorganic compound, it...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 26, 20243 min read
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Ardent Spirits Alchemy: the Fiery Elixirs of Life
Ardent Spirits in alchemy are liquors obtained after repeated distillations from fermented fruit and vegetables. They are thus called...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 26, 20244 min read
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Fulminating Gold: Blowing It Up in Alchemy
Fulminating Gold ( aurum fulminans ) is the first high explosive known, recorded in Western alchemy c. 1585. Sebald Schwaerzer is the...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 25, 20243 min read
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Platinum (Pt): Junk Metal to Pure Treasure
Platinum (Pt) is one of the most treasured metals in the world. Known for its durability, rarity and luster, platinum is a symbol of...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 24, 20246 min read
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Aluminum(III) Oxide: Secrets of Precious Gemstones
Aluminum oxide or alumina (Al2O3) is the secret to the composition and allure of precious gems such as sapphire and ruby. This white,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 23, 20244 min read
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Indigo: Extract Dye from Indigofera Tinctoria
Indigo, deep blue dye from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, often associated with blue denim, is one of humanity's oldest dyes. The...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20244 min read
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Alchemy: Ancient Mordant Recipes for Fabric & Stones
Alchemy of the ancients includes skills such as preparation of dyes, pigments and mordants for fabric and stone. Purple dyes are...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20243 min read
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Mordants - Essential Ancient Dye Techniques
Mordants are part of the dyeing process and help achieve vibrant colors. Dyeing fabrics goes back to the Stone Age. Mordants are also...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 21, 20243 min read
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