European History 4/15

Fulminating Silver: Dangerous Explosives in Alchemical Science

Sylvia Rose

Sep 27, 20243 min read

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,...

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Johann Glauber: Fulminating Gold & Sodium Sulfate

Sylvia Rose

Sep 26, 20244 min read

Johann Glauber: Fulminating Gold & Sodium Sulfate

Johann Rudolf Glauber is a German-Dutch polymath who revolutionizes the scientific world with groundbreaking discoveries and innovative...

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Arcanum Duplicatum: Double Secret of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Sep 26, 20243 min read

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...

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Ardent Spirits Alchemy: the Fiery Elixirs of Life

Sylvia Rose

Sep 26, 20244 min read

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...

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Fulminating Gold: Blowing It Up in Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Sep 25, 20243 min read

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...

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Platinum (Pt): Junk Metal to Pure Treasure

Sylvia Rose

Sep 24, 20246 min read

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...

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Aluminum(III) Oxide: Secrets of Precious Gemstones

Sylvia Rose

Sep 23, 20244 min read

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,...

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Indigo: Extract Dye from Indigofera Tinctoria

Sylvia Rose

Sep 22, 20244 min read

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...

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Alchemy: Ancient Mordant Recipes for Fabric & Stones

Sylvia Rose

Sep 22, 20243 min read

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...

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Mordants - Essential Ancient Dye Techniques

Sylvia Rose

Sep 21, 20243 min read

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...

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Earth of Chios: Ancient Alchemy, Cosmetics, & Medicine

Sylvia Rose

Sep 20, 20244 min read

Earth of Chios: Ancient Alchemy, Cosmetics, & Medicine

Earth of Chios is a white to gray powdery mineral soil or fine grained clay found on the Greek island of Chios. Earth of Chios or Chian...

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Alchemy Processes & Related Astrology Signs

Sylvia Rose

Sep 20, 20248 min read

Alchemy Processes & Related Astrology Signs

Alchemy and astrology interact on levels of occult arts, principles of science and laws of nature. Just for fun, here are the twelve...

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Fractional Distillation: Ancient & Medieval Alchemy Processes

Sylvia Rose

Sep 19, 20242 min read

Fractional Distillation: Ancient & Medieval Alchemy Processes

Fractional distillation is a technique to separate components of a mixture based on their various boiling points. In this process, a...

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Science of Alchemy: Simple Distillation Process

Sylvia Rose

Sep 19, 20246 min read

Science of Alchemy: Simple Distillation Process

Simple distillation is a technique of ancient and medieval alchemists. It can be a process on its own or part of a larger work, involving...

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5 Waters of Ancient Alchemy: Aqua Caustic

Sylvia Rose

Sep 18, 20245 min read

5 Waters of Ancient Alchemy: Aqua Caustic

The Waters of Alchemy are ravenous acids, miraculous solvents and corrosive fluids vital to alchemical process. Not for children ....

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10 Alchemical Metals - Ancient Metals of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Sep 17, 20246 min read

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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Alchemical Salt: Essential Salts of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Sep 17, 20245 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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Paracelsus: Renegade Renaissance Physician

Sylvia Rose

Sep 16, 20244 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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The Alembic: Essential Alchemy Equipment

Sylvia Rose

Sep 16, 20243 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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Literature: Great Literary Patrons in History

Sylvia Rose

Sep 16, 20244 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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