Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici, also known as Cosimo the Elder, is a leading figure in the rise of Florence as the Italian Renaissance...

Alchemy symbolism is an ancient and fluctuating system of intertwined elements compounded over more than 2000 years. A cornerstone of...

Gnosticism and Gnostic principles emerge in the first century AD, though they're believed to have deeper roots. Many different shades of...

Gnosticism emerges in the 1st century AD as a philosophical and religious movement seeking a unique perspective on spiritual...

During the Western Renaissance, new exciting artists' pigments appear in brilliant colors, vibrant scarlet red, deep rich blue,...

Isaac Newton, English physicist and mathematician, has a deep interest in the occult. He writes of chronology, biblical interpretation...

Alchemy has origins in ancient medicine, metallurgy and gemology. As metallurgy evolves to coloring metals the goal is to make base...

Rosaceum or rosaceum oil is used in alchemical recipes for coloring gold or gems, and also has medicinal properties found in texts such...

Pedanius Dioscorides is a surgeon in the army of Emperor Nero . His knowledge of surgery and other medical skills suggests study in...

The Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross is a significant 18th century German Rosicrucian organization involved with mysticism and hidden...

Christian Rosenkreuz is the legendary founder of the Rosicrucians (Order of the Rose Cross). Three writings attributed to him appear in...

Tin purification is important to various alchemical practices, and a fundamental step in many recipes and formulas. In alchemy purified...

Asem is a stock metal mix in alchemy , usually prepared in quantity ahead of time and added to alchemical recipes as needed. Asem is...

Argyropoeia is the process of making silver from another metal, such as copper. Although gold-making or chrysopoeia is better known,...

Albertus Magnus ( c.  1200 - 1280) is a German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist, and bishop, considered one of the greatest...

Sulfur and mercury are the two main elements of alchemical theory. Used as medicine in ancient civilizations such as Greece, they take a...

Babylonians are among the earliest astrologers. An ancient practice, astrology correlations the movements or habits of celestial bodies...

Astrology and astronomy give insights into seasonal changes and human nature. In Western tradition, astronomy is based on observance of...

In the ancient Greek view, creation of astrology is attributed to the legendary sage Hermes Trismegistus. In Hellenic Greek times (323...

Medieval Islamic astrology and astronomy begin in traditions of the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Early astronomy observes seasonal changes...