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Sylvia Rose
Aug 10, 20247 min read
How to Make Asem: Essential Alchemy
Asem is a stock metal mix in alchemy , usually prepared in quantity ahead of time and added to alchemical recipes as needed. Asem is...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 10, 20246 min read
Argyropoeia: Silver Making of Ancients
Argyropoeia is the process of making silver from another metal, such as copper. Although gold-making or chrysopoeia is better known,...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 8, 20245 min read
Albertus Magnus: Alchemy, Arsenic, Astrology
Albertus Magnus ( c.  1200 - 1280) is a German Dominican friar, philosopher, scientist, and bishop, considered one of the greatest...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 8, 20247 min read
Sulfur Mercury Principle of Alchemy
Sulfur and mercury are the two main elements of alchemical theory. Used as medicine in ancient civilizations such as Greece, they take a...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 7, 20246 min read
Babylonian Astrology: Destiny in the Stars
Babylonians are among the earliest astrologers. An ancient practice, astrology correlations the movements or habits of celestial bodies...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 6, 20245 min read
Astrology & Astronomy Ancient Origins
Astrology and astronomy give insights into seasonal changes and human nature. In Western tradition, astronomy is based on observance of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 6, 20246 min read
Ancient Greek Astrology & Astronomy
In the ancient Greek view, creation of astrology is attributed to the legendary sage Hermes Trismegistus. In Hellenic Greek times (323...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 6, 20243 min read
Medieval Astrology of Islam
Medieval Islamic astrology and astronomy begin in traditions of the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Early astronomy observes seasonal changes...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 6, 20245 min read
Celandine: Plant Toxins & Medicine
Celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a popular medicinal plant in the ancient world, also appearing in gold-making recipes of alchemists. Use...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 5, 20244 min read
Rudolf II Renaissance Prague: Alchemy, Eros & Occult
The Kunstkammer or Art Chamber of Rudolf II is a delight. A patron of arts, science, literature and occult the Holy Roman Emperor...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 2, 20245 min read
Famous Women of Renaissance Alchemy
Women often find inspiration in alchemy. In the light of the Renaissance several female alchemists emerge. Women alchemists of the...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 1, 202410 min read
Renaissance Apocalypse: End is Nigh
Plague, war, famine and pervading doom lurk beneath the genius and enlightenment of the western Renaissance. The Rosicrucian movement...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 27, 20244 min read
Caterina Sforza: Renaissance Alchemy
Caterina Sforza (1463-1509) is a remarkable figure of the Italian Renaissance, leading a colorful and controversial life. Alchemy is...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 12, 20246 min read
Pure Form, Archetypes & Alchemy
Plato's Theory of Forms points to abstract, ideal forms or concepts more real than the world one perceives. Alchemy deconstructs the...
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Sylvia Rose
May 4, 20245 min read
Opium Poppy (Papaver somnifum)
Opium poppy (Papaver somnifum) is the common source of opium and derivatives such as morphine or heroin. All poppies produce the narcotic...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 20, 20246 min read
Lake Van: Fate of a Primeval Soda Salt Lake
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey. A saline soda lake, it's fed by numerous mountain streams. Van lacks a water outlet, making it...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 12, 20246 min read
Stymphalian Birds & Greek Heroics
The Stymphalian birds are vicious flesh-eating birds in Greek mythology. They're believed to originate from the swamps of Stymphalia in...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 5, 20246 min read
Ancient Grains: Wheat, Barley, Millet, Rice
Wheat, barley, millet and rice are four of the ancient grains, going back to the Neolithic agrarian revolution c. 10,000 BCE. Ancient...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 4, 20244 min read
Yahweh: Warrior Origins, Name & Lore
Yahweh is the God of the Israelites in ancient Levant. In the Book of Exodus he reveals his Hebrew name, YHWH, to Moses. The origins of...
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Sylvia Rose
Mar 10, 20243 min read
White Pigments of Ancient Artisans
White pigments used in ancient art, spirituality and beauty include bone, limestone variations like chalk and other natural sources....
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