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Hildegard von Bingen: Nature, Music & Beer
Hildegard von Bingen is a German Benedictine abbess and polymath often called the Sibyl (Prophetess) of the Rhine. She transcends...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 11, 20243 min read
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Women Brewers: Brewing History of Europe
Women have a significant role in brewing through history. Before brewing is industrialized, it's a domestic activity seen as providing...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 11, 20246 min read
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Eight Dye Plants & Natural Dyes in History
From vibrant reds extracted from roots to the deep blues synthesized from leaves, plants have abundant natural dyes and also health...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 11, 20246 min read
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Prague: Bohemians of the Renaissance
Prague is an epicenter of medieval and Renaissance Bohemian culture, art and architecture. Capital of today's Czech Republic, Prague has...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 10, 20244 min read
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5 Syphilis Treatments of European History
Syphilis is a complex disease, leading to unusual and alternative treatments in history. A sexually transmitted disease, syphilis is...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 10, 20244 min read
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The Four Medici Popes: Controversial Connections
Four Medici Popes shape history during their reigns: Pope Leo X, Pope Clement VII, Pope Pius IV, and Pope Leo XI. Centered in Florence,...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 9, 20244 min read
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Catholic Inquisitions: Chronology & Overview
The Catholic Inquisition is an institution in Christianity from the 12th to 19th century. Its purpose is to identify and eliminate heresy...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 9, 20246 min read
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Protestant Reformation of Renaissance Europe
The Protestant Reformation is one of the most significant movements in Western history. It transforms not just the Christian Church but...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 8, 20244 min read
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Rise & Fall of the Habsburg Dynasty Europe
The Habsburg Dynasty in history is one of Europe’s most powerful and influential royal families. From origins in the Swiss canton of...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 8, 20244 min read
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Nitric Acid: Aqua Fortis the Acid Queen
Nitric acid, called the Queen of Acids or aqua fortis (strong water) is a vital chemical compound with significant importance in fields...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 7, 20244 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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Valerian: Natural Health & Essential Oils
Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ) is known for its calming properties. It's a prominent plant in natural health and herbal medicine....

Sylvia Rose
Oct 4, 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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Ammonia: Formation, Hazards & Reactions
Ammonia is a simple versatile compound vital to life on Earth. Here's the info on its formation, historical significance, potential...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 1, 20245 min read
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Spirit of Wine of the Wise: Alchemy Recipe
Spirit of wine, or spirits of wine, is a common alchemical ingredient in medical remedies and recipes of chemical transformation. This...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 1, 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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