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Alchemy & the Magnum Opus - Black White Yellow Red
The Magnum Opus or Great Work is the goal of alchemists. From ancient Alexandria and the wisdom of Maria the Prophetess comes a color...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 5, 20244 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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Cleopatra the Divine & the Book of Comarius
Cleopatra the alchemist is active in Alexandria, Egypt c. 300 AD. She may be contemporary to Zosimos , who mentions her in his writings....

Sylvia Rose
Oct 3, 20246 min read
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Robert Boyle & the Great Alchemical Debate
Born in Ireland in 1627, Robert Boyle plays a significant role in the 17th century "scientific revolution". His groundbreaking...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 28, 20244 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 Joviale: Alchemy of Sudorific Sweat
Arcanum Joviale is an alchemy medicine made of metal salts, taken to induce sweating. While the term sudorific is introduced in 1626,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 25, 20244 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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Alchemy & Prague: Countess Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg
Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg (1559 - 1618) is described as a striking personality. Intelligent, charismatic and formidable of will,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20244 min read
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Nicolas Flamel: Creation of an Alchemy Legend
Nicolas Flamel (1330 - 1418) is a prosperous scribe shop owner in Paris, France. He marries well and lives an illustrious life. At his...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 21, 20246 min read
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Paracelsus: Renegade Renaissance Physician
Renegade physician Paracelsus is one of the most dramatic figures of the European Renaissance. Doctor, alchemist, astrologer,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 16, 20244 min read
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Literature: Great Literary Patrons in History
Benefactors of literature cultivate intellectual centers of creativity and innovation. Here are five powerful historical patrons whose...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 16, 20244 min read
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The Pseudos: Underground Alchemy Writers
Who said that? Pseudos are writers whose work is falsely attributed to a major figure. The real writer can be one or more. Many share...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 16, 20247 min read
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Finding the Philosophers' Egg
Atomic theory first appears in the 5th century BCE. Later examination notes the atom is much like an egg. Atoms have an extremely small,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 15, 20245 min read
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Arnaldus de Villanova: Medieval Alchemist
Arnaldus de Villanova (1240 - 1311) is a prominent figure of medieval alchemy, literature and medicine. He comes from Spain, studies at...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 15, 20244 min read
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Ancient Greek Alchemy: ios and iosis
Iosis and ios relate to the final stage of the the alchemical process, or rubedo in Latin. It can be called the reddening or purpling....

Sylvia Rose
Sep 14, 20243 min read
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Basil Valentine: Secrets of Medieval Alchemy
Basil Valentine or Basilius Valentinus is an enigmatic medieval Benedictine monk of Germany. It's thought to be a pseudonym, although the...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 14, 20243 min read
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Gold-Making of Maria: Tetrasomia Four Metals
Known as the first true alchemist, Mary or Maria the Jewess is active in Alexandria c. 100 AD. Her work survives through commentaries...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 12, 20244 min read
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Eirenaeus Philalethes: Alchemy & Death in Renaissance London
Eirenaeus Philalethes is a pseudonym of London alchemist George Starkey (1628 - 1665). It turns out he needs one. Financially he...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 11, 20244 min read
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Mary the Jewess: Gold-Making & the Philosophers' Stone
Mary the Jewess appears on the scene in vibrant Alexandria on the sparkling Mediterranean in c. first century AD. Educated, well-spoken,...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 11, 20246 min read
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Secrets of Mystical Alchemy: Unlocking the Unknown
Mystical alchemy, steeped in ancient wisdom and enigmatic practices, has long captivated truth seekers. Drawn into this absorbing...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 10, 20243 min read
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