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Sylvia Rose
Sep 14, 20243 min read
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...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 13, 20247 min read
Divine Water: Sulfuric Acid in Alchemy
Divine Water, oil of vitriol or sulfuric acid, scientifically denoted H₂SO₄, is commonly used in alchemy experiments. A mineral acid, it...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 11, 20244 min read
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...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 10, 20248 min read
Alchemical Scientists: Secret Science of Alchemy
Alchemy reveals a world of penniless mystics, befuddled interpretation, arts of coloring metals and the quest for healing. Making gold...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 9, 20246 min read
Isabella Cortese: Renaissance Writer, Alchemist, Entrepreneur
Lady Isabella Cortese is born in the 16th century into a wealthy family in Italy. In Venice, she transcends conventional norms to shine...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 9, 20245 min read
Secrets of Renaissance Herbal Recipes
Renaissance herbal recipes focus on health and medicine, but can also include dyeing, coloring and pigment making. Botanical knowledge...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 5, 20246 min read
Alchemy in the Renaissance: Quest for Truth
Alchemy surges to the forefront of many intellectually-driven cultures. From the Golden Age in Alexandria to Islamic mysticism and thence...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
Alchemy in the European Renaissance
The Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1750) fosters the growth of alchemy through patronage and practice. A convergence of science, philosophy, and...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
How to Make Venetian Red Artisan Pigment
Venetian Red, also called Mars Red, is a non-toxic iron oxide pigment used by dyers, painters and craftspersons since the early days of...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 4, 20245 min read
Lucrezia Borgia: Exploring the Enigma
Lucrezia Borgia is an enigmatic figure of the Italian Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1550 AD). This period sees revival of art, culture and...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20244 min read
Titans of the Renaissance: Powerful Italian Families
Powerful Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Gonzaga and Este families rise to prominence in the Renaissance. Behind the vast artistic innovations...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 3, 20244 min read
Cosimo Ruggeri: Prophecies from the Dark
Cosimo Ruggeri is an Italian astrologer , alchemist, haruspex , favorite and advisor to the queen regent of France, Catherine de Medici....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20243 min read
Sulfur-Mercury Theory: Alchemical Philosophy
The Sulfur-Mercury theory, an ancient cornerstone of alchemical thought, exemplifies the duality inherent in alchemy. The relationship...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 2, 20244 min read
Alchemy: Philosophers' Stone History & Lore
The Philosophers' Stone or lapis philosophorum is a miraculous legendary substance. It holds secrets to an elixir of life, a cure for...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
Equipment Alchemists Need: Essential Tools of the Trade
Alchemy begins with several elements coming together at a crucial time in Alexandria, Egypt. As an international glass center, the city...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
Science of Rust Earth Pigments & Colors
Rust is a complex chemical reaction from the interaction of iron, oxygen, and moisture. This common phenomenon produces striking colors...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
Goethite: The Other Iron-Rich Mineral
Goethite is common but like hematite a remarkable iron oxide mineral. In geology and mineralogy, goethite has piqued the interest of...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20243 min read
Planetary Name Symbolism in Ancient Astrology
The practice of naming planets comes from the work of the Babylonians. The concept passes into the Greek, and from there, Romans begin...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20244 min read
Hematite: Iron Oxide Red Earth Pigment
"Hematite" comes from the ancient Greek for blood. The stone creates red dust when cut and polished. The red color isn't always visible...
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Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
How to Make Hematite Pigment: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hematite, an iron ore with the chemical formula Fe2O3 (ferric oxide), is known for its metallic luster. In earthy form the stone offers a...
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