Sylvia Rose
Mystique of Nous: Awareness & Perception
Nous is a concept from classical philosophy, equated to intellect or intelligence, and the area of the human mind necessary for...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 204 min read
Sublime Vision of Hermes Trismegistus
Hermes Trismegistus is in deep contemplation, wandering over rugged and lonely terrain. By the secret guidelines of the Temple, he...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 145 min read
Salt: Exalted Mineral of Alchemy
Salt in alchemy is an independent mineral as well as one of the tria prima , or Three Primes, a medieval concept dominating Renaissance...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 126 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
Jun 242 min read
Tria Prima (Three Primes): Meanings
The tria prima or Three Primes are the three main elements of ancient philosophers, medieval physicians and ubiquitous alchemists....
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 215 min read
Chrysopoeia - Turning Lead into Gold
Chrysopoeia is Greek for "goldsmithing." It's the alchemical process or action of turning a base metal such as lead into the noble metal...
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Sylvia Rose
Mar 157 min read
Verdigris: Creation of Coveted Blue Green Pigment
Verdigris is the green rust or patina on copper, created as the metal reacts with oxygen in the environment. Copper corrodes green to...
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Sylvia Rose
Mar 14 min read
Woad, the People's Blue: Ancient Pigments
Woad ( Isatis tinctoria ) is a plant yielding a blue pigment used in dyes, paint and medicine. A member of the mustard family, it's also...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 26, 20233 min read
Phosphorus: Element of Fatal Fascination
Phosphorus is the first element not known since ancient times. This glowing substance is discovered by German alchemist Hennig Brand in...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 25, 20232 min read
What is the Philosopher's Stone?
The Philosopher's Stone (latin: lapis philosophorum ) conjures elements of primal lore and eternal powers. In history and legend,...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 18, 202310 min read
Alchemy: Science, Philosophy, Magic
Alchemy rises from inquiring minds . Golden Ages of alchemy appear in Greco-Roman Alexandria , medieval Islam and the Renaissance ....
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 13, 20236 min read
Seven Metals of Antiquity - Metallurgy
The Metals of Antiquity are the seven metals identified and used by humans in Europe and the Middle East in prehistoric times. They are...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 13, 20233 min read
Gnomes: Earth Spirits of Renaissance Mythology
Beloved in gardens, gnomes bring blessings of Earth. Thought to dwell in underground tunnels, caverns, soil and rocks, chthonic gnomes...
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Sylvia Rose
Apr 20, 20233 min read
Care and Feeding of Your German Kobold
One of the most fascinating creatures of German mythology and folklore is the Kobold. Elusive and canny, Kobolds are house spirits, ship...
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