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Roger Bacon: Medieval Science & Alchemy
Roger Bacon (c. 1219 - 1292) is a Franciscan friar and fiery figure in medieval and later science and philosophy. He's known for his...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 28, 20243 min read
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Rosicrucianism in the Renaissance
Rosicrucianism is the study or following of a movement based in Renaissance thought, popular in the 17th century. Rosicrucians explore...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 27, 20244 min read
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Michael Maier: Rosicrucians, Art & Alchemy
Michael Maier (1568–1622) is a German physician, alchemist, epigramist and composer. A prolific writer and shrewd thinker, he influences...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 26, 20245 min read
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Alkanet: Ancient Dye Magic & Medicine
Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) is a plant related to borage, also a popular medicinal herb. Alkanet is used in folk magic, alchemy, natural...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 26, 20243 min read
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Pope vs Alchemy 1317 AD: Falsification
Pope John Paul XII bans the practice of alchemy for the falsification of metals in 1317. In the Middle Ages, alchemy is a mysterious...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 25, 20244 min read
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Democritus - Atomic Theory 400 BCE
Democritus, an ancient Greek philosopher, makes a groundbreaking conclusion: matter is fundamentally indivisible. He introduces the...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 25, 20244 min read
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The Pauli Effect - Quarks or Quacks?
The Pauli Effect is a peculiar phenomenon named after physicist Wolfgang Pauli. In the early 20th century, quantum theory is a brave new...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 18, 20242 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Jul 14, 20245 min read
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Synchronicity: Psychology of Coincidence
Synchronicity describes thoughts and occurrences with apparent relations in meaning, yet without an obvious causal connection....

Sylvia Rose
Jul 2, 20246 min read
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Alchemy Tria Prima of Paracelsus: Three Primes
The Three Primes or tria prima of alchemy come from renegade Renaissance physician Paracelsus. The tria prima are salt , sulfur and...

Sylvia Rose
Jun 24, 20244 min read
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Women Scientists of the Ancient World
Women scientists in specialize in astrology, astronomy, medicine, alchemy, chemistry, beauty enhancement and magic. In chronological...

Sylvia Rose
Jun 3, 20246 min read
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Verdigris: Coveted Blue Green Copper Pigment
Verdigris is the green rust or patina on copper, created as the metal reacts with oxygen in the environment. Copper corrodes green to...

Sylvia Rose
Mar 15, 20247 min read
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Black Pigments of Ancient Artisans
Black is among the first pigments in the palette of early humans. By Paleolithic times, black defines lines, shadows and meaning. Black...

Sylvia Rose
Mar 11, 20245 min read
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Limonite: Ancient Earth Pigments
Limonite is an iron earth mineraloid among the first colors of the Stone Age palette. Grinding limonite produces yellow ochre. Other...

Sylvia Rose
Mar 3, 20245 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Mar 1, 20244 min read
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Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia
Incense burns smoky over hot coals. Voices rise in prayers, incantations and songs. Noise, wailing, howling, clapping, stamping, bells,...

Sylvia Rose
Dec 25, 20235 min read
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Rabbit Fever Plague & Warfare: Hittites
Disaster strikes as the first plague of tularemia or rabbit fever breaks out in the ancient Hittite Empire in the 14th century BCE....

Sylvia Rose
Nov 11, 20235 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 26, 20233 min read
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Arsenic: Murderous Metal & Miracle Cure
Arsenic (As) has been called the King of Poisons and the Poison of Kings. This silvery metalloid appears abundantly in the Earth and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 21, 20235 min read
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Cleopatra the Alchemist of Alexandria
Cleopatra the Alchemist is an intriguing figure in the hazy history of science and magic. She works and writes in the 3rd or 4th...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 19, 20233 min read
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