Diana's Tree ( Arbor Diana or Dianae ) is one of the most intriguing creations of alchemy. Its delicate branches of crystallized silver...

Alchemy these days is often seen only as a mystical practice purveying the clic hé of turning base metals into gold. Alchemy is in fact...

White lead, lead(II) carbonate or PbCO₃, has a long sordid history in art, paint and industry, a major source of white for artists and in...

Molybdochalkos is a blend of copper and lead. It's the standard metal used in the kerotakis, an alchemical creation attributed to Maria...

Hildegard von Bingen is a German Benedictine abbess and polymath often called the Sibyl (Prophetess) of the Rhine. She transcends...

Women have a significant role in brewing through history. Before brewing is industrialized, it's a domestic activity seen as providing...

The Magnum Opus or Great Work is the goal of alchemists. From ancient Alexandria and the wisdom of Maria the Prophetess comes a color...

Sophie Brahe (1556 - 1643) is born into a noble Danish family. Sister of astronomer Tycho Brahe, Sophie is destined for greatness. She...

Cleopatra the alchemist is active in Alexandria, Egypt c. 300 AD. She may be contemporary to Zosimos , who mentions her in his writings....

Barbara von Zweibrücken-Neuburg (1559 - 1618) is described as a striking personality. Intelligent, charismatic and formidable of will,...

Antimony (Sb) from the ore stibnite, is one of the elements known by the ancients, a primary source of black powder kajal or kohl. With...

Nicolas Flamel (1330 - 1418) is a prosperous scribe shop owner in Paris, France. He marries well and lives an illustrious life. At his...

Maria or Mary the Jewess c. 100 AD is considered the first true alchemist. In her works she mentions a clear white herb growing on small...

Known as the first true alchemist, Mary or Maria the Jewess is active in Alexandria c. 100 AD. Her work survives through commentaries...

Mary the Jewess appears on the scene in vibrant Alexandria on the sparkling Mediterranean in c. first century AD. Educated, well-spoken,...

Aisha bint Abi Bakr (c. 613 – 678 AD) is a medieval Islamic woman, a royal daughter, and the wife of the Prophet Muhammed. One of the...

Lady Isabella Cortese is born in the 16th century into a wealthy family in Italy. In Venice, she transcends conventional norms to shine...

The Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1750) fosters the growth of alchemy through patronage and practice. A convergence of science, philosophy, and...

Lucrezia Borgia is an enigmatic figure of the Italian Renaissance (c. 1350 - 1550 AD). This period sees revival of art, culture and...

Powerful Medici, Borgia, Sforza, Gonzaga and Este families rise to prominence in the Renaissance. Behind the vast artistic innovations...