Sylvia Rose
Metal Smelting & Metallurgy in the Ancient World
Smelting, the art of extracting metal from its ore through heating and extraction, has been a part of human civilization since c. 6000...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 66 min read
Metal & Gemstone Dyeing in Alchemy
In alchemy, science and mysticism intertwine. Among the practical alchemical skills is dyeing of metals and gems. Alchemists from early...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 52 min read
Bolus of Mendes: Healer Philosopher of Egypt
Bolos of Mendes (Bolus of Mendes) is a Neo-Pythagorean writer of the Nile Delta in the 3rd century BCE. He publishes several works under...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 54 min read
Bolus (Bole) of Mendes: Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Mendes is an important city of ancient Egypt, in the Nile Delta. The bolus of Mendes or Mendesian bole refers to a medical preparation...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 54 min read
Baphomet, the Goat of Mendes in History
Baphomet is a unity of opposites. The mysterious figure emerges from the mythology, esotericism, and dramatic history of medieval Europe....
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 55 min read
Zosimos of Panopolis: Father of Alchemy
Zosimos of Panopolis (c. 300 AD) is a pivotal figure in the history of alchemy . Born in Panopolis, ancient Egypt, Zosimos lives in the...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 56 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 45 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 45 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 45 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 34 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 33 min read
Science of Onion Tears: Demystifying Acids
What exactly causes onions to make a person cry? The answer involves a combination of chemistry and enzymes. The trigger behind the tears...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 34 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 33 min read
Leap to Flames: Why Did Empedocles Jump into Mount Etna?
The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles of Sicily is an important figure in science and metaphysics. Based on Plato's work he...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 35 min read
Alchemy Process of Congelation: Freezing, Crystallization
Congelation is transformation of matter by freezing and crystallization. It's a straightforward process with many nuances. In spiritual...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 23 min read
Hundred Years’ War: Battles & Overview
The Hundred Years’ War is a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. It's...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 23 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 24 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 25 min read
Alchemy Processes Invented by Islamic Alchemists
After the 642 AD Islamic conquest of Egypt, the center of alchemy moves to Muslim lands. Medieval Arab alchemists study and expand upon...
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Sylvia Rose
Sep 25 min read
Salt in Alchemy: Alchemical Uses & Lore
Salt is important from ancient to Renaissance alchemy, and still used today in alchemical projects, dyeing, cuisine and medicine. In...
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