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Antimony (Stibnite, Kohl) Ancient Metal of Science & Beauty
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...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 22, 20245 min read
37 views


Ancient Greek Alchemy: ios and iosis
Iosis and ios relate to the final stage of the the alchemical process, or rubedo in Latin. It can be called the reddening or purpling....
Sylvia Rose
Sep 14, 20243 min read
15 views


Zinc (Zn): Essential Metal in Alchemy & Medicine
Zinc (Zn) is an essential metal of life and one of the four components in the Tetrasomia of Maria in alchemy. The 30th element on the...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 13, 20245 min read
34 views


Living Metals & Genders in Ancient Alchemy
The Alexandrian alchemists, as philosophers of nature steeped in Greco-Egyptian thinking, define the properties of metals as living...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 12, 20245 min read
19 views


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...
Sylvia Rose
Sep 6, 20246 min read
23 views


Ancient Greek Discovery & Use of Mercury
The ancient Greeks are celebrated for their contributions to various fields such as philosophy, mathematics, and medicine. Among their...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 30, 20243 min read
22 views


Aqua Regia: The Green Lyon of Alchemy
Aqua regia, Latin for “royal water,” is a powerful acidic solution known to dissolve noble metals like gold and platinum. It's used in...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20243 min read
36 views


Question of Alchemy in Ancient Rome
Alchemy, a fusion of science, philosophy and mysticism, emerges in practice from the 1st century AD. Among the power civilizations of...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 29, 20247 min read
10 views


Tellurium: Bright Gold & Dark Matter
Tellurium is the Latin word for earth. A brittle, non-malleable silvery white metalloid, tellurium (Te) is a rare element having both...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 21, 20244 min read
6 views


Alchemy: Metallurgy, Myths & Magic
Alchemy has a lifelong relationship with the magic of metals and their multiple manifestations. Metal workers and later blacksmiths...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 20, 20245 min read
13 views


Magic Metals, Gold, Smiths & Alchemists
In Eastern and Western alchemy, the transformation of metals into gold (Au) symbolizes a process of maturation for metal and alchemist....
Sylvia Rose
Aug 20, 20244 min read
23 views


Smelting Metals: Metalwork & Alchemy
In alchemy an essential piece of equipment is the hearth or forge. Smelting metal applies heat and a reducing agent to separate one or...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 20, 20244 min read
16 views


Alchemy: Ancient Purification of Tin
Tin purification is important to various alchemical practices, and a fundamental step in many recipes and formulas. In alchemy purified...
Sylvia Rose
Aug 11, 20243 min read
41 views


Calcination Process: Alchemy at High Heat
Calcination is a crucial process in sciences such as metallurgy and chemistry. A process of ancient alchemists, it's used allegorically...
Sylvia Rose
Jul 23, 20244 min read
20 views


Spiritual Alchemy: Cupellation Process
Cupellation involves smelting and manipulation of metals to improve their qualities or separate them into components. Silver is often...
Sylvia Rose
Jul 23, 20244 min read
7 views
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