I would not say that alchemy differs from magic and traditional science. Alchemy seems to be harmonization of magic and science. Magic is fake, science is real. Alchemy is caught somewhere in between the two. Alchemy is unlike magic AND science in its philosophical aspects. Alchemy encompasses a number of different philosophical, scientific, and magical beliefs.
Holistic medicine concentrates on the healing process through mental and physical stimulation rather than prescriptions and drugs. The second principle of the emerald tablet agrees with the process of holistic medical treatment. The way I read it, "above" referred to the mind, and "below" referred to the body. Therefore, above and below had to work in harmony in order for the healing process to work correctly, body and mind must be one.
People today are still searching for the ""philosophers stone" and the "elixir of life" in many different ways. Cosmetic surgery is at an all time high. People today are so worried about their looks that they are willing to drastically alter themselves to look a couple of years younger. Although we may not be looking for a potable liquid to keep us young forever, we're still searching to keep us as young as we can for as long as we can. The search for the "philosophers stone" is one that I think will go on forever. Not literally, but what it represents. I think all humans should always chase enlightenment, no matter how old are educated you are.
The Emerald Tablet
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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1 comment:
I think alchemy does differ from magic because alchemy has more to do with philosophy and spirituality whereas magic is just an illusion which has an explanation to it. I however agree with you that alchemy and science is similar because constructing many experiment with turning metal into gold.
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