1) Alchemy differs from, but incorporates, magic and traditional science. Alchemy was a preliminary form of chemistry. Therefore, “experiments” were performed with a belief in an effort to reach the goal of making Gold from other metals and creating an elixir of youth, which would cure all ailments. Through these efforts, elixirs (some of which did have great healing powers) were created. In some cases, juices were squeezed from plants and fruits. Magic depends on control through the belief in supernatural powers. Alchemists believed in the spiritual level with power and its importance, but did not think the way to control the environment was through mere spells, physical activity was required. Traditional science does not account for the spiritual level of life and the environment. It does not acknowledge the supernatural. It only concentrates on the physical world and what can be proven. Alchemy incorporates the physical, the spiritual and the supernatural.
2) Principle number two from the “Emerald Tablet” can be interpreted in many ways and on many levels including the physical and spiritual. If we consider the psychological, physical and spiritual levels together, we can relate this to holistic health. In this way, we can interpret this principle to be about the wholeness, sameness and unity of the body, mind and soul. Holistic medicine attempts to treat these all together at once recognizing how they are interdependent. Principle two states that all are the same and all are one and therefore must be treated accordingly. In this way the mind body and soul work together to promote a balanced and healthy life. We could conclude then that Holistic medicine is a form of Alchemy seeking the cure for all ailments and instead of concerning itself with only one part, the physical, for healing like traditional medicine, a combination of approaches including the physical, mental and spiritual are utilized.
3) There are many examples of modern day alchemy-like behavior. These include our current cosmetic industry, our weight loss industry, and our “Health”food/ supplement industry, which are all looking to find the combination of ingredients that will preserve youth. In the jewelry industry, in order to produce more valuable items from less valuable raw materials, “laboratory created diamonds” have been produced.
Perhaps the best case of Alchemy at this time is the recently completed Large Hadron Collider (LHC) built below the France-Swiss border. Over 2,000 physicists from countries around the globe have worked for up to 19 years to build this machine, which will send atoms crashing together. The hopes of the scientists are to find a sub-atomic component some are calling “the God Particle.” As written by Richard Ingham, AFP on the Discovery Channel website in the article Atom-Smasher Gears Up to Find 'God Particle’, “ It could shed clues on the mystery of how the universe came to be. And it may determine whether, as some physicists believe, space-time holds dimensions other than our own” It seems to me, this could be the “Philosophers Stone.”
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.
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2 comments:
I like the fact that you mentioned the Large Hadron Collider. I was considering mentioning it as well but you beat me to it. I have been following this since I saw a show about it on the Discovery Channel and was hooked since then. I love watching Science, Discovery, National Geographic channel because in my opinion technology and science is the key to improving quality of life and advancing our civilization.
Can't wait to see what we discover as a result of building this machine.
I do agree with you that alchemy incorporates physical, spiritual and supernatural. I really do not understand when you said “Magic depends on control through the beliefs in supernatural powers”, for me magic it’s just a show basically something that it’s done to entertain some people but not necessarily truth. In alchemy things are done and shown. On the other hand you mention that a lot of companies are making and working in cosmetic product to preserve youth. I did not think of this until you mentioned it but if we look at it in that prospective we could say that is a way of trying to be immortal. Not that we are not going to died but we try to stop aging by using all this kind of products.
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